Buy me a coffeeDragon, Orichalcum
Orichalcum dragons, named for a mysterious coppery-red metal used by the ancients, are obsessed with rooting out the secrets of the past and rebuilding the glory of fallen empires. They seek out ruined cities and temples to uncover ancient knowledge and magic. An orichalcum dragon’s hoard is more than just gold and gems – its home is its hoard.
Orichalcum dragons were far more numerous in ancient times, and many bloodlines were sworn to the service of great empires, such as Azlant, the primeval elves, or the empires of the serpentfolk and cyclopes. Around the time of the rise of Thassilon, orichalcum dragons across the globe fell victim to plague, decimating their numbers.
In any case, orichalcum dragons today are a dying breed, obsessed with their race’s past glories. More than anything, they wish to rebuild their standing in the world, and to do so they reconstruct ancient sites and build new (if petty) kingdoms on the ruins of the old. Because they were most closely associated with Atlantis and the serpentfolk, orichalcum dragons are found in the greatest numbers in dark jungles, where those two empires abutted one another, but individual dragons have staked out claims to ruins all over the world.
Once an orichalcum dragon claims a ruin as its own, driving off or killing any previous squatters, it sets about attracting new followers, typically humans, lizardfolk, goblins, or even gnolls, depending on what are closest at hand. Kobolds in particular are drawn to orichalcum dragons, and a kobold tribe under one’s protection tends to be less vicious and more sophisticated. The dragon’s followers may treat it as anything from a benign feudal lord to a violent god-king depending on the dragon’s temperament. Orichalcum dragons may be either a friend or an enemy to adventurers – some eagerly recruit mercenaries to help clean out the deepest corners of its new home, while others viciously kill any intruders in their lairs.
Orichalcum dragons are vaguely feline in build, with clawed feet shaped more like a lion’s paws than a lizard’s talon. Their scales are dull brown at hatching, but take on a lustrous coppery-red shine as they age. Older orichalcum dragons enjoy embedding jewels in their scales in designs inspired by the art of their home ruins.
ORICHALCUM DRAGON
LN dragon (earth)
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Base Statistics
CR: 6; Size: Small; Hit Dice: 7d12
Speed: 40 ft.
Natural Armor: +6; Breath Weapon: Line, 2d8 acid
Str 13, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 12
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Ecology
Environment: Warm forests (ruins)
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: Triple
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Corrosive Aura (Su): An old or older orichalcum dragon is surrounded by an aura of corrosive fumes. All creatures within 5 feet of the dragon take 1d6 points of acid damage at the beginning of the dragon’s turn. An ancient dragon’s aura extends to 10 feet. A great wyrm’s aura damage increases to 2d6. An orichalcum dragon can suppress or activate this aura at will as a free action.
Animate Breath (Su): The acidic bile breathed by an orichalcum dragon does not simply disperse. Rather, it collapses in on itself, creating a serpent of magic vapor that attacks the dragon’s enemies. The vaporous serpent appears in any unoccupied square (or squares for Large or larger serpents) in the area affected by the breath weapon and acts just after the dragon in the initiative order. See below for vaporous serpent statistics.
An orichalcum dragon can will its vaporous serpent to dissolve into nothing at will; otherwise it lasts until reduced to 0 hit points. An orichalcum dragon can have only one vaporous serpent in existence at a time.
Constrict (Ex): An ancient or older orichalcum dragon gains the grab special attack with its tail slap. It can constrict for an amount of damage equal to its tail slap.
Long Tail (Ex): A young or older orichalcum dragon’s reach with its tail slap is 5 feet longer. An orichalcum dragon can affect a radius of 40 feet with its tail sweep if Gargantuan or 50 feet if Colossal.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): An orichalcum dragon gains the following spell-like abilities, usable at will upon reaching the listed age category. Its caster level for these effects is equal to its Hit Dice, and any save DCs are Charisma-based. An orichalcum dragon can use these abilities at will. Very young – detect magic; juvenile – fire trap; adult – explosive runes; old – legend lore; ancient – teleport trap; great wyrm – maze.
Summon Ruin Elemental (Sp): This ability, usable by a great wyrm orichalcum dragon once per day, works like a summon monster spell, except that it summons one ruin elemental. This ability is the equivalent of a 9th-level spell.
AGE CATEGORIES
Wyrmling: Special Abilities: Animate breath, immune to acid; Caster Level: –
Very Young: Special Abilities: Detect magic; Caster Level: –
Young: Special Abilities: Long tail; Caster Level: 1st.
Juvenile: Special Abilities: Fire trap; Caster Level: 3rd.
Young Adult: Special Abilities: DR 5/magic, spell resistance; Caster Level: 5th.
Adult: Special Abilities: Frightful presence, explosive runes; Caster Level: 7th
Mature Adult: Special Abilities: DR 10/magic; Caster Level: 9th.
Old: Special Abilities: Corrosive aura, legend lore; Caster Level: 11th.
Very Old: Special Abilities: DR 15/magic; Caster Level: 13th.
Ancient: Special Abilities: Constrict, teleport trap; Caster Level: 15th.
Wyrm: Special Abilities: DR 20/magic; Caster Level: 17th.
Great Wyrm: Special Abilities: Summon ruin elemental, maze; Caster Level: 19th.
VAPOROUS SERPENT
An orichalcum dragon’s animated breath, referred to as a vaporous serpent, has the following statistics.
Type: Construct (earth).
Size: One size smaller than the orichalcum dragon.
Initiative: The vaporous serpent always acts immediately after the orichalcum dragon’s initiative count.
Hit Dice: The vaporous serpent has 1/10 the orichalcum dragon’s total hit points, plus bonus hit points based on its size (see Bestiary, pg. 307). For purposes of determining its saves and base attack bonus, its Hit Dice are equal to the number of dice of damage the orichalcum dragon’s breath weapon deals.
Senses: The vaporous serpent has darkvision 60 ft. and low-light vision.
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: The vaporous serpent’s natural armor bonus varies by size:
Tiny: +2
Small or Medium: +3
Large: +4
Huge: +8
Gargantuan: +10
Defensive Qualities: The vaporous serpent has construct traits and immunity to acid. It gains the following defensive quality.
Acid Body (Ex): Creatures that strike the vaporous serpent with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take 1d8 acid damage.
Attacks: The vaporous serpent has a bite attack that deals damage based on its size (see Bestiary, pg. 302) plus 1-½ its Strength modifier. This damage is half piercing and half acid.
Saves: The vaporous serpent has no good saving throws.
Abilities: The vaporous serpent’s Strength and Dexterity scores are equal to the orichalcum dragon’s. It has no Constitution or Intelligence score, its Wisdom score is 10, and its Charisma score is 1.
Alignment: Neutral.
YOUNG ORICHALCUM DRAGON
CR: 10
XP: 9,600
LN Large dragon (earth)
Init: +5; Senses: Dragon senses; Perception +16
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AC: 22, touch 10, flat-footed 21 (+1 Dex, +12 natural, -1 size)
hp: 104 (11 HD)
Fort +10, Ref +10, Will +9
Immune: Acid, paralysis, sleep
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Speed: 40 ft., fly 200 ft. (poor)
Melee: Bite +15 (2d6+7), 2 claws +15 (1d8+5), 2 wings +13 (1d6+2), tail slap +13 (1d8+7)
Space: 10 ft.; Reach: 5 ft. (10 ft. with bite or tail slap)
Special Attacks: Animate breath, breath weapon (80-ft. line, 6d8 acid damage, Reflex DC 18 for half, usable every 1d4 rounds)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 11th, concentration +13):
At will – Detect magic
Spells Known (CL 1st, concentration +3):
1st (4/day) – Identify, shield
0 (at will) – Dancing lights, mage hand, message, read magic
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Str 21, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 14
Base Atk: +11; CMB: +17; CMD: 28 (32 vs. trip)
Feats: Hover, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Multiattack, Power Attack, Vital Strike
Skills: Appraise +16, Diplomacy +16, Fly +11, Intimidate +16, Knowledge (engineering, history) +16, Perception +16, Spellcraft +16
Languages: Common, Draconic, one ancient language
YOUNG VAPOROUS SERPENT
N Medium construct (earth)
Init: as dragon; Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0
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AC: 14, touch 11, flat-footed 13 (+1 Dex, +3 natural)
hp: 30 (6 HD)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +2
Defensive Abilities: Acid body (1d8 acid); Immune: Acid, construct traits
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Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Bite +11 (1d6+8 acid)
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Str 21, Dex 12, Con –, Int –, Wis 10, Cha 1
Base Atk: +6; CMB: +11; CMD: 22 (can’t be tripped)
ADULT ORICHALCUM DRAGON
CR: 14
XP: 38,400
LN Huge dragon (earth)
Init: +4; Senses: Dragon senses; Perception +21
Aura: Frightful presence (180 ft., DC 22)
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AC: 29, touch 8, flat-footed 29 (+21 natural, -2 size)
hp: 195 (17 HD)
Fort +15, Ref +12, Will +16
DR 5/magic; Immune: Acid, paralysis, sleep; SR 25
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Speed: 40 ft., 200 ft. (poor)
Melee: Bite +23 (2d8+12), 2 claws +23 (2d6+8), 2 wings +18 (1d8+4), tail slap +19 (2d6+12/19-20)
Space: 15 ft.; Reach: 10 ft. (15 ft. with bite or tail slap)
Special Attacks: Animate breath, breath weapon (100-ft. line, 12d6 acid damage, Reflex DC 23 for half, usable every 1d4 rounds), crush (2d8+12, DC 23)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 17th, concentration +21):
At will – Detect magic, explosive runes, fire trap
Spells Known (CL 7th, concentration +11, +15 ranged touch):
3rd (5/day) – Dispel magic, haste
2nd (7/day) – Make whole, scorching ray, see invisibility
1st (7/day) – Identify, mage armor, magic missile, shield, true strike
0 (at will) – Dancing lights, flare (DC 14), mage hand, message, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
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Str 27, Dex 10, Con 21, Int 18, Wis 19, Cha 18
Base Atk: +17; CMB: +27; CMD: 37 (41 vs. trip)
Feats: Hover, Improved Critical (tail slap), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Multiattack, Power Attack, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (tail slap)
Skills: Appraise +21, Diplomacy +21, Fly +11, Intimidate +21, Knowledge (engineering, history, nobility) +21, Perception +21, Spellcraft +21, Use Magic Device +21
Languages: Common, Draconic, Elven, two ancient languages
ADULT VAPOROUS SERPENT
N Large construct (earth)
Init: as dragon; Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0
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AC: 14, touch 10, flat-footed (+4 natural)
hp: 49 (12 HD)
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +4
Defensive Abilities: Acid body (1d8 acid); Immune: Acid, construct traits
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Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Bite +19 (1d8+12 acid)
Space: 10 ft.; Reach: 5 ft.
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Str 27, Dex 10, Con –, Int –, Wis 10, Cha 1
Base Atk: +12; CMB: +21; CMD: 31 (can’t be tripped)
ANCIENT ORICHALCUM DRAGON
CR: 19
XP: 204,800
LN Gargantuan dragon (earth)
Init: +3; Senses: Dragon senses; Perception +31
Aura: Corrosive (10 ft., 1d6 acid damage), frightful presence (300 ft., DC 28)
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AC: 42, touch 9, flat-footed 42 (-1 Dex, +33 natural)
hp: 340 (25 HD)
Fort +21, Ref +15, Will +22
DR 15/magic; Immune: Acid, paralysis, sleep; SR 21
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Speed: 40 ft., fly 250 ft. (clumsy)
Melee: Bite +33 (4d6+18/19-20), 2 claws +33 (2d8+12), 2 wings +31 (2d6+6), tail slap +31 (2d8+18 plus grab)
Space: 20 ft.; Reach: 15 ft. (20 ft. with bite or tail slap)
Special Attacks: Animate breath, breath weapon (120 ft. line, 20d8 acid damage, Reflex DC 29 for half, usable every 1d4 rounds), constrict (2d8+18), crush (4d6+18, DC 29), tail sweep (2d6+18, DC 29)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 25th, concentration +31):
At will – Detect magic, explosive runes, fire trap, legend lore, teleport trap
Spells Known (CL 15th, concentration +21):
7th (4/day) – Delayed blast fireball (DC 23), vision
6th (6/day) – Acid fog, antimagic field, guards and wards (DC 22)
5th (6/day) – Cone of cold (DC 21), polymorph, telekinesis (DC 21), waves of fatigue (DC 21)
4th (6/day) – Detect scrying, enervation (DC 20), hallucinatory terrain (DC 20), mass enlarge person
3rd (6/day) – Dispel magic, gaseous form, haste, slow (DC 19)
2nd (6/day) – Make whole, scorching ray, see invisibility, shatter (DC 18), web
1st (6/day) – Identify, mage armor, magic missile, shield, true strike
0 (at will) – Arcane mark, bleed (DC 16), dancing lights, flare (DC 16), mage hand, message, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
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Str 35, Dex 8, Con 25, Int 22, Wis 23, Cha 22
Base Atk: +25; CMB: +41; CMD: 50 (54 vs. trip)
Feats: Critical Focus, Flyby Attack, Hover, Improved Critical (bite, tail slap), Improved Initiative, Improved Vital Strike, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Multiattack, Power Attack, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (tail slap)
Skills: Appraise +31, Diplomacy +31, Fly +14, Intimidate +31, Knowledge (arcana, engineering, history, nobility, planes) +31, Perception +31, Spellcraft +31, Use Magic Device +31
Languages: Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, three ancient languages
ANCIENT VAPOROUS SERPENT
N Huge construct (earth)
Init: as dragon; Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0
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AC: 19, touch 9, flat-footed 19 (-1 Dex, +10 natural)
hp: 74 (20 HD)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +6
Defensive Abilities: Acid body; Immune: Acid, construct traits
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Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Bite +32 (2d8+18)
Space: 20 ft.; Reach: 15 ft.
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Str 35, Dex 8, Con –, Int –, Wis 10, Cha 1
Base Atk: +20; CMB: +34; CMD: 43 (can’t be tripped)