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Forest Drake: The Savage Terror of the Wilds

“The Forest Drake: A cunning predator with acid breath—step into its domain, and you may never step out!”

Forest Drake
Create

A Forest Drake is a menacing, dragon-like predator built for speed, ambush, and raw aggression. Its emerald-green scales, dappled with patches of brown and black, grant it near-perfect camouflage among the dense foliage of its woodland domain. Unlike the grand dragons of legend, the Forest Drake is more muscular and compact, standing on two powerful, sinewy legs that allow it to leap great distances and chase down prey with terrifying speed. A pair of long, leathery wings, lined with ragged edges, give it the ability to glide between treetops or launch sudden aerial strikes.

Its tail, nearly as long as its body, ends in a sharp, bony spike capable of delivering devastating blows. A crocodilian head lined with jagged fangs and piercing yellow eyes gives it a look of cruel intelligence. When angered or hunting, its throat gurgles with bubbling acid, hinting at the deadly breath weapon it wields.

Behavior

Forest Drakes are aggressive, territorial, and highly social among their own kind, forming brutal pecking orders within packs known as rampages. These creatures are natural bullies, preferring to prey on weaker or unprepared creatures, but will quickly retreat if met with overwhelming resistance. While they lack the raw cunning of true dragons, they possess a savage intelligence that makes them expert ambush predators.

Unlike lone-wolf hunters, Forest Drakes engage in coordinated pack attacks, often working together to exhaust and overwhelm larger prey. The strongest among them claim the best kills and breeding rights, while younger or weaker drakes are forced to scavenge or prove themselves through violent displays.

Habitat

Forest Drakes thrive in deep, primeval forests, where thick canopies block out the sun, and twisting undergrowth provides the perfect setting for ambushes. They prefer secluded lairs, such as cavernous dens beneath massive roots, hidden groves, or abandoned ruins where they can avoid larger predators. Some even settle in swampy regions, taking advantage of their ability to swim and strike from murky waters.

They are most commonly found in forests teeming with elves, fey, or other woodland creatures, which they actively hunt for sport as much as sustenance. They rarely attack heavily fortified settlements, preferring to terrorize wandering travelers or isolated communities.

Modus Operandi

Forest Drakes are masters of ambush tactics. They lurk among the trees, waiting for prey to wander into their domain before striking with sudden, explosive speed. Their preferred strategy involves:

  1. Swooping or charging from cover to deliver a powerful bite or tail strike.
  2. Spewing a corrosive acid cloud to disorient and weaken their victims.
  3. Retreating into the undergrowth while the acid mist lingers, forcing prey into a panic.
  4. Repeating the attack in hit-and-run style until their prey is too weak to resist.

Against groups, Forest Drakes work together, forcing their enemies into confined spaces where they can’t escape the acid clouds or easily maneuver. If outmatched, they will retreat and stalk their targets for hours, waiting for exhaustion or vulnerability before striking again.

Motivation

Driven by instinct and dominance, Forest Drakes seek to assert control over their hunting grounds and eliminate any perceived threats. Unlike their distant green dragon ancestors, they have no love for hoarding treasure—instead, their prizes are the bones of fallen enemies, trophies of their ruthless hunts.

They harbor a particular hatred for elves and fey, seeing them as rivals for the forest’s dominance. Some believe this animosity is a lingering resentment from their draconic bloodline, but for the Forest Drake, it is a matter of pure, primal conquest.

While intelligent enough to form uneasy alliances with more powerful creatures, they are treacherous and quick to turn on former allies the moment weakness is sensed. To a Forest Drake, the world is simple: Hunt or be hunted.

  • Forest Drake 5e
  • Forest Drake, Pathfinder

Forest Drake

Forest Drake
Create

Large Dragon, Lawful Evil

Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 65)
Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft. (average), swim 30 ft.

Abilities

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
20 (+5)16 (+3)20 (+5)10 (+0)14 (+2)14 (+2)

Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +9, Wis +6

Skills Perception +10, Stealth +7, Intimidation +6

Damage Immunities Acid

Condition Immunities Paralysis, Sleep

Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Blindsight 30 ft., Passive Perception 20

Languages Draconic

Challenge Rating (CR) 8

Innate Spellcasting.

The Forest Drake’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

  • At will: Druidcraft, Minor Illusion
  • 3/day each: Fog Cloud, Entangle
  • 1/day each: Plant Growth, Fear

Actions

Multiattack.

The Forest Drake makes three attacks: one with its bite, one with its tail, and one with its acidic breath or a wing attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.

  • Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) acid damage.

Tail Slap. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.

  • Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. The target must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Acidic Cloud (Recharge 5–6). Ranged Weapon Attack: 60 ft. range, 10-ft. radius.

  • The Forest Drake spits a glob of acid that bursts into a thick, caustic cloud. Creatures in the area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 24 (6d6) acid damage on a failed save or half as much on a success.
  • The cloud lingers in the area for 1d4 rounds, heavily obscuring vision inside it. A strong wind disperses it immediately.

Wing Attack (Recharge 4-6). Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, 10 ft. radius.

  • Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
  • Creatures within range must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be pushed back 10 feet and knocked prone. The Forest Drake may then immediately fly 20 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.

Legendary Actions (Optional, for Boss Encounters)

The Forest Drake can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Forest Drake regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

  • Hunter’s Stalk. The Forest Drake moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
  • Venomous Snap. The Forest Drake makes a bite attack against a prone or restrained target.
  • Shroud of Mist (Costs 2 Actions). The Forest Drake casts Fog Cloud centered on itself.

Tactics & Combat Strategy

The Forest Drake is a patient ambush predator, lurking in dense foliage or misty cover before striking with overwhelming force.

  • Opening Attack: It will first use Entangle or Fog Cloud to create disarray before attacking.
  • Hit-and-Run Tactics: The Forest Drake prefers to weaken its prey over time, spitting its Acidic Cloud and retreating into obscuring mist.
  • Pack Tactics (Optional): When fighting alongside other drakes or minions, it uses Fear to scatter enemies, isolating weaker targets.
  • Aerial Dominance: If threatened, it will use Wing Attack to create distance and take to the skies, raining down acid from above.

Lair Actions (For a Forest Drake’s Home Turf)

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Forest Drake can use one of the following lair actions:

  • Choking Vines. The ground in a 30-ft. radius writhes with living vines. Creatures in the area must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the end of their next turn.
  • Deepening Mist. The area is filled with dense, swirling mist for 1 minute, acting as Fog Cloud but covering a 60-ft. radius.
  • Predator’s Roar. The Forest Drake lets out a fearsome bellow. Creatures of the Drake’s choice within 60 feet must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute (they may retry at the end of each of their turns).

Treasure Hoard

Unlike true dragons, Forest Drakes do not covet gold, but they collect trophies from slain foes—elven weapons, enchanted trinkets, bones of great beasts, and natural relics. Their hoards contain rare alchemical ingredients, ancient fey artifacts, and druidic scrolls.

Forest Drake

Forest Drake

This green-scaled dragon has two powerful legs and a pair of long, leathery wings. A long spike adorns its thrashing tail.

Forest Drake CR 4

XP 1,200
LE Large dragon (earth)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +11

DEFENSE

AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, –1 size)
hp 42 (5d12+10)
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +4
Immune acid, paralysis, sleep

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (average), swim 30 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d8+4), tail slap +3 (1d8+2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks acidic cloud

STATISTICS

Str 19, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 9, Wis 11, Cha 12
Base Atk +5; CMB +10; CMD 22
Feats Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Fly +8, Intimidate +9, Perception +11, Stealth +6, Swim +20
Languages Draconic
SQ aquatic adaptation, speed surge

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Acidic Cloud (Su)

A forest drake can, as a standard action, spit a ball of acid that bursts into a cloud on impact. This attack has a range of 60 feet and deals 4d6 points of acid damage (Reflex DC 14 half) to all creatures within the resulting 10-foot-radius spread. The cloud remains for 1d4 rounds once created, acting as a 10-foot-radius obscuring mist (it no longer causes damage), but a strong wind disperses it in a single round. Once a forest drake has used its acidic cloud breath, it cannot do so again for 1d6 rounds. The Reflex save is Constitution-based.

Aquatic Adaptation (Ex)

A forest drake can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon and other abilities while underwater. The acidic cloud created by that attack dissipates after 1 round if used underwater.

Speed Surge (Ex)

Three times per day as a swift action, a forest drake may draw on its draconic heritage for a boost of strength and speed to take an additional move action in that round.

ECOLOGY

Environment any forests
Organization solitary, pair, or rampage (3–12)
Treasure standard

Forest drakes are the degenerate cousins of green dragons, possessed of cruel cunning but little actual wit. Like most drakes, forest drakes are bullies, prowling deep forests in search of their favorite prey—elves and fey. Forest drakes eagerly attack communities of such forest creatures unless driven off with arrows or other shows of force.

Like many other drake types, forest drakes organize themselves in packs called “rampages,” and keep communal lairs in secluded forest locations. Such packs are usually made up of siblings who break from the pack only during mating season. A forest drake pack has a distinct pecking order, with younger and newer members receiving the least desirable portions of pack kills and the fewest mating options.

Forest drakes mate once a year, but do little to raise their offspring. A female lays a clutch of four to eight eggs, but abandons her young as soon as they hatch. Forest drake hatchlings immediately band together in a pack.

While few survive so long, forest drakes can live up to 200 years. Forest drakes are typically about 10 feet long with equally long tails, and weigh around 1,000 pounds.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 2, © 2010, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Jason Bulmahn, Adam Daigle, Graeme Davis, Crystal Frasier, Joshua J. Frost, Tim Hitchcock, Brandon Hodge, James Jacobs, Steve Kenson, Hal MacLean, Martin Mason, Rob McCreary, Erik Mona, Jason Nelson, Patrick Renie, Sean K Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Owen K.C. Stephens, James L. Sutter, Russ Taylor, and Greg A. Vaughan, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.

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