Buy me a coffeeSalt Drake, Scourge of the Shimmering Flats
“Unleash the deadly power of the Salt Drake—this fearsome dragon’s breath weapon will drain your life and leave you in the dust!”
Salt Drakes are fierce, dragon-like creatures with a striking appearance that blends the ferocity of their lineage with an adaptation to harsh, arid environments. Their scales range from dull blue to midnight blue, often mottled with black, and they possess large, leathery wings that stretch wide, though they fly with a “poor” grace. Crimson eyes glimmer with intelligence, and their frilled ears sweep back against their head like an intimidating crown. Their jaws are lined with sharp teeth, and they are equipped with claws, tail, and wings for vicious melee combat.
Salt Drakes are solitary and territorial, often found in the desolate expanses of salt flats, deserts, or other warm, dry plains. They are omnivorous creatures, their diet primarily consisting of salt, which fuels their unique breath weapon: a cone of razor-sharp salt crystals. This attack not only slashes opponents but also causes severe damage as the salt drains bodily fluids. These drakes are highly defensive of their domains and will fiercely protect their territory, attacking any intruders with unrelenting aggression. In the wild, they are usually seen alone, though during the midsummer months, mated pairs or small family groups may be found.
Their modus operandi is a calculated approach to battle—taking to the skies to launch a devastating salt-breath assault, followed by swift, deadly physical attacks when the opportunity arises. They prefer to fight from above, using their flight to keep enemies at bay, but if necessary, they will engage with their claws, tail, and bite. Their natural fast healing allows them to outlast most foes, making them even more dangerous in prolonged battles.
Salt Drakes are driven by an unyielding territorial instinct and a need to consume vast amounts of salt. Their motivation is both survival and dominance in the unforgiving environments they inhabit. These drakes will fiercely guard their resources and are particularly aggressive towards those who threaten their salt-rich domains. While difficult to train, they are sometimes tamed and used as mounts by goblins, gnolls, and hobgoblins, who value the drakes for both their combat prowess and ability to strike fear into their enemies.
Salt Drake 5e
Salt Drake Pathfinder
Salt Drake
Large Dragon, Neutral
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 136 (16d10 + 48)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft. (poor maneuverability)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) |
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +6, Wis +5, Cha +4
Skills Perception +8, Stealth +4
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Draconic
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Traits
Salt Breath (Recharge 5–6).
The Salt Drake exhales a cone of razor-sharp salt crystals in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. Creatures that fail the saving throw also take 1 level of exhaustion as the salt dehydrates their bodies.
Fast Healing.
The Salt Drake regains 5 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point remaining.
Crystalline Hide.
When in bright light, the Salt Drake’s scales reflect and refract light, making it harder to hit. Attack rolls against the Salt Drake have disadvantage unless the attacker is in dim light or darkness.
Territorial Prowess.
The Salt Drake instinctively defends its territory with cunning. It has advantage on attack rolls against creatures that have taken damage from its Salt Breath in the past minute.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Salt Drake makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 17 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage. - Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage. - Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Razorstorm (Recharge 6).
The Salt Drake whips up a blinding storm of salt shards in a 15-foot radius around itself. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (6d6) slashing damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn.
Reactions
Crystalline Flare (Recharge 5–6).
When a creature within 30 feet of the Salt Drake targets it with an attack, the drake can momentarily refract sunlight from its scales. The attacker must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the start of the drake’s next turn. This ability only works in bright light.
Tactics
- The Salt Drake begins combat from the air, using its Salt Breath to weaken groups of enemies before landing to finish them off.
- It uses Razorstorm to control melee-heavy opponents, keeping them blind and forcing them to waste actions repositioning.
- If targeted by ranged attacks, it relies on Crystalline Flare to disorient foes while retreating to a better position.
- Its fast healing allows it to sustain longer engagements, but it avoids prolonged fights, favoring hit-and-run tactics in open terrain.
Lair Actions (Optional)
If the Salt Drake is encountered in its lair—typically a cavern filled with salt formations—it can invoke these effects on initiative count 20 (losing ties):
- Salt Shards Eruption: Sharp salt spikes erupt in a 20-foot radius area the drake can see. Creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (4d6) slashing damage and have their movement speed halved for 1 round.
- Mirage Heat: The intense heat of the lair creates shimmering mirages. Creatures within 30 feet of the Salt Drake have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
- Salt Veins Burst: The ground cracks and sprays fine salt mist in a 15-foot radius centered on a point the drake chooses. All creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion.
Salt Drake
This powerful creature resembles a blue dragon with mottled black wings and crimson eyes. Its ears are frilled and swept back against its head.
Salt Drake CR 8
XP 4,800
N Large dragon (earth)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +21
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (+1 Dex, +8 natural, –1 size)
hp 104 (11d12+33); fast healing 2
Fort +10; Ref +8; Will +8
Immune paralysis, sleep
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor)
Melee bite +13 (2d6+4), 2 claws +13 (1d8+3), 2 wings +11 (1d6+1), tail slap +11 (1d8+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with bite)
Special Attacks breath weapon (30 ft. cone, DC 18, 3d6 slashing plus 1 Con damage)
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 11
Base Atk +11; CMB +15; CMD 26 (30 vs. trip)
Feats Cleave, Great Cleave, Hover, Multiattack, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Fly +9, Perception +21, Stealth +11
Languages Draconic
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Breath Weapon (Su)
A salt drake’s breath weapon is a 30 ft. cone of razor-sharp salt crystals. In addition to dealing slashing damage the salt crystals absorb bodily fluids, dealing 1 point of Constitution damage to living targets.
Training a Salt Drake
A salt drake requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. To be trained, a salt drake must have a friendly attitude toward the trainer (this can be achieved through a successful Diplomacy check).
Training a friendly salt drake requires ten weeks of work and a DC 30 Handle Animal check. Riding a salt drake requires an exotic saddle. A salt drake can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.
Salt drake eggs are worth 6,000 gp apiece on the open market, while young are worth 12,000 gp each. Professional trainers charge 2,000 gp to rear or train a dragonnel.
Carrying Capacity: A light load for a salt drake is up to 516 pounds; a medium load, 517–1,038 pounds, and a heavy load, 1,039–1,560 pounds.
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate and warm plains
Organization solitary, pair, or clutch (2–5)
Treasure none
Salt drakes are found in warm, arid climates such as deserts or salt flats. Salt drakes are omnivorous creatures and very territorial, even fighting among themselves to protect their domains. Most encounters are with a solitary drake. Only in the midsummer months is it common to find a mated pair or family. A salt drake’s scales range from dull blue to midnight blue, and it is often mistaken for a young blue dragon. Salt drakes range from 8 feet to 30 feet long. Though difficult to train, salt drakes are favored as mounts by goblins, gnolls, and hobgoblins.
A salt drake’s primary diet consists of large quantities of salt. This diet enables the drake to spew salt at its opponents. A salt drake opens combat from the air using its salt spray breath weapon. If unable to utilize its breath weapon, it relies on its claws and bite to finish off any remaining opponents.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Sale Drake from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.