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168Chromatic DragonsBrown, gray, and purple dragons are not so muchnew as newly recognized members of the chromaticdragon family.BROWN DRAGONALSO REFERRED TO AS SAND DRAGONS, brown dragonsof all the chromatics are least likely to head greatarmies, rule kingdoms, or otherwise seek to carve outempires. They prefer the comfort of their desert lairsand are at home below the earth.In general, they are reserved, irritable, and cunningcreatures that provide for themselves in whatever wayrequires the least amount of work on their part andavoids unnecessary trouble. Not unrelentingly evil,but not good either, sand dragons are motivated onlyby survival and comfort. Thus, a brown dragon wouldrather raid a herder’s flock than demand sacrificesfrom a nearby village (an act that is likely to bringadventurers from afar). Moreover, it does not inflictwholesale slaughter on the herd but instead cullsone animal at a time, so that some will be left to eatanother day. On the other hand, if antagonized sufficientlyby protective shepherds, a brown dragon mightwell destroy their village as a violent demonstration ofwhat happens to those who deny a dragon its due.The mass of thick, short horns protruding froma brown dragon’s head gives it a distinctive, earthgougingsilhouette. A membranous frill connects eachrow of spines down the length of the dragon’s body.These frills function like wings, serving equally wellfor undulating flight through the air and burrowingthrough sand and earth.Brown Dragon LoreA character knows the following information with asuccessful Nature check.DC 15: More than any other kind of dragon,brown dragons are driven nearly as much by thedesire to discover new tastes as by the need toaccumulate a hoard. They so love eating that theysometimes take risks in combat merely to “sample”one or more of their foes. Thus, a brown dragonmight take a bite instead of making a more tacticallyadvantageous attack for the chance to taste an enemy,especially a creature it has not previously encountered.Brown dragons prize elf flesh for its succulenceand tenderness, and least prefer dwarves, whosetough meat they consider unpalatable unless it is aged.DC 20: A brown dragon’s breath weapon is a blastof supernaturally hot and stinging sand that corrodesflesh and blocks all visibility.CHAPTER 4 | New MonstersDC 25: A brown dragon makes its lair under thesands, in a hollow within a ruin, a cave, or a similarstructure. A lair can consist of several such chambers,each one an island of air surrounded by an oceanof smothering sand. A brown dragon doesn’t needtunnels—it can burrow between the rooms of its lairwithout difficulty.A brown dragon might keep a supply of food inits lair, usually smoked or seasoned meats but sometimesa stock of living creatures. It might set aside aYoung Brown DragonLevel 3 Solo LurkerLarge natural magical beast (dragon) XP 750Initiative +6 Senses Perception +3; darkvision,tremorsense 10HP 230; Bloodied 115; see also bloodied breathAC 21; Fortitude 21, Reflex 18, Will 18Resist 15 fireSaving Throws +5Speed 8, burrow 6, fly 6, overland flight 12Action Points 2m Bite (standard; at-will)Reach 2; +9 vs. AC; 1d8 + 4 damage.m Claw (standard; at-will)Reach 2; +9 vs. AC; 1d6 + 4 damage.M Double Attack (standard; at-will)The dragon makes two claw attacks.R Sand Spray (immediate reaction, when an enemy attacks thedragon with a ranged attack; at-will)Ranged 20; targets the triggering enemy; +6 vs. Reflex; 1d6 + 1damage, and the target is blinded until the end of the dragon’snext turn.C Breath Weapon (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅)Close blast 5; +6 vs. Fortitude; 2d8 + 2 damage. The blastcreates an area of swirling sand that remains in place until theend of the dragon’s next turn. Any creature that starts its turnadjacent to the area or that moves through the area takes 5damage. The area blocks line of sight for all creatures except thedragon.C Bloodied Breath (free, when first bloodied; encounter)The dragon’s breath weapon recharges, and the dragon uses itimmediately.C Frightful Presence (standard; encounter) ✦ FearClose burst 5; targets enemies; +6 vs. Will; the target is stunneduntil the end of the dragon’s next turn. Aftereffect: The targettakes a –2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends).Sand Cloud (move; recharge ⚄ ⚅) ✦ PolymorphThe brown dragon transforms into a cloud of sand and shiftsa number of squares up to its speed. It can move throughoccupied squares but must end in a legal space. Any creaturewhose space the dragon enters takes 1d6 + 4 damage and isblinded (save ends). The dragon returns to its normal form atthe end of this move.Combat AdvantageThe brown dragon deals 1d6 extra damage against any target ithas combat advantage against.Alignment Evil Languages Common, DraconicSkills Endurance +8, Stealth +7Str 19 (+5) Dex 12 (+2) Wis 14 (+3)Con 14 (+3) Int 12 (+2) Cha 10 (+1)EVA WIDERMANN