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Ancient Brown Dragon Level 25 Solo LurkerGargantuan natural magical beast (dragon) XP 35,000Initiative +22 Senses Perception +19; darkvision,tremorsense 20HP 1,160; Bloodied 580; see also bloodied breathAC 43; Fortitude 43, Reflex 39, Will 41Resist 30 fireSaving Throws +5Speed 12, burrow 10, fly 8 (hover), overland flight 16Action Points 2m Bite (standard; at-will)Reach 4; +31 vs. AC; 2d10 + 9 damage.m Claw (standard; at-will)Reach 4; +31 vs. AC; 2d8 + 9 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; +28 vs. Reflex; 2d10 +6 damage, and the target is blinded until the end of the dragon’snext turn.C Breath Weapon (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅)Close blast 10; +28 vs. Fortitude; 4d10 + 7 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 15damage. 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 10; targets enemies; +28 vs. Will; the target isstunned until the end of the dragon’s next turn. Aftereffect: Thetarget takes a –2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends).C Quicksand Vortex (minor; encounter)Close burst 5; +28 vs. Fortitude; the target slides 3 squares andis slowed until the end of the dragon’s next turn.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 3d6 + 7 damage and isblinded (save ends). The dragon returns to its normal form atthe end of this move.C Sandstorm (standard; encounter)Close burst 20; targets enemies; +29 vs. Fortitude; 3d8 + 7damage, and the target slides 5 squares. This power creates anarea of swirling sand that remains in place until the end of thedragon’s next turn. The area blocks line of sight for all creaturesexcept the dragon.Combat AdvantageThe dragon deals 4d6 extra damage against any target it hascombat advantage against.Alignment Evil Languages Common, DraconicSkills Endurance +24, Stealth +23Str 29 (+21) Dex 22 (+18) Wis 24 (+19)Con 24 (+19) Int 20 (+17) Cha 20 (+17)Brown Dragon TacticsA brown dragon prefers to remain out of sight undergroundand keep track of foes with its tremorsense,waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. If it surprisesits target, the dragon bursts from the groundamid its enemies. It then uses sand cloud to flow overfoes and blind them, followed by its breath weapon,which also creates a sand-filled region to provideshelter. On its next turn it uses frightful presence andstrikes at stunned enemies, transforming into a sandcloud again if it is available, and spending an actionpoint if necessary to burrow into the sand.A brown dragon avoids attacks through a variety ofabilities. It can evade conflicts by sinking below theearth, but when a brown dragon must fight, its sandcloud gives it protection and mobility. Older browndragons set howling winds swirling around themselvesfor additional protection. An elder or ancientbrown dragon can create a churning vortex of sand,while an ancient dragon can call forth a bone-flaying,shrieking sandstorm that can encompass an entirebattlefield.Despite its ability to take cover, a brown dragonrelishes the opportunity to take a bite out of itsenemies in combat. It might wax eloquent about thesmell and taste of the just-bitten prey during the fight,and describe how it is looking forward to feasting onthem all. (These boasts effectively contribute to itsfrightful presence.) Sometimes it grabs a fallen foe in itsmouth and pulls it below the surface to continue itsmeal in safety.Encounter GroupsWhen not encountered alone, a brown dragon mightrely on servitors living around its buried lair to warnit of potential danger. Brown dragons occasionallyemploy mercenaries to travel abroad on specialmissions.Sometimes a brown dragon employs agents (oftenkobolds) to bring it back new live food to sample.These servants might hunt down prey, but sometimesthey instead purchase slaves using coin from theirpatron’s hoard.Level 5 Encounter (XP 950)✦ 2 kobold dragonkin sentries (level 5 skirmisher,page 226)✦ 2 kobold wyrmpriests (level 3 artillery, MM 168)✦ 2 kobold dragonshields (level 2 soldier, MM 168)Level 12 Encounter (XP 3,300)✦ 1 adult brown dragon (level 10 solo lurker)✦ 1 bulette (level 9 elite skirmisher, MM 38)BROWN DRAGONCHAPTER 4 | New Monsters171