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Deathmask DragonFEW ABYSSAL DRAGONS ARE AS STRANGE AS THIS ONE.Whenever a deathmask dragon slays a living creature,it devours the creature’s essence, adding bothflesh and spirit to its own.This disgusting monster resembles a purpledragon in only the loosest sense. Its slender, snakelikebody is supported by dozens of legs like thoseof a centipede, each breaking through the flesh anddripping with black corruption. Small black wingsemerge from its back, able to carry the dragon despitetheir size. The long body eventually tapers into aslender tail, and its serpentine neck ends in a widehead. Twisted, leering faces peer out from between itsscales, mouthing their private suffering and moaningwith each scuttling step.Deathmask Dragon LoreA character knows the following information with asuccessful Arcana check.DC 25: The deathmask dragon is a demonic harbingerof death, its body made up of the myriad soulsit has devoured. The dragon grows larger as it feedsthe wellspring of darkness that bubbles within, neversated and preying on mortal and demon alike.Elder Deathmask Dragon Level 21 Solo ControllerHuge elemental magical beast (demon, dragon) XP 16,000Initiative +16 Senses Perception +16; darkvisionHP 980; Bloodied 490; see also bloodied breathAC 39; Fortitude 36, Reflex 37, Will 39Resist 35 necrotic, 30 variable (2/encounter; MM 282)Saving Throws +5Speed 9, climb 9 (spider climb), fly 8 (hover), overland flight 18;phasingAction Points 2m Bite (standard; at-will) ✦ NecroticReach 3; +26 vs. AC; 2d8 + 5 damage, and the target takesongoing 20 necrotic damage (save ends).m Claw (standard; at-will)Reach 3; +26 vs. AC; 2d10 + 5 damage.M Double Attack (standard; at-will)The dragon makes two claw attacks.R Mask of Dread (minor; at-will) ✦ Fear, PsychicRanged 20; +24 vs. Will; 2d6 + 9 psychic damage. Until the endof the dragon’s next turn, when the target deals damage, it takespsychic damage equal to half the amount dealt.C Breath Weapon (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅) ✦ NecroticClose blast 10; +25 vs. Fortitude; 3d8 + 5 necrotic damage, andthe target is blinded until the end of the dragon’s next turn.Miss: Half damage, and the target is not blinded.C Bloodied Breath (free, when first bloodied; encounter) ✦NecroticThe dragon’s breath weapon recharges, and the dragon uses itimmediately.C Frightful Presence (standard; encounter) ✦ FearClose burst 10; targets enemies; +25 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).A Wail of Death (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅) ✦ Fear, PsychicArea burst 5 within 10; +24 vs. Will; 4d6 + 9 psychic damage.When the target deals damage, it takes psychic damage equalto half the amount dealt (save ends).Alignment Evil Languages Abyssal, DraconicSkills Bluff +24, Intimidate +24, Dungeoneering +21Str 20 (+15) Dex 23 (+16) Wis 22 (+16)Con 20 (+15) Int 22 (+16) Cha 28 (+19)Deathmask Dragon TacticsThe deathmask dragon displays a frightful eagernessto kill. It begins by loosing a terrible wail of death, fillingthe minds of its enemies with memories of thedragon’s crimes. Its victims relive the horror witheach attack they make and are scourged by self-loathingand madness. Those who manage to resist mightstill be shaken by the dragon’s frightful presence, andits breath weapon also disrupts and scatters its foes.Each round it targets one or more enemies with maskof dread, choosing those that have successfully savedagainst or were unaffected by wail of death.Encounter GroupsDemons exploit abyssal dragons as steeds and warmachines. Abyssal dragons can support hordes offiends bidding to expand their power beyond theAbyss, or protect the personal lairs of mighty demonlords—having such a guardian is a mark of greatpower.Level 13 Encounter (XP 3,900)✦ 2 adult frostforged wyrms (level 11 brute)✦ 2 mezzodemons (level 11 soldier, MM 58)✦ 6 evistro demons (level 6 brute, MM 54)ASTRAL DRAGONSFloating in the endless expanse of the Astral Sea arethe dominions of the gods and their immortal servants.Astral dragons are chromatic dragons that havelived in the realm so long that they have divergedfrom their forebears. These magnificent beasts cameto the Astral Sea out of a sense of duty or by divinecommand, and they have absorbed features of thisplane over the long ages spent there.Battle DragonBATTLE DRAGONS ARE PRIZED for their warlike cunningand loyalty. They serve diverse gods, includingKord, Bane, and even Gruumsh, and support theirdeity’s mortal servants. Battle dragons lend theirmight to holy champions in wars against their enemies,whether foul demons and devils or the servantsof rival gods.A battle dragon resembles a hybrid of a chromaticred and a metallic gold dragon, with gleaming greenASTRAL DRAGONSCHAPTER 4 | New Monsters189