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Shadow DragonSHADOW DRAGONS ARE TREACHEROUS MONSTERSthat prowl in the darkest corners of the Shadowfell.Whether skulking in the deeps of the plane’s Underdarkor commanding armies from the ruins of oldcities infested with undead, shadow dragons are adreadful force in this realm.At a glance, a shadow dragon appears insubstantial.Its dark hide and translucent scales help it blendinto its dim surroundings. Shadow dragons might bemistaken for black dragons, but their heads featurerows of backward-pointing horns. A long fringe ofspines emerges from the back of the dragon’s neck,and its powerful tail features a swimming fin.Shadow Dragon LoreA character knows the following information with asuccessful Arcana check.DC 25: Shadow dragons infest crumbling citiesand sunken palaces. They are greedy and rapacious,even for dragons, and hungry for power and wealth.Shadow dragons enslave other races to serve them assoldiers and servants.Shadow Dragon TacticsA shadow dragon never fights fair. It lurks in thedarkness, biding its time for the proper momentto strike. In fact, a shadow dragon might follow itsquarry for hours before revealing itself. When itfinally strikes, it drops globes of darkness, then usesshadow walk to move to the best position for its breathweapon, spending an action point to use it on thatturn. While its foes struggle against the rotting powerof that attack, the dragon tears into them with fangsand claws, spawning additional globes of darkness tohelp it teleport about the battlefield.Elder Shadow DragonLevel 24 Solo LurkerHuge shadow magical beast (dragon) XP 30,250Initiative +25 Senses Perception +22; darkvisionHP 1,100; Bloodied 550; see also bloodied breathAC 41; Fortitude 37, Reflex 41, Will 37Resist 30 necroticVulnerable radiant (whenever a shadow dragon takes radiantdamage, one of its globes of darkness ends)Saving Throws +5Speed 10, fly 10 (hover), overland flight 20, swim 10; see alsoshadow walkAction Points 2m Bite (standard; at-will) ✦ NecroticReach 3; +29 vs. AC; 2d10 + 9 damage, and the target isweakened (save ends).m Claw (standard; at-will)Reach 3; +29 vs. AC; 1d10 + 9 damage.M Draconic Frenzy (standard; at-will)The dragon makes a bite attack and a claw attack.M Tail Slash (immediate reaction, when an enemy misses thedragon with a melee attack; at-will)The dragon uses its tail to attack the triggering enemy; +29 vs.AC; 2d8 + 9 damage.C Breath Weapon (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅) ✦ NecroticClose blast 5; +27 vs. Fortitude; 2d12 + 5 necrotic damage, andthe target loses one healing surge and is weakened (save ends).Aftereffect: The target’s necrotic resistance is negated until theend of the encounter. Miss: Half damage, and the target doesnot lose a healing surge.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 Globe of Darkness (minor 1/rd; sustain minor; at-will) ✦ ZoneArea burst 2 within 20; this power creates a zone of darknessthat remains in place until the end of the dragon’s next turn.The zone blocks line of sight for all creatures except the dragon.Any creature entirely within thearea (except the dragon) isblinded.Combat AdvantageThe shadow dragon deals 4d6 extra damage against a target ithas combat advantage against.Shadow Walk (move; at-will) ✦ TeleportationA shadow dragon that is in at least one square of a globe ofdarkness can teleport to any other globe of darkness within lineof sight. It must end this move in at least one square of thatglobe of darkness.Alignment Evil Languages DraconicSkills Intimidate +20, Stealth +26Str 25 (+19) Dex 29 (+21) Wis 21 (+17)Con 20 (+17) Int 18 (+16) Cha 17 (+15)Encounter GroupsShadowfell dragons use servants for protection andas their spies and saboteurs. Blight dragons are toodestructive to attract any creatures but undead.Shadow dragons employ a variety of shadow creatures,from dark ones to vicious undead thralls, butprefer to enslave shadar-kai whenever they can. Powerfulshadar-kai sometimes ride these dragons.Level 28 Encounter (XP 68,250)✦ 1 elder shadow dragon (level 24 solo lurker)✦ 2 sorrowsworn soulrippers (level 25 skirmisher,MM 242)✦ 2 dread wraiths (level 25 lurker, MM 267)✦ 5 bodak reavers (level 18 soldier, MM 36)SHADOWFELL DRAGONSCHAPTER 4 | New Monsters199