dragon-magic-oef

VELROCS IN FAERÛN
Velrocs are less common in Faerûn due to their aggressive
natures, which has prompted many dragonslayers to seek
them out and drive them away. The Dalelands still have a
relatively large number of velrocs, and some are rumored to
live in Anauroch, using the vast waste as a secluded home
away from those who would challenge their domains.
VARIANT
DRAGON ABILITIES
Most dragons possess several commonly known special
abilities, ranging from potent breath weapons to the ability
to exude powerful magical auras. However, like the humanoid
races, no two dragons are the same; they have their own
unique personalities, preferences, and bloodlines. Ancient red
dragon princes might have passed on their special abilities
to their offspring, creating a line of “noble” red dragons that
dominate their brethren. Similarly, a gold dragon blessed by
a celestial ally of her deity might bestow upon its children
an aptitude for the divine, creating a line of dragon-priests
that serve as religious leaders across the world. Regardless of
their origins, these alternative powers separate some dragons
from others of their type in remarkable ways.
In game terms, these differences manifest as variant
special abilities. Like alternative class features (see Chapter
1), these new abilities replace the standard abilities gained
by dragons as they grow older. Dungeon Masters wishing
to throw a unique challenge at players or simply represent
different bloodlines and evolutionary paths for the dragons
in their world should consider these variants as a means of
representing common differences. A dragon that receives a
variant special ability when it reaches the appropriate age
category does not gain the normal special ability at that age
category, but no other changes at that age category are affected
by this substitution.
Typically, a dragon doesn’t choose a variant special ability;
such abilities manifest more or less randomly as the dragon
grows older. In the case of a dragon PC, the DM determines
whether a variant special ability manifests, with input from
the player as appropriate.
DRACONIC PRESENCE VARIANTS
Ask any adventurer how he knows when he’s fighting a true
dragon, and one of the most common answers you’ll hear
is, “I feel scared.” Typically, the wave of fear created by a
dragon’s frightful presence follows mere moments after the
first sight of the creature. In most cases, this renders the
would-be dragonslayers shaken but has little other effect.
For a change of pace, consider replacing a dragon’s traditional
frightful presence with one of the new draconic presence
effects below.
A dragon gains a variant presence at the same age category
it would normally gain frightful presence. Unless a specific
range is given, these effects have the same range as the
dragon’s frightful presence. If the presence allows a save to
reduce the effect, use the same DC as the dragon’s frightful
presence (10 + 1/2 dragon’s HD + dragon’s Cha modifier).
Some presences affect only creatures with fewer Hit Dice
than the dragon, while others affect all creatures in range.
Some presences take effect when the dragon attacks, charges,
or flies overhead, while others take effect each round at the
start of the dragon’s turn.
Some effects are based on the dragon’s age category. For
dragons with frightful presence but no age categories (such
as the landwyrms in Draconomicon), treat the dragon’s age
category as 1/4 its Hit Dice (maximum 12).
Dragons with a variant presence retain their same
Challenge Rating.
Draconic Presence Effects
A draconic presence effect is either extraordinary or supernatural,
as indicated below.
Awesome Presence (Ex): The mere sight of the dragon
overwhelms weak minds. Whenever the dragon attacks,
charges, or flies overhead, creatures within range that see
the dragon and have fewer Hit Dice than it take a –5 penalty
on Will saves against the dragon’s spells and other abilities
for 4d6 rounds. Creatures with 4 or fewer Hit Dice are also
dazed for 1 round. A successful Will save negates this effect
and renders the creature immune to that dragon’s awesome
presence for 24 hours. Creatures with an Intelligence of 2 or
less are immune to this effect.
Only Huge or larger dragons can have this variant presence.
Large dragons that become Huge as they grow older
can choose to replace their frightful presence with awesome
presence.
Burning Presence (Su): The inner fire of the dragon
radiates forth as pure heat. Each creature within 30 feet of
the dragon at the start of the dragon’s turn takes a number
of points of fire damage equal to one-half the dragon’s age
category (Reflex negates). Creatures with 4 or fewer Hit Dice
that take damage from this effect are also blinded for 1 round.
A dragon can render this presence inactive (or reactivate it
again) as a swift action.
Only dragons of the fire subtype, or whose breath weapon
deals fire damage, can have this variant presence.
Celestial Presence (Su): The dragon’s sacred energy pours
forth from its body like sunlight, searing those who don’t
share its morality. Whenever the dragon attacks, charges, or
flies overhead, non-good creatures within range that have
fewer Hit Dice than the dragon take a number of points of
damage equal to the dragon’s age category and are blinded
for 1 round. Non-good creatures with 4 or fewer Hit Dice are
instead blinded for 2d4 rounds. A successful Fortitude save
halves the damage, negates the blinding effect, and renders
the creature immune to that dragon’s celestial presence for
24 hours.
This variant presence is most common among celestial and
half-celestial dragons (as well as planar dragons native to the
CHAPTER 4
DRACONIC
BEASTS
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