dragon-magic-oef

CHAPTER 4
DRACONIC
BEASTS
Illus. by E. Widermann
128
Brass Dragon
Like overly friendly guests at a social affair, brass dragons are
often persistent and inconsiderate when attempting to sate
their hunger for conversation. At best, brass dragons can be
described as chatty; at worst, long-winded and self-centered.
Most brass dragons are content to let a person go on her way
once they have satisfied themselves or become annoyed with
her disinterest. However, the more zealous seek constant
companionship and conversation. These brass dragons, while
not malevolent, frequently snatch up humanoids for extended
periods of time, holding them against their will and forcing
them to engage in conversation. The dragons hone their magic
to better ensnare conversation partners, often at the expense
of their traditional abilities. They spend a great deal of time
in their lairs with a captive audience, sometimes forsaking
eating for long periods of time and only venturing out for
food when their “guests” become too fatigued from hunger to
continue. After the dragon is convinced that its captive has
no more words to impart, it typically returns the prisoner to
wherever she came from, unharmed—though perhaps many
months or years later.
Comprehend Languages (Sp): Three times per day, a brass
dragon can use comprehend languages as a spell-like ability.
This replaces the brass dragon’s normal speak with animals
spell-like ability.
Dream (Sp): Once per day, an old or older brass dragon can
use dream as a spell-like ability. This replaces the brass dragon’s
normal control winds spell-like ability. Brass dragons of this variety
are not content to talk only when their captives are awake
and often enter their dreams to continue the conversation.
Sequestered Companion (Sp): Great wyrm brass dragons
sometimes resort to extreme measures to keep a companion
for as long as possible. Once per day, the dragon can use
sequestered companion as a spell-like ability. This functions as
the sequester spell, except that it can be used on an unwilling
target (Will negates). Additionally, the dragon can communicate
with a sequestered creature by using its dream spell-like
ability as if the creature were sleeping normally. This replaces
the dragon’s normal summon djinni spell-like ability, and is
the equivalent of an 8th-level spell.
Brass Dragon Variant Special Abilities
Age
Ability
Wyrmling Comprehend languages
Old
Dream
Great wyrm Sequestered companion
Bronze Dragon
Much is made of the bronze dragons’ curiosity and love of
animals, but less attention is paid to their interest in war and
combat. One bronze bloodline changes these perceptions,
however, and shows that bronze dragons are among the best
generals and leaders in warfare. A dragon can be a fearsome
sight on a battlefield, often causing enemy troops to flinch
before launching an assault. Moreover, bronze dragons love to
be in the thick of combat where they can do the most damage.
Indeed, unlike most humanoid commanders, bronze dragons
can withstand most enemy attacks, boosting the morale of
their troops while directly influencing the outcome of the
battle. The bronze dragons that follow this path are, effectively,
mercenaries. Usually, they will not work for a nation
or city that is overtly evil, but they won’t work for free, either,
often demanding exorbitant sums just to join the fray. Many
humanoid commanders believe that this fee is worth every
copper, however, when the tide of battle turns simply by the
appearance of a single bronze dragon.
Heroism (Sp): Once per day, an adult or older bronze
dragon can use heroism as a spell-like ability. This replaces
the dragon’s normal fog cloud spell-like ability.
Good Hope (Sp): Bronze dragons know that nothing
harms an army more than losing the will to fight. Once per
day, an ancient or older bronze dragon can use good hope as
a spell-like ability. This replaces the dragon’s normal control
water spell-like ability.
Mass Bull’s Strength (Sp): Great wyrm bronze dragons
cannot only bolster their allies’ bravery but also give them
magical strength to carve through the enemy with greater
ease. Once per day, the dragon can use mass bull’s strength as
a spell-like ability. This replaces the dragon’s normal control
weather spell-like ability.
Bronze Dragon Variant Special Abilities
Age
Ability
Adult Heroism
Ancient Good hope
Great wyrm Mass bull’s strength
Copper Dragon
Renowned as both mischief-makers and excellent hunters,
copper dragons prize one creature above all else: the giant
scorpion. It is a deeply held belief among copper dragons that
the venom of giant scorpions sharpens the wit and keeps the
hunter focused. For most, this is little more than superstition,
but one group of copper dragons has subsisted on a diet of
giant scorpions for so long that they have developed not only
immunity to toxins but other surprising new abilities. Moreover,
the inherent magic of the copper dragons has infused
their blood with scorpion venom, physically altering them
and bringing out scorpion characteristics. They have slightly
thicker scales colored in many of the same patterns as scorpion
carapaces, along with a segmented tail that eventually grows
a potent stinger.