RACE: Crested Dragon
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate wooded hills, montains and subterranean
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Solitary or clan
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any
DIET: Special
INTELLIGENCE: High (13-14)
TREASURE: Special
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil
NO. OF APPEARING: 1 (2-5)
ARMOR CLASS: -2 (base)
MOVE: 9, Fl 30 (C), Sw 9, Jp 3
HIT DICE: 13 (base)
THAC0: 7 (base)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3 + special
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12/2-12/3-30 (3d10)
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Special
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Variable
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Variable
SIZE: G (42' base)
MORAL: Fanatic (17-18)
XP VALUE: Variable
BODY
TAIL BREATH
SPELLS TREASURE
XP
AGE LENGTH LENGTH AC
WEAPON WIZARD/PRIEST MR TYPE
VALUE
1 2-8
1-6 1 2d10+1 Nil
Nil Nil
3,000
2 8-20
6-14 0 4d10+2 Nil
Nil Nil
4,000
3 20-32 14-26
-1 6d10+3 Nil
Nil Nil
6,000
4 32-52 26-34
-2 8d10+4 1
Nil H
8,000
5 52-70 34-45
-3 10d10+5 2
35% H
10,000
6 70-88 45-52
-4 12d10+6 2 1
40% H, T 11,000
7 88-96 52-62
-5 14d10+7 2 2 1
45% H, S, T 12,000
8 96-106 62-70
-6 16d10+8 2 2 2
50% H, S, T 15,000
9 106-116 70-78
-7 18d10+9 2 2 2 1
55% H, S, Tx2 17,000
10 116-124 78-82
-8 20d10+10 2 2 2 2
60% H, S, Tx2 18,000
11 124-132 82-90
-9 22d10+11 3 2 2 2 / 1 65% Hx2, S,
Tx2 19,000
12 132-142 90-98 -10
24d10+12 3 3 2 2 / 2 70% Hx2, S, Tx2
20,000 |
Crested dragons are a cross between
red and green dragons; they have the
body of a green dragon (but larger)
and the head and tail of a red dragon.
The distinguishing feature of a
crested dragon is the red, cakatoo-like
crest that extends from the top of the
head to halfway down the back of the
neck. The coloration of the crested
dragon's scales are similar to those
of the green and red dragons in the
repective body parts. Due to cross-
breeding, a crested dragon's body scales
are thicker than those of the green,
hence the better armor class.
Crested dragons speak their own tongue,
a tongue common to all evil dragons,
and 14% of hatchling crested dragons
have an ability to communicate with any
intelligent creature. The chance to
possess this ability increases 5% per age
category of the dragon.
COMBAT: Crested dragons will attack most
good-aligned and neutral creatures
without a second thought, but have also
been known to attack evil creatures that
invade their territory. Crested dragons
will use their spells, breath weapon,
and special abilities against more
formidable foes before closing to fight,
but will use claws and bite against weaker
opponents.
At times, a crested dragon will attempt to
control foes through use of suggestion and
charm. These controlled creatures will be
used as guards, or as information-gatherers.
Their favorite targets for these tactics are
humans and demi-humans.
BREATH WEAPON: A crested dragon's breath
weapon is a cloud of flaming gas 70' long,
40' wide, and 30' high. Creatures caught in
this cloud must make two saving throws vs.
breath weapon as follows: the first is
against gas for 3/4 damage and the second is
against fire for 1/2 damage. This breath
weapon is composed mostly of flames; therefore,
if a target is immune to gas, damage is
automatically 3/4 normal, save against fire
for 1/2. On the other hand, if a victim is
immune to fire, damage is automatically 1/2
normal, save against gas for 1/4 damage.
From birth, crested dragons are immune to
both fire and gasses. Crested dragons cast
spells and use their special abilities at
8th level, plus their combat modifier. As
they age, they gain the following additional
powers:
AGE SPECIAL ABILITY
Young ** Affect normal fires ** (three times per day)
Juvenile ** Water Breathing **
Adult ** Suggestion ** (once per day)
Old ** Wall of Fire ** (once per day)
Venerable ** Hypnotism ** (once per day)
Great wyrm ** Pass without trace ** (three times per day)
HABITAT: Crested dragons are found in
temperate hilly and mountainous regions
as long as these areas are heavily forested.
Crested dragons are solitary creatures
(except when mating and child-rearing) and
fiercely protect their territory. Crested
dragon lairs are usually found in large caves
well hidden in deep forests. Crested dragons
are good parents, and will protect their
young to the death if necessary.
Enemies of crested dragons include hill
giants and green dragons with whom they share
their territory. They will attack hill giants
on sight, but will not fight green dragons
unless provoked.
ECOLOGY: Although crested dragons can eat
nearly anything, they prefer humans and elves,
especially females; they have been known to
attack small villages to obtain food. They will
also eat plants and medium-sized animals if
necessary.
Allan J. Mikkola (allanm@vulcan.med.ge.com)
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