Ancient Black Dragon Creature 16

Pathfinder Bestiary (Second Edition), page 106; family: Dragon, Chromatic

Murderous tyrants of marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens, black dragons terrorize their domains with intense fervor. Gleefully sadistic, they rule their fetid principalities from a deep cave or otherwise isolated part of the swamp with a mix of lightning-quick raids and subterfuge. Their hatred for other creatures is as acidic as their breath weapons, and they rarely tolerate even other dragons of their kind—except perhaps to mate or temporarily collaborate to take down a mutual enemy.

Black dragons are amphibious—although they breathe air, their gills also allow them to breathe water. Their frills and fins make them accomplished swimmers, well suited to their wetland environments and submerged lairs. They’re immune to the fetid water that comes as a result of their magical ability to corrupt water.

Black dragon lairs are as foul as their souls. The floors are littered with rotting meat, and plundered treasures line the muck and slime of their dank caves amid twisted roots and creepers. Such places are often crawling with pests, snakes, and slimes. Though they claim natural caverns when they can, they make do with areas of dense, twisted vegetation within a swamp. Black dragon treasure hoards primarily consist of gems and expensive glass work, as valuables of softer substance can’t survive the dragon’s acidic presence.

Perception +30; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet

Languages Common, Draconic, Goblin, Jotun, Orcish

Skills Acrobatics +25, Arcana +26, Athletics +32, Deception +29, Intimidation +29, Stealth +27

Str +8, Dex +5, Con +6, Int +4, Wis +5, Cha +5

AC 39; Fort +30, Ref +27, Will +29; +1 status to all saves vs. magic

HP 325; Immunities acid, paralyzed, sleep

Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) 90 feet, DC 35

Tail Lash ↩ As young black dragon.

Speed 60 feet, fly 150 feet, swim 60 feet

Melee ◆ jaws +33 (acid, magical, reach 15 feet), Damage 3d10+14 piercing plus 2d6 acid and 2d6 persistent acid

Melee ◆ claw +33 (agile, magical, reach 10 feet), Damage 3d8+14 slashing

Melee ◆ tail +31 (magical, reach 20 feet), Damage 3d10+12 bludgeoning

Melee ◆ horns +31 (magical, reach 15 feet), Damage 2d10+12 piercing

Arcane Innate Spells DC 37; 2nd darkness (at will)

Breath Weapon ◆◆ (acid, arcane, evocation); The dragon breathes a spray of acid that deals 17d6 acid damage in a 100-foot line (DC 39 basic Reflex save). It can’t use Breath Weapon again for 1d4 rounds.

Corrupt Water ◆ (arcane, concentrate, necromancy); As adult black dragon, but DC 35.

Draconic Frenzy ◆◆ As young black dragon.

Draconic Momentum As young black dragon.