Young Black Dragon Creature 7

Pathfinder Bestiary (Second Edition), page 105; 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 +15; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet

Languages Draconic

Skills Acrobatics +14, Arcana +12, Athletics +17, Deception +15, Intimidation +15, Stealth +16

Str +6, Dex +3, Con +4, Int +1, Wis +2, Cha +2

AC 25; Fort +17, Ref +12, Will +15

HP 125; Immunities acid, paralyzed, sleep

Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) 90 feet, DC 23

Tail Lash ↩ Trigger A creature within reach of the dragon’s tail takes an action to Strike or attempt a skill check; Effect The dragon Strikes with its tail at the triggering creature at a –2 penalty. If it hits, the creature takes a –2 circumstance penalty to the triggering roll.

Speed 40 feet, fly 100 feet, swim 40 feet

Melee ◆ jaws +19 (acid, reach 10 feet), Damage 2d10+9 piercing plus 1d6 acid

Melee ◆ claw +19 (agile), Damage 2d6+9 slashing

Melee ◆ tail +17 (reach 15 feet), Damage 2d8+7 bludgeoning

Melee ◆ horns +17 (reach 10 feet), Damage 1d8+7 piercing

Breath Weapon ◆◆ (acid, arcane, evocation); The dragon breathes a spray of acid that deals 8d6 acid damage in a 60-foot line (DC 25 basic Reflex save). It can’t use Breath Weapon again for 1d4 rounds.

Draconic Frenzy ◆◆ The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one horns Strike in any order.

Draconic Momentum The dragon recharges its Breath Weapon whenever it scores a critical hit with a Strike.