Ancient red dragons are the stuff of legends, and any one of them are a suitable capstone for a campaign. They are among the most powerful beings a party of adventurers might encounter, and they know it.
Very old, Aukanai’i, CR 21
Aukanai’I has set himself up fairly well. He hatched on a remote chain of islands far from any powerful nations, and over his lifetime (753 years) has managed to guide over 10 generations of the local goblin’s into a sort of defic status. While not a true deity, the goblins spend most of their time in worship of him. Aukanai’i managed to drive out the few traditional goblin priests 500 years ago, and now, none can even mention traditional goblin religion. Instead, the religious myths all focus on the few times Aukanai’i has been forced to drive off trade vessels and settlers, for the goblins protection of course. Aukanai’i knows he isn’t a god, but he certainly lives like one.
Combat Statistics
| Size/Type: | Gargantuan Dragon (Fire) |
| Hit Dice: | 31d12+279 = 480 HP |
| Initiative: | +4 |
| Speed: | 40ft, 200ft fly (clumsy) |
| Armor Class: | 10 -4 Size + 30 Natural +4 Armor = 40 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +31/59 |
| Attack: | Bite +43 6d6+16 |
| Full Attack: | Bite +43 6d6+16, 2 Claws +43 3d8+8, 2 wings +43 2d6+8, and Tail Slap +43 2d8+24 |
| Space/Reach: | 20ft/15ft, 20ft w/bite |
| Special Qualities: | Blindsense 60ft, Darkvision 120ft, DR 15/Magic, SR 26 |
| Immune: | Fire, Sleep, Paralysis |
| Vulnerable | Cold |
| Saves: | Fort – 17 + 9 Con = 26 Ref – 17 + 0 Dex + 2 = 19 Will – 17 + 7 Wis + 2 = 26 |
| Abilities: | Str 42 | Dex 10 | Con 28 | Int 22 | Wis 24 | Cha 22 |
| Skills: | Appraise 40, Bluff 40, Diplomacy 40, Intimidate 40, Knowledge Arcane 40, Knowledge The Planes 40, Listen 41, search 40, Sense Motive 41, spot 40, Use Magic Device 40, Spellcraft 40, Swim 26 |
| Languages: | Draconic, Elven, Common, Ignan, Giant, Infernal, Celestial, Goblin |
| Feats: | Flyby attack, Multiattack, Ability Focus (Breath Weapon), Improved Multiattack, Lightning Reflexes, Practiced Spellcaster, Improved Initiative, Ability Focus (Frightful Presence), Improved Natural Attack (Bite), Improved Natural Attack (Claws), Iron Will, Power Attack |
| Alignment: | Chaotic Evil |
Aukanai’I lives a life of relative leisure, and rarely bothers with prepatory spells. The one exception being a casting of Mage Armor each morning. Although to be fair, 15% of the time, he forgets even that. After living for 700 years as a god on earth, Aukanai’i suffers very little offense, and is used to getting his way. He is quick to anger, and rarely wastes time attempting to seek common ground. Tactically, he engages with a breath weapon and melee combat immediately. If a battle is going poorly, he will dimension door into the sky, and engage with traditional dragon tactics if needed. Buff spells, and strafing breath weapons alternating with evocation blasts until he regains his composure.
Breath Weapon SU: as a standard action, once per 1d4 rounds, Aukanai’i can breathe a cone of fire 60ft long dealing 18d10 fire damage reflex save DC 36.
Frightful Presence EX: Aukanai’i can unsettle foes with a mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever he attacks, charges, or flies overhead. Creatures within a radius of 270ft are subject to the effect if they have fewer than 31 hit die. A potentially affected creature that succeeds on a Will save (DC 33) remains immune to Aukanai’i’s frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failure, creatures with 4 or less HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds.
Spell Like Abilities: CL = 17
- Locate Object – 9/Day
- Suggestion – 3/Day – DC 19
- Charm Animal – At Will – DC 11
Sorcerer Spells – CL = 17
- Level 0 – 6/Day – DC 16
- Light, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Message, Dancing Lights
- Level 1 – 8/Day – DC 17
- Mage Armor, Comprehend Languages, Magic Missile, Identify, Shield
- Level 2 – 8/Day – DC 18
- See Invisibility, Mirror Image, Resist Energy, Scorching Ray, Shatter
- Level 3 – 7/Day – DC 19
- Fireball, Dispel Magic, Magic Circle against Good, Shrink Item
- Level 4 – 7/Day – DC 20
- Dimension Door, Wall of Fire, Scrying, Black Tentacles
- Level 5 – 7/Day – DC 21
- Teleport, Cloudkill, Waves of Fatigue
- Level 6 – 5/Day – DC 22
- Chain Lightning, True Seeing
Lair
Aukanai’i’s lair is large central volcanoe for the chain of islands. He keeps it filled with looted treasure from cargo ships, and anyone who sails too close to the island, but since none would dare steal from him, is rarely there guarding it. He considers the entire chain of islands as his lair, and can regularly be found in one of the villages demanding the goblins pay tribute, or entertain him.
Horde
Aukanai’i considers the entire island chain his lair, and its contents his horde. To that end, theft from any of the villages will incur his wrath. If Aukanai’i determins someone has stolen from him, he will fly as directly towards them as possible to engage immediately. He will cast his buffs that last for multiple hours as he flies, and once they are within eyesight, begin his round per levels.
- Banded Agate Stele set with Deep Blue Spinel (1,000 gp)
- Bolt of Fine Cloth threaded with Fine Steel (500 gp)
- Bolt of Fine Cloth threaded with Silver (300 gp)
- Bolt of Gold Cloth (1,000 gp)
- Bottle of Fine Wine (300 gp)
- Brass Cloth Vest (500 gp)
- Bronze Cloth Hunter’s Cap (150 gp)
- Carved Ivory Drinking Horn set with Bloodstone (1,200 gp)
- Carved Wooden Goblet (120 gp)
- Ceramic Dice (pair) (60 gp)
- Copper Armband (200 gp)
- Copper Choker inlaid with Copper (900 gp)
- Copper Shortsword Scabbard (800 gp)
- Copper Sickle (700 gp)
- Dragonscale Cloak inlaid with Orichalcum (5,000 gp)
- Ebony Miniature of a Castle set with Onyx (800 gp)
- Electrum Diadem (500 gp)
- Fine Cloth Gloves threaded with Gold (150 gp)
- Fine Cloth Vest threaded with Copper (120 gp)
- Fine Leather Ribbon set with Freshwater Pearl (600 gp)
- Fine Leather Sash (1,100 gp)
- Fine Leather Shortsword Scabbard (1,100 gp)
- Gold Cloth Robe (1,600 gp)
- Gold Miniature of a Ship inlaid with Brass (1,300 gp)
- Iron Crown (60 gp)
- Iron Scepter (80 gp)
- Lacquered Wooden Totem wreathed in Continual Flame (3,000 gp)
- Large Carpet threaded with Bronze (3,000 gp)
- Leather Belt set with Rock Crystal (300 gp)
- Leather Ribbon (70 gp)
- Leather bound Book (blank) (20 gp)
- Leopard Fur Mask set with Citrine (1,200 gp)
- Leopard Fur Talisman set with Eye Agate (900 gp)
- Ornate Silver Mirror set with Lapis Lazuli (1,200 gp)
- Painted Glass Mask (30 gp)
- Painted Glass Medallion (120 gp)
- Peridot Ring set with Chalcedony (700 gp)
- Pewter Flask (80 gp)
- Pink Pearl Statue of a Gnome serving wench inlaid with Adamantine (4,000 gp)
- Polished Stone Urn (10 gp)
- Porcelain Comb (400 gp)
- Porcelain Scroll Case carved with Knotwork (600 gp)
- Rabbit Fur Ribbon (90 gp)
- Red Spinel Dice (pair) inlaid with Brass (600 gp)
- Rosewood Goblet inlaid with Brass (1,000 gp)
- Rosewood Scroll Case (600 gp)
- Silk Gown (40 gp)
- Silk Sash threaded with Platinum (200 gp)
- Silk Sash threaded with Silver (50 gp)
- Silver Cloth Hunter’s Cap (1,000 gp)
- Silver Rod set with Carnelian (1,200 gp)
- Small Carpet (1,300 gp)
- Small Carpet threaded with Silver (3,000 gp)
- Small Silver Mirror (80 gp)
- Small Tapestry (700 gp)
- Small Vial of Exotic Perfume (400 gp)
- +3 Greatsword (18,350 gp)
- Ring of Animal Friendship (10,800 gp) (Worn)
- Ring of Improved Swimming (10,000 gp) (Worn)
- Ballista (500 gp)
- Bookcase (30 gp)
- 8 x Noble’s Outfit (75 gp, 10 lb)
- 36 x Salted Ham (2 gp, 4 lb)
- Coins 14,211 pp, 13 gp, 5 sp
Ancient, Väyrynen, CR 23
While powerful and feared on the material plane, Väyrynen is a crafty dragon, and doesn’t actually reside there. Every decade or so she shows up unannounced, and raids whatever the most vulnerable target she can find. With her high social stats, its not a particular challenge, and she will often ally herself with an army or nation if it suits her purposes. Although, her ally may in fact be her true target. As soon as she gets within looting distance of their treasury.
Combat Statistics
| Size/Type: | Gargantuan Dragon (Fire) |
| Hit Dice: | 34d12+340 = 561 HP |
| Initiative: | +4 |
| Speed: | 40ft, 200ft fly (clumsy) |
| Armor Class: | 10 -4 Size + 33 Natural +4 Armor = 43 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +34/63 |
| Attack: | Bite +47 6d6+17 |
| Full Attack: | Bite +47 6d6+17, 2 Claws +47 3d8+8, 2 wings +47 2d6+8, and Tail Slap +47 2d8+25 |
| Space/Reach: | 20ft/15ft, 20ft w/bite |
| Special Qualities: | Blindsense 60ft, Darkvision 120ft, DR 15/Magic, SR 28 |
| Immune: | Fire, Sleep, Paralysis |
| Vulnerable | Cold |
| Saves: | Fort – 19 + 10 Con + 2 = 31 Ref – 19 + 0 Dex + 2 = 21 Will – 19 + 8 Wis + 2 = 29 |
| Abilities: | Str 45 | Dex 10 | Con 30 | Int 24 | Wis 26 | Cha 24 |
| Skills: | Appraise 44, Bluff 44, Craft Gemcutting 44, Diplomacy 44, Intimidate 44, Knowledge Arcane 44, Knowledge The Planes 44, Listen 45, search 44, Sense Motive 45, spot 44, Use Magic Device 44, Spellcraft 44 |
| Languages: | Draconic, Elven, Common, Ignan, Auran, Gnome, Undercommon, Terran, Sylvan |
| Feats: | Flyby attack, Multiattack, Ability Focus (Breath Weapon), Improved Multiattack, Lightning Reflexes, Practiced Spellcaster, Improved Initiative, Ability Focus (Frightful Presence), Improved Natural Attack (Bite), Improved Natural Attack (Claws), Iron Will, Power Attack, Great Fortitude |
| Alignment: | Chaotic Evil |
As an ancient dragon, Väyrynen recognizes the value of her spells and is almost never encountered without her buff spells cast. If challenged, she is enraged at the affront, and will act as a spellcaster, flying at the limit of her frightful presence ability, swooping in for breath weapons, and launching firestorms and spells down on her foes. If she runs low, she retreats to fight another day, and attack at night while her opponents are resting. If she actually gets down to her last few hit points, as an act of desperation, she will plane shift to the elemental plane of fire hoping to use it as an escape. She has no problems using her staffs to supplement her spellcasting as needed.
Breath Weapon SU: as a standard action, once per 1d4 rounds, Väyrynen can breathe a cone of fire 60ft long dealing 20d10 fire damage reflex save DC 39.
Frightful Presence EX: Väyrynen can unsettle foes with a mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever she attacks, charges, or flies overhead. Creatures within a radius of 300ft are subject to the effect if they have fewer than 34 hit die. A potentially affected creature that succeeds on a Will save (DC 36) remains immune to Väyrynen frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failure, creatures with 4 or less HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds.
Spell Like Abilities: CL = 19
- Locate Object – 10/Day
- Suggestion – 3/Day – DC 20
- Find the Path – 1/Day
Sorcerer Spells – CL = 19
- Level 0 – 6/Day – DC 17
- Light, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Message, Dancing Lights
- Level 1 – 8/Day – DC 18
- Mage Armor, Comprehend Languages, Magic Missile, Identify, Shield
- Level 2 – 8/Day – DC 19
- See Invisibility, Mirror Image, Resist Energy, Scorching Ray, Shatter
- Level 3 – 8/Day – DC 20
- Fireball, Dispel Magic, Magic Circle against Good, Shrink Item
- Level 4 – 7/Day – DC 21
- Dimension Door, Wall of Fire, Scrying, Black Tentacles
- Level 5 – 7/Day – DC 22
- Teleport, Cloudkill, Waves of Fatigue, Wall of Force
- Level 6 – 7/Day – DC 23
- Chain Lightning, True Seeing, Antimagic Field
- Level 7 – 5/Day – DC 24
- Fire Storm, Plane Shift
Lair
Väyrynen’s true lair is found within the elemental plane of earth. She has hollowed out the interior of a large emerald, and over time sculpted a massive, gargantuan scale, palace within the cavity. She has an arrangement with a trio of Dao who protect and maintain the palace in exchange for her protection. While on the material plane, she usually establishes a stereotypical red dragon lair ontop of a volcano, or in a mountain cave, which she uses for appearances. Her cover story is that she has been resting, and just recently awoken.
Horde
Väyrynen’s horde is immense, and quite frankly, impractical in a lot of ways. Its mostly the contents of the various thefts she has undertaken over the centuries, and sometimes the best things to steal were anvils or warships of the armies she was claiming to protect. The Dao long ago gave up attempting to convincer her only to steal items of value. Instead, they spend their time arranging the various siege equipment in the courtyard, and playing a strategy game they have devised.
- Alexandrite (600 gp)
- Aquamarine (200 gp)
- Aquamarine (700 gp)
- Azurite (8 gp)
- Black Star Sapphire (1,000 gp)
- Blue Sapphire (1,000 gp)
- Eye Agate (12 gp)
- Freshwater Pearl (10 gp)
- Freshwater Pearl (12 gp)
- Hematite (16 gp)
- Jasper (70 gp)
- Lapis Lazuli (6 gp)
- Red Spinel (70 gp)
- Red Spinel (130 gp)
- Sardonyx (50 gp)
- Star Ruby (1,200 gp)
- Turquoise (9 gp)
- A Perfect Rose in Temporal Stasis (6,000 gp)
- Bolt of Bronze Cloth (700 gp)
- Bolt of Electrum Cloth (1,400 gp)
- Bolt of Silk (20 gp)
- Bolt of Silver Cloth set with Deep Green Spinel (6,000 gp)
- Bronze Cloth Gloves (80 gp)
- Carved Wooden Comb (40 gp)
- Carved Wooden Dice (pair) (20 gp)
- Carved Wooden Medallion (100 gp)
- Carved Wooden Staff studded with Fine Steel (600 gp)
- Carved Wooden Staff studded with Gold (300 gp)
- Chalcedony Urn (1,500 gp)
- Copper Dice (pair) set with Obsidian (200 gp)
- Crystal Figurine (of a God of Beauty) (500 gp)
- Dragonscale Ribbon inlaid with Fine Steel (800 gp)
- Ebony Bowl inlaid with Gold (1,200 gp)
- Ebony Idol (of a Sea God) inlaid with Platinum (6,000 gp)
- Ebony Sundial set with White Opal (6,000 gp)
- Electrum Flute (1,200 gp)
- Feathered Talisman (80 gp)
- Fine Cloth Cloak trimmed with Sable (1,300 gp)
- Fine Cloth Gown (120 gp)
- Fine Leather Corset (1,300 gp)
- Fine Leather Ribbon set with Azurite (600 gp)
- Fine Leather Shoes inlaid with Fine Steel (1,300 gp)
- Fox Fur Pouch inlaid with Brass (1,200 gp)
- Fox Fur bound Book (blank) set with Red-brown Spinel (1,300 gp)
- Gold Cloth Robe set with Aquamarine (2,000 gp)
- Gold Cloth Tabard set with Alexandrite (8,000 gp)
- Gold Dice (pair) inlaid with Silver (900 gp)
- Gold bound Book (blank) wreathed in Continual Flame (4,000 gp)
- Iron Bracers (80 gp)
- Iron Orb (130 gp)
- Lapis Lazuli Figurine of an Eagle set with Smoky Quartz (800 gp)
- Large Carpet (1,300 gp)
- Large Carpet threaded with Silver (11,000 gp)
- Leather Belt set with Iolite (100 gp)
- Leather Belt with Electrum Buckle (500 gp)
- Leather Belt with Platinum Buckle (100 gp)
- Leather Belt with Platinum Buckle (700 gp)
- Leopard Fur bound Book (blank) (1,200 gp)
- Painted Glass Ring (120 gp)
- Pewter Gauntlets (100 gp)
- Pewter Goblet (100 gp)
- Platinum Cloth Sash (300 gp)
- Platinum Framed Masterpiece Abstract Painting (3,000 gp)
- Platinum Hairpin (100 gp)
- Polished Stone Medallion (160 gp)
- Porcelain Pedestal inlaid with Silver (5,000 gp)
- Rabbit Fur Talisman (70 gp)
- Rabbit Fur Talisman (140 gp)
- Sable Talisman inlaid with Bronze (1,000 gp)
- Set of Crystal Polyhedral Dice (400 gp)
- Silk Cloak trimmed with Leopard Fur (200 gp)
- Silver Cloth Cloak (1,500 gp)
- Silver Cloth Coat set with Chrysoberyl (3,000 gp)
- Silver Cloth Coat set with Jet (5,000 gp)
- Silver Cloth Gloves (500 gp)
- Silver Framed Painting (3,000 gp)
- Silver Pearl Statuette of a Hare (1,300 gp)
- Silver Statuette of a Female Human Merchant set with Pink Pearl (1,200 gp)
- Small Bag of Incense (110 gp)
- Small Tapestry threaded with Fine Steel (1,300 gp)
- Small Vial of Perfume (150 gp)
- Tooled Leather Bracers (800 gp)
- Zircon Rod (200 gp)
- +4 Longsword (32,315 gp)
- Necklace of Fireballs (VII) (9,150 gp)
- Staff of Conjuration (37 of 50 charges) (48,100 gp)
- Staff of Defense (29 of 50 charges) (33,785 gp)
- Staff of Illumination (47 of 50 charges) (45,355 gp)
- Staff of Passage (28 of 50 charges) (95,480 gp)
- Altar (30 gp)
- 8 x Amphora of Vinegar (2 gp, 80 lb)
- 11 x Anvil (5 gp, 200 lb)
- 6 x Ballista (500 gp)
- 3 x Bench (10 gp)
- Cart (15 gp, 200 lb)
- Chair (10 gp)
- 10 x Chariot (100 gp, 200 lb)
- 5 x Chest (10 gp)
- 10 x Courtier’s Outfit (30 gp, 6 lb)
- 8 x Grindstone (10 gp)
- 3 x Heavy Catapult (800 gp)
- 4 x Large Cage (50 gp)
- 4 x Large Chest (30 gp)
- Light Catapult (550 gp)
- 2 x Longship (10,000 gp)
- 2 x Noble’s Outfit (75 gp, 10 lb)
- 25 x Pavilion Tent (100 gp, 300 lb)
- Round Table (50 gp)
- 22 x Sedan Chair (100 gp, 60 lb)
- 25 x Shears (5 gp, 2 lb)
- 4 x Siege Ram (1,000 gp)
- Sled (20 gp, 300 lb)
- 9 x Table (30 gp)
- 5 x Trebuchet (1,200 gp)
- 17 x Vial of Ink (8 gp)
- Wagon (35 gp, 400 lb)
- Coins 11,784 pp, 82,432 gp, 10 sp
To follow along with this project as it goes on, entries have been tagged with the dragon tag.
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