Custom Dragon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Custom Dragon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sleepwalker13666
06-18-07, 01:17 AM I wrote up this little beasty for my homebrew campaign, I think I did everything right, but it's not often I work with creatures over a CR 10, so I likly have some mistakes, I am open to any suggestions and would greatly appreciate any mistakes pointed out, I might need to change the CR, possibly epic.

Valacord, The Spined Horror

Valacord is one of the oldest living dragons in Thalamar, only Rot Fang is known to actually be older. Valacord was the spearhead of the Dragonfall War, and was one of the few survivors from that battle, though his wings where badly wounded, and have never fully healed. Some say the Valthorians named them selfs after this terrible dragon as a way of mocking him in their victory. Valacord now hides in the Mournspire caves of the Blacklands. There he has a gathering of loyal followers who use his shed spines as spears and daggers. Valacord waste no time in a battle, he charge down obvious spellcasters then moves on to the warriors. Unlike most dragons, Valacord will purposely allow himself to be surrounded so he may unleash his spines in a more efficient manner.

Valacord has a normal draconian shape, however his body has dark brown folded spines in place of scales, Valacord can bristle these out in a manner similar to a porcupine. Valacord will shake his body like a wet dog causing the loose spines to scatter about, flung with a devastating ferocity. These spines are surprisingly sturdy and barbed, making them difficult to remove.

Valacord (CR 20)
(Unique, Colossal Dragon)
Initiative: +12
Hit Dice 35d12
Hp: 735 Damage Reduction: 15/ Valthorian Bronze
Speed: 50, 20 Fly (Clumsy)
AC:47 (10+33 Natural, -4 Size, +8 Dex)
Touch: 14, Flat Footed: 39
Base Attack/Grapple: +27/+43
Attack: 2 Claws +40
1 Bite +35
1 Tail Slap +25
2 Wing Buffets +30
1 Crush +40
1 Tail Sweep +40
Full Attack: 2 Claws +40 4d6+13 (19x2)+Spines, 1 Bite +35 4d8+13, 2 Wings +30, 2d8+13 +Spines, 1 Tail Slap +25 4d6 + Spines or 1 Tail Sweep +40 2d8+13+Spines.Or 1 Crush +40 4d8+19+Spines.
Space Reach: 30ft/ 20ft
Special Attacks: Spine Storm
Special Qualities: Spines, Blindsense 100 Feet, Scent, Dragon Fear (Dc 26), SR 35, Spell Like Abilities, Spells
Saves: Fort:+30 Refl:+30 Will:27
Abilities:Str 36 Con 26 Dex 26 Int 20 Wis 20 Cha 18
Skills: Knowldeges: Arcana, Planes, War, Dungeoneiring, History, Local, Nobility/Royality +43
Spot: +44, Listen: +44, Sense Motive: +44, Bluff +43
Feats: Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Improved Grapple, Multi Attack, Improved Toughness, Throw Anything, Brutal Throw, Dodge, Mobility, Combat Reflexes, Improved Critical Claws.

Spines: Valacords body is covered in spines, most of his melee attacks will transfer these dealing an extra 1d6 damage, and Imposing a cumulative -1 to Ac, Attack roles and Skill checks. Removing a spine deals 1d6 damage and is a full round action. Though one can be removed with a heal check DC 20 without harm. If someone attempts a melee attack with a non-reach weapon they must make a reflex save Dc24 or they are impaled with a spine taking 1d6 damage, further any grapple attempt with Valacord also automatically transfers spines.

Spine Storm: once every 1d4 round Valacord may violently shake his body causing the loose spines on his body to spray around him, anything within 75 feet of Valacord must make a reflex save Dc 35, those successful are embedded with half the number of spines the would have been, The number of spines embedded is based on size.

Tiny 1d6 (Any smaller and no save is required as no spine will hit)
Small 2d6
Medium 3d6
Large 4d6
Huge 5d6
Gargantuan 6d6
Colossal 7d6

Each Spine deals 1d6+6 damage, and imposes a cumulative -1 to Ac, Attack roles and Skill checks. Removing a spine deals 1d6 damage and is a full round action, a spine can be removed with heal check dc20 with no harm.

Spell Like Abilities: At Will Entangle (Dc 15), 3x Day Brier Web (Dc 16)*, 3x Day Wall of Thorns, 1x Day Poison Vines (Dc 21)*
* Complete Divine

Spellcasting: Valacord can cast as a 12 spells as a level 12 sorcerer.
Derren S.
06-18-07, 01:34 AM No spells and dragon abilities like blindsense?
Imo the CR is rather to high than to low. See the "Why the Tarrasque is a wimp" thread. The fly speed is negligible, no ranged attacks and no way to see invisibility or to break magical effects. He doesn't even have spell resistence.
Sleepwalker13666
06-18-07, 03:06 PM knew I forgot something, thank you for pointing that out.
Secrets Untold
06-18-07, 03:39 PM The directly following is a number crunch of the Spine Storm. underneath the dotted line is a PEACH. Overall, I like the concept.

Just to clarify, a Medium creature takes (3d6) times (1d6+6) damage from the spine storm, right?

On average, a medium creature that failed its save would take 110 damage and a -10 or 11 penalty to AC, attacks, and skills. When they took the spines out (without using the Heal option), they'd take another 37 damage. Not bad at all.

A Collossal creature (Greater Enlarg Person-ed Half Ogre Barbararian, or something) would take an average of 233 initial damage and a -24 or 25 penalty. When the spikes are removed, 89 more damage. Nice.

---
Also, you forgot to add the 280 HP from its Constitution bonus, giving it an average of 508 HP, or a max of 735 HP.

All true dragons have 10 dexterity, regardless of size, but as it's unique, that can be overlooked. It should also be able to cast spells as a sorcerer, if you follow the MM dragons' model.
Derren S.
06-18-07, 03:57 PM All true dragons have 10 dexterity, regardless of size, but as it's unique, that can be overlooked. It should also be able to cast spells as a sorcerer, if you follow the MM dragons' model.

In the MM yes, but dragons from splatbooks sometimes have higher dex scores like the Mercury dragon.
Sleepwalker13666
06-18-07, 04:43 PM The directly following is a number crunch of the Spine Storm. underneath the dotted line is a PEACH. Overall, I like the concept.

Just to clarify, a Medium creature takes (3d6) times (1d6+6) damage from the spine storm, right?

On average, a medium creature that failed its save would take 110 damage and a -10 or 11 penalty to AC, attacks, and skills. When they took the spines out (without using the Heal option), they'd take another 37 damage. Not bad at all.

A Collossal creature (Greater Enlarg Person-ed Half Ogre Barbararian, or something) would take an average of 233 initial damage and a -24 or 25 penalty. When the spikes are removed, 89 more damage. Nice.

---
Also, you forgot to add the 280 HP from its Constitution bonus, giving it an average of 508 HP, or a max of 735 HP.

All true dragons have 10 dexterity, regardless of size, but as it's unique, that can be overlooked. It should also be able to cast spells as a sorcerer, if you follow the MM dragons' model.

You got the spine storm right, I probably added up the average hp wrong, but I did include the con bonus, I think I'll just give it max hp for simplicity, it is a legendary creature of my game after all. Thank you for your feedback.
Secrets Untold
06-18-07, 04:44 PM OK. I only have Dracominicon for dragon knowledge, so the mercury is out of my reach. Pardon that mistake.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sleepwalker13666 06-18-07, 01:17 AM	I wrote up this little beasty for my homebrew campaign, I think I did everything right, but it's not often I work with creatures over a CR 10, so I likly have some mistakes, I am open to any suggestions and would greatly appreciate any mistakes pointed out, I might need to change the CR, possibly epic. Valacord, The Spined Horror Valacord is one of the oldest living dragons in Thalamar, only Rot Fang is known to actually be older. Valacord was the spearhead of the Dragonfall War, and was one of the few survivors from that battle, though his wings where badly wounded, and have never fully healed. Some say the Valthorians named them selfs after this terrible dragon as a way of mocking him in their victory. Valacord now hides in the Mournspire caves of the Blacklands. There he has a gathering of loyal followers who use his shed spines as spears and daggers. Valacord waste no time in a battle, he charge down obvious spellcasters then moves on to the warriors. Unlike most dragons, Valacord will purposely allow himself to be surrounded so he may unleash his spines in a more efficient manner. Valacord has a normal draconian shape, however his body has dark brown folded spines in place of scales, Valacord can bristle these out in a manner similar to a porcupine. Valacord will shake his body like a wet dog causing the loose spines to scatter about, flung with a devastating ferocity. These spines are surprisingly sturdy and barbed, making them difficult to remove. Valacord (CR 20) (Unique, Colossal Dragon) Initiative: +12 Hit Dice 35d12 Hp: 735 Damage Reduction: 15/ Valthorian Bronze Speed: 50, 20 Fly (Clumsy) AC:47 (10+33 Natural, -4 Size, +8 Dex) Touch: 14, Flat Footed: 39 Base Attack/Grapple: +27/+43 Attack: 2 Claws +40 1 Bite +35 1 Tail Slap +25 2 Wing Buffets +30 1 Crush +40 1 Tail Sweep +40 Full Attack: 2 Claws +40 4d6+13 (19x2)+Spines, 1 Bite +35 4d8+13, 2 Wings +30, 2d8+13 +Spines, 1 Tail Slap +25 4d6 + Spines or 1 Tail Sweep +40 2d8+13+Spines.Or 1 Crush +40 4d8+19+Spines. Space Reach: 30ft/ 20ft Special Attacks: Spine Storm Special Qualities: Spines, Blindsense 100 Feet, Scent, Dragon Fear (Dc 26), SR 35, Spell Like Abilities, Spells Saves: Fort:+30 Refl:+30 Will:27 Abilities:Str 36 Con 26 Dex 26 Int 20 Wis 20 Cha 18 Skills: Knowldeges: Arcana, Planes, War, Dungeoneiring, History, Local, Nobility/Royality +43 Spot: +44, Listen: +44, Sense Motive: +44, Bluff +43 Feats: Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Improved Grapple, Multi Attack, Improved Toughness, Throw Anything, Brutal Throw, Dodge, Mobility, Combat Reflexes, Improved Critical Claws. Spines: Valacords body is covered in spines, most of his melee attacks will transfer these dealing an extra 1d6 damage, and Imposing a cumulative -1 to Ac, Attack roles and Skill checks. Removing a spine deals 1d6 damage and is a full round action. Though one can be removed with a heal check DC 20 without harm. If someone attempts a melee attack with a non-reach weapon they must make a reflex save Dc24 or they are impaled with a spine taking 1d6 damage, further any grapple attempt with Valacord also automatically transfers spines. Spine Storm: once every 1d4 round Valacord may violently shake his body causing the loose spines on his body to spray around him, anything within 75 feet of Valacord must make a reflex save Dc 35, those successful are embedded with half the number of spines the would have been, The number of spines embedded is based on size. Tiny 1d6 (Any smaller and no save is required as no spine will hit) Small 2d6 Medium 3d6 Large 4d6 Huge 5d6 Gargantuan 6d6 Colossal 7d6 Each Spine deals 1d6+6 damage, and imposes a cumulative -1 to Ac, Attack roles and Skill checks. Removing a spine deals 1d6 damage and is a full round action, a spine can be removed with heal check dc20 with no harm. Spell Like Abilities: At Will Entangle (Dc 15), 3x Day Brier Web (Dc 16), 3x Day Wall of Thorns, 1x Day Poison Vines (Dc 21) * Complete Divine Spellcasting: Valacord can cast as a 12 spells as a level 12 sorcerer.
Derren S. 06-18-07, 01:34 AM	No spells and dragon abilities like blindsense? Imo the CR is rather to high than to low. See the "Why the Tarrasque is a wimp" thread. The fly speed is negligible, no ranged attacks and no way to see invisibility or to break magical effects. He doesn't even have spell resistence.
Sleepwalker13666 06-18-07, 03:06 PM	knew I forgot something, thank you for pointing that out.
Secrets Untold 06-18-07, 03:39 PM	The directly following is a number crunch of the Spine Storm. underneath the dotted line is a PEACH. Overall, I like the concept. Just to clarify, a Medium creature takes (3d6) times (1d6+6) damage from the spine storm, right? On average, a medium creature that failed its save would take 110 damage and a -10 or 11 penalty to AC, attacks, and skills. When they took the spines out (without using the Heal option), they'd take another 37 damage. Not bad at all. A Collossal creature (Greater Enlarg Person-ed Half Ogre Barbararian, or something) would take an average of 233 initial damage and a -24 or 25 penalty. When the spikes are removed, 89 more damage. Nice. --- Also, you forgot to add the 280 HP from its Constitution bonus, giving it an average of 508 HP, or a max of 735 HP. All true dragons have 10 dexterity, regardless of size, but as it's unique, that can be overlooked. It should also be able to cast spells as a sorcerer, if you follow the MM dragons' model.
Derren S. 06-18-07, 03:57 PM	All true dragons have 10 dexterity, regardless of size, but as it's unique, that can be overlooked. It should also be able to cast spells as a sorcerer, if you follow the MM dragons' model. In the MM yes, but dragons from splatbooks sometimes have higher dex scores like the Mercury dragon.
Sleepwalker13666 06-18-07, 04:43 PM	The directly following is a number crunch of the Spine Storm. underneath the dotted line is a PEACH. Overall, I like the concept. Just to clarify, a Medium creature takes (3d6) times (1d6+6) damage from the spine storm, right? On average, a medium creature that failed its save would take 110 damage and a -10 or 11 penalty to AC, attacks, and skills. When they took the spines out (without using the Heal option), they'd take another 37 damage. Not bad at all. A Collossal creature (Greater Enlarg Person-ed Half Ogre Barbararian, or something) would take an average of 233 initial damage and a -24 or 25 penalty. When the spikes are removed, 89 more damage. Nice. --- Also, you forgot to add the 280 HP from its Constitution bonus, giving it an average of 508 HP, or a max of 735 HP. All true dragons have 10 dexterity, regardless of size, but as it's unique, that can be overlooked. It should also be able to cast spells as a sorcerer, if you follow the MM dragons' model. You got the spine storm right, I probably added up the average hp wrong, but I did include the con bonus, I think I'll just give it max hp for simplicity, it is a legendary creature of my game after all. Thank you for your feedback.
Secrets Untold 06-18-07, 04:44 PM	OK. I only have Dracominicon for dragon knowledge, so the mercury is out of my reach. Pardon that mistake.