I remember being misinformed by a friend back when I only had Holmes & believing there were multiple platinum dragons. Now there are!
Originally shared by Jeff Rients
A plurality of platinum and chromatic dragons
In my previous post I mentioned in passing that Uncle Gary's prototype alignment chart from Strategic Review #6 mentions Platinum Dragon s , plural. It also mentions the existence of more than one Chromatic Dragon. I've not seen stats for non-unique drago...
http://jrients.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-plurality-of-platinum-and-chromatic.html
I can't take it seriously with that corny artwork.
ReplyDeleteScott Mob I didn't expect such a complaint from a Holmes Basic fan, but here you go:
ReplyDeleteChromatic Dragon
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVE: 6"/18"
HIT DICE: 14-16
% IN LAIR: 90%
TREASURE TYPE: H, S, T, U
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3-6
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6 plus see below
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapons, poison and magic use
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Genius
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: L
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
CHANCE OF:
Speaking: 100%
Magic-Use: 100%
Sleeping: 10%
This wicked race of dragons haunt the most dismal of underground caverns, as well as residing on the first layer of the Seven Hells and adjacent planes. Each chromatic dragon encountered will possess 2-5 heads, each of a different randomly determined color:
1. White - bite 2-16
2. Black - bite 3-18
3. Green - bite 2-20
4. Blue - bite 3-24
5. Red - bite 3-30
6. roll again.
Each head will possess 2 hit points for each age category of the dragon when targeted separately and each head will be capable of a single breath attack of appropriate type per day. Additionally, chromatic dragon tails end in envenomed stingers inflicting 1-6 points of damage in a single attack and requiring a saving throw versus poison to avoid instant death.
Chromatic dragons possess 2 spells per head of increasing level. E.g. a three-headed chromatic dragon will feature a head with 2 first level spells, a head with 2 second level spells, and a head with 2 third level spells. Heads operate independently; a chromatic dragon can bite, breathe, and cast in the same round (providing it employs three separate heads to do so!).
Chromatic dragons interact freely with white, black, green, blue, and red dragons.
Mutants: 1 in 6 chromatic dragons encountered singly will be a mutant possessing a single head of metallic variety (dice for type). These strange creatures are Neutral with respect to alignment and live as outcasts from all other members of dragonkind.
Platinum Dragon
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: -3
MOVE: 9"/20"
HIT DICE: 19-21
% IN LAIR: 75%
TREASURE TYPE: H, I, R, S, T, V
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12/2-12/6-48
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapons + magic use
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Supra genius
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic good
SIZE: L (72' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
CHANCE OF:
Speaking: 100%
Magic-Use: 100%
Sleeping: 5%
This most powerful species of metallic dragon seldom resides in normal terrestrial environs, preferring lairs in such exotic locales as behind winds, on clouds, or in the hollowed-out core of small planetoids. All platinum dragons can freely traverse the ethereal and astral planes, while those of adult age category or older are able to assume human form at will.
Platinum dragons have three different breath weapons, each of which can be employed twice a day for six daily breath attacks in total. One such breath attack is a cone of cold, 8" long and 3" at its widest. Another is a cloud of vapor, 6" long, 4" wide and 3" deep, that forces any who fail their save to assume gaseous form for 12 full turns. The final breath weapon is a cone (also 8" x 3") of sonic vibration; all those in the cone who possess hit points equal to or less than the dragon must save or suffer disintegration. All saves versus platinum dragon breath are thrown with a -3 penalty.
For their first seven age categories platinum dragons gain access to 2 magic-user spells and one cleric spells of the commensurate level (e.g. a sub-adult would possess knowledge of 9 spells in total: 2 first level M-U spells, 2 second level M-U spells, 2 third level M-U spells, and a single cleric spell of levels 1-3). Ancient platinum dragons can cast no additional spells per day, but may select their magic-user spells from any in the Players Handbook.
ReplyDeletePlatinum dragons enjoy friendly relations with gold dragons but remain aloof from the affairs of lesser metallic dragons. While in human form they enjoy traffic with members of human and demi-human kind, providing their true nature is not revealed.
/sub
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the idea of multiple chromatic dragons (likely inspired by an off-hand comment Ed Greenwood wrote in his Nine Hells part 1 article from Dragon #75), but for some reason haven't ever made Bahamut non-unique. Thanks for the pointer, Zach! :D
ReplyDeleteBusting up the "D&D gospel" can bring rewards...
ReplyDeleteI'd thought of completely randomized and unique dragons was the way to go, but I completely missed non-unique platinum & chromatic dragons. Great expansion!
ReplyDelete