Dragon, Elder


 * Dragon
 * Size: Massive


 * Str - 29 (+18 damage)
 * Dex - 14
 * Fort - 16
 * M.A. - 15
 * L.S. - 17 (18 CPD)


 * HP - 1000
 * AC - 11 (thickening scales)
 * Dodge - 30%
 * Magic Resistance - 30%
 * 5 attacks - 1 bite 4d8+18, 4 claws 3d8+18

Special: +15 ft. ground speed, Flight at ground speed +40 ft., Tail Sweep: once per round, the dragon can swing its tail in a 180 degree rear arc within 20 ft. of it that counts as an automatic hit unless anyone in the affected area dodges; those struck take 1d12+18 damage, Breath Weapon: 40d6 energy damage usable after 3 rounds of "cooldown" as a main action (see templating, below), Special Perception (see templating). A dragon cannot hit the same area with its tail sweep and its breath weapon in the same round.

Caster Level: 30. Spell List: Choose twelve Mage spells the dragon could cast within its CPD limit.

Templating: This is a special property that each age category of dragons have; essentially, each color and/or type of dragon is slightly different and has varying properties, which is applied to the base dragon as a template. When a template mentions a type of damage as a breath weapon, that dragon is immune to that damage type (which sometimes requires creative interpretation, such as green dragons being immune to air damage). Read each template carefully, as some templates may even remove existing qualities for specific varieties of dragon. Here are just a few examples to get you started.

Chromatic
 * Black Dragon template: +2 Str, +1 Dex, +4 M.A., +1 L.S., +5 CPD, +180 HP, +1 AC, +20% Magic Resistance, +4 caster level, breath weapon deals fire damage in a 40 ft. cone, black dragons gain aethersight perception, allowing them to see magical auras (including magical creatures, spells and items) within 300 ft. +3 suggested level range.
 * Red Dragon template: +4 Str, +1 Dex, +2 M.A., +3 CPD, +300 HP, +2 AC, upgrade bite to 5d8, claw to 4d8, tail sweep to 2d8, breath weapon deals fire in a 50 ft. cone, red dragons gain infravision within 360 ft. +2 suggested level range.
 * Green Dragon template: +2 Fort, +450 HP, +1 AC, breath weapon does not deal damage. Instead, it creates a cloud of mist in an 80 ft. radius that only green dragons can see through, causing others within the cloud to be blinded until they exit.  The cloud persists for 10 rounds if left undisturbed.  The mist cannot be dispelled, but a stiff wind can disperse it over the course of 2 rounds.  They must wait 7 rounds between uses of their breath weapon instead of 3.  Green dragons possess keen scent, able to sniff out foes within 360 ft.  +1 suggested level range.

Metallic
 * Platinum Dragon template: +3 Str, +1 Dex, +3 M.A., +4 CPD, +240 HP, +2 AC, +15% Magic Resistance, may choose cleric spells as well as mage spells, breath weapon deals light and holy damage in an 80 ft. line and can be used after 2 rounds instead of 3, platinum dragons gain lifesense out to 360 ft. +4 suggested level range.
 * Gold Dragon template: +5 Str, +2 M.A., +180 HP, +1 AC, breath weapon deals acid damage with an extra 10d6 in a 50 ft. cone, gold dragons gain infravision out to 360 ft. +2 suggested level range.
 * Silver Dragon template: +1 Str, +1 Dex, +6 M.A., +3 CPD, +1 AC, breath weapon deals electricity damage in a 120 ft. line, silver dragons gain echolocation out to 360 ft. Silver dragons in this age category can turn into a self-specific humanoid form, usually human or elven, and back to dragon form by using a main action, which gives them -10 Str, -6 AC, no natural attacks, no flight, and no breath weapon.  +1 suggested level range.

Suggested Level Range: 35 to 50 before templating

Dragons are powerful magical entities, which look somewhat like winged lizards with long necks. They are covered in scales, and even the less intelligent varieties have the glint of cunning in their eyes. Elder dragons are formidable entities that one should generally avoid, and if one cannot, one should be exceedingly polite in adressing them. Elder dragons are massive, with body lengths of 25 to 40 ft. and tails of equal length. Their wingspans tend to be about double their body size. In addition to being terrifying flying predators with special breath weapon attacks, dragons are intelligent beings with access to spells innately.

The hoard of an elder dragon sets thieves to scheming, usually being on the order of 10,000 to 30,000 gp in coins alone. The hoard is sure to have multiple magic items (1d4+2 is a good random amount), some of which will be quite powerful. The GM may also put precious gems and priceless artwork into the hoard, and if so inclined even a minor artifact. It all depends on the campaign storyline and the individual dragon.

While varieties of dragons are often associated with personality quirks and moral leanings, individual dragons are just that: individuals. To assume a black dragon is evil just by its appearance is narrow-minded, but even the nicest of dragons can be temperamental and caution is always advised in dealing with them, if not outright avoidance.