One thing I dislike about dragons is how rare they are. I mean, in all my years of gaming, the only monster I have seen less than a dragon is a beholder (and we didn’t fight the beholder). So I wanted to make dragons more accessable. This dragon was suppose to be the first in a series of really low level dragons that can make dragons far more accessible to game masters.
Rock Ophidian
This medium sized, grey-colored dragon looks like a large salamander that drools acid.
Rock Ophidian CR 3
XP 800
LG Medium dragon (earth)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +9
Defense
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 30 (4d12+4)a
Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +6
Defensive Abilities dragon scales; Immune acid, paralysis, sleep
Offense
Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., climb 40 ft.
Melee bite +7 (1d8+3 plus 1d6 acid)
Special Attacks acidic spit (60 ft., 3d6 acid, Reflex DC 13 for half damage)
Statistics
Str 14, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 16
Base Atk +4; CMB +6; CMD 18
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Appraise +7, Climb +9, Intimidate +10, Perception +9, Stealth +9, Survival +9
Languages Draconic
Ecology
Environment temperate mountains
Organization solitary, pair or rampage (3-12)
Treasure double
Special Abilities
Acidic Spit (Su) A rock ophidian can lob an acidic ball of spit at a single target as a standard action. The target must be within 60 ft. The target takes 3d6 points of acid damage unless it succeeds a DC 13 Reflex save. The target sustains half damage if it makes the save. Once a rock ophidian uses this ability, it cannot do so again for 1d4 rounds. The DC for this ability is Constitution-based.
Dragon Scales (Su) For a short amount of time every day, the scales of the rock ophidian are as protective as their more powerful brethren. It can gain a damage reduction equal to its hit dice for a number of rounds a day equal to its Cha bonus. For a typical ophidian that means DR 4/magic for 3 rounds.
Living in the mountains, a rock ophidian spends must of its day crawling the rocky pathways of the mountains it inhabits looking for its next meal and building its horde. Like all dragons, the rock ophidian enjoys the luster of golden and silver coins as well as any gem it can find. It keeps its treasure in a mountain crevice it calls home. The rock ophidian prefers caves far to small for true dragons and much to treacherous to be accessed by mountain lions and other predators of the terrain.
The acidic spit attack is possibly the rock ophidian’s most distinctive feature. When it takes aim at its prey, it pulls its head in towards it body in much the same way a turtle pulls its head into it shell. Then it projects its head forward with great speed launching a ball of acid and other digestive juices towards its target. This deadly attack is the rock ophidian’s preferred method of beginning a fight.
The rock ophidian only attacks smaller creatures on its own. Whenever outnumbered or facing a creature its size or larger it will retreat as quickly as possible, seeking out reinforcements.
A 9th level lawful-good spellcaster can gain a rock ophidian as a familiar if she has the Improved Familiar feat.
Download Book of Beasts: Wandering Monsters 1 from DriveThruRPG/RPGNow, Paizo.com or d20PFSRD.
