Bronze Dragon
Overview
Bronze dragons are coastal dwellers that feed primarily on aquatic plants and fish. They take the forms of friendly animals to observe other creatures of interest. They are also fascinated by warfare and eagerly join armies fighting for a just cause. A ribbed and fluted crest defines the shape of a bronze dragon’s head. Curving horns extend out from the crest, echoed by spines on its lower jaw and chin. To help them swim, bronze dragons have webbed feet and smooth scales. A bronze wyrmling’s scales are yellow tinged with green; only as the dragon approaches adulthood does its color deepen to a darker, rich bronze tone. The pupils of a bronze dragon’s eyes fade as the dragon ages, until they resemble glowing green orbs.Dragons of the Coast
Bronze dragons love to watch ships traveling up and down the coastlines near their lairs, sometimes taking the forms of dolphins or seagulls to inspect those ships and their crews more closely. A daring bronze dragon might slip aboard a ship in the guise of a rat, inspecting the hold for treasure. If the dragon finds a worthy addition to its hoard, it barters with the ship’s captain for the item.War Machines
Bronze dragons actively oppose tyranny, and many bronze dragons yearn to test their mettle by putting their size and strength to good use. When a conflict unfolds near its lair, a bronze dragon ascertains the underlying cause, then offers its services to any side that fights for good. Once a bronze dragon commits to a cause, it remains a staunch ally.Well-Organized Wealth
Bronze dragons loot sunken ships and also collect colorful coral and pearls from the reefs and seabeds near their lairs. When a bronze dragon pledges to help an army wage war against tyranny, it asks for a nominal payment. If such a request is beyond its allies’ means, it might settle for a collection of old books on military history or a ceremonial item commemorating the alliance. A bronze dragon might also lay claim to a treasure held by the enemy that it feels would be safer under its protection.A Bronze Dragon's Lair
A bronze dragon lairs in coastal caves. It might salvage a wrecked ship, reconstruct it within the confines of its lair, and use it as a treasure vault or nest for its eggs.Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:- The dragon creates fog as though it had cast the fog cloud spell. The fog lasts until initiative count 20 on the next round.
- A thunderclap originates at a point the dragon can see within 120 feet of it. Each creature within a 20-foot radius centered on that point must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 1d10 thunder damage and be deafened until the end of its next turn.
Regional Effects
The region containing a legendary bronze dragon’s lair is warped by the dragon’s magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:- Once per day, the dragon can alter the weather in a 6-mile radius centered on its lair. The dragon doesn’t need to be outdoors, otherwise the effect is identical to the control weather spell.
- Underwater plants within 6 miles of the dragon’s lair take on dazzlingly brilliant hues.
- Within its lair, the dragon can set illusory sounds, such as soft music and strange echoes, so that they can be heard in various parts of the lair.
Bronze Dragon Wyrming CR: 2 (450 XP)
STR
17 +3
DEX
10 +0
CON
15 +2
INT
12 +1
WIS
11 +0
CHA
15 +2
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 1d10 + 3 piercing damage. Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6). The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
- Lightning Breath. The dragon exhales lightning in a 40-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
- Repulsion Breath. The dragon exhales repulsion energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 30 feet away from the dragon.
Young Bronze Dragon CR: 8 (3,900 XP)
STR
21 +5
DEX
10 +0
CON
19 +4
INT
14 +2
WIS
13 +1
CHA
17 +3
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 feet, one target. Hit: 2d10 + 5 piercing damage. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 5 slashing damage. Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6). The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:
- Lightning Breath. The dragon exhales lightning in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
- Repulsion Breath. The dragon exhales repulsion energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 40 feet away from the dragon.
Adult Bronze Dragon CR: 15 (13,000 XP)
STR
25 +7
DEX
10 +0
CON
23 +6
INT
16 +3
WIS
15 +2
CHA
19 +4
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 feet, one target. Hit: 2d10 + 7 piercing damage. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 7 slashing damage. Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 feet, one target. Hit: 2d8 + 7 bludgeoning damage. Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours. Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6). The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:
- Lightning Breath. The dragon exhales lightning in a 90-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 12d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
- Repulsion Breath. The dragon exhales repulsion energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 60 feet away from the dragon.
Legendary Actions
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn. Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check. Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack. Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 + 7 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Ancient Bronze Dragon CR: 22 (41,000 XP)
STR
29 +9
DEX
10 +0
CON
27 +8
INT
18 +4
WIS
17 +3
CHA
21 +5
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 feet, one target. Hit: 2d10 + 9 piercing damage. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 feet, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 9 slashing damage. Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 20 feet, one target. Hit: 2d8 + 9 bludgeoning damage. Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours. Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6). The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:
- Lightning Breath. The dragon exhales lightning in a 120-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 16d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
- Repulsion Breath. The dragon exhales repulsion energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 23 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 60 feet away from the dragon.
Legendary Actions
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn. Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check. Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack. Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 + 9 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
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