FB05: Blue Dragon
Lightning flashes above the rocky spires and narrow canyons through which you travel. Rain pelts down from above, and the wind swirls, blowing sand in your face. Heads down to protect against the weather, you trudge forward until you are stopped in your tracks by a loud, powerful, and surprisingly close, roar.
Looking up toward the roar's origin, you spot a huge, lizard-like creature with four powerful claws, glistening blue scales, and a massive maw of sharp teeth perched on the rocks above you. A dragon!
The creature leans forward, nostrils flaring as its head snakes forward on a long neck, close enough for you to feel the heat of its breath. The dragon flashes a dangerous, toothy, grin. "Oh look", its voice booming despite its calm tone, "new minions. Well, that, or dinner. Which will it be? Hmm?"
The characters have come upon the lair of a young blue dragon called Xidranticx (Hid-ran-ticks). An ambitious dragon, looking to make a name for himself, Xidranticx is eager to to make an impact. Acquiring some minions of note is one way he figures to do so. In a way, that makes the characters fortunate, as even a young blue dragon is far more powerful than a group of level 4 characters can handle (the dragon is CR 9, which registers as 'deadly' for a party of 5 4th level characters).
Should the characters refuse the offer to become minions of the dragon, he will lash out and attack the character he perceives to be weakest (lowest HP and worst AC) with both claws and then his bite. Xidranticx's goal is to kill and devour that character, then again stare down the party and give them another chance at his offer. He is reserving his breath weapon just in-case an all-out combat ensues. If it does, he will use his lightning breath and then retreat into the air, only to return later to pick off individual characters and slowly kill-off the party before they can leave Spire Isle. However, he will stop his killing if, at any point, the remaining characters stop resisting and swear fealty to him.
Characters who agree to become minions of Xidranticx are required to kneel and bow their heads before him. He then gifts each character a blue dragon scale, fashioned as an amulet on a silver chain, that grants Resistance to Lightning Damage. Once the swearing of fealty is completed, he gives the characters their first task -- building a shrine and alter on the beach at the north end of the island where those who wish to pass safely by Spire Isle may offer gemstones and other treasure.
According to your desires as the DM, Xidranticx may find this service sufficient for the time being and release characters from their position after the shrine is built. Or, he may ask for them to do more afterwards. Or, he may become angered as the characters flee the island and will hunt after them in a future scenario when the characters have achieved a more appropriate level for facing dragons. It is up to you.
It is very well understood that this entire encounter puts the players and their characters in a very difficult situation. The area should have been described as foreboding and likely unwise to enter from the beginning, and two random encounters (one possible during long rests, the other possible during short rests) may have further warned the characters about what they might encounter here.
Young Blue Dragon Statblock
Young Blue Dragon CR: 9 (5000 XP)
Huge dragon, any
Armor Class: 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 152 ( 16d10+64 )
Speed:
40 ft
, fly: 80 ft
, climb: 40 ft
STR
21 +5
DEX
10 +0
CON
19 +4
INT
14 +2
WIS
13 +1
CHA
17 +3
Saving Throws: Dex +54 Con +8, Wis +5, Cha +7
Skills: Perception +9, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities: lightning
Condition Immunities: stunned
Senses: Blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft.
Languages: Common, Draconic
Challenge Rating: 9 (5000 XP)
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: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10+5 piercing damage plus 1d10 lightning damage.
Claw
Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d6+5 slashing damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6)
The dragon exhales lightning in a 60-foot line that is 5 ft. wide. Each creature in that area must make a DC 16 Dexterity Saving Throw, taking 10d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
Experience Point Possibilites
- Discovering the area -- 50xp / character
- Surviving the encounter with the dragon - 250xp / character
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