All chromatic
dragons are evil, but black dragons stand apart for their sadistic nature. A black dragon lives to watch its prey beg for mercy, and will often offer the illusion of respite or escape before finishing off its enemies. A black dragon strikes at its weakest enemies first, ensuring a quick and brutal victory, which bolsters its ego as it terrifies its remaining foes. On the verge of defeat, a black dragon does anything it can to save itself, but it accepts death before allowing any other creature to claim mastery over it.
Black dragons hate and fear other dragons. They spy on draconic rivals from afar, plotting against them and looking for opportunities to slay weaker dragons and avoid stronger ones.
Black dragons don't just receive their namesake for the color of their scales, but because of their reputation in dabbling with
Necromancy from the Blacklands. A black dragon's malevolent influence might cause the spontaneous creation of shambling undead that seek out and slay creatures approaching the dragon's lair. Because of this, black dragons and diamond dragons are infamous for their ancient rivalries and epic battles.
Black dragons hoard the treasures and
Magic items of crumbled empires and conquered kingdoms to remind themselves of their greatness. The more civilizations a dragon outlasts, the more entitled it feels to claim the wealth of current civilizations for itself.
Black dragons dwell in swamps on the frayed edges of civilization. preferring to make their lairs in dismal caves, grottos, or ruins that are at least partially flooded, providing pools where the dragon rests, and where its victims can ferment. The lair may be littered with the acid-pitted bones of previous victims and the fly-ridden carcasses of fresh kills, watched over by crumbling statues.
SRD
Black Dragon, Ancient
Gargantuan dragon, chaotic evil
Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
Hit Points 367 21d20+147
Speed
40ft
Fly: 80ft
Swim: 40ft
Saving Throws Dex +9, Con +14, Wis +9, Cha +11
Skills Perception +16, Stealth +9
Damage Immunities acid
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 26
Languages Common, Daconic
Challenge 21 (33,000 XP)
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: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 2d10+8 piercing damage plus 9 2d8 acid damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 2d6+8 slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 17 2d8+8 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 19 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.
Acid Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales acid in a 90-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw, taking 67 15d8 acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
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 23 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 2d6+8 bludgeoning damage and be knocked Prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
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