Sapphire Dragon

Sapphire 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, particularly those skilled in Magic.
The most intelligent of the prismatic dragons, sapphire dragons are mysterious, cunning, and crafty in their thinking. They appreciate quick wits and creativity in smaller races, often encouraging artistic expression and inspiration from a distance. Thanks to their intelligence, sapphire dragons are incredibly skilled with their own innate magic. They are powerful spellcasters who seek arcane knowledge from throughout the ages and eagerly collect hoards of lost spell manuals and scrolls.
Sapphire dragons also covet magic items that allow them to converse with interesting personalities. An intelligent telepathic weapon or a magic lamp with a djinni bound inside it are among the greatest treasures a sapphire dragon can possess. More than anything, sapphire dragons collect magical tomes, scrolls, books, and historical knowledge.
Sapphire dragons and topaz dragon will often share similar territory, as both seek the same purpose in hoarding long-lost knowledge from throughout history.
Sapphire 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 sapphire dragon might slip aboard a ship in the guise of a bird or rat, inspecting the hold for treasure. If the dragon finds a worthy addition to its hoard, it may barter with the ship's captain for the item.
Sapphire dragons loot sunken ships and also collect colorful coral and pearls from the reefs and seabeds near their lairs. When a wizard or magic-user seeks the hoard of a sapphire dragon, the dragon might barter with them for arcane knowledge or a powerful magical item.
A sapphire 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.

Sapphire Dragon, Ancient

Gargantuan dragon, lawful good

Armor Class 22 (natural armor)

Hit Points 444 24d20+192

Speed 40ft Fly: 80ft Swim: 40ft

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STR

29 +9

DEX

10 0

CON

27 +8

INT

21 +5

WIS

17 +3

CHA

18 +4

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Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +15, Wis +10, Int +12

Skills Insight +10, Perception +17, Arcana +10

Damage Immunities cold

Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 27

Languages Trade-tongue, Draconic

Challenge 22 (41,000 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.

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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 ft., one target. Hit: 20 2d10+9 piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 2d6+9 slashing damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 18 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.

Arcane Breath. The dragon exhales magical force in a 120-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 88 16d10 force 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.

Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon's choice).
In a new form, the dragon retains its alignment, hit points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, proficiencies, Legendary Resistance, lair actions, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form, except any class features or legendary actions of that form.

Legendary Actions

The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action 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 ft. of the dragon must succeed on a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw or take 16 2d6+9 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dragons

Scientific Name

Draconus Magus

Lifespan

800-1000 years

Average Physique

Much like their emerald dragon cousins, sapphire dragons are long and serpentine in physique, enabling them to swim deftly through the water. Their faces are long and lithe, and their wings are large and slim, able to tuck flat against their bodies.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

At birth, a sapphire dragon's scales are a murky turquoise with a refractive tint. As the dragon ages, its scales become more vibrant in color, later taking on a deep-sea blue tint as it ages. A sapphire dragon's pupils fade with age, and the eyes of the oldest sapphire dragons resemble glowing sky-blue orbs.