Bronze Dragon

Dragon (Water)

Environment: Temperate hills

Organization: Wyrmling, very young, young, juvenile, and young adult: solitary or clutch (2-5); adult, mature adult, old, very old, ancient, wyrm, or great wyrm: solitary, pair, or family (1-2 and 2-5 offspring)

Challenge Rating: Wyrmling 3; very young 5; young 7; juvenile 9; young adult 12; adult 15; mature adult 17; old 19; very old 20; ancient 22; wyrm 23; great wyrm 25

Treasure: Triple standard

Alignment: Always lawful good

Advancement: Wyrmling 7-8 HD; very young 10-11 HD; young 13-14 HD; juvenile 16-17 HD; young adult 19-20 HD; adult 22-23 HD; mature adult 25-26 HD; old 28-29 HD; very old 31-32 HD; ancient 34-35 HD; wyrm 37-38 HD; great wyrm 40+ HD

Level Adjustment: Wyrmling +4; very young +4; young +6; others —

The dragon has a ribbed and fluted crest sweeping back from its cheeks and eyes. The ribs in the crests end in curving horns. The dragon also has small horns on its lower jaw and chin. It has a beaklike snout and a small head frill, as well as a tall neck frill. The scent of the sea surrounds the dragon, and its scales have a metallic, golden brown cast.

Bronze dragons are inquisitive and enjoy polymorphing into small, friendly animals to observe adventurers. They are fascinated by warfare, eagerly joining an army for a just cause—and good pay.

A bronze wyrmling’s scales are yellow tinged with green, showing only a hint of bronze. As the dragon approaches adulthood, its color deepens slowly to a darker, rich bronze tone. Very old dragons develop a blue-black tint to the edges of their scales. Powerful swimmers, they have webbed feet and smooth, flat scales. The pupils of its eyes fade as a dragon ages, until in the oldest the eyes resemble glowing green orbs.

            Bronze dragons like coastal hills near deep fresh water or salt water. They often visit the depths to cool off or hunt for pearls and sunken treasure. They prefer caves that are accessible only from the water, but their lairs are always dry—they do not lay eggs, sleep, or store treasure underwater. A smell of sea spray lingers about them. Bronze dragons eat aquatic plants and some varieties of seafood. They especially prize shark meat. They also dine on the occasional pearl.

Combat

Bronze dragons dislike killing animals and would rather bribe them (perhaps with food) or force them away magically. They use detect thoughts to learn intelligent creatures’ intentions. When attacking they blind their opponents with fog cloud and then charge, or if flying, snatch them up. Against seafaring opponents they conjure up a storm or use their tails to smash the vessels’ hulls. If a dragon is inclined to be lenient, ships might be merely becalmed, fogbound, or broken-masted.

            Breath Weapon (Su): Bronze dragons have two types of breath weapon, a line of lightning and a cone of repulsion gas. Creatures within the cone must succeed on a Will save or be compelled to do nothing but move away from the dragon for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per age category of the dragon. This is a mind-affecting compulsion enchantment effect.

            Water Breathing (Ex): A bronze dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged.

            Alternate Form (Su): A young or older bronze dragon can assume any animal or humanoid form of Medium size or smaller as a standard action three times per day. The dragon can remain in its animal or humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form.

            Spell-Like Abilities: At will—speak with animals; 3/day—create food and water (adult or older), fog cloud (adult or older), detect thoughts (old or older), control water (ancient or older); 1/day—control weather (great wyrm).

Skills: Disguise, Swim, and Survival are considered class skills for bronze dragons.