Sapphire Dragon

Dragon (Earth)

Climate/Terrain: Inner Planes, underground

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

Challenge Ratings: Wyrmling 2; very young 4; young 6; juvenile 8; young adult 10; adult 13; mature adult 15; old 18; very old 19; ancient 21; wyrm 22; great wyrm 24

Treasure: Double standard

Alignment: Always lawful neutral

Advancement: Wyrmling 6-7 HD (Tiny); very young 9-10 HD (Small); young 12-13 HD (Medium-size); juvenile 15-16 HD (Medium-size); young adult 18-19 HD (Large); adult 21-22 HD (Large); mature adult 24-25 HD (Huge); old 27-28 HD (Huge); very old 30-31 HD (Huge); ancient 33-34 HD (Huge); wyrm 36-37 HD (Gargantuan); great wyrm 39+ HD (Gargantuan)

Sapphire dragons are quite territorial, particularly when it comes to other dragons that encroach on their territories, either on the Elemental Plane of Earth, or in the areas of the Material Plane that they call their own.

Sapphire dragons tend to be antisocial toward all beings, but they view the evil races of the Underdark as particular enemies and sometimes come into direct conflict with them over underground territory. These dragons don't go in for small talk unless the discussion revolves around military strategy, a subject on which they consider themselves experts, if not geniuses. In fact, a sapphire dragon may forgive visitors their presence if they offer it a game of strategy. Of course, it is never wise to let the dragon lose.

A sapphire dragon's scales range from light to dark blue in color, and they scintillate in any light, creating a cascade of ghostly glints on the walls of the caverns in which these creatures often lair. Unlike the scales of other gem dragons, those of a sapphire dragon do not change as the creature ages. Its pupils fade with time, however, so by the time it becomes a great wyrm, its eyes are featureless, glowing, sapphire orbs.

Sapphire dragons love the Elemental Plane of Earth, but they also like to lair in deep, dry, rocky caverns on the Material Plane. The typical sapphire dragon uses move earth and stone shape to hide the entrance to its lair. Inside, it spreads out its treasures through several chambers, arranging them in a somewhat decorative manner. Drow, illithid, and aboleth trophies are often prominently displayed to remind the dragon of its past victories over its enemies. A sapphire dragon often allows Large monstrous spiders to roam its lair, but only as a handy source of food. To keep such creatures close, the dragon also frequently allows their favorite prey species to inhabit portions of its lair.

Combat

A sapphire dragon uses its spider climb and teleport abilities to confuse its opponents and try to catch them flat-footed. It also uses its skate ability to enhance its own movement or push heavy objects down slopes at its enemies. It enjoys panicking creatures with its breath weapon, then using its skate ability to facilitate their departure.

Breath Weapon (Su): A sapphire dragon breathes a con of nearly inaudible sonic energy. In addition to making a Reflex saving throw against sonic damage, each creature within the cone must succeed at a Will save (same DC) or become panicked for 1d4 rounds.

Spider Climb (Ex): A sapphire dragon can climb on stone surfaces as though using the spider climb spell. This is always active.

Sense Psychoportatoin (Su): The dragon can sense the use of any power or spell that enhances movement or allows instant transit from one place to another. This ability is always active, and it functions at a range of 100 feet + 10 feet per caster level of the detected power or spell. The dragon does not need a line of sight; it is instantly aware of the distance and direction to the detected power. (When using the Psionics Handbook, replace this ability with the sense psychoportation psionic power.)

Skate (Sp): This ability allows the sapphire dragon, another willing creature, or an unattended object to slide along any solid surface with no friction. An intelligent creature can control its movement by thought alone, skating, turning, or stopping as desired. The subject's base speed is its normal speed + 15 feet. The subject can move up or down inclines that he or she could otherwise walk on, but skating upward reduces speed to normal, while skating downward adds 30 feet (instead of 15) to the skater's speed. An object under the influence of the skate effect can be dragged across the ground as if it weighted only one-tenth its normal weight. This ability is usable three times per day. (When using the Psionics Handbook, replace this ability with the skate psionic power.)

Spell-Like Abilities:  2/day -- stone shape; 1/day -- move earth, wall of stone. Caster level varies by age; save DC 10 + dragon's Charisma modifier + spell level.

Psionics (Sp): 1/day -- teleport. Caster (or manifester) level varies by age; save DC 10 + dragon's Charisma modifier + spell (or power) level.

Attack/Defense Modes: id insinuation, ego whip/thought shield, empty mind. A sapphire dragon manifests powers, and gains additional attack and defense modes, as if it were a psion with Psychoportation as its primary discipline.

Skills: A sapphire dragon has the Climb skill for free at 1 rank per Hit Die.