Still Not Done With PF1: Rock Drakon (Patreon)

Drakons

Drakons are a sub-species of dragons, similar in many ways to wyverns and drakes, but generally larger, smarter, and more powerful than other lesser dragons. Unlike true dragons, drakons are not innate spellcasters and are flightless, lacking wings. This often causes them to be called "serpents," such as "Fire Serpents" or "River Serpents." Drakons grow to full size and maturity very quickly, generally within two years, and can live for 2-3 centuries, but never reach the heights of power of true ancient true dragons.

Drakons are closely tied to a specific concept or power, often related to their natural territory. That related power gives drakons revelations similar to those of oracles (and using their HD as their effective oracle level for the power of such revelations). A drakon's stat block lists both the mystery its revelation or revelations come from, and one or more specific revelations. However, like feats, the listed revelations are just typical examples--individual drakons of the same species might well have different revelations from the same mystery.

All drakons written to-date are listed on the Paying-Patron-Exclusive Pathfinder Monster-Article Index.

Rock Drakon CR 10XP 9600Neutral evil Large DragonInit +6; Senses Blindsight 30, Darkvision 120, Scent; Perception +22Aura Frightful Presence DC (18)

DEFENSEAC 25, touch 11, flat-footed 23 (+2 Dex, +14 Natural, -1 size)hp 126 (12d12+48);Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +9Immunity to acid, paralysis, sleep

OFFENSESpeed 40ft., climb 40 ft., burrow 20ft.Melee Bite +17 (2d6+9), 2 Claw +17 (1d8+6) , Tail +12 (1d8+3)Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. (15 ft., bite and tail)Special AttacksBreath Weapon -- Rockslide [DC (20) 8d6 50 ft long cone (bludgeoning damage, targets that fail their save are knocked prone and pushed back 1d4 x 5 feet), every 1d4 rounds]Frightful Presence DC (18)Steelbreaker skin (Rock revelation -- 12 points of damage, 1/day, 12 min duration)

STATISTICSStr 23, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14Base Atk +12; CMB +19; CMD 31Feats Blind-fight, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)Skills Acrobatics +14, Bluff +2, Climb +21, Fly -4, Intimidate +17, Know Local +17, Perception +22, Sense Motive +16, Stealth +13, Survival +16Languages Common, Draconic, TerranSQ Blindsense 60, Darkvision 120, Immunity to acid, paralysis, sleep, Revelation (Rock Mystery) steelbreaker skin

ECOLOGY Environment Temperate plains and mountainsOrganization Solitary, Clutch 2-4Treasure Standard x 3

(No wings. All dragon. I intend to lean into a black-and-white aesthetic and simpler rules for ALL my Drakons--let me know if you like it! Art by Петр Костюк.)

Tactics: Rock drakons are clever enough to maximize their abilities in combat, and to know when they are outmatched and must flee or bargain (one reason they generally have full ranks in Sense Motive). A rock drakon uses its breath weapon on targets that seem to prefer melee attacks, to force them far enough back they provoke attacks of opportunity from it when they close again. When facing creatures with effective ranged attacks, a rock drakon either seeks cover or moves close enough to those foes threaten them with its bite and tail. If it is facing foes it cannot effectively reach or damage, it uses its burrow speed to withdraw from combat, allowing its tunnel to collapse behind it, either moving well out of range or luring its enemies to some underground space it has prepared to ambush tougher foes.