Amethyst Dragon

Description

(From Fizban's Treasury of Dragons - 2021):

Amethyst dragons, the mightiest of the gem dragons, study and psionically manipulate the fundamental principles of the multiverse, from the force of gravity to the emanations of the Outer Planes. Their innate psionics give them a measure of control over how physical laws affect them. They defy gravity with flight that doesn’t rely solely upon their great wings, and gravitational force empowers both their devastating breath weapon and the exploding amethyst crystals they spit at their foes.

Royal Purple. When first hatched, an amethyst dragon has scales of dull, opaque purple. As the dragon grows, their scales, horns, and wing membranes become more vibrant and translucent. When the dragon is fully mature, their scales resemble rich purple amethyst crystals, refracting light to take on an inner glow. Their pupils fade with age, making the eyes of an ancient dragon resemble glowing white or pale lavender orbs. Crystalline horns reminiscent of amethyst chunks hover behind their heads, held there by telekinetic force and shifting with their moods.

Cosmological Study. Many amethyst dragons are fascinated by the existence of other worlds in the Material Plane, and especially the way individual dragons manifest unique echoes across those worlds. They also prize understanding of the cosmic forces that emanate from the Outer Planes, studying the opposing tides of good and evil, chaos and order, so they can offer counsel to those with the wisdom to accept it.

Amethyst dragons pay particular attention to intrusions of the Far Realm into the Material Plane. They loathe the corruption that accompanies such intrusions into the world, making them fierce opponents of the Far Realm and any creatures warped by its touch. Strangely, though, they are intrigued by and fond of flumphs. These Aberrations, which oppose the depredations of mind flayers and other wicked Aberrations, remind amethyst dragons that allies can be found in the strangest places.

Hoarded Arcana. In addition to material wealth, amethyst dragons delight in collecting knowledge and magic dealing with the nature of the planes of existence, cosmic forces, and distant worlds. They prize treasures drawn from different worlds of the Material Plane, especially magic items and artworks that highlight the unique nature of different worlds. Magic items that allow teleportation or travel between planes, spellbooks filled with similar magic, and treatises examining the nature of the multiverse form the centerpiece of an amethyst dragon’s hoard.

Creating an Amethyst Dragon

Use the Amethyst Dragon Personality Traits and Amethyst Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of distinctive amethyst dragon characters.

Amethyst Dragon Personality Traits

d8 - Trait:

1 - I am never so content as when contemplating the beauty and wonders of the multiverse.

2 - I am a sworn protector against the depredations of the Far Realm, and I will root out its corruption wherever it may arise.

3 - What use is vast knowledge or insight if it is not shared with those who can appreciate it?

4 - Although some are fascinated by words, I think numbers are the true foundations of creation.

5 - To experience a thing is to truly understand it. Direct and personal experience is the most valuable form of knowledge.6I see a far more kaleidoscopic reality than you do … or than any of your selves do, really.

7 - It is not my place to interfere. I merely seek to observe, learn, and understand.8With a true understanding of metaphysics, anything is possible—including the creation of a more orderly and perfect cosmos than this one.

Amethyst Dragon Ideals

d6 - Ideal:

1 - Balance. Everything is a complex interaction of forces that must be kept in a delicate and carefully maintained balance. (Neutral)

2 - Knowledge. We are the whole of creation, seeking to understand itself. (Any)

3 - Self-Improvement. I am a complex gem, and I constantly polish and refine my many facets to make the whole that much more perfect. (Any)

4 - Responsibility. Having knowledge and power gives one a responsibility to those who have less of either. (Lawful)

5 - Noble Obligation. My superior experience, intellect, and insight give me a duty to mediate disputes when I can. (Good)

6 - Power. Knowledge is power, power must be used, and I use it. Your concerns are irrelevant. (Evil)

An Amethyst Dragon’s Lair

Amethyst dragons make their lairs in caves next to or under secluded pools and lakes, preferring caverns with at least one entrance submerged underwater. They prize locations with a combination of open space, connecting tunnels, and dead ends to make the most of their natural and magical mobility, using flight and teleportation to navigate obstacles in their lairs.

The challenge rating of a legendary amethyst dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can take one of the following lair actions; the dragon can’t take the same lair action two rounds in a row:

Beguiling Whisper. The dragon telepathically whispers to one creature within range of the dragon’s telepathy. The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon until initiative count 20 on the next round. A creature charmed in this way obeys to the best of its ability any command the dragon issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.

Imprisoning Force. The dragon casts the forcecage spell, using its spell save DC and requiring no spell components. The spell ends early if the dragon uses this lair action again or dies.

Spatial Projection. The dragon chooses a space it can fit into within the lair. It exists in its own space and the chosen space simultaneously until initiative count 20 on the next round. Whenever it moves or takes an action, it chooses which version of itself is moving or acting. If an effect or attack can target both of the dragon’s spaces at the same time, the dragon is affected only once.

Regional Effects

The region surrounding a legendary amethyst dragon’s lair is altered by the dragon’s magic, creating one or more of the following effects:

Background Check. Once per day, the dragon can cast the legend lore spell, requiring no spell components, naming any person, place, or object within 1 mile of the lair as the spell’s subject.

Crystal Profusion. Amethyst crystals and geodes form along muddy shores and lake beds within 6 miles of the lair.

Thriving Wildlife. Fish and other aquatic Beasts reproduce rapidly and thrive in bodies of water within 6 miles of the lair. Foraging in these waters yields twice the usual amount of food.

Watery Sight. Water within 6 miles of the lair is a conduit for the dragon’s psionic presence. As an action, the dragon can cast the clairvoyance spell, requiring no spell components and targeting any body of water in that region.

If the dragon dies, the populations of aquatic life near the lair return to normal levels over the course of (1d10) days. The existing abundance of amethysts remains, but new crystals and geodes form at a normal rate.

(From 2nd Edition AD&D Monstrous Manual - 1991):

Amethyst dragons are wise and regal, with a detached air, and ignore what they consider to be petty squabbles between good and evil, law and chaos. When hatched, amethyst dragons have lavender skin with small scales of a light, translucent purple. As they grow older, the scales gradually darken. Adults are a sparkling lavender in color.

Amethyst dragons speak their own tongue and the tongue common to all gem dragons, and 18% of hatchling amethyst dragons have an ability to communicate with any intelligent creature. The chance to possess this ability increases 5% per age category of the dragon.

Combat: Amethyst dragons prefer talking over combat. If parleying goes badly, the dragon attacks first with its breath weapon, then with psionics and spells. They never hide or attempt ambush. Amethyst dragons consider retreat dishonorable, but do so if faced with death.

Breath Weapon/Special Abilities: An amethyst dragon’s breath weapon is a faceted, violet lozenge, which it can spit into the midst of enemies, up to 75 feet away. The lozenge explodes with concussive force, causing the indicated damage to all creatures within 60’ of the impact (save vs. breath weapon for half damage). In addition, all creatures size huge and smaller must save vs. paralyzation or be knocked down. Any creature taking damage from the blast has a 50% chance of being knocked unconscious for one round per age level of the dragon, plus 1d8 rounds. An amethyst dragon casts spells and uses its magical abilities at 9th level, plus its combat modifier.

Amethyst dragons are born with an innate water breathing ability and an immunity to poisons. They are also immune to force attacks and effects, such as those from beads of force, Bigby’s hand spells, wall of force, and Otiluke’s resilient sphere. As they age, they gain the following additional powers:

Young: water walking six times a day. Juvenile: neutralize poison six times a day. Adult: shape change, as a druid, into a reptile, bird, or mammal, three times a day, with each form usable only once per day. Old: Otiluke’s resilient sphere three times a day. Very old: reflecting pool once a day. Venerable: control weather once a day.

Psionics Summary

Level = HD

Dis/Sci/Dev = 3/3/5

Attack/Defense = PB,EW,PsC/M-,TS,TW

Score = Int

PSPs = 250

Psychokinesis — Sciences: detonate, project force, telekinesis; Devotions: control body, inertial barrier, molecular agitation.

Psychometabolism — Sciences: complete healing, energy containment, metamorphosis; Devotions: cell adjustment, expansion, reduction.

Telepathy — Sciences: domination, mind link, mind wipe; Devotions: contact, ESP, identity penetration, truthear.

Metapsionics — Sciences: empower, psychic surgery, ultrablast; Devotions: magnify, psionic sense, psionic drain.

Most amethyst dragons prefer psychokinetic powers and many choose psychometabolism as an additional discipline.

Habitat/Society: Amethyst dragons live on the shores of isolated mountain lakes and pools, some in caves beneath the water. They are good parents, but believe their young should fend for themselves as soon as they become young adults. Amethyst dragons dislike red and white dragons, and consider silver and copper dragons to be foolish.

Ecology: Amethyst dragons prefer to eat fish and a large number of gems. They are not inherently enemies with any life form.