Topaz Dragon

Description

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

Decay and despair are bound up in the nature of topaz dragons, thanks to the necrotic energy of the Negative Plane that suffuses them. Their psionic power manifests the fundamental entropic principle that mortal beings and their creations are ultimately doomed to death and decomposition, and the dragons’ demeanor is typically morbid and curmudgeonly as a result.

Gleaming Gold. Upon hatching, topaz dragon wyrmlings’ scales are dull yellow-orange and have a cloudy or filmy look. As they age, their scales harden and clarify, becoming translucent and faceted, and ranging from bright yellow to rich amber in color. Their bodies are wider at the haunches, tapering in a wedge shape toward the head, and their wings are shaped to propel them through both air and water. A topaz dragon’s psionic power manifests visibly in the gem-like spines that run in a ridge from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. These spines hover above a living topaz dragon’s back, dancing and shifting with the dragon’s mood.

Embodiment of Decay. While generally not malicious, topaz dragons embody decay. They view destruction as a natural means of clearing the way for new creation and growth, much as a forest fire clears dead wood, replenishes the soil, and allows the forest to regrow even healthier than before. To this end, topaz dragons use their power to reduce crumbling structures and diseased plants to dust, clearing the way for new growth and construction.

Despite being competent swimmers and making their lairs on seacoasts and in brackish marshes, topaz dragons hate the water. Unfortunately, their favorite food is giant squid, so these dragons have ample opportunity to complain bitterly about being wet after diving deep into the ocean in search of prey.

Topaz dragons often come into conflict with bronze dragons when their coastal territories overlap, and they can nurture an inexplicably intense hatred of these metallic dragons. They can also draw the ire of druids and other nature protectors who don’t understand the dragons’ proclivity for destroying large swaths of countryside. Beyond that, topaz dragons dislike company and grow irritated when disturbed. But anyone who can endure their abrasive demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally.

Entropic Hoards. Topaz dragons prize information on destruction and creation, whether abstract or dedicated to practical applications. They are fascinated by magic that creates objects from nothing, animates Undead, destroys matter, or manipulates negative energy. And they are particularly intrigued by Undead, sometimes keeping them in their hoards as curios.

Creating a Topaz Dragon

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

Topaz Dragon Personality Traits

d8 - Trait

1 - I seek no company other than my own, for no one else can compete with me.

2 - If my offspring can’t care for themselves, I’m not sure they’re worthy of my attention.

3 - The sea is beautiful and I love gazing upon it, but I abhor being wet.

4 - Why should I risk damaging my splendid physique when I can fight with the power of my mind?

5 - I am predictable only in my unpredictability.

6 - It takes true artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water.

7 - I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for bronze dragons; while I wait to meet one, I hone them on other creatures.

8 - I secretly enjoy conversing with lesser beings, although I usually do so only to find their weaknesses.

Topaz Dragon Ideals

d6 - Ideal:

1 - Solitude. My own company obviates the need for others in my life, whether they are dragons or lesser creatures. (Any)

2 - Change. Consistency is stagnation. (Chaotic)

3 - Mental Superiority. I hone my mental powers so I can confuse, control, or kill any who annoy me. (Evil)

4 - Territoriality. Any creature that comes into my territory has forfeited its right to be upset by anything I do to it. (Evil)

5 - Wonder. Though I don’t wish to spend time in it, my soul sings at the sight of the vast beauty of the ocean. (Good)

6 - Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful)

A Topaz Dragon’s Lair

Topaz dragons dwell where the sea meets the land, favoring sites where the constant action of the waves and tides is slowly reducing the land to gravel. They make their lairs in caves set into sea cliffs, or beneath salt marshes where fresh water and sea water mingle, constantly grappling with their dislike of water to use flooded tunnels as secure entrances into their homes. They keep the interior chambers of their lairs meticulously dry.

The challenge rating of a legendary topaz 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.

Cancellation. The dragon chooses an active spell of 5th level or lower that it’s aware of in the lair and ends the spell.

Negative Energy Infusion. Up to two creatures the dragon can see within the lair must each succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 14 ((4d6)) necrotic damage. Negative energy then infuses the lair until initiative count 20 on the next round. While the infusion lasts, creatures in the lair other than the dragon can’t regain hit points.

Regional Effects

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

Crystal Profusion. Natural stone within 6 miles of the lair grows plentiful crystal formations and veins of topaz gemstones, particularly underground.

Negative Energy. When a creature finishes a long rest within 6 miles of the lair, the creature must first succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be unable to reduce its levels of exhaustion or regain spent Hit Dice. Creatures resistant or immune to necrotic damage are immune to this regional effect.

Thriving Wildlife. Giant squid are attracted to the sea within 6 miles of the lair, migrating and hunting there in large numbers.

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 population of giant squid in the region returns to normal levels over the course of (4d6) days. The existing abundance of crystals and topazes remains, but new ones form at a normal rate.

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

Topaz dragons are unfriendly and selfish. Though not malevolent, they are seldom pleasant to deal with because of their erratic behavior. Topaz dragons neither seek company nor welcome it.

At hatching, topaz dragons are a dull yellow-orange in color. As they age and their scales harden, the scales become translucent and faceted. Adult topaz dragons sparkle in full sunlight.

Topaz dragons speak their own tongue and the tongue common to all gem dragons, and 12% of hatchling topaz 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: Topaz dragons dislike intruders, but avoid combat, often conversing to hide psionics or magic use. If intruders are hostile, or the dragon tires of them, it attacks, psionically first if possible, using spells as needed. They enjoy using teeth and claws, and usually save their breath weapon until wounded. The dragon may pretend to surrender to buy time, and retreats if greatly threatened. It usually makes one or more false retreats, attempting to come back and attack with surprise.

Breath Weapon/Special Abilities: This dragon’s breath weapon is a cone of dehydration, 70 feet long, 5 feet wide at the dragon’s mouth and 25 feet wide at the base. When directed against liquids, a cubic foot of water dries up per hit point of damage. Creatures caught by the cone can make a saving throw vs. breath weapon for half damage from water loss. Those who fail to save lose 1d6+6 Strength points; those who succeed lose only 1d6 Strength points. Curative spells less powerful than heal or regeneration are ineffective against Strength loss, though victims who are carefully nursed back to health recover one Strength point per day. Any creature reduced to a Strength of zero or less dies instantly. A topaz dragon casts spells and uses magical abilities at 5th level, plus combat modifier.

At birth, topaz dragons can breathe water and are immune to cold. As they age, they gain the following powers:

Young: protection from evil or good three times a day. Juvenile: blink three times a day. Adult: wall of fog three times a day. Mature adult: airy water three times a day, 10-foot radius per age category of the dragon. Old: part water once a day.

Psionics Summary

Level = HD

Dis/Sci/Dev = 1/1/3

Attack/Defense = M-,MB

Score = Int

PSPs = 120

Psychokinesis — Science: telekinesis; Devotions: animate object, control winds, molecular manipulation, soften.

Psychometabolism — Sciences: energy containment, life draining, metamorphosis; Devotions: biofeedback, body equilibrium, cause decay, chemical simulation.

Most topaz dragons prefer psychometabolic powers.

Habitat/Society: Topaz dragons live by the sea, often building or claiming caves below the waterline; they keep their caves completely dry. These dragons enjoy sunning on rocky outcroppings, enjoying wind and spray. They like water little and swim only to hunt or attack. They are indifferent parents at best, and abandon young to protect themselves. They dislike bronze dragons and attack them on sight.

Ecology: Topaz dragons prefer to eat fish and other aquatic creatures, especially giant squid.