Dragonis Fotia (red dragon)

Dragonis Fotia

Species	dragon
No. Appearing	1–2 (+1–4)
Behaviour	social
Range	alpine (high), subterranean
Size	48 ft. long
Weight	14,300 lbs.
Intelligence	15
Armour Class	-1
Hit Dice	9 to 11
Action Points	8
Max. Stride	13
THAC0	14 to 15
Hp/Die	d8+d10
Attack Forms	4: talons, fangs and tail
Damage	two talons (3–24); fangs (6–60); tail (4–40)
Special Attacks	breath weapon, buffeting, flying incidental damage, raking

Dragonis Fotia, also "fire dragon" or "red dragon," is a formidable and majestic beast that finds its habitat in the remote and rugged terrains of great mountainous regions. It seeks seclusion and solace in subterranean caves and hidden alcoves, making these dark, hidden retreats its lairs. There, these creatures are able to dwell for years without sustenance, whereupon these beasts have been known to consume whole villages of people and livestock.

Their reclusive behaviour expresses their hatred of most things, their territoriality and an instinctive drive to protect its treasure hoard, perhaps because it relates to the dragon's mating display as a way of obtaining a mate, as a form of thermoregulation in its lair, as a means to mark its territory or merely as a lure to bring creatures to its lair as food. In any event, the dragonis fotia has a greater readiness than most dragons to defend it's accumulated hoard.

Behaviour

Dragonis Fotia exist in their caves in a state of prolonged dormancy, typically a deep, long-lasting sleep. Their heart rate and respiration drop to conserve energy, while surviving upon their mysterious capacity to channel energy from, it's believed, other planes of existence. Occasionally the briefly rouse themselves, participate in self-grooming rituals, shuffle about their lairs and scrape together the piles of their hoards, before once again falling into a torpor.

However, these dragons possess an innate aggression which can be awakened by undesired circumstances — part of its hoard being stolen, for example, or the arrival of adventurers who ultimately fail to slay the beast. Aroused, conscious of its hunger, enraged by the actions of others, the fotia responds with what it believes is a vengeful fury, unleashing its destructive power upon the land, setting fields ablaze, slaughtering hundreds and satisfying its voracious appetite until, sated, it simply disappears into the vast wilds of the game world.

Advantages

Dragons can make four attacks during melee, talons, fangs and tail, during which time they won't use their breath weapon or buffet their wings. There is an even chance, however, that the dragon will breathe fire instead, buffeting its wings at the same time. A dragon can produce it's breath weapon but three times in a day.

Raking. If the dragon strikes with both its front talons, the beast gets two additional raking hits with its rear talons, reflexively causing damage equal to its forward talons. This damage automatically lands on whichever target or targets were hit by one or both talons.

Buffeting. The dragon can beat its wings with sufficient force to create a strong, buffeting wind, causing 1 h.p. of damage per hit die of the dragon (9 to 11 hit points). Creatures in front of the dragon may avoid this damage by laying flat or taking hold of something, which requires a successful save vs. magic — but while succeeding in this avoids the damage done, these persons can take no other action that round.

All creatures in the path of the buffet must fall back one hex; creatures smaller than 80 lbs. must fall back two. The possibility exists of such persons being blown off ledges or into the path of something worse. Buffeting will extinguish torches and open lanterns. It forces flying things to land. Clouds, fog and precipitation caused by spells will be torn asunder, as will dust devils; a dust elemental can endure.

Breath Weapon. The dragon's fire breath weapon is among the most dangerous attacks in all of D&D. The dragon is able to turn its head will spewing forth its gullet, so that all persons in a 120° arc, within the reach of the dragon's breath, are engulfed. Dragonis Fotia always direct their breath weapon against whatever creatures seem the most dangerous — noting that dragons are very observant and experienced, and can easily measure up the strongest fighter or spellcaster in a gang of attackers. The breath causes 1 damage per hit die of the dragon multiplied by its age of maturity. For example, an ancient dragonis fotia has a maturity of 8; with 11 hit dice, it would cause 88 damage with its fiery breath weapon.

The damage is halved for those within the area of effect, if a saving throw against breath weapon is made. Because this still causing considerable damage, while at the same time the dragon can buffet and strike with its tail, any fight with a dragon is fraught with peril. Creatures touched by the breath weapon must also save against fire for all the possessions they are carrying, from armour to weapons to magic items.

Flying & hovering. The dragon may take advantage of a high roof in its lair, to fight while hovering, especially if it's in jeopardy. By taking a position 20 ft. above the ground, they're able to attack with their head and tail, but not with their talons. They also lose the benefit of causing incidental damage. However, they're impervious to melee attacks and, if stunned, are counted as rising to 25 ft. above the ground while continuing to hover.

By flying from one end of the lair to the other, they're capable of targeting any visible target from the air with their breath weapon. When it comes time to retreat, the dragon has a large accessible tunnel which it can escape through — unless this tunnel is blocked.

Incidental damage. The size and extent of a red dragon is so great that it's able to cause up to 14 hit points of incidental damage to any creature standing adjacent to it's enormous body.

See Bestiary