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 unleash four distinct melee attacks: two talons, fangs and tail. However, they cannot simultaneously use their breath weapon or buffet with their wings during melee. There's an even chance that the dragon might opt to breathe fire instead, combining it with wing buffeting. The fotia can employ it's breath weapon but three times in a day.

Raking. When the dragon strikes successfully with both its front talons, it gains two extra raking hits with its rear talons. This reflexive damage is applied without the need of a to hit roll, landing on the target that took the most damage from either or both talons — or randomly determined if need be.

Buffeting. Dragons have the ability to beat their wings with tremendous force, generating a powerful, buffeting wind. This wind causes between 9 and 11 damage to any with a front facing to the dragon, the number being equal to the fotia's hit dice. Creatures positioned in front of the dragon can avoid this damage by lying flat or or taking hold of something which requires a successful save vs. magic. However, those who succeed in avoiding the damage can take no other action during that round.

Additionally, all creatures in the path of the buffet are pushed back one combat hex; those weighing less than 80 lbs. are tossed back two hexes. No additional damage accrues from this. There's a risk of individuals being blown off ledges or into other perilous situations. Buffeting also extinguishing torches and open lanterns and forces flying creatures to land; it disperses clouds, fog and precipitation caused by spells. Dust devils are torn asunder, though a dust elemental can withstand this force.

Breath Weapon. The fotia's fire breath is one of the most devastating attacks in all of D&D. The fotia is able to turn its head while spewing forth its gullet, affecting those in a 120° arc, engulfing all beings within an incredible 90 feet. This arc can be in any direction. The dragon is wise enough to direct its breath weapon against it's most dangerous adversary, as it possesses keen observation skills and vast combat experience. It can easily detect a spellcaster or the strongest fighter in its presence.

The breath weapon inflicts damage equal to the dragon's hit dice multiplied by its age of maturity. For example, an ancient dragonis fotia with 11 hit dice and a maturity rating of 8 would deal 88 damage with its fiery breath weapon. Those within the area of effect can halve the damage by making a saving throw against the breath. Despite this, it still inflicts significant harm, especially when combined with the dragon's wing buffeting.

Creatures touched by the breath weapon must also make saving throws against fire damage for all possessions they carry, from armour to weapons to magic items.

Flying & hovering. Dragons can make use of the high ceilings in their lairs to hover during combat, especially when they feel threatened. Positioned 20 feet above the ground, they can attack with their head and tail but not with their talons. While hovering, they also lose the ability to cause incidental damage. However, they become more impervious to melee attacks, and if stunned, they're considered to rise to 25 feet above the ground while still hovering.

In addition, a dragon may fly from one end of their lair to the other, gaining distance on opponents while readying their breath weapon again against a whole party at once. When it's time to retreat, dragons often have access to a sizable tunnel through which they can escape, unless somehow this tunnel has been somehow blocked ahead of time.

Incidental damage. The sheer size of the fotia is so great that it's able to cause up to 14 hit points of incidental damage to any creature standing adjacent to its massive body during combat.

See Bestiary