Sunday 31 May 2015

'Hic sunt dracones', part 2...

Following on from my previous blog post, here's another sea-based dragon for 1E D&D and similar systems:

SEA SPEAR (Greater Sea Dragon)


FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1 
ARMOR CLASS: 1
MOVE: 24" 
HIT DICE: 9-11
% IN LAIR: 10%
TREASURE TYPE:  See below
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12 wings, 3-18 tail, 6-36 beak
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Magic use
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Very
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil
SIZE: L (60' long) 
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil 
      Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

The Sea Spear is a rare but terrible threat to any vessel traversing the oceans. These dragons despise sentient creatures and always seek to clear them from the sea, a domain which they claim is theirs only.

The Sea Spear attacks by gliding at high speed just above the surface of the water, hoping to avoid the notice of any lookouts. It's long beak will act like a spear point and will be driven into the side of the vessel under attack. It will then pull itself free using its wings and by lashing its great tail. If the dragon instead suspects that treasure is aboard, it will fly at the sails and cut them to ribbons using the sharp edges of its wings. It will then wrap itself around the mainmast and attack using the spell Lightning Bolt, which it can cast as a 6th level magic-user, as well as striking out with its wings and beak. Once the crew has been disposed of, the dragon will devour any treasure it finds and regurgitate it later when it returns to its lair. Sea Spear lairs are caves cut into cliff faces, usually on some remote shoreline. Any treasure found here will vary greatly - some Sea Spears covet jewels, others gold and precious metals.

Although primarily an air-breathing creature, the Sea Spear can spend prolonged periods underwater, propelled by its sinous body and powerful tail.

Description: the upper part of its body is a mottling of dark and pale blues, which allow it to blend very effectively with the surface of the sea. Its beak and wings have streaks of ivory-like hues. When fully spread, the tail has patches of bright crimson and magenta.