Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Life Draining Aura. The dragon passively exudes a cloud of negative energy. Any creature that starts its turn within 5-feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 6 (2d6) necrotic damage and have its hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this effect dies and rises as a zombie at the start of its next turn, allied to the dragon.
Diving Attack. If the dragon is flying and dives at least 30 feet straight towards a target and then hits it with a horn attack on that same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is knocked prone the dragon can make a bite attack against them as a bonus action.
Multiattack. The dragon uses its Frightful Prescence. It then makes three attacks: one with its horns and two with its claws.
Horns. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d12 + 8) bludgeoning damage or piercing damage if the target is riding the dragon.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 8) piercing damage plus 6 (2d6) necrotic damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 8) slashing damage. If the attack is a critical hit the target loses a limb determined by the roll of a d4: 1=left arm, 2=right arm, 3=left leg, 4=right leg.
Frightful Prescence. Each creature of the dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Breath Weapons (Recharges 5-6). The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
Necrotic Breath. The dragon exhales pure negative energy in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 71 (13d10) necrotic damage and have its hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken on a failed save, or half as much and not have its maximum hit points lowered on a successful one. A creature of CR 2 or less reduced to 0 hit points by hit point drain dies and rises as a zombie at the start of its next turn, allied to the dragon. A creature of CR 5 or lower rises as a wight and any creature of higher CR rises as a ghost.
Famine Breath. The dragon exhales life sapping mist in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving throw, becoming poisoned on a failed save. A creature poisoned in this way gains no nourishment from food until the condition is magically cured.
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creatures turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Aura of Death (Costs 3 Actions). The dragon casts Danse Macabre.
Description
Macabre dragons are about as close to undeath as a draconic species can get without crossing the boundary itself. In appearance they have atrophied limbs and skeletal bodies, a leering face crowned by horns much like a sable antelope, and halfway down their wraith-like wings are massive claws capable of slicing a humanoid to pieces in seconds. The running theory is that these terrible monsters at one point lived in the negative energy plane before becoming stranded on the prime material plane which would certainly explain their innate power of negative energy and undeath. Macabre dragons embody famine and decay with their breath either killing and raising livestock caught in it or turning food to ash in the victim's throat until they're little more than living skeletons themselves. If push comes to shove and they have to quickly dispose of a creature rather than watch it wither away they dive bomb it much like a falcon before laying into it with fang and claw.
Lair and Lair Actions
Macabre dragons lair in deep deserts nestled among salt flats or ruined cities. Such places develope a grim caste to them.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects: the dragon can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:
- The dragon casts the Darkness spell at a point it can see within the lair.
- The dragon shatters a chunk of rock or a ruined building. Creatures beneath said structural damage must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 8 (2d8) bludgeoning damage.
Regional Effects
The region containing a macabre dragon’s lair is desolate and grim, which creates one or more of the following effects:
- Plants of all sorts refuse to grow within 6 miles of the dragon's lair and those that grow within 10 miles are withered and weak.
- The sun within 10 miles of the dragon's lair appears grey and dull.
If the dragon dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d20 days.
Comments