AC
20
Plate armor and Shield
Initiative
+0 (10)
HP
444
(22d20)
Speed
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 24 | +7 | +13 |
| DEX | 10 | +0 | +6 |
| CON | 22 | +6 | +12 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 18 | +4 | +10 |
| WIS | 17 | +3 | +9 |
| CHA | 20 | +5 | +11 |
Gear
Sword and shield
Senses
Passive Perception 20
Languages
Languages: Common, Draconic Description: Auronax speaks in a resonant, commanding tone, its Common laced with archaic phrasing that hints at its ancient origins. It understands Draconic but avoids using it in this form to maintain its disguise, though a slip during heated banter (“By the winds of eternity!”) might tease its true nature. This lets you deliver flavorful dialogue to Nog and the party, keeping the teens hooked with Auronax’s gravitas.
CR
18 (XP 20,000; PB +6)
Traits
- Legendary Resistance (3/Day)
- Description: The Bronze Knight’s indomitable will, imbued with ancient draconic resolve, allows it to shrug off effects that would hinder lesser beings. When Auronax fails a saving throw—whether against Nog’s spells, a bard’s charm, or a rogue’s trickery—it can channel its inner storm to succeed instead, its armor flaring with crackling energy as it defies the assault. This trait ensures Auronax remains a formidable foe, frustrating attempts to control or debilitate it, and keeps the fight dynamic for your teenage players by forcing them to adapt.
- Flavor for Teens: If used, describe Auronax’s eyes glowing like twin thunderstorms, with a deep laugh: “You think that will stop me, Nog?”
- Stormbound Presence
- Description: Auronax’s connection to the Stormheart Shard infuses its knightly form with elemental power. Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the Bronze Knight takes 5 (1d10) lightning damage as static arcs leap from its armor, sizzling the air. This aura discourages the party from swarming Auronax, giving Nog’s duel a sense of space and prominence, while challenging reckless teenagers who charge in without thinking. It also ties to the shard’s stormy theme, hinting at Auronax’s greater nature.
- Flavor for Teens: Sparks dance across Auronax’s armor, zapping anyone too close. “Stay back, young fools, unless you crave the storm’s bite!”
- Keen Insight
- Description: Retaining its draconic intellect, Auronax can read opponents with uncanny precision. It has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks to discern intentions or detect lies, reflecting its role as a tester of worth. During the fight with Nog, Auronax uses this to taunt him accurately—calling out cowardice, praising honor, or questioning greed—making the duel feel personal and reactive. For your players, this trait lets you improvise responses to their roleplay, keeping the teens engaged with tailored banter.
- Flavor for Teens: Auronax tilts its helm, smirking. “I see your heart, Nog—will it lead you to glory or ruin?”
Actions
Actions
- Multiattack: The Bronze Knight makes three greatsword attacks.
- Greatsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) lightning damage.
- Lightning Strike (Recharge 5–6): The knight channels draconic energy, releasing a 100-ft.-long, 5-ft.-wide line of lightning. Each creature in the line must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 88 (16d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
Bonus Actions
Stormstep Strike
- Description: As a bonus action, Auronax can surge forward with supernatural speed, its boots sparking with lightning, to make a single melee attack with its greatsword against a creature within 15 feet (+14 to hit, 14 [2d6 + 7] slashing + 14 [4d6] lightning damage). After the attack, Auronax can return to its original position or stay in place. This allows Auronax to close gaps with Nog if he tries to kite, punish a retreating foe, or reposition to control the battlefield, keeping the duel intense. For your teenage players, it adds a cinematic “blink-and-strike” moment that feels epic without breaking balance (since it’s just one attack).
- Flavor for Teens: Auronax blurs forward in a crackle of lightning, sword flashing. “You can’t escape the storm, Nog!” If it hits, sparks explode; if it misses, Auronax snarls, “Slippery, are you?”
- Mechanics Note: Limited to once per turn, this competes with other potential bonus actions (like a future spell if you add one), ensuring Auronax doesn’t overwhelm Nog’s action economy.
Reactions
Parry and Riposte
- Description: When a creature within 5 feet hits Auronax with a melee attack, it can use its reaction to parry, reducing the damage by 10 (1d6 + 7) as it deflects the blow with its greatsword. If the damage is reduced to 0, Auronax can immediately make a greatsword attack against the attacker (+14 to hit, 14 [2d6 + 7] slashing + 14 [4d6] lightning damage). This reaction rewards Nog for landing hits but punishes overconfidence, giving Auronax a chance to counterstrike and keep the pressure on. For your teens, it makes Auronax feel like a master duelist, encouraging them to cheer or groan when Nog triggers it.
- Flavor for Teens: Auronax’s blade flashes, knocking Nog’s weapon aside with a shower of sparks. If the riposte triggers, Auronax growls, “Too slow!” and slashes back. If the parry fails, it grunts, “A worthy strike… for now.”
- Mechanics Note: Limited to once per round, this keeps Auronax durable (444 HP already makes it tanky) while giving Nog a chance to shine if he avoids triggering it (e.g., by using ranged attacks or spells).
Legendary Actions
Legendary Actions
The Bronze Knight can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The knight regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Detect: The knight makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
- Sword Strike: The knight makes one greatsword attack.
- Draconic Roar (Costs 2 Actions): The knight emits a terrifying roar. Each creature within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be 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.
Mythic Actions
Mythic Action Name. Enter the description for how mythic actions work for your monster here.
Mythic Action Name (Costs # Actions). Enter the description for your mythic action.
Description
- Type: Medium humanoid (dragon, shapechanger), lawful good
- Description: Auronax appears as a towering human knight clad in gleaming bronze plate, standing nearly 7 feet tall with a commanding presence, its armor etched with storm motifs. Beneath this guise lies its true nature as an Ancient Bronze Dragon, its draconic essence subtly betrayed by the faint rumble of thunder in its voice and the electric glint in its eyes. The shapechanger tag reflects its use of the dragon’s Change Shape ability, retaining its hit points and mental stats (INT, WIS, CHA) while adopting a humanoid’s physical form for this duel. This duality makes Auronax a mysterious figure to the party, perfect for the moment you choose to reveal its true form (if at all).
- Alignment: Lawful good
- Description: Despite its fierce demeanor, Auronax’s actions stem from a deep sense of duty to protect the Stormheart Shard from misuse. Its lawful nature manifests in its adherence to a personal code—testing Nog’s worth through honorable combat—while its goodness ensures it spares defeated foes or allies with those who prove noble. This alignment keeps Auronax sympathetic, even as it challenges the party, appealing to your teenage players’ sense of fairness and epic stakes.
- Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 20
- Description: Auronax’s humanoid eyes pierce the dim mine with draconic clarity, seeing through shadows as if lit by lightning. Its darkvision extends 60 feet, adapted to its knightly form, while its heightened perception (from Wisdom 17 and proficiency) lets it notice subtle movements—Nog’s feints, a rogue’s stealth, or a caster’s spell preparations. This makes Auronax feel hyper-aware, challenging sneaky teenagers to be clever and reinforcing its role as a vigilant guardian.
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- Description: Auronax speaks in a resonant, commanding tone, its Common laced with archaic phrasing that hints at its ancient origins. It understands Draconic but avoids using it in this form to maintain its disguise, though a slip during heated banter (“By the winds of eternity!”) might tease its true nature. This lets you deliver flavorful dialogue to Nog and the party, keeping the teens hooked with Auronax’s gravitas.
- Damage Immunities: None (in humanoid form)
- Description: Unlike its draconic form (immune to lightning), Auronax’s knightly guise lacks immunities, making it vulnerable to Nog’s full arsenal—fireballs, swords, or necrotic spells. This ensures the fight feels fair for a level 10+ party, letting them exploit their abilities without facing a dragon’s full resilience (e.g., 444 HP is enough to tank, but no immunities means every hit counts).
- Condition Immunities: None (in humanoid form)
- Description: Auronax’s humanoid form can be charmed, stunned, or paralyzed, unlike its dragon form’s immunity to certain effects. However, its Legendary Resistance compensates, letting it shake off key conditions three times per day. This balance keeps Auronax formidable but not untouchable, encouraging your teenage players to try bold strategies against it.
- Challenge: CR 18 (20,000 XP)
- Description: Auronax’s CR reflects its immense power—444 HP, high-damage attacks, and legendary actions—making it a deadly solo foe for a level 10+ party, especially in a duel with Nog. While less potent than its CR 22 dragon form (no breath weapon or flight), its knightly abilities (Lightning Strike, Draconic Roar) and durability ensure a climactic fight. For your group, this CR suits a boss encounter, with the party potentially aiding Nog or facing Auronax’s wrath if they interfere.
Lair and Lair Actions
Enter a description of your monster's lair here.
Lair Actions
On initiative count # (losing initiative ties), the [monster name] takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the [monster name] can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:
- Enter a description for a lair action.
- Enter a description for a lair action.
Regional Effects
The region containing a legendary [monster name]’s lair is [enter the effect description], which creates one or more of the following effects:
- Enter a regional effect description.
- Enter a regional effect description.
If the [monster name] dies, these effects fade over the course of #d# days.
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