I’d intended to get this one out around 4-5 hours, but due to some internet difficulties that was delayed. Time to talk dragons.
Like most of the races in the world of Exile, Magus, dragons trace their lineage back to a single powerful individual, one who has long since ascended to godhood and is the primary (and for some only) god which the various subspecies of dragons worship. This Progenitor is one fluid in form, able to take any shape desired and without any permanent gender, being the mother to some dragon subspecies and father to others. Dragon’s inherited a small portion of this shapeshifting ability, albeit in a more limited fashion as they can only assume the form of those humanoids and animals they have personally seen. As for name, that’s still a bit fluid as I continually waffle on which one it is. In the 3 main forms of their progenitors name it also shows as an ancestor to dragon - Drakon, Drakij, or Drakkitsi (seriously though, if we hit the funding goal I’m completely willing to allow a wild card prize winner to choose one of these or make up their own new version so that I can finally settle on an actual name for the father/mother of all dragons).
Unlike most of the other Progenitors that of dragons was one who quickly became enamored with the physical world and pleasures of the mortals whether decadent food, carnal passions, or any number of other past times. As such he was loudest in opposition when the Council of Progenitors voted on whether or not to leave the mortal realm behind. When the majority voted to do so, he joined with the other dissenting voters and their mortal followers in the civil war which came to be known as the Progenitors’ War. Ultimately those who had tried to enforce the decision to leave the mortal realm realized that the war was becoming too destructive and choose to flee, allowing the dissenters to remaining behind and hopefully repair the damage done to the universe and planar fabric by the War.
Dragon’s take their primary form from that favored by their Progenitor and also the same shapechanging ability, albeit to a lesser extent and typically only gaining the latter ability after or upon approaching maturity. Their other traits tend to come from their other parents, with these often being Elemental Kings, Queens, Princes, or Princesses, but occasionally being more worldly spirits. There are even some claims that there were matings with purely physical creatures such as humanoids and animals, which could explain some more powerful members of these races arising from time to time(especially the Wyrdlim amongst the Humans), but there is no clear evidence that this is the case.
Those creatures which were mothered by Drakij tend to be more powerful than those who were fathered by the Progenitor, but there are exceptions, especially those born to Elemental Queens. Next week we’ll touch a bit more on the Elemental aspect of dragons, but for this week I’m sticking to a subspecies which calls Drakij father and was presumably born of a mating with a nature spirit or wild beast - the Jungle Dragons. There is a description of one at the beginning of Part 6 - The Academy, but I’ll paraphrase that here:
They have a long, serpentine body covered with scales in vibrant and often blended greens, reds, browns. Their bodies are sleek with their scales pressed firmly against them and tightly overlapping so as to completely cover the flesh beneath. Four leathery wings rise from the middles of their backs, almost as if they were massive demonic dragonflies. A rigid spearhead-like growth tips their whip-like tails which only serves to add to the suggestion of a diabolic origin. Their heads are conical and incredibly smooth, ending in a bright red beak with thin streaks of the same red standing out clearly as they meander back along the dark green scales of their faces before finally ending in elliptical rings around its dark eyes. These eyes are rather large, occupying both the front and sides of their heads, giving them a remarkable range of vision.
The Jungle Dragons are more animalistic than most other dragons, preferring nothing more than to live in harmony with nature while enjoying their status as the apex jungle predator, and almost never collecting a treasure hoard. They seem to be devoid of an elemental nature, lacking the ability to breathe fire, cold, or similar. Instead they can spew an adhesive substance to prevent their prey from getting away when needed. They don’t need to use this often, however, for they are excellent ambush predators, often waiting high up in large trees to lash out with their weaponized tail at suitable prey that passes beneath.
Even if they fail to ambush or immobilize prey, there is little hope of escaping from a jungle dragon. They fly much like an insect, using vortices of air to propel them at great speeds with astounding agility. This is perhaps the most terrifying aspect of the jungle dragon. Most sentient species are safe from them, however, for they prefer to prey only on animals. With that said, if they do encounter humanoids who are despoiling or otherwise endangering the jungle they call him, they will not hesitate to bring an abrupt end to the lives of the humanoids in question.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for today, hope you enjoyed this peek at one corner of dragonkind(5th edition stat block at bottom). Next week we’ll be going more elemental with the Ice Dragons. As always, thanks for your time and support. Keep reading and enjoying!
Young Jungle Dragon
Large Dragon, Neutral or Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 20 (natural)
Hit Points 128 (5d10 + 45)
Speed 40’ / Fly 80’ (hover) / Climb 40’
Str 17 (+3), Dex 18 (+4), Con 17 (+3), Int 10, Wis 16 (+3), Cha 12 (+1)
Saves - Dex +7, Con +6, Wis +6, Cha +4
Language Draconic
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Change Shape The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a Challenge Rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment worn or carried by it is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon’s choice). In a new form the dragon retains its alignment, hit points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, proficiencies, Intelligence/Wisdom/Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form, except for any class features or legendary actions of that form.
Webwalker ignores movement restrictions caused by webbing/adhesive.
Multiattack 2 Claws and 1 Bite or 2 Claws and 1 Tail
Bite melee weapon attack, 10’ reach, +6 to hit, 2d10+3 piercing (14)
Claw melee weapon attack, +6 to hit, 2d6+3 slashing (10)
Tail melee weapon attack, +7 to hit, 2d8+4 slashing (13)
Breath Weapon 30’ cone of adhesive slime, each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity save or be Restrained for until the slime hardens into a flaky substance 1 minute later, Escape DC 14 to free yourself before the end of this duration.
For any of you wondering, I did actually stat up each age category for the Jungle Dragons, I just assumed at Challenge 7 the Young version had the most play versatility for anyone who wants to use them. I’m saving the rest to eventually put on on the DM’s Guild, so keep an eye out for that.
