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Presenting two more examples of the Summerland Dragons. These time we feature rival breeds that both prefer the warmer climes of Panzoasia‘s Ultimate South and East.

See the first post in this series to learn more about these unique creatures.

Lotosic Dragon

Number Appearing: 1
Size: Large (40’ long)
Alignment: Neutral
Morale: Average
Intelligence: 18
Move: Walk 1.5 x human speed
Fly 3.5 x human speed
Swim 1.5 x human speed
Armor Class: 8 better than unarmored.
Hit Dice: 8
Attacks & Damage:
Bite 3d6, or Soporific Breath
Claw 1d6
Claw 1d6
Special:
* Soporific Breath (3 x per day): All within a 30’ x 30’ cloud in front of the Dragon must Save versus Breath Weapon or fall asleep for 2d4 minutes.
* Can assume the form of a Human, Elf, Frog, Dragonfly, or Lotus Plant.
* Breath Water or Air.
* Speaks and reads all languages.
* Regenerate 1 hp per Round when in contact with soil or water.
* Immune to Dragon Breath of all kinds.
* Can travel to and from the Summerland in 10 minutes.
* Casts Spells as an 8h Level Cleric.
Saves: As Cleric 8
Treasure: Art objects, rare books, gems, crystals, and exotic plants worth approximately 20,000gp, plus 1d6 Magic Scrolls and 1d4 other Magic Items (1 of which will be intended for Clerical use).
Challenge: Four 10th Level Characters

A Lotosic Dragon’s natural form is a thin, serpentine creature about 40 feet long, with a body covered in purple-edged pink scales that resemble the petals of a lotus flower. The legs, however, are bluish-green. Their wings are dark purple, resemble the fins of a betta fish, and are also used for swimming. Several drooping, tendril-like whiskers hang from their catfish-like face, and their eyes resemble sapphires. Their antler-like horns resemble green brass, as do their claws and teeth. They also take the shape of white-haired Humans or Elves, dressed in pink robes, and crowned with lotus flowers. They can disguise themselves as frogs and dragonflies as well.

Lotosic Dragons are philosophical and learned creatures, possessing Wisdom Scores of 18 in Human terms. Lotosic Dragons collect philosophies as much as any other treasure. A visitor willing to debate the Dragon will earn their respect – one who can actually win a philosophical debate will be treated as an honored guest in the Dragon’s lair from then on. Lotosic Dragons often leave their homes in the swamps and waterways of the Summerland, and travel to the warmer areas of Panzoasia in search of new perspectives on reality. There they freely associate with Nagas, Mystics, sages, scholars, and open-minded Clerics willing to freely exchange ideas. While Lotosic Dragons enjoy the company of Panzoasian Gold Dragons, they have antipathy for the hedonistic Orchidic Dragons of their homeland.

Lotosic Dragons love to swim and spend time underwater, but they always maintain dry, temple-like lairs for their treasures. They love statues, especially ones depicting creature of the water. They will always have a store of scrolls – some inscribed with exotic philosophical treatises, and others with magic spells. Every Lotosic Dragon also owns some kind of magic item of a Clerical nature, such as a Snake Staff, which they will employ in their own defense.

Fighting the Lotosic Dragon
A Lotosic Dragon does not like to fight, and will always seek to end hostilities if possible. If forced into combat, however, it will first try to use the pink vapors of its Soporific Breath. If its would-be opponents have all been put to sleep, the Dragon will change into human form and bind the aggressors. Combatants so bound will be treated to a thorough lecture on the absurdity of pointless violence, and imprisoned for a month in the Dragon’s lair – every day of which they must listen to another extremely long monologue on the value of living in harmony with one’s fellow creatures. Combatants who foil the Dragon’s plan for their enlightenment will be subjected primarily to magical attacks, unless the creature is forced into close quarters where it must bite and claw.

Orchidic Dragon

Number Appearing: 1 (In Panzoasia , an Orchidic Dragon has a 75% chance of being accompanied by 2d6 enthralled people and humanoids, and a 50% chance of being served by 6d6 Lizard Man worshipers.)
Size: Large (30’ long)
Alignment: Neutral
Morale: Average
Intelligence: 17
Move: Walk 1.5 x human speed
Fly 3.5 x human speed
Armor Class: 8 better than unarmored.
Hit Dice: 9
Attacks & Damage:
Bite 3d6, or Intoxicating Breath
Claw 1d6
Claw 1d6
Special:
* Intoxicating Breath (3 x per day): All within a 30’ x 30’ cloud in front of the Dragon must Save versus Breath Weapon or become so overcome with the intoxicating smell that they are unable to attack, defend, or otherwise think clearly for 2d4 minutes.
* Can assume the form of a Human, Elf, Cobra, Butterfly, or Orchid.
* Speaks and reads all languages.
* Regenerates 1 hp per Round when in contact with soil or water.
* Immune to Dragon Breath of all kinds.
* Can travel to and from the Summerland in 10 minutes.
* Cast Spells as a 9th Level Magic User.
Saves: As Magic User 9
Treasure: Art objects, gems, crystals, and rare plants worth approximately 30,000gp, plus 1d6 Magic Items.
Challenge: Four 11th Level Characters

An Orchidic Dragon in its natural form is strikingly beautiful, and emits a wonderful perfume that can be detected from 300 feet away. The scales on its serpentine body resemble the petals of a jungle orchid, darkest purple shading to almost pink at the edges. The underbelly is intense blue-green. The wings seem to flow out of the body, and are mottled purple and white. Intricate, petal-like frills frame the face. The thin, turquoise horns resemble curling tendrils, and glitter in the light. The Dragon’s eyes are emerald green. The inside of its mouth is magenta, and the creature’s bright pink tongue is long and serpent-like. A soft dorsal fin of purplish-red runs along the back, from the creature’s head, to midway along the tail. The tail itself flattens into similar purple-red fins, oriented laterally. Flower-like fins of dark purple project from the Dragon’s legs and forearms. In addition to its draconic form, the creature can appear as a Human or Elf dressed in purple, and crowned with orchids. It can also assume the shape of a cobra, or large and colorful butterfly.

Orchidic Dragons are selfishly hedonistic beings, who conceive of no higher goal than their own pleasure. They will preach their philosophy of pure self-indulgence to all who will listen – and those who don’t are apt to be dosed with the creature’s Intoxicating Breath! They inhabit the colorful jungles of the Summerland, but often come to Panzoasia ins search of new experiences. There they tend to attract small cults of people (and humanoids) addicted to the effects of the Dragon’s breath. Such cultists are also magically Charmed as a safeguard to maintain their compliance. Often, Orchidic Dragons are also served by tribes of Lizard Men, who voluntarily worship the creature as a god. It is possible for the same Orchidic Dragon to both have addicted cultists, and Lizard Man worshipers, living as a joined community. Of course, Orchidic Dragons give not a single thought to questions of Good, Evil, Law, Chaos, or anything besides their own amusement. They are far too selfish to tolerate the company of any other Dragon type, and especially despise the philosophical Lotosic Dragons.

In the Summerland, Orchidic Dragons store their treasure in glittering caverns, but in Panzoasia they prefer to make their lairs in abandoned jungle ruins. They love art of all kinds – especially if it depicts themselves! They have a particular fascination with sculptures carved from large gemstones. They also collect rare plants, especially those which have intoxicating qualities. Additionally, every Orchidic Dragon hoard will include at least one magic item, that the creature always carries when in human form.

Fighting the Orchidic Dragon
An Orchidic Dragon’s first attack is always its Intoxicating Breath, since the creature enjoys watching the effect the purple fumes have on other beings. Next, it usually attempt to magically Charm would-be combatants, so it may add them to its cult of attendants. Cultists and Lizard Man worshipers already in the Dragon’s thrall will then be sent to fight any remaining belligerents. Only if attackers make their way through its followers will the Orchidic Dragon itself physically attack – but once it does so, it luxuriates in the sight and taste of its enemies’ blood. The Dragon will eat its fill of any slain, and thereafter give the remaining meat to its surviving cult members to consume.

Orchidic Dragon Cults
Roll 2d6 times on the following table to find the composition of the Dragon’s cult. Note that the cult can be composed of species normally hostile to each other – a fact that the Dragon will cynically point to as evidence that it alone can bring true peace and harmony to the world!

d20 This cultist is a
1 – 5 Human
6 – 9 Elf
10 Gnome
11 Dwarf
12 – 13 Halfling
14 Goblin
15 Kobold
16 Hobgoblin
17 Orc
18 Gnoll
19 Ogre
20 Troll

Any Lizard Man worshipers of an Orchidic Dragon will themselves be of the brilliantly colored variety– it does not accept the service of those who are simply drab green or brown.