Marble Dragon
by Paolo Davolio // Echidna Design
A marble dragon is the result of a draconic creature being exposed to the elemental powers of earth and fire at their extreme. This can happen when a dragon falls into a deep slumber for eons. During this time, the earth can swallow the dragon's body and slowly turn it to stone, due to the intense underground pressure. In other instances, this can be the destiny of a dragon that is immune to fire (like a gold or red dragon) and finds its end at the bottom of a deep lava pool or the caldera of a volcano after being defeated in a dire battle. Once the dragon's body reaches the bottom of the lake, the extreme heat and pressure slowly infuse it until it's transformed, possibly bringing the creature back to life.
In both cases, the surrounding elemental energies gradually permeate the dragon's body, replacing its original characteristics with the ones of stone and earth and permanently changing the creature's nature. Such a dragon gains the imperviousness of stone at the expense of some of its agility and flying capabilities. Also, instead of its usual breath weapon, the marble dragon exhales a tempest of debris that can inflict to the victim the same petrification process that the dragon's body went through.
Marble Dragon
Large Dragon, Any Alignment
- Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 184 (16d10 + 96)
- Speed 40 ft., burrow 40 ft., fly 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 21 (+5) 8 (-1) 23 (+6) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 17 (+3)
- Saving Throws Dex +3, Con +10, Wis +5, Cha +7
- Skills Perception +9, Survival +5
- Damage Resistances fire, lightning; bludgeoning from nonmagical attacks that aren't adamantine
- Damage Immunities poison; piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't adamantine
- Condition Immunities petrified, poisoned
- Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19
- Languages Common, Draconic
- Challenge 12 (8,400 XP) ) Proficiency Bonus +4
Marble Imperviousness. If a creature that attacks the dragon with a non-projectile weapon rolls a natural 1 on its attack, the weapon takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to damage rolls. If its penalty drops to -5, the weapon is destroyed. Nonmagical ammunition made of metal or wood that hits the dragon is destroyed after dealing damage.
Structural Integrity. If damage reduces the dragon to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is bludgeoning or from a critical hit. On a success, the dragon drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Marble Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales marble debris in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. On a failed save, a target also begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained target makes a DC 18 Constitution saving throw at the end of its next turn. On a success, the effect ends on the target. On a failure, the target is petrified until freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.
Reactions
Marble Deflection. The dragon activates its Marble Imperviousness ability (as if the attacker rolled a natural 1 on the attack) against one attack that missed it. To do so, the dragon must see the attacker.
