Purple Dragons
Purple Dragons are the most obscure of chromatic dragons, lairing deep within the dark caves of the Underdark. Most surface creatures have no knowledge of the existence of purple dragons, and dismiss stories of them as simple myths. They manipulate through lies, misdirection, and direct psionic domination to get what they want. A purple dragon might seek control for any number of reasons, including sheer delight in abusing its psionic power, a desire to gather allies and thralls for its own security, or curiosity about newly discovered tunnels or crevices leading, for which it might recruit disposable explorers.
The long body of a purple dragon is particularly lithe, catlike, and serpentine. This, along with its swept-back wing structure and sleek, tapered head allows it to worm its way through narrow tunnels. Their eyes are a pale, sinister blue. Their scales are larger but flatter than other dragons, coated in a slimy fluid that masks their distinct ophidian smell.
Insatiable Wanderlust. Purple dragons often seek the thrill of exploration, vastly preferring the exploration of caves and tunnels over land on the surface. They see the Underdark as more mysterious than the surface, intrigued by its wild, dangerous possibility.
A purple dragon might negotiate to gain information about undiscovered locations deep in the earth, but only if it believes its negotiators can provide more maps and information in the long term than it can obtain by immediately dominating and controlling them psionically. If such a negotiation is successful, a purple dragon can prove a reasonable short-term ally to Underdark natives and explorers. On the long term, purple dragons are increasingly likely to betray their negotiators as they find caves to add to their domain.
Shadow Stalkers. Purple dragons commonly stick to the shadows as they travel and when they fight, preferring to spy on others and keep from the main fray. It might even choose to let targets it spies on to pass without ever meeting them if it is satisfied by the information it can gather from them. If hungry enough, feeling territorial, or wanting to play, however, a purple dragon will try to surprise creatures with a sudden attack.
Conscripted Explorers. Purple dragons surround themselves with experienced explorers they can send to explore caves and report back telepathically. The purple dragon's explorers are often psychically dominated, but some choose to serve them willingly.
A Purple Dragon's Lair
Purple Dragons lair in large caves deep underground where the sun never reaches. They carve spherical dwellings for their explorers, which are placed next to or along tunnels that lead to their personal caves. Whereas other creatures might be tricked by the distortion of sounds by the strange cave walls, purple dragons have adapted to perfectly hear even the tiniest of sounds within their lairs.
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:
- Latent psionic power in the stone of the dragon's lair beats down in a 20 foot radius sphere centered on a point the dragon can see within 120 feet. Creatures within this zone must succeed a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or take 2d8 Psychic damage and fall Prone.
- Magical darkness spreads from a point the dragon chooses within 60 feet of it, filling a 15-foot-radius sphere until the dragon dismisses it as an action, uses this lair action again, or dies. The darkness spreads around corners. A creature with darkvision can't see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it. If any of the effect's area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled.
- Part of the ceiling collapses above one creature that the dragon can see within 120 feet of it. The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked Prone and buried. The buried target is Restrained and unable to stand. A creature can take an action to make a DC 10 Strength check, ending the buried state on a success.
Regional Effects
The region containing a legendary purple dragon's lair is warped by the dragon's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:
- Rock and stone seems to waver slightly, as psionic impulses warp creature's vision.
- Natural water pools on cave ceilings instead of the floor, held in place by latent telekinetics.
- Honeycomb holes cover cave walls, causing supernatural silence. Creatures must succeed a DC 12 Performance check to produce audible sound or perform verbal components of spells.
Purple Dragon Wyrmling
Medium Dragon, Lawful Evil
- Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 68
- Speed 30ft, 30ft climb, 60ft fly
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 13 (+1)
- Saving Throws DEX +3, CON +4, INT +5, WIS +3
- Skills Deception +3, Perception +3, Stealth +3
- Damage Immunities Psychic
- Senses Blindsight 10ft, Darkvision 60ft, passive 13
- Languages Common, Draconic
- Prof. Bonus +2
Mind Palace. The dragon has advantage on saves against being controlled by a spell or other magical effect, and magic can't put it to sleep.
Actions
Bite, +6 to hit, 10ft reach, one target. Hit: 1d10 + 4 Piercing + 1d6 Psychic damage.
Psionic Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales psionic power in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that zone must make a DC 13 Intelligence saving throw, taking 31 (6d8) Psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Young Purple Dragon
Large Dragon, Lawful Evil
- Armor Class 18 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 110
- Speed 40ft, 40ft climb, 80ft fly
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
- Saving Throws DEX +6, CON +5, INT +7, WIS +4
- Skills Deception +5, Perception +6, Stealth +5
- Damage Immunities Psychic
- Senses Blindsight 30ft, Darkvision 120ft, passive 16
- Languages Common, Draconic
- Prof. Bonus +3
Mind Palace. The dragon has advantage on saves against being controlled by a spell or other magical effect, and magic can't put it to sleep.
Multiattack. The dragon can make three attacks as a single action on its turn; one with its bite and two with its claws.
Actions
Bite, +7 to hit, 10ft reach, one target. Hit: 2d10 + 4 Piercing + 1d8 Psychic damage.
Claw, +7 to hit, 5ft reach, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 4 Slashing damage.
Psionic Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales psionic power in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that zone must make a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) Psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Adult Purple Dragon
Huge Dragon, Lawful Evil
- Armor Class 18 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 235
- Speed 40ft, 40ft climb, 80ft fly
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 22 (+6) 17 (+3) 15 (+2) 22 (+6) 12 (+1) 17 (+3)
- Saving Throws DEX +9, CON +8, INT +12, WIS +7
- Skills Deception +9, Perception +7, Stealth +9
- Damage Immunities Psychic
- Senses Blindsight 60ft, Darkvision 120ft, passive 17
- Languages Common, Draconic
- Prof. Bonus +6
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Mind Palace. The dragon has advantage on saves against being controlled by a spell or other magical effect, and magic can't put it to sleep.
Psionic Commander. The dragon can telepathically communicate with any creature it knows the location of within 2 miles.
Multiattack. The dragon can make three attacks as a single action on its turn; one with its bite and two with its claws.
Actions
Bite, +12 to hit, 10ft reach, one target. Hit: 2d10 + 6 Piercing + 2d8 Psychic damage.
Claw, +12 to hit, 5ft reach, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 6 Slashing damage.
Tail, +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 2d8 + 6 Bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon's choice within 120ft that is aware of it must succeed a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened of it 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. Once a creature succeeds this save, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Psionic Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales psionic power in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that zone must make a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw, taking 63 (14d8) Psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Legendary Actions
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 creature's turn. The Dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The dragon makes Tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of it must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6+5 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Ancient Purple Dragon
Gargantuan Dragon, Lawful Evil
- Armor Class 20 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 470
- Speed 40ft, 40ft climb, 80ft fly
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 24 (+7) 17 (+3) 18 (+4) 26 (+8) 12 (+1) 20 (+5)
- Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +11, Int +15, Wis +8
- Skills Deception +12, Perception +8, Stealth +10
- Damage Immunities Psychic
- Senses Blindsight 60ft, Darkvision 120ft, passive 18
- Languages Common, Draconic
- Prof. Bonus +7
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Mind Palace. The dragon has advantage on saves against being controlled by a spell or other magical effect, and magic can't put it to sleep.
Psionic Commander. The dragon can telepathically communicate with any creature it knows the location of within 5 miles.
Multiattack. The dragon can make three attacks as a single action on its turn; one with its bite and two with its claws.
Actions
Bite, +14 to hit, 10ft reach, one target. Hit: 2d10 + 7 Piercing + 4d8 Psychic damage.
Claw, +14 to hit, 5ft reach, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 7 Slashing damage.
Tail, +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 2d8 + 7 Bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon's choice within 120ft that is aware of it must succeed a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened of it 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. Once a creature succeeds this save, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Psionic Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales psionic power in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that zone must make a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw, taking 80 (18d8) Psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Legendary Actions
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 creature's turn. The Dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The dragon makes Tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of it must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6+5 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.