Skeletal Dragon

Shadow Dragon Abilities by Age

Age Speed Initiative AC Special Abilities Caster Level SR

Wyrmling 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (average) +0 19 (+2 size, +7 natural) Energy drain immunity — 12 Very young 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (average) +0 21 (+1 size, +10 natural) Shadow blend — 13 Young 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (average) +0 24 (+1 size, +13 natural) — — 15 Juvenile 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 26 (+16 natural) Mirror image 1st 17 Young adult 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 29 (+19 natural) Damage reduction 5/magic 3rd 20 Adult 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 31 (–1 size, +22 natural Dimension door 5th 22 Mature adult 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 34 (–1 size, +25 natural) Damage reduction 10/magic 7th 25 Old 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 36 (–2 size, +28 natural) Nondetection 9th 27 Very old 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 39 (–2 size, +31 natural) Damage reduction 15/magic 11th 28 Ancient 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor) +0 42 (–2 size, +34 natural) Shadow walk 13th 30 Wyrm 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy) +0 43 (–4 size, +37 natural) Damage reduction 20/magic 15th 31 Great wyrm 80 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy) +0 46 (–4 size, +40 natural) Create shadows 17th 33 *Can also cast cleric spells and those from the Chaos, Evil, and Trickery domains as arcane spells.

Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—mirror image, nondetection; 2/day—dimension door; 1/day—shadow walk.

Skeletal dragons are created via the animate dead spell and function as normal skeletons in most ways, though they retain a few of their draconic abilities and qualities even after death. Despite a skeletal dragon’s loss of sentience, the pinpoints of red light smoldering in its eye sockets betray the spark of unlife that still exists.

Like typical skeletons, skeletal dragons do only what they are ordered to do. They can draw no conclusions of their own and take no initiative. Necromancers particularly prize skeletal dragons, because they make formidable guardians. They are sturdier than a typical skeleton of their size, and their added qualities strike terror into would-be intruders.

Powerful draconic spellcasters have even been known to animate the skeletons of their fallen rivals or, in the case of particularly vile dragons, family members who have passed away. Armor Class: 12 (–2 size, +4 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +22/+38 Attack: Bite +28 melee (2d8+8) Full Attack: Bite +28 melee (2d8+8) and 2 claws +23 melee (2d6+4) and 2 wings +23 melee (1d8+4) and tail slap +23 melee (2d6+12) Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with bite) Special Attacks: Frightful presence Special Qualities: Blindsense 60 ft., damage reduction 5/bludgeoning, immunity to acid and cold, keen senses, spell resistance 21, undead traits Saves: Fort +13, Ref +13, Will +13 Abilities: Str 27, Dex 10, Con —, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 14 Feats: Improved Initiative Environment: Warm mountains Organization: Any Challenge Rating: 7 Treasure: None Skeletal black dragon Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 23–24 HD (Huge) Level Adjustment: — A skeletal black dragon takes on a new level of horror in undeath. Lizardfolk adepts and clerics often animate skeletal black dragons to protect their tribes. Combat A skeletal black dragon possesses none of the craftiness it had in life. It merely attacks as its master has ordered. Its blindsense and keen senses make it an excellent guardian. Frightful Presence (Ex): This skeletal black dragon can unsettle foes within 210 feet with its mere presence,

SAMPLE SKELETAL DRAGON

This example uses a mature adult black dragon as the base dragon.

Skeletal Mature Adult Black Dragon Huge Undead Hit Dice: 22d12+22 (165 hp) Initiative: +4 Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares)