Dragons (DK)

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Extremely powerful defiler/psionicists gain even greater power if they choose to transform themselves into dragon form. The process is described below. 
Prerequisites: Only humans and half -elves can proceed through levels from 21st to 30th level as a dragon. Also, the ability score requirements are stringent: a defiler passing 20th level must have an Intelligence score of 18, Wisdom 16, and Constitution 15. 
 Dragon Experience Levels
Level	Dragon 	Hit Dice
21 	0 	+10d4
22 	400,000 	+5d4
23 	800,000 	+3d4
24 	1,200,000	+2d4
25 	1,600,000	+2d4
26 	2,000,000	+3d4
27 	3,000,000	+3d4
28 	4,200,000	+4d4
29 	5,600,000	+4d4
30 	7,200,000	+5d4
After earning the requisite experience points, the defiler must also successfully cast the dragon metamorphosis spell before attaining each new level. (This spell will be the first psionic enchantment cast by the character; he can cast it to advance from 20th to 21st level, even though he technically cannot cast such a high-level spell until he reaches 21st level.) Points from the Hit Dice rolled add to the dragon's hit point total; Constitution modifiers are added per die rolled. 
==Dragon Metamorphosis Spell==
The material components, casting times, and other factors governing the casting of this psionic enchantment appear with its description in the New Wizard Spells appendix. Generally, any divergence from the letter of the spell description or any interference with its casting results in the failure of the spell and t he death of the caster. 
When the spell is successfully cast, the dragon drastically changes in both powers and physical appearance. Each stage of the metamorphosis is extremely painful; as stated in the spell description, the dragon character must pass a system shock roll or die in the process. Most aspiring dragons lock themselves away and perform their metamorphoses in secret. 
Once a character becomes a dragon (21st level or higher), it gains certain benefits. Dragons are immune to the effects of age and never die of "natural causes." Also, a dragon gains the ability to understand and speak any language. This innate ability functions like a tongues spell. 
21st-level dragon: A dragon character who reaches 21st level makes the first in a series of ten alterations to its physical form. When completed, the humanoid form of the dragon doubles in mass to 350 pounds. The dragon may retain its original height and simply gain bulk, may grow as tall as 8 feet, or may simply grow more dense. Physical changes are uncontrollable and unpredictable. Though it still retains humanoid characteristics, the dragon's face elongates slightly and its nostrils lengthen. The dragon's spine becomes more pronounced, and rudimentary scales appear on the shoulders and back. THAC0 remains 11. 
22nd-level dragon: Here the dragon's physical form changes still fur t her, increasing to around 450 pounds and as tall as 10 feet. Its face elongates further and the first hints of scales appear on its lengthened snout. The dragon's spine becomes still more pronounced, and the stub of a tail appears. The dragon's THAC0 improves to 10. 
23rd-level dragon: The dragon grows to around 650 pounds and gains another foot in height. All limbs lengthen drastically, including fingers and toes. The dragon's neck also lengthens, lifting it s now reptilian head and face far above its shoulders; all hair vanishes by this level. THAC0 becomes 9. 
24th-level dragon: The dragon's humanoid origins can hardly be recognized. Its weight increases to nearly 900 pounds and it can be as much as 12 feet long. Tough scales, now everywhere but the underbelly and the underside of its limbs, grant a natural Armor Class of 4. The legs become strikingly inhuman, developing huge thighs and a hard-angled, bony calf and taloned foot. At this level the dragon may also hunch severely at shoulder and waist, and can move either upright or on all four limbs at a rate of 15. Its wicked claws give two attacks per round (2d 10 damage). THAC0 drops to an 8. 
25th-level dragon: Now fully 12 feet long from snout to growing tail, the dragon weighs around 1,600 pounds. Its scales give AC 0 and now have a magical enchantment that allows only weapons of +1 or better magic to hit. The dragon's jaws protrude remarkably, allowing a bite attack that inflicts 4d12 damage. The dragon enters a period of uncontrolled savagery known as its " animalistic period" (described below). THAC0 falls to 7. 
26th-level dragon: By this time, the 2,000-pound form is completely hunched but can still stand erect at its full 16-foot height at times. Its scales have improved to AC -2. The hind legs have strengthened, allowing a jump of 5 per round. Also, its great claws now inflict 2d10 + 5 points of damage, with a THAC0 of 5. 
27th-level dragon: With this new level, the dragon nearly doubles its weight to 4,000 pounds (2 tons) and a length of 20 feet. Its armor improves to AC -4. With the progressing metamorphosis, it can now use its breath weapon, a cone of superheated sand 5' wide at its base, 50' long, and 100' in diameter at the far end, inflicting 10d12 damage, with a THAC0 of 3. 
28th-level dragon: The dragon's weight increases to 10,000 pounds (5 tons), and its length reaches to 25 feet, mostly due to its full -grown tail. The tail can attack (5dI0 damage). Also, the dragon's claws now inflict 2d10 + 10 damage each. Hide and scales lend it AC -6 and immunity to weapons of less than + 2 magical enchantment. Also, the dragon has a natural magic resistance of 20% at this level. THAC0 drops to 1. 
29th-level dragon: The dragon is 30 feet long and 20,000 pounds (10 tons). Wings sprout at this level, but only give 18 (C) flying speed. Armor improves to AC -8 and magic resistance to 40%. The breath weapon inflicts 20d12 damage. At the end of this experience level, the dragon's animalistic period draws to a close, and cold cunning and reason once again take control. At 29th level, the dragon's THAC0 becomes -1. 
30th-level dragon: This final stage of the metamorphosis leaves the humanoid form completely behind in favor of a pure dragon, 40 feet long and 50,000 pounds (25 tons). Its wings are fully developed, allowing 45 (A) flying movement. Scales give AC -10 and magic resistance of 80%. Claw attacks improve to 2d 10 + 15 damage each; breath weapon reaches its maximum 25d 12 damage. THAC0 is -3. 
Regardless of level, a dragon makes saving throws as a 21 +level wizard. 
==Dragons and Psionics==
As it advances, a dragon character retains all psionic powers it had previously and gains more. With every level advancement, the dragon gains one additional science and one additional discipline. It also gains psionic strength points for every level advancement, just as described in the Complete Psionics Handbook. Effectively, a 21st-level dragon is also a 21st-level psionicist, etc. 
==Dragons and Magic==
Dragons must have a unique focus for their powerful, destructive magic: obsidian orbs. An obsidian orb is not inherently magical, but it allows the dragon to cast psionic enchantments. 
Orb creation: The obsidian orb must be crafted perfectly, without Oaws. Locating a specimen of raw obsidian that can be so worked is often difficult. Once located, a craftsman must take special care in preparation to make a perfect sphere of shining obsidian. Typically, even with slave labor, a sorcerer-king must expend 1,000 gp or more to create a perfect specimen. The finished orb is 1d20 inches in diameter. 
Next, the dragon itself must activate the orb. The orb is not enchanted, but is psionically linked to the dragon in a single ritual. The dragon must swallow the orb and let it pass through its body, taking one to three days. When it emerges, the orb is activated for that dragon only. With it the dragon can cast psionic enchantments. 
Note: When casting the first dragon metamorphosis spell, the ambitious deBler need not have an obsidian orb. However, creating one may very well be its first act on becoming a 21st-level dragon. 
A dragon can create any number of obsidian orbs. Rarely is a dragon without an orb. However, before reaching a new level, the dragon must swallow all existing activated orbs as part of the material component for the dragon metamorphosis spell. Effectively, an orb only works for the single experience level at which it was created. 
Other advanced beings need not have orbs to cast their magic. Lack of an orb does not interfere with the dragon's psionic abilities or its ability to cast spells of 9th level or below. 
==The Animalistic Stages==
From 25th through 29th levels, the ascending dragon goes through a terrible rampaging period. Reason is often superseded by a lust for destruction. 
Vegetation and anima ls that do not direc-~ly serve the dragon's purpose are targets for its unending wrath, laid waste in its quest for power and advancement. The savage destruction comes of the incred ible pain that wracks its body during these final stages of metamorphosis. No longer human but not yet dragon, its need to end the process nearly drives it mad. 
For role-playing purposes, advancing dragons should take an illogical bent toward destruction. DMs should " take over" player character dragons who reach 25th level for the length of the animalistic period. Once it successfully reaches 30th level and reason returns, the character can be returned to the player. In the meantime, the player shou ld use some other character from the character tree. 
==Magic vs. Dragons==
Some magical items in the DMG can affect character dragons. 
Potion of dragon control: On Athas, dragons are not divided into the colored and metal varieties, so ignore the table presented for this potion. If such a potion fruit is found in a DARK SUN™ campaign, it works against any dragon. Character dragons receive a saving throw against the spell with a -2 penalty, and the potion's control lasts for 5d4 rounds, just as in the DMG. 
Scroll of protection-dragon breath: The scroll functions against character dragons just as described in the DMG. 
Sword +2, dragon slayer: In DARK SUN campaigns, this sword functions against any dragon, regardless of its level. 
Spells: In Tome of Magic, two spells specifically affect dragons. Dragonbane functions just as described in that volume. Age dragon has no effect on DARK SUN world dragons, since they are effectively immortal. 
==Roleplaying a Dragon==
The execution of each dragon metamorphosis spell-picking its location, gathering the complicated material components, and its casting—should be role-played as major events. The OM shouldn't simply allow the player to cast the spell in an afternoon. Each casting is an event of epic proportions with ramifications across Athas. 
Overall length and weight are given for each level, but the dragon's coloration, scale distribution, facial changes, posture, etc., are left to the player's imagination. The art in the DARK SUN™ boxed set and this volume shows dragons in the middle levels-use these for inspiration. At ear ly stages of metamorphosis, the dragon may still pass as human. 
==The Dragon of Tyr==
The dragon listed in the DARK SUN boxed set is a completely metamorphosed dragon of 30th level. The great dragon is a ferocious creature with tremendous psionic powers. 
Because no contenders have challenged the authority of the great dragon in many centuries, common tradition has held that there is only one dragon. In fact, there will be other wizards (both dragons and preservers) advancing beyond 20th level who will contest the great dragon's control of the Tyr region (perhaps the player characters themselves). Also, because the Tyr Region is only a small part of a much larger world, there are probably other dragons extant in distant realms. Whether the great dragon knows of other dragons or is oblivious to them, no one can say.