Coral Dragon (Creature, dragon)

Dragon (Water)

**Environment**: Any aquatic

**Organization**: Solitary, pair, or school (2-5).

**Challenge Rating**:

**Treasure**: Triple Standard

**Alignment**: Usually Chaotic Good.

*I first encountered coral dragons in the Sea of Yr on the world of Itterus, although I have sense encountered and studied them on many other worlds in other crystal spheres and even in the planar river of Oceanus. Coral dragons are playful and friendly creatures which delight in interaction with others. These friendly dragons are known to approach sailing vessels for some company talking to the seamen and many are on good terms with captains of vessels which go through their domain. Their playful antics do tend to slow down the sailing ship as they are forced to stay and play for a while but most captains see this as a worthwhile expense for the protection provided by the dragon from various attacks and even in some cases the weather.*

*Coral dragons are, like many sea-dragons, long with atrophied legs and wings only their forelimbs (used primarily for grasping prey and combat) obtaining full length leaving them somewhat awkward when on the land or flying. Coral dragons are an interplay of many colors, although bright red may be the most common, and older dragons are even covered in a series of sharp blade that cut foes who foolishly get too close.*

*Coral dragons notably lack resistance to magic, although they do prove quite resilient to energy attacks with complete immunity to lightning and cold and resistance to fire. They couple this with their excellent aquatic mobility and ability to control the seas around them to prove a deadly threat, although few are willing to face a mage, or even fight, outside of their aquatic domain. They also notably lack a directly damaging breath weapon, instead relying on breath weapons which reduce their enemies’ functionality or instead actually augment that of their allies. Actually listing these differences makes me realize just how many they have, as they also show a distinct lack of sorcerous ability instead relying on druidic magic to fulfill the same role. A final important note is their, relative to most common good dragons, lack of intelligence. Unlike most good dragons which are, at minimum, as intelligent as an average human from birth they lack such intelligence until they have lived several years and even their great wyrms are on average no more intelligent than the brightest of novice human wizards, nor any more wise than the most talented young priests and easily outstripped by those truly exceptional arch-mages who, taking their extraordinarily rare (less than 1 in 100) intelligence then pursued a career in magic at the cost of all else.*

*Despite my previous note on their intelligence one should not underestimate a coral dragon. Even if their minds are lackluster for dragons they are still dragons with all the great physical power and magical might that it entails, the decades of time with which to plan and a mind that rivals geniuses. Their sharp body armor makes melee attacks against them dangerous and their maneuverability in the water, coupled with their ability to control the current, makes them difficult to escape from without magical means. Although anyone fighting a mature dragon without access to spells is committing suicide to begin with.*

*Now to note their social nature, coral dragons love company and companionship but have an aversion to others of their kind. They make exception for mates and, sometimes, family members but in general two coral dragons will avoid each other actively shaping their territory to avoid overlap. They highly value freedom, their own and others. Also while I have been referring to them as “good dragons” I should be careful about placing them in the same category as metallic dragons, the various ‘celestial’ dragons*\**, baneslayer dragons, and other such dragons. This is because while the majority of coral dragons are noble paragons of virtue and morality there are on the whole several orders more coral dragons which deviate from the path of light and towards more selfish roads. While few are evil, many lack the compassion and drive necessary to be good. Very rarely does this mean they will be marauding monsters, but they may not be as kind and friendly as I have indicated previously so approach them with the foreknowledge that they are not always paragons.*

*-Zasper, Grand Archmage of the 10th Circle, Bearer of the Crystal Crown, Keeper of the Transfinite Seal, He Who Walks Amongst Dragons, Friend to Bahamut, Foe to Tiamat, Hero of a Hundred Kingdoms, Keeper of the 89th Secret of Talorn, Walker of Worlds, the Immaculate Sage, the Purple Archmage, Champion of Halm, Friend of Amber, and former Emperor of Cyrell (retired).*

\*: I believe this usage of the word celestial does not refer to upper planar dragons but instead the Sun, Moon, and Star dragons which live primarily outside of the normal reaches of a planet.

Special Abilities:

**Breath Weapon (Su)**: A coral dragon has two types of breath weapon the first is a cone of *slow* gas. All creatures caught within must make a Fort save or be *slowed* for 1d6 + age category rounds. The second is a cone of vitalizing energy. Any creature with the aquatic or water subtype caught within it (other than the coral dragon itself) gains 5 temporary hp per age category of the dragon and is *hasted* for 1d4 + age category rounds (the temporary hp lasts this amount of time as well).

**Speak with Aquatic Animals (Su)**: A coral dragon may speak with sea-dwelling creatures of the animal type.

**Water Master (Su)**: When both a very young or older coral dragon and its enemy are in contact with the water the coral dragon gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. If either the coral dragon or its enemy are not in contact with water it instead suffers a -4 to attack and damage.

**Alternate Form (Su)**: A young or older dragon can assume any animal or humanoid form of Medium size or smaller as a standard action three times per day. This ability functions as a polymorph spell cast on itself at its caster level, except that the dragon does not regain hit points for changing form and can only assume the form of an animal or humanoid. The dragon can remain in its animal or humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form.

**Body Blades (Ex)**: The blades of sharp coral covering the main body of a juvenile or older coral dragon have lengthened and sharpened to such an extent that they now deal damage equal to its age category to any creature striking it in melee without using a reach weapon. In addition all of a coral dragon’s natural weapons deal slashing and piercing damage in addition to whatever other types of damage they may have dealt.

**Blessing of the Waves (Su)**: Due to their ever growing connection with the powers of water, while submerged in the water an adult or older coral dragon gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Dex, a +20-ft enhancement bonus to its swim speed, and a +4 resistance bonus to reflex saves.

***Control Weather (Sp)***: Old or older; 3/day.

**Improved Critical (Ex)**: Due to the sharp coral blades covering their body an ancient or older coral dragon’s claw and bite attacks have an 18-20/x3 critical.

**Control the Flow (Su)**: A great wyrm coral dragon can control the current of any water nearby changing the speed of the current by up to 100-ft in any direction. For the greatest detail on how current affects movement and combat check *Stormwrack*.