BONECAST DRAGON

Init +5
Melee Atk
 • claw +9 (1d8)
 • bite +9 (1d12)
 • tail slap +9 (1d16)
AC 23
HD 8d12 (48 hp)
MV 50
Act 3d20, plus 1d24, 1d20 & 1d16 for spells
SP spells (+4), necrotic breath weapon (2x/day, DC 18), Damage Reduction 3, Luck Sap, Ash Cloud
Fort +8
Ref +6
Will +12
AL C

Summoned by a powerful cabal of wizards working in conjunction, a Bonecast Dragon is composed of graveyard bones animated by the spirit of a destroyed demon. The wizards may or may not find their will subverted, with the Dragon pursuing its own goal and not theirs.

The necrosis breath literally decays the flesh of those caught within it. It looks like tendrils or snakes of black smoke silently rushing out from the Dragon's mouth, weaving through the 60' range as if seeking the living, evaporating once they reach full range. Those in range of the attack and aware of it can either attempt to dodge these tendrils by means of a Reflex Save for one-third damage, or resist physically by a Fort Save for half damage. Clerics of an appropriate faith may opt to completely avoid the breath's effects with a Will Save. The breath attack does 1d6 damage (rolled once) applied to Strength, Agility and Stamina (always a minimum of 1 against anyone in the range).

Ash Cloud: Once per Turn, the Bonecast Dragon can create a funnel of crematory ash by giving up an Action Die (either an Action Die or all spell dice). The funnel is 30' across at it's base and extends upward 40' with an upper width of 60'. The Dragon maintains it by concentration, giving up an Action Die each round to do so. Any living creature within the effect takes 1d4 Stamina damage each round, until they are no longer in the effect, then taking 1 point of Stamina damage the following round. The damage is halved if the target can make a DC 18 Fort Save. By giving up an extra Action Die, the Dragon can move the funnel up to 50', striking every living creature in it's path.

Once per day, the Bonecast Dragon can cause one of it's melee strikes to drain 2d3 points of Luck from the target of the strike (in addition to normal damage). It can decide to engage this effect after rolling the attack. If the attack happens to be a Critical Hit, it can forgo the usual Crit result, and instead drain the target of all of their Luck.

Spells                   
1st: Darkness, Word of Command
2nd: Invisible Companion, Ray of Enfeeblement
3rd: Animate Dead, Speak with the Dead

The Action Dice used for spells may only be used for a single spell per round. If the 1d24 roll fails, the 1d20 die can be used to attempt to enact the same spell, if desired. And should that fail, then the 1d16 can be attempted. In any case, a single successful spell is the best the creature can achieve within any given round.


CREATION
Wizards combining their powers to create a Bonecast Dragon compare their combined spellcasting checks to the following chart. Each Wizard must be able to cast the spell "Create Bonecast Dragon" with the same mercurial magic result, or with no mercurial magic result (a mixture of the same result and no result also works). Preparation takes one week per Wizard and the casting must be completed at midnight.

 1-30  Failure. For each Wizard: make a Fort Save vs. DC 20 or die, spell is lost for 1d30 months; 2 rolls each of Minor, Major and Greater Corruption; unable to cast any spell for 1d8 days.

31-40  Failure. For each Wizard: Spell is lost for 1d30 months, 1 roll each of Minor, Major, and Greater Corruption.

41-50  Failure. Spell is lost for 1d24 weeks for each Wizard.

51-60  Failure. Spell is lost for 1d6 weeks for each Wizard.

61-70  Success, creature as given above, but subtract 25% HD, drop 2 from spellcasting, drop the DR, and drop to 1 use of necrotic breath.

71-80  Success, creature as given above.

81-90  Success, creature as given above, but add 50% more HD, add'l +3 to spellcasting, add'l 3 to DR, and 2 extra uses of necrotic breath.

100+   Success, creature as given above, but add 100% more HD, add'l +8 to spellcasting, add'l 7 to DR, and 5 extra uses of necrotic breath.

Once a Bonecast Dragon has been created, there is a psychic test of wills between the creature and it's creators. Each Wizard must make a contested Will Save vs. the Will Save of the Dragon. As long as at least one Wizard beats the Dragon, the Dragon bows to it's creators. If only some Wizards succeed, they can attempt to shut out those Wizards who fail their check by making opposed Will Saves against each other. If those Wizards who failed against the Dragon also fail again in this test, they can in no way command the Dragon, though they may be able to apply other means to sway the demon-spirit that powers the Dragon.