Rune Dragon (Young, Spellcaster)
Creature 10 — arcane, dragon
WeaverCrasherLANDAERIALdragonarcane
Rune dragons have an innate insight on the power of runes. Most rune dragons keep a variety of runes etched on their scales, which their bodies can magically empower. They typically don't cast spells themselves, instead relying on their ability to create runes on the fly to produce desired effects. A rune dragon often refers to their hoard as their library, as it's full of important historical texts, plays, speeches, textbooks, and spellbooks written by people of different cultures in a variety
Source: pathfinder-monster-core-2
Perception +21; darkvision, magicsense (imprecise) 60 feet, scent (imprecise) 60 feet
Languages common, draconic; Five additional common languages
Skills acrobatics +19, arcana +23, athletics +21, crafting +21, diplomacy +18, Linguistics Lore +21, performance +20, Rune Lore +23, society +19, survival +19
Str
+4
Dex
+4
Con
+5
Int
+6
Wis
+4
Cha
+3
Items Common runes of 5th level or lower etched upon their scales
AC 30
Fort +19
Ref +17
Will +21
HP 175
Immunities paralyzed, sleep
Speed 60 feet, fly 100 feet
Offense
Melee Claw (agile, magical) +22, Damage 2d6+10 slashing plus Detonating Rune
Melee Jaws (magical, reach-10) +22, Damage 2d6+10 piercing plus Detonating Rune
Melee Tail (magical, reach-15) +20, Damage 2d10+10 bludgeoning plus Push
Abilities
Magic Sense (arcane) — The rune dragon is aware of any active magical abilities and effects within the listed range. When the dragon Seeks, it gains the benefits of a 4th-rank detect magic spell within the listed range (in addition to the normal benefits of Seeking).
Runic Scales — The rune dragon's scales function as runestones. The rune dragon can't use the effects or abilities of the runes etched on its scales, but they can transfer these runes to appropriate objects. Transferring a rune to or from an item in this way requires 1 minute, during which the dragon is Off-Guard. The process is automatic and doesn't require a check, but if the dragon stops or is interrupted in this process, the rune is destroyed. A rune dragon can have any number of runes etched on its scales, though they typically have only a handful of runes etched on their scales at a time.
+2 Status to All Saves vs. Arcane —
Retributive Rune —
Detonating Rune — The rune dragon's Strikes and abilities can leave a detonating rune on their targets. If a creature would receive a detonating rune while they already have one, instead of adding another rune, their current detonating rune activates, dealing 4d6 untyped damage to the target and expending the rune. The detonating rune's damage type matches the dragon's current Shifting Rune. A creature can use an Interact action to remove the rune. Detonating runes fade after 1 minute if not detonated.
Runic Breath (arcane) — The dragon launches hundreds of exploding runes that detonate upon impact, dealing 9d6 untyped damage in a 30-foot cone (DC 29 Reflex save). The damage type of this ability is determined by Shifting Rune. Creatures who fail the save are also affected by detonating rune. The dragon can't use Runic Breath again for 1d4 rounds.
Shifting Runes — The rune dragon chooses between acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage. The runes etched upon the dragon shift, forming runes of that energy on its scales. The dragon gains immunity to that damage type, and their detonating runes and Runic Breath deal that damage type. Anyone trained in Arcana can immediately recognize the energy type of the etched rune without a check.
Push 10 feet —
Arcane Prepared Spells DC 29, attack +21
4th Wall of Fire
3rd Fireball, Gravity Well, Veil of Privacy
2nd Blur, Dispel Magic, Embed Message, Translate (×2)
1st Alarm, Fear, Gust of Wind
Cantrips (4th) Detect Magic, Ignition, Message, Sigil, Telekinetic Hand
WORKS WELL WITH
AnvilLANDA frontline defender holds enemy attention so the dragon can keep etching detonating runes onto targets from range.
SnareLAND / AERIALA controller that keeps enemies clustered turns the runic breath cone into a threat against the whole group instead of one target.
SniperLAND / AERIALA ranged attacker can trigger a lingering detonating rune from a safe distance once a target is marked.
PUNISHES
✖ clumping✖ invisibility reliance✖ low Reflex
Avoid stacking with another arcane Weaver; the party can specialize its saves against a single spellcasting threat.
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice
Unlock with Tactics
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