River Drake
CR 3, NE Medium Dragon (aquatic, water)
Senses: Perception 7, Darkvision 60, Low Light Vision, ScentThis special quality allows a creature to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Creatures with the scent ability can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights. The creature can detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at triple normal range. When a creature detects a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed-only its presence somewhere within range. The creature can take a move action to note the direction of the scent. When the creature is within 5 feet of the source, it pinpoints the source's location. A creature with the scent ability can follow tracks by smell with a perception check instead of using the Track skill.
Speed: 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (average), swim 30 ft. Skills: Athletics 6, Intimidation 6, Stealth 10, Nature 7
Languages: Draconic
Ability Scores: Str 17 (+8), Dex 16 (+8), Con 15 (+7), Int 8 (+4), Wis 10 (+5), Cha 9 (+4)
INIT: +7 CP: +4 HP: 34 (4d12+8) SA: -- DC: 16
AC: 16 Touch: 13 Flat-footed: 13 [+3 Dodge, +3 Natural]
SR: -- Vulnerable: -- Resistant: Acid 20 Bypass: --
Immunity: -- Effect Immunity: Paralysis, Sleep
Amphibious (ex) - Even though aquatic, the creature can exist indefinitely on land.
Power Attack (ex) - A River Drake may choose to take a penalty to its attack roll (up to -5). For each point of penalty, the River Drake does one extra point of damage. The River Drake must decide to use power attack at the beginning of its turn and it applies to all attack made until the start of its next turn.
Water Breathing (ex) - The creature can breathe under water.
Attacks
- Melee (Natural) - 1 x bite +7 (2d4+3). Reach: 5 ft.
- Melee (Natural) - 1 x tail slap +7 (1d4+1). Reach: 5 ft.
Fleet (Full Round)(ex) - When using a full-round action to move double its speed, the River Drake can also use its bonus action to run its movement in feet again.
Pounce (Full Round)(ex) - The River Drake can make a full-attack (instead of a single-attack) as part of a charge.
Caustic Mucus (su, Every 1d6 rounds) - A river drake can spit a ball of caustic mucus that explodes in a 5-foot-radius spread. This attack has a range of 50 feet, deals 2d8 points of acid damage, and entangles creatures in the area. A Dex save halves the damage and negates the entangle effect. An entangled creature takes 1d4 points of acid damage each round on its turn and may attempt a new saving throw at the end of its turn every round to escape the entanglement and end the acid damage.
Environment: temperate rivers or lakes
Organization: None
Treasure: standard
With graceful wings and wide fins, this sleek dragon looks equally well equipped to glide through sea and sky.
Preying upon fish and fishermen with equal ease, river drakes are scourges of freshwater expanses. They are thought to be related to black dragons, as evidenced by their acidic spit, water affinity, viciousness, and preference for rotten meat. Like other drakes, river drakes are cruel hunters, using a play-and-prey hunting style. When not hungry, they amuse themselves by stalking and harassing other creatures and travelers. An offering of treasure thrown into the water can distract a river drake, but such a bribe is unlikely to stave off a particularly hungry individual. River drakes often slay more than they can immediately eat because they favor aged meat, keeping underwater larders stuffed with kills in various stages of decay. A river drake is a crafty, careful hunter that uses its watery home to provide concealment from creatures on the shore. If caught unawares while on land, it retreats to the water, or takes to flight if its enemies are prepared for aquatic combat, making constant use of its caustic mucus and great speed. River drakes are much more likely to hunt in groups than most other drakes, threatening river traffic or assaulting lakefront or riverside towns if their numbers are large enough. However, these disorganized raids are quick to retreat from any hint of significant resistance. River drakes are 8 feet long and look much like small sea drakes. An adult river drake weighs about 700 pounds.
