Venom Drakes
Venom drakes are rare species of lesser dragon that seem to share evolutionary traits between the black dragon and certain species of hydras. These drakes are quite easy to identify as they possess three elongated heads, each a gaping maw full of oozing venom and bile.
Swamp Baskers
Despite, their similar appearance, the venom drake lacks the natural healing factor, as well as the aversion to fire, that hydras possess. However, due to their draconic ancestry, they have a natural affinity to acid and poison and even have the ability to absorb various acids and toxics to regenerate its own wounds. Because of this, venom drakes can be often found basking in putrid quagmires in between hunts to recover their strength.
Combat Tactics
Despite being smaller than both the hydra and the black dragon, it is quite unwise to underestimate the venom drake. They are known to be extremely territorial and have been known to viciously attack creatures just for sport. In combat, their primary weapons lie within their venomous maws. Their three heads are able to strike with deadly precision, speed, and coordination, allowing the drake to quickly debilitate their foes in a matter of seconds. The most interesting aspect about the venom drake’s heads is that each head has its own unique type of venom gland, each with its own special venom concoction that debilitates its prey in a certain way. Together, the combined effects of all three heads can prove to be an extremely lethal combo. Furthermore, these poison glands also amplify the drakes’ natural breath attack that becomes much more potent if the target takes the full force of all three head’s breath attacks.
Venom Drake
Large Dragon, unaligned
- Armor Class 16 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 95(12d10+30)
- Speed 40ft., swim 40ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 5 (-3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)
- Saving Throws Str +6, Con +6
- Skills Perception +6, Perception +6
- Senses passive Perception 16
- Languages None
- Proficiency Bonus +3
- Challenge 8 (3900 xp)
Acid Blood When the drake is hit with a melee attack from a creature within 5ft. of it, the attacker takes 10(4d4) acid damage.
Amphibious The drake can breath in air an in water
Poison Heal When the drake is poisoned, it does not suffer from any of the effects of the poisoned condition. Instead, it regains 10 hitpoints at the start of each of its turns for the duration of the poisoned effect.
Toxic Absorption When the drake takes acid or poison damage, it regains a number of hitpoints equal to the acid or poison damage dealt
Reactive The drake regains its reaction at the start of every creature's turn
Actions
Multiattack. The drake can make three attacks with each of its bite attacks.
Poisonous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, 5ft., one target. Hit 10 (1d10+3) piercing damage. On a hit, the target must succeed a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until the end of its next turn.
Venomous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, 5ft., one target. Hit 10 (1d10+3) piercing damage +7(3d4) acid damage. If the target is poisoned, it takes and additional 7(3d4) acid damage.
Paralyzing Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, 5ft., one target. Hit 10 (1d10+3) piercing damage. On a hit, the target must succeed a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become paralyzed until the end of its next turn. Poisoned creatures automatically fail this save.
Poisonous Breath(Recharge 5-6) Creatures in a 30ft. cone must succeed a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 21(6d6) poison damage and half as much on a successful saving. On a failed saving throw, creatures are poisoned for one minute and must succeed its saving throw to end the effect on a success.
If the target fails its saving throw be 5 or more, it takes 7(3d4) acid damage at the start of its turns for the duration of the poisoned effect.
If the target fails its saving throw by 10 or more, it is paralyzed for the duration of the poisoned effect.
Reactions
Reactive Fang When a creature hits the drake with melee attack while within 10ft. of the drake. it can use its reaction to make a bite attack against that creature