Gold Dragons
Gold Dragon Wyrmling
- Size: Medium
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 17
- Initiative: +4 (14)
- HP: 60 (8d8 + 24)
- Speed: 30 ft, Fly 60 ft., Swim 30 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 19 | +4 | +4 |
| DEX | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| CON | 17 | +3 | +3 |
| INT | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| WIS | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 16 | +3 | +3 |
- Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4
- Immunities: Fire
- Senses: Blindsight 10 ft., Darkvision 60 ft.; Passive Perception 14
- Languages: Draconic
- CR: 3 (XP 700; PB +2)
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes two Rend attacks.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) Slashing damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 13, each creature in a 15-foot Cone. Failure: 22 (4d10) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.
Weakening Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 13, each creature that isn't currently affected by this breath in a 15-foot Cone. Failure: The target has Disadvantage on Strength-based D20 Tests and subtracts 2 (1d4) from its damage rolls. It repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.
Young Gold Dragon
- Size: Large
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 18
- Initiative: +6 (16)
- HP: 178 (17d10 + 85)
- Speed: 40 ft, Fly 80 ft., Swim 40 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 23 | +6 | +6 |
| DEX | 14 | +2 | +6 |
| CON | 21 | +5 | +5 |
| INT | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| WIS | 13 | +1 | +5 |
| CHA | 20 | +5 | +5 |
- Skills: Insight +5, Perception +9, Persuasion +9, Stealth +6
- Immunities: Fire
- Senses: Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 19
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- CR: 10 (XP 5,900; PB +4)
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Weakening Breath.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +10, reach 10 ft. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) Slashing damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 17, each creature in a 30-foot Cone. Failure: 55 (10d10) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.
Weakening Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 17, each creature that isn't currently affected by this breath in a 30-foot Cone. Failure: The target has Disadvantage on Strength-based D20 Tests and subtracts 3 (1d6) from its damage rolls. It repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.
Adult Gold Dragon
- Size: Huge
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 19
- Initiative: +14 (24)
- HP: 243 (18d12 + 126)
- Speed: 40 ft, Fly 80 ft., Swim 40 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 27 | +8 | +8 |
| DEX | 14 | +2 | +8 |
| CON | 25 | +7 | +7 |
| INT | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| WIS | 15 | +2 | +8 |
| CHA | 24 | +7 | +7 |
- Skills: Insight +8, Perception +14, Persuasion +13, Stealth +8
- Immunities: Fire
- Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 24
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- CR: 17 (XP 18,000, or 20,000 in lair; PB +6)
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of (A) Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 2 version) or (B) Weakening Breath.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +14, reach 10 ft. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) Slashing damage plus 4 (1d8) Fire damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 21, each creature in a 60-foot Cone. Failure: 66 (12d10) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.
Spellcasting. The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 21, +13 to hit with spell attacks):
At Will: Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt (level 2 version), Shapechange (Beast or Humanoid form only, no Temporary Hit Points gained from the spell, and no Concentration or Temporary Hit Points required to maintain the spell)
1/Day Each: Flame Strike, Zone of Truth
Weakening Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 21, each creature that isn't currently affected by this breath in a 60-foot Cone. Failure: The target has Disadvantage on Strength-based D20 Tests and subtracts 3 (1d6) from its damage rolls. It repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, the dragon can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The dragon regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Banish. Charisma Saving Throw: DC 21, one creature the dragon can see within 120 feet. Failure: 10 (3d6) Force damage, and the target has the Incapacitated condition and is transported to a harmless demiplane until the start of the dragon's next turn, at which point it reappears in an unoccupied space of the dragon's choice within 120 feet of the dragon. Failure or Success: The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
Guiding Light. The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 2 version).
Pounce. The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.
Ancient Gold Dragon
- Size: Gargantuan
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 22
- Initiative: +16 (26)
- HP: 546 (28d20 + 252)
- Speed: 40 ft, Fly 80 ft., Swim 40 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 30 | +10 | +10 |
| DEX | 14 | +2 | +9 |
| CON | 29 | +9 | +9 |
| INT | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| WIS | 17 | +3 | +10 |
| CHA | 28 | +9 | +9 |
- Skills: Insight +10, Perception +17, Persuasion +16, Stealth +9
- Immunities: Fire
- Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 27
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- CR: 24 (XP 62,000, or 75,000 in lair; PB +7)
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of (A) Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 4 version) or (B) Weakening Breath.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +17, reach 15 ft. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) Slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) Fire damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: 71 (13d10) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.
Spellcasting. The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 24, +16 to hit with spell attacks):
At Will: Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt (level 4 version), Shapechange (Beast or Humanoid form only, no Temporary Hit Points gained from the spell, and no Concentration or Temporary Hit Points required to maintain the spell)
1/Day Each: Flame Strike (level 6 version), Word of Recall, Zone of Truth
Weakening Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature that isn't currently affected by this breath in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: The target has Disadvantage on Strength-based D20 Tests and subtracts 5 (1d10) from its damage rolls. It repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, the dragon can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The dragon regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Banish. Charisma Saving Throw: DC 24, one creature the dragon can see within 120 feet. Failure: 24 (7d6) Force damage, and the target has the Incapacitated condition and is transported to a harmless demiplane until the start of the dragon's next turn, at which point it reappears in an unoccupied space of the dragon's choice within 120 feet of the dragon. Failure or Success: The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
Guiding Light. The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 4 version).
Pounce. The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.
Lore & Background
Gold dragons represent the pinnacle of metallic dragon nobility and wisdom, embodying the highest ideals of justice, honor, and protection of the innocent. These magnificent creatures are among the most powerful and respected beings in existence, often serving as guardians of great treasures, repositories of ancient knowledge, and champions against the forces of evil. Their golden scales shimmer with an inner light that reflects their pure hearts and unwavering moral compass.
These dragons are known for their deep connection to divine powers and their role as agents of cosmic balance. They often take on human or other humanoid forms to walk among mortals, serving as advisors, teachers, or hidden protectors. Gold dragons are incredibly long-lived, with some ancient specimens having witnessed the rise and fall of entire civilizations, making them invaluable sources of historical knowledge and wisdom.
Combat Tactics
Gold dragons approach combat with careful consideration and strategic planning, preferring to avoid unnecessary violence but proving devastating when forced to fight. They excel at using their environment to their advantage, combining their breath weapon with tactical positioning to maximize effectiveness while minimizing collateral damage. Their ability to change shape allows them to surprise enemies or engage in combat on more equal terms when appropriate.
In battle, gold dragons demonstrate their tactical superiority through coordinated use of their spell-like abilities, breath weapon, and physical attacks. They often begin encounters by attempting to parley or understand their opponents' motivations, but once committed to combat, they fight with the efficiency and power befitting their legendary status.
Encounter Ideas
The Golden Mediator: A territorial dispute between two kingdoms threatens to escalate into war. A gold dragon in human form has been working as a diplomat to prevent bloodshed, but political intrigue and hidden agendas threaten to undermine the peace process.
The Ancient Library: Heroes seek knowledge from an ancient gold dragon who has spent centuries collecting and preserving important texts and artifacts. The dragon is willing to share information, but only with those who prove themselves worthy through trials that test their wisdom and moral character.
The Sleeping Guardian: A gold dragon has been magically imprisoned or placed in enchanted sleep while guarding a crucial location or artifact. Heroes must find a way to awaken the dragon without triggering ancient defenses, potentially gaining a powerful ally in the process.
The Dragon's Test: A gold dragon has been observing the heroes' actions and decides to test their worthiness for a greater destiny. The encounter involves moral dilemmas and challenges that test character rather than combat prowess, with the dragon's approval opening doors to greater adventures.
Lair Features
Gold dragon lairs are marvels of both natural beauty and architectural achievement, often located in remote mountain peaks, hidden valleys, or pocket dimensions accessible only to the worthy. These sanctuaries typically feature vast libraries, treasure vaults organized with meticulous care, and chambers dedicated to contemplation and magical study. The lair itself radiates an aura of peace and protection that can provide sanctuary to good-aligned visitors.
The dragon's presence infuses the lair with protective magic that wards against evil influences and enhances the natural beauty of the surroundings. Gardens of rare and magical plants, pools of crystal-clear water, and chambers filled with golden light create an environment that reflects the dragon's noble nature and serves as a beacon of hope in dark times.
Treasure
Gold dragon hoards are legendary not just for their monetary value but for their cultural and historical significance. These collections often include ancient artifacts, lost works of art, rare books and scrolls, and items of great magical power. Unlike other dragons, gold dragons often use their wealth for philanthropic purposes, secretly funding good causes or providing aid to those in need.
The treasure itself is often organized and catalogued with scholarly precision, with each item having its own significance and story. Gold dragons particularly value items with historical importance, artifacts that represent great acts of heroism, and magical items that can be used to protect the innocent or fight against evil.
Plot Hooks
The Dragon's Legacy: An ancient gold dragon is preparing to pass on, and heroes must help it choose worthy successors for its various responsibilities and treasures. The process involves understanding the dragon's long history and the complex web of obligations it has maintained over the centuries.
The Stolen Hoard: A gold dragon's treasure has been stolen not for its monetary value but to prevent the dragon from using it for good. Heroes must recover specific items that the dragon needs to fulfill ancient promises or prevent catastrophic events.
The Dragon's Gambit: A gold dragon has set in motion a complex plan to prevent a great evil, but the plan requires heroes to take actions that seem morally questionable. The heroes must decide whether to trust the dragon's wisdom or follow their own moral compass.
The False Dragon: Someone or something is impersonating a gold dragon, using the creature's reputation to manipulate political situations or gain access to protected locations. Heroes must uncover the deception and deal with both the imposter and the potential consequences of the false dragon's actions.