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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardAncient Sovereign Dragon

The most well-known of imperial dragons due to their deep involvement with mortals, the sovereign dragons' name comes from their mandate of selecting rulers—but at some point, the dragons themselves joined the list of worthy candidates. Other imperial dragons suspect the sovereign dragons offered their connection to the elemental cycle to attain forbidden magic, evidenced by their lack of any vulnerability to wood or ability to feed on fire, despite being creatures of the earth.

Most hesitate to question the sovereigns' authority. While some appreciate their impartial nature, others fault this adherence to neutrality. Regardless, the sovereign dragons' charm and centuries of experience in subtle manipulation have made them exceptional negotiators.

Almost all sovereign dragons appear gold in color. Their hair ranges from common colors found among humans to bright reds, greens, or blues. They're the only dragons with five digits per claw, a mark of special importance. Other imperial dragons dismiss this claim to status and instead tease the sovereign dragons over their need to wear armor, even while in their draconic forms.

Recall Knowledge - Dragon (Arcana): DC 45
Unspecific Lore: DC 43
Specific Lore: DC 40

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak Ancient Sovereign DragonCreature 19

Legacy Content

Rare N Gargantuan Dragon Earth 
Source Bestiary 3 pg. 83
Perception +36; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet
Languages Abyssal, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Terran
Skills Acrobatics +29, Athletics +36, Deception +35, Diplomacy +39, Intimidation +35, Occultism +29, Society +29, Stealth +29, Survival +32
Str +10, Dex +5, Con +7, Int +5, Wis +8, Cha +9
AC 44; Fort +33, Ref +29, Will +34; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 390; Immunities paralyzed, sleep; Resistances mental 20
Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) 90 feet, DC 39Mentalist Counterspell [reaction] (abjuration, occult) Trigger The dragon is targeted by a mental effect it's aware of; Effect The dragon immediately attempts to counteract the triggering effect (counteract modifier +32).Violent Retort [reaction] Trigger A creature within the sovereign dragon's reach critically hits the dragon; Effect The sovereign dragon makes a claw or tail Strike against the creature, after applying all the effects of the critical hit to the dragon.
Speed 60 feet, fly 180 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +36 [+31/+26] (magical, reach 20 feet), Damage 4d8-2+18 piercing plus 3d6 mentalMelee [one-action] claw +36 [+32/+28] (agile, magical, reach 15 feet), Damage 4d8-2+18 slashing plus GrabMelee [one-action] tail +36 [+31/+26] (magical, reach 30 feet), Damage 4d8-2+18 bludgeoning plus GrabOccult Innate Spells DC 41 (-4 dmg); 9th shape stone, suggestion, wall of stone; 7th suggestion (at will); 2nd detect alignment (at will; good or evil only)
Breath Weapon [two-actions] (evocation, mental, occult) The dragon unleashes a roar charged with psychic energy, dealing 21d6 mental damage in a 50-foot cone (DC 41 basic Will save). The dragon can't use Breath Weapon again for 1d4 rounds.Coiling Frenzy [two-actions] The dragon makes one claw Strike and one tail Strike in either order, each against the same target. If either Strike hits, the dragon automatically Grabs the target.Draconic Momentum The dragon recharges their Breath Weapon whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike.Gleaming Armor [one-action] (evocation, light, occult) Frequency once per hour; Effect The dragon's golden armor glows with a protective golden light. The dragon gains a +2 status bonus to AC and resistance 20 to energy damage. Each enemy in a 20-foot emanation must succeed at a DC 41 Fortitude save or be dazzled. All these effects last until the end of the dragon's next turn.Greater Constrict [one-action] 4d8+11 bludgeoning, DC 41Inspire Envoy [two-actions] (enchantment, mental, occult) Frequency once per day; Effect The dragon chooses a mortal they've observed performing an exceptional act and offers their august blessing in exchange for the creature carrying out a specific directive, such as defeating a tyrant or protecting a sacred site. If the creature agrees, until its next daily preparations, it gains a +2 status bonus to the dragon's choice of attack rolls, AC, or all of the following: Perception, Will saves, and Charisma-based skill checks. The dragon can Dismiss this benefit by spending a single action (that has the concentrate trait), which they're swift to do if the mortal dares to defy the dragon's directive.

All Monsters in "Dragon, Sovereign"

NameLevel
Adult Sovereign Dragon15
Ancient Sovereign Dragon20
Young Sovereign Dragon11

Dragon, Sovereign

Source Bestiary 3 pg. 81
The most well-known of imperial dragons due to their deep involvement with mortals, the sovereign dragons' name comes from their mandate of selecting rulers—but at some point, the dragons themselves joined the list of worthy candidates. Other imperial dragons suspect the sovereign dragons offered their connection to the elemental cycle to attain forbidden magic, evidenced by their lack of any vulnerability to wood or ability to feed on fire, despite being creatures of the earth.

Most hesitate to question the sovereigns' authority. While some appreciate their impartial nature, others fault this adherence to neutrality. Regardless, the sovereign dragons' charm and centuries of experience in subtle manipulation have made them exceptional negotiators.

Almost all sovereign dragons appear gold in color. Their hair ranges from common colors found among humans to bright reds, greens, or blues. They're the only dragons with five digits per claw, a mark of special importance. Other imperial dragons dismiss this claim to status and instead tease the sovereign dragons over their need to wear armor, even while in their draconic forms.

Dragon, Imperial

Related Groups Dragon, Forest, Dragon, Sea, Dragon, Sky, Dragon, Underworld
Imperial dragons, namesake of the Dragon Empires and guardians of Tian Xia before humanity arrived, embody five strengthening and counteracting forces. Unlike other true dragons, imperial dragons dive deep into human affairs. Some remain secretive, posing as reclusive hermits, while others keep a high profile, openly ruling factions. Tian cultures in turn venerate the dragons, depicting gods in the form of dragons or claiming ancestry from them. Not all are adored, for plenty of these creatures act wickedly.

Draconic Cycles

Five elements underpin the magical powers of imperial dragons, influencing their relationships to all things and, especially, to others of their kind. These elements interlink in two cycles. In the first cycle, each element feeds one other: wood feeds fire, fire feeds earth, earth feeds metal, metal feeds water, and water feeds wood. In the second cycle, each element counters another: wood counters earth, earth counters water, water counters fire, fire counters metal, and metal counters wood.

Each imperial dragon represents one element and has four abilities related to the cycle. For example, the forest dragon—linked to wood—feeds fire, is fed by water, counters earth, and is countered by metal.

Shape-Changing Dragons

Imperial dragons are the most likely (and willing) of Golarion's dragons to take humanoid forms. The vast majority of them have the following ability, with the tradition trait matching the dragon's innate spells:

Change Shape [one-action] (concentrate, polymorph, transmutation) The dragon takes on the appearance of any Small or Medium humanoid. This doesn't change their Speed or attack and damage modifiers with their Strikes, but it might change the damage type their Strikes deal (typically to bludgeoning).

Imperial Dragon Spellcasters

Each imperial dragon has a sidebar on spellcasting dragons of that kind. To make an imperial dragon spellcaster, remove the dragon's Coiling Frenzy and Draconic Momentum abilities and give them the spells outlined in their sidebar. You can swap any number of these spells with others from the same tradition, provided you keep the same number of spells for each level. You might also want to increase the dragon's Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma modifier by 1 or 2 to reflect their mastery of magic.

Imperial Dragons On Golarion

Imperial dragons are rarely spotted beyond Tian Xia, where some establish territories to amass power, while others follow their natural affinity to seek a place of comfort.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Pham Duc Quan

A succession of sovereign dragons has ruled the Tian nation of Xa Hoi for nearly 7,000 years. The current Dragon King is Pham Duc Quan, who guided Xa Hoi through the chaos after the ancient empire of Lung Wa fell at the start of the Age of Lost Omens. Under the dragon's stable leadership, Xa Hoi emerged as one of the strongest nations in Tian Xia.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Sovereign Dragon Spellcasters

Sovereign dragon spellcasters tend to cast the following spells.

Young Sovereign Dragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 29, attack +23; 4th calm emotions, detect scrying, silence; 3rd enthrall, heroism, hypnotic pattern; 2nd comprehend language, remove fear, status; 1st command, illusory disguise, true strike; Cantrips (4th) daze, detect magic, prestidigitation, read aura, shield

Adult Sovereign Dragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 36, attack +30; As young sovereign dragon, plus 6th dominate, feeblemind, zealous conviction; 5th dreaming potential, subconscious suggestion, tongues; Cantrips (6th) daze, detect magic, prestidigitation, read aura, shield

Ancient Sovereign Dragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 43, attack +38; As adult sovereign dragon, plus 9th foresight, overwhelming presence, telepathic demand; 8th disappearance, dream council, maze; 7th dimensional lock, magnificent mansion, true target; Cantrips (9th) daze, detect magic, prestidigitation, read aura, shield