Jaculus

Small dragon, neutral evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (10d6 + 30)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 10 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 13 (+1)

Saving Throws Dex +6 Cha +3
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +3, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances acid, lightning
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Spearhead. If the jaculus moves at least 10 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a Bite attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 4 (1d8) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be forced prone.
  • Standing Leap. The jaculus’s long jump is up to 20 feet and its high jump is up to 10 feet, with or without a running start.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The jaculus makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks.
  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
  • Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.

ABOUT

This small dragon has feathered wings on its forearms and clings with powerful claws to a tree.

The jaculus (plural jaculi) is a draconic predator similar to a small wyvern that roams the forest and jungle looking for valuable objects it can add to its hoard. Also called the javelin snake, a jaculus loves shiny or reflective items, and it is clever enough to identify items of real value. It will fight and kill to take items it desires, which it stashes inside hollow trees far from any forest trail.

Leapers. Jaculi are far better jumpers than flyers. They climb faster than they fly, and they use their wings to flap clumsily back into the trees only when necessary.

Teamwork Thievery. Jaculi are among the least intelligent of the dragons, but they’re still smarter than most humans. They’re known to pursue cunning and complicated plots to build their hoards. Many traditional tales tell of jaculi in the southern forests working as teams to separate merchants and other travelers from their wealth, figuring out ways to abscond with gems and jewelry before the owners even know they’ve been robbed. Some jaculi may feign docility or even pretend to be friendly and helpful, but wise travelers know that the creatures drop such ruses as soon as they can steal what they’re seeking.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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