Prismatic Dragon, Adult

Family: Dragons

Huge dragon, neutral

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 212 (17d12 + 102)
Speed 50 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
22 (+6)	10 (+0)	23 (+6)	18 (+4)	15 (+2)	17 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +11, Wis +7, Cha +8
Skills Arcana +9, Perception +12, Stealth +5
Damage Immunities radiant
Condition Immunities blinded
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 22
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +5

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the prismatic dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The prismatic dragon uses its Frightful Presence. It then makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
• Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
• Frightful Presence. Each creature of the prismatic dragon’s choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
• Breath Weapon (Recharge 5–6). The prismatic dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:
  • Light Beam. The prismatic dragon emits a beam of white light in a 90-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
  • Rainbow Blast. The prismatic dragon emits multicolored light in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The dragon splits the damage up among acid, cold, fire, lightning, or  poison, choosing a number of d8s for each damage type totaling 8d8. It must choose at least two damage types.
• Spellcasting. The prismatic dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17):
  • At will: charm person, color spray, dancing lights
  • 3/day: prismatic spray
  • 1/day: prismatic wall

LEGENDARY ACTIONS

The prismatic dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Detect. The prismatic dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
• Tail Attack. The prismatic dragon makes a tail attack.
• Cast a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). The prismatic dragon uses Spellcasting.
• Shimmering Wings (Costs 2 Actions). The prismatic dragon beats its crystalline wings. Each creature within 20 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or take 11 (2d10) radiant damage and become blinded until the start of the dragon’s next turn.

ABOUT

With a multicolored hide and wings with multifaceted panes, this dragon stands over an array of chaotic crystals.

Light gleams off the dragon’s hide and pours through its wings in a dizzying display.

Prismatic dragons bring light and color to the otherwise dark and gray underworld. They consume minerals for sustenance, making them relatively harmless as far as their appetites go, unless they encounter creatures loaded with gems and jewels.

Even then, they may negotiate for the treats, and canny explorers discover worthless crystals satisfy the dragons just as much as valuable jewels.

Resplendent Flightlessness. Like many dragons, prismatic dragons possess wings, but they can’t sustain flight with their wings. Prismatic dragon wings have both the appearance and unwieldiness of stained glass. Fortunately, the dragons have no need to fly in most of their domain and their razor-sharp claws give them strong purchase to climb. The dragons’ wings have a greater purpose than aesthetics—though they are vain about their appearance—because the dragons can tilt their wings to dazzle opponents to the point of blindness. As prismatic dragons age, their bodies shift in coloration from a dusty pink through an ever-expanding panoply of hues, including those invisible to most others.

Crystal Groves. Prismatic dragons tend crystals in their lair and in the surrounding territory. These crystal groves exhibit a riot of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Proud of their carefully cultivated collection, prismatic dragons may become incensed when a visitor criticizes any of the crystals or arrangements. Though prismatic dragons coexist peacefully with crystalline monoliths, the dragons harbor jealousy about the monoliths’ crystal gardens, and they subtly direct intruders to a monolith’s lair in the fervent hope the interlopers damage the other creature’s crystal.

Gregarious Hosts. Of course, all this beauty serves no purpose if only the prismatic dragon can enjoy it. The dragon often welcomes subterranean guests or explorers from the upper world. It can’t promise a comfortable stay for those who have difficulty sleeping on beds of crystals, but it attempts to accommodate food and drink requests within its means. This hospitality ends at undead creatures and conquest-driven groups. A prismatic dragon especially loathes cave dragons and strives to eradicate the crystal-destroying pests if they move into the dragon’s territory.