monster

Pyraxos the Ember-Wing

CR 24

Gargantuan dragon, Chaotic Neutral

Reveal Stat Block

Armor Class

Hit Points

546 (28d20 + 252)

Speed

40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft.

str

+10

dex

con

int

wis

cha

Saving Throws DEX +9, CON +16, WIS +10, CHA +13

Skills Perception +17, Stealth +9

Damage Immunities fire

Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 27

Languages Common, Draconic

Legendary Resistance (3/Day).If Pyraxos fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Black Aether Corruption.Pyraxos's attacks are infused with volatile energy. His weapon attacks deal an extra 11 (2d10) force damage (included in the attacks).

Aether-Ignited Scales.A creature that touches Pyraxos or hits him with a melee attack while within 10 feet of him takes 14 (4d6) fire damage.

Actions

Multiattack.Pyraxos can use his Frightful Presence. He then makes three attacks: one with his bite and two with his claws.

Bite.Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 11 (2d10) force damage and 11 (2d10) fire damage.

Claw.Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) slashing damage plus 11 (2d10) force damage.

Tail.Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage plus 11 (2d10) force damage.

Frightful Presence.Each creature of Pyraxos's choice that is within 120 feet of Pyraxos and aware of him must succeed on a DC 21 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 Pyraxos's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Aether-Ember Breath (Recharge 5-6).Pyraxos exhales a blast of molten embers and raw aether in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 91 (26d6) fire damage plus 35 (10d6) force damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

Detect.Pyraxos makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Tail Attack.Pyraxos makes a tail attack.

Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions).Pyraxos beats his wings. Each creature within 15 feet of Pyraxos must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. Pyraxos can then fly up to half his flying speed.

Pyraxos the Ember-Wing

Pyraxos, once a mere red drake, has ascended to the status of an Ancient Apex Predator through the forced consumption of Black Aether shards. His scales, once vibrant crimson, now pulse with a dark, violet-black energy that bleeds from the seams of his armor-like hide. His wings, spanning over a hundred feet, leave trails of burning aether-gas that can ignite the very air.

Having claimed the highest peaks of the Cinder Mountains, Pyraxos is no longer just a territorialist; he is a force of nature. His addiction to "Refined Aether Crystals" has grown into a hunger that can only be sated by the most potent mana-wells. He is intelligent, cruel, and burdened by a power that is slowly tearing his physical form apart.

Secret Motivation: The shard of "Black Aether" embedded in his chest has reached his heart. He is no longer seeking removal; he is seeking a way to transcend his mortal coil and become a being of pure, destructive energy. He believes that by consuming the Heart of the World Tree, he can stabilize his transformation.

Adventure Hook: The "Great Red Dragon" has leveled three mountain citadels in a single week. The Arcane Ascendancy is desperate to cover up their involvement in his creation and is hiring the most elite mercenaries to "decommission" their failed experiment before he reaches the capital.