Creatures Creature Families Creature Abilities
Creature Adjustments Creature Templates

SFS Standard Ancient Host Dragon Creature 16

Innumerable insects follow these lumbering, ravenous dragons wherever they roam, swarming around them and living in the countless orifices along the host dragon's body. The dragon is both a part of the swarm itself and a part of the swarm's ecosystem—the swarm feeds on their body, and the dragon feeds on the swarm in a grotesque, centuries-long cycle that somehow results in the host dragon growing larger and more powerful even if they feed on no other substance in their lifetime. Host dragons draw their power from the primal instincts of insects and, despite their intelligence, often behave like the insects they gather to them. Host dragons despise answering questions and violently defy all attempts others make to understand their nature.

Elite | Normal | Weak

Elite Weak Ancient Host Dragon Creature 16

Source Alien Core pg. 54
Recall Knowledge DC 36 (includes +2 from Uncommon) 37 (includes +2 from Uncommon) 38 (includes +2 from Uncommon) •
Dragon (Arcana)
Perception +29 (darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet, tremorsense (imprecise) 120 feet)
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +26, Athletics +32, Intimidation +29, Nature +28, Stealth +29, Survival +28
Str +10 Dex +5 Con +6 Int +5 Wis +6 Cha +5
AC 38
Fort +28
Ref +25
Will +30
+2 status to all saves vs. mental
HP 300
Immunities paralyzed, poison, sleep
Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) 90 feet, DC 37
Covered in Bugs [reaction] Trigger The dragon critically fails a saving throw; Effect Swarming insects interfere with the effect, sacrificing themselves to protect their host's body and mind. The dragon attempts a DC 17 flat check. On a success, the dragon fails the saving throw instead of critically failing.
Speed 40 feet, burrow 40 feet, climb 40 feet, fly 180 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +32 (magicalreach 15 feet), Damage 3d12+18 piercing plus excruciating bites and Grab
Melee [one-action] claw +32 (agilemagicalreach 10 feet), Damage 3d6+18 slashing
Melee [one-action] tail +30 (magicalreach 20 feet), Damage 3d10+18 bludgeoning plus Knockdown
Draconic Frenzy [two-actions] The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one tail Strike in any order.
Draconic Momentum The dragon recharges their Swarm Breath whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike.
Excruciating Bites (primal) A creature that takes damage from a host dragon's jaws Strike or is swallowed by the dragon is also bitten by hundreds of tiny insects; the creature must succeed at a DC 28 Fortitude save or be enfeebled 2 for 1 round.
Fast Swallow [reaction] Trigger The dragon Grabs a creature; Effect The dragon uses Swallow Whole.
One with Swarms The host dragon is immune to any attack made by a swarm of insects or similar creature (at the GM's discretion).
Swarm Breath [two-actions] (primal) The dragon disgorges a swarm of biting insects that deals 12d8 piercing damage, 2d6 persistent piercing damage in a 50-foot cone (DC 37 basic Reflex save). They can't use Swarm Breath again for 1d4 rounds.
Swarm Shape [one-action] (concentratepolymorph) The dragon transforms into an insect swarm. They drop all held, worn, and carried items. While in this form, they can't use attack actions (except Swarming Bites and Swarm Breath) and can't cast spells, but they can move through areas small enough for their individual insects to fit without having to Squeeze. They can use the same action to coalesce back into their normal form.
Swarming Bites [one-action] Requirements The dragon is a swarm; Effect Each enemy in the swarm's space takes 12d6 piercing damage (DC 37 basic Fortitude save). A creature that fails its save is also enfeebled 1 for 1 round.
Swallow Whole [one-action] (dc {{stat "37"}} basic fortitude save. a creature that fails its save is also {{conditions 13 "enfeebled 1"}} for 1 round.) Large, 3d10+14 bludgeoning plus excruciating bites, Rupture 35

All Creatures in "Dragon"

Dragon

All dragons across the galaxy are fierce, cunning, and strongly connected to magic. Many dragons, especially those who trace their lineage to pre-Gap worlds, are confined to the planets where they’re born and live their long lives without ever traveling to other worlds. Spacefaring people have had increasingly frequent encounters with creatures once known as “outer dragons,” those who can travel through the vastness of space. Now, most people simply call them “dragons,” though dragons who aren’t native to the planet they’re visiting (or invading) might be called “alien dragons” by the people contending with them. Whatever their origin, these alien dragons, like others who have existed for millennia, grow in size, strength, willpower, and magical might as they age.

Draconic Spellcasters

To make a dragon spellcaster, remove the dragon's Draconic Frenzy and draconic momentum abilities, and give them the spells outlined in their associated sidebar. You can swap out any number of these spells with others on a one-for-one basis. You might also increase the dragon's Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma modifier by 1 or 2 to reflect their mastery of magic.

Shape-Changing Dragons

Though it's uncommon, some dragons can take humanoid forms. They gain the following ability.
Change Shape [one-action] (concentrate, polymorph) The dragon takes on the appearance of any Small or Medium humanoid. This doesn't change their Speed or attack and damage bonuses with their Strikes but might change the damage type their Strikes deal (typically to bludgeoning).

Host Dragon Spellcasters

Host dragon spellcasters tend to cast the following spells.

Young Host Dragon

Primal Prepared Spells DC 23, attack +15; 3rd earthbind, life seal, wall of wind; 2nd entangling flora, environmental endurance, speak with animals, water breathing; 1st ant haul, detect poison, fear; Cantrips (3rd) caustic blast, detect magic, seek the stars, stumble, tangle vine

Adult Host Dragon

Primal Prepared Spells DC 26, attack +18; as young host dragon, plus 5th carcinization, toxic cloud, wall of stone; 4th unfettered movement; Cantrips (5th) caustic blast, detect magic, seek the stars, stumble, tangle vine

Ancient Host Dragon

Primal Prepared Spells DC 34, attack +26; as adult host dragon, plus 7th energy aegis, regenerate, root of all pain; 6th field of life; Cantrips (7th) caustic blast, detect magic, seek the stars, stumble, tangle vine

Host Dragon Lairs

These dragons prefer homes that give comfort to the insects that live in their bodies—anywhere dark, underground, and far from danger. At unpredictable times in their lives, they permanently abandon their lairs, leaving millions of tiny husks behind and seeking shelter in a new region or on another unfortunate planet nearby. What drives this behavior is unknown.