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Dragon, Cave

Also known as: Purple Dragon

Solitary, territorial dragons dwelling in the deepest caverns with exceptional echolocation abilities

Type: Dragon

Biome: Underdark

Stat Blocks

Basic Fantasy Field Guide Omnibus
Armor Class21
Hit Dice9** (+8)
Number Appearing1, Wild 1, Lair 1d3
Attacks2 claws, 1 bite or breath, 1 tail
Damage1d6 claw, 3d8 bite or Sonic Breath, 1d6 tail
Movement30' Fly 50' (10')
Save AsFighter: 9 (as Hit Dice)
Morale9
XP1225
Treasure TypeH

In the darkness far beneath the earth, the fearsome cave dragons dwell, building their lairs in the deepest of cavern. Only rarely venturing to the surface, their long, sinuous bodies, are well adapted to navigating the narrow tunnels and confined spaces of their subterranean domain. And though they are the slowest fliers among dragons, the exceptional aerial agility developed from having to maneuver through restrictive airspaces filled with obstacles like stalactites and stone columns, makes them perfectly suited to flight in their native domain.

Cave dragon hatchlings have deep purple scales so dark they are almost black, which lighten through violet to indigo as the creature ages, from which they draw their alternate name of purple dragons.

To compensate for their relatively poor eyesight (compared to other dragons,) cave dragons possess an advanced form of echolocation similar to that of bats. This ability allows them to “see” in total darkness, functioning equivalently to darkvision out to 240 feet and even detecting invisible creatures within that range. This echolocation is a lower powered modulation of the cave dragons powerful sonic breath weapon.

Solitary and territorial by nature, cave dragons dwell in the deepest caverns, where they hoard their treasures. As patient hunters, they prefer to ambush their prey in the twisting tunnels surrounding their lairs. Their sonic breath weapon can shatter rock and cause cave-ins, making it particularly dangerous in their underground environment.