Gold Dragon
The most powerful and majestic of the metallic dragons, gold dragons are dedicated foes of evil.
A gold dragon has a sagacious face anointed with flexible spines that resemble whiskers. Its horns sweep back from its nose and brow, echoing twin frills that adorn its long neck. A gold dragon's sail-like wings start at its shoulders and trace down to the tip of its tail, letting it fly with a distinctive rippling motion as if swimming through the air. A gold dragon wyrmling has scales of dark yellow with metallic flecks. Those flecks grow larger as the dragon matures. As a gold dragon ages, its pupils fade until its eyes resemble pools of molten gold.
For basic lore see Chromatic Dragons
Ancient Gold Dragon
Gargantuan dragon, lawful good
| Attribute | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 30 | 14 | 29 | 18 | 17 | 28 |
| Modifier | +10 | +2 | +9 | +4 | +3 | +9 |
Armor Class: 22 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 546 (28d20 + 252)
Speed: 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
Saving Throws: Dex +9, Con +16, Wis +10, Cha +16
Skills: Insight +10, Perception +17, Persuasion +16, Stealth +9
Damage Immunities: fire
Senses: blindsight 60ft., darkvision 120ft., passive Perception 27
Languages: Common, Draconic
Challenge: 24 (36,500)
Amphibious: The dragon can breathe air and water.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day): If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack: The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage.
Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) slashing damage.
Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence: Each creature of the dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 24 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 Weapons (Recharge 5-6): The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
Fire Breath: The dragon exhales fire in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 71 (13d10) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Weakening Breath: The dragon exhales gas in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 24 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on Strength-based attack rolls, Strength checks, and Strength saving throws 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.
Change Shape: The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon's choice).
In a new form, the dragon retains its alignment, hit points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, proficiencies, Legendary Resistance, lair actions, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form, except any class features or legendary actions of that form.
Legendary Actions
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option 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 dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack: The dragon makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions): The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Adult Gold Dragon
Huge dragon, Lawful good
| Attribute | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 27 | 14 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 24 |
| Modifier | +8 | +2 | +7 | +3 | +2 | +7 |
Armor Class: 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 256 (19d12 + 133)
Speed: 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
Saving Throws: Dex +8, Con +13, Wis +8, Cha +13
Skills: Insight +8, Perception +14, Persuasion +13, Stealth +8
Damage Immunities: fire
Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 24
Languages: Common, Draconic
Challenge: 17 (18,000)
Legendary Resistance (3/Day): If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack: The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 8) piercing damage.
Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage.
Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence: Each creature of the dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it 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 the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6): The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
Fire Breath: The dragon exhales fire in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 66 (12d10) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Weakening Breath: The dragon exhales gas in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 21 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on Strength-based attack rolls, Strength checks, and Strength saving throws 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.
Change Shape: The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon's choice).
In a new form, the dragon retains its alignment, hit points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, proficiencies, Legendary Resistance, lair actions, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form, except any class features or legendary actions of that form.
Legendary Actions
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option 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 dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack: The dragon makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions): The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Young Gold Dragon
Large dragon, lawful good
| Attribute | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 21 | 10 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 17 |
| Modifier | +5 | +0 | +4 | +2 | +1 | +3 |
Armor Class: 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 152 (16d10 + 64)
Speed: 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., fly 80 ft.
Saving Throws: Dex +4, Con +8, Wis +5, Cha +7
Skills: Perception +9, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities: lightning
Senses: blindsight 30ft., darkvision 120ft., passive Perception 19
Languages: Common, Draconic
Challenge: 9 (5,000)
Actions
Multiattack: The dragon makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 5 (ld10) lightning damage.
Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6): The dragon exhales lightning in an 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Gold Dragon Wyrmling
Medium dragon, lawful good
| Attribute | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 19 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 16 |
| Modifier | +4 | +2 | +3 | +2 | +0 | +3 |
Armor Class: 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 60 (8d8 + 24)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 60 ft., swim 30 ft.
Saving Throws: DEX +4, CON +5, WIS +2, CHA +5
Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities: fire
Senses: blindsight 10ft., darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 14
Languages: Draconic
Challenge: 3 (700)
Proficiency Bonus: +2
Amphibious: The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6): The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
Fire Breath: The dragon exhales fire in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Weakening Breath: The dragon exhales gas in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or have disadvantage on Strength-based attack rolls, Strength checks, and Strength saving throws 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.
Devourer of Wealth
Gold dragons can eat just about anything, but their preferred diet consists of pearls and gems. Thankfully, a gold dragon doesn't need to gorge itself on such wealth to feel satisfied. Gifts of treasure that it can consume are well received by a gold dragon, as long as they aren't bribes.
Reserved Shapeshifters
Gold dragons are respected by the other metallic dragons for their wisdom and fairness, but they are the most aloof and grim of the good-aligned dragons. They value their privacy to the extent that they rarely fraternize with other dragons except their own mates and offspring.
Older gold dragons can assume animal and humanoid forms. Rarely does a gold dragon in disguise reveal its true form. In the guise of a peddler, it might regularly visit a town to catch up on local gossip, patronize honest businesses, and lend a helping hand in unseen ways. In the guise of an animal, the dragon might befriend a lost child, a wandering minstrel, or an innkeeper, serving as a companion for days or weeks on end.
Master Hoarders
A gold dragon keeps its hoard in a well-guarded vault deep within its lair. Magical wards placed on the vault make it all but impossible to remove any treasures without the dragon knowing about it.
A Gold Dragon's Lair
Gold dragons make their homes in out-of-the-way places, where they can do as they please without arousing suspicion or fear. Most dwell near idyllic lakes and rivers, mist-shrouded islands, cave complexes hidden behind sparkling waterfalls, or ancient ruins.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the dragon can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:
- The dragon glimpses the future, so it has advantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws until initiative count 20 on the next round.
- One creature the dragon can see within 120 feet of it must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be banished to a dream plane, a different plane of existence the dragon has imagined into being. To escape, the creature must use its action to make a Charisma check contested by the dragon's. If the creature wins, it escapes the dream plane. Otherwise, the effect ends on initiative count 20 on the next round. When the effect ends, the creature reappears in the space it left or in the nearest unoccupied space if that one is occupied.
Reginal Effects
The region containing a legendary gold dragon's lair is warped by the dragon's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:
- Whenever a creature that can understand a language sleeps or enters a state of trance or reverie within 6 miles of the dragon's lair, the dragon can establish telepathic contact with that creature and converse with it in its dreams. The creature remembers its conversation with the dragon upon waking.
- Banks of beautiful, opalescent mist manifest within 6 miles of the dragon's lair. The mist doesn't obscure anything. It assumes haunting forms when ev.il creatures are near the dragon or other non-evil cn attires in the mist, warning such creatures of the danger.
- Gems and pearls within 1 mile of the dragon's lair sparkle and gleam, shedding dim light in a 5-foot radius.
If the dragon dies, these effects end immediately.