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Rune Dragon (Young)Creature 10

Large​Arcane​Dragon​
Source Pathfinder Monster Core 2
Perception +21 (darkvision, magicsense (imprecise) 60 feet, scent (imprecise) 60 feet)
Languages Common, Draconic, Five Additional Common Languages
Skills Lore +21, Lore +23, Acrobatics +19, Arcana +23, Athletics +21, Crafting +21, Diplomacy +18, Performance +20, Society +19, Survival +19
Str +4, Dex +4, Con +5, Int +6, Wis +4, Cha +3
AC 30; Fort +19; Reflex +17; Will +21;
HP 175
Speed 60 feet (fly 100 feet)
Immunities paralyzed, sleep
Claw One Action +22 (+18, +14) to hit (agile, magical) 2d6+10 Slashing
Jaws One Action +22 (+17, +12) to hit (magical, reach 10) 2d6+10 Piercing
Tail One Action +20 (+15, +10) to hit (magical, reach 15) 2d10+10 Bludgeoning
Magic Sense (arcane)

The rune dragon is aware of any active magical abilities and effects within the listed range. When the dragon Seeks, it gains the benefits of a 4th-rank detect magic spell within the listed range (in addition to the normal benefits of Seeking).

Runic Scales

The rune dragon's scales function as runestones. The rune dragon can't use the effects or abilities of the runes etched on its scales, but they can transfer these runes to appropriate objects. Transferring a rune to or from an item in this way requires 1 minute, during which the dragon is Off-Guard. The process is automatic and doesn't require a check, but if the dragon stops or is interrupted in this process, the rune is destroyed. A rune dragon can have any number of runes etched on its scales, though they typically have only a handful of runes etched on their scales at a time.

+2 Status to All Saves vs. ArcaneRetributive Rune Reaction

Trigger A creature within 15 feet damages the rune dragon

Effect With a burst of runic magic, the rune dragon uses their detonating rune ability on the triggering creature and immediately causes the rune to detonate if it didn't automatically do so.

Detonating Rune

The rune dragon's Strikes and abilities can leave a detonating rune on their targets. If a creature would receive a detonating rune while they already have one, instead of adding another rune, their current detonating rune activates, dealing 4d6 untyped damage to the target and expending the rune. The detonating rune's damage type matches the dragon's current Shifting Rune. A creature can use an Interact action to remove the rune. Detonating runes fade after 1 minute if not detonated.

Draconic Frenzy Two Actions

The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one tail Strike in any order.

Draconic Momentum

The dragon recharges their Runic Breath whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike.

Runic Breath Two Actions (arcane)

The dragon launches hundreds of exploding runes that detonate upon impact, dealing 9d6 untyped damage in a 30-foot cone (DC 29 reflex save). The damage type of this ability is determined by Shifting Rune. Creatures who fail the save are also affected by detonating rune. The dragon can't use Runic Breath again for 1d4 rounds.

Shifting Runes One Action

The rune dragon chooses between acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage. The runes etched upon the dragon shift, forming runes of that energy on its scales. The dragon gains immunity to that damage type, and their detonating runes and Runic Breath deal that damage type. Anyone trained in Arcana can immediately recognize the energy type of the etched rune without a check.

Push 10 feet One Action

Requirements The monster's last action was a successful Strike that lists Push in its damage entry

Effect The monster attempts to [/act shove] the creature. This attempt neither applies nor counts toward the monster's multiple attack penalty. If Push lists a distance, change the distance the creature is pushed on a success to that distance.

Rune dragons have an innate insight on the power of runes. Most rune dragons keep a variety of runes etched on their scales, which their bodies can magically empower. They typically don't cast spells themselves, instead relying on their ability to create runes on the fly to produce desired effects. A rune dragon often refers to their hoard as their library, as it's full of important historical texts, plays, speeches, textbooks, and spellbooks written by people of different cultures in a variety of languages. While they can often speak a language with the aid of magic, they much prefer to learn languages in the context of their speakers so they can grasp the nuances hidden within the syntax and the magic within their symbols.

Traits

Common

Anything that doesn't list another rarity trait (uncommon, rare, or unique) automatically has the common trait. This rarity indicates that an ability, item, or spell is available to all players who meet the prerequisites for it. A creature of this rarity is generally known and can be summoned with the appropriate summon spell.

Arcane

This magic comes from the arcane tradition, which is built on logic and rationality. Anything with this trait is magical. A creature with this trait is primarily constituted of or has a strong connection to arcane magic.

Dragon

Dragons are reptilian creatures, often winged or with the power of flight. Most can exhale magical energy and are immune to sleep and paralysis.