Sky Archdragon (Spellcaster)Creature 21
Source Pathfinder Lost Omens Draconic Codex
Perception +38 (darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet, mist vision)
Languages Common, Diabolic, Draconic, Empyrean, Sussuran, Talican
Skills Acrobatics +35, Athletics +39, Deception +34, Intimidation +39, Religion +40, Society +34, Stealth +34, Survival +33
Str +9, Dex +4, Con +5, Int +4, Wis +6, Cha +6
AC 46; Fort +35; Reflex +33; Will +39; +2 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 400
Speed 75 feet (fly 175 feet)
Immunities electricity, paralyzed, sleep
Jaws
+39 (+34, +29) to hit (electricity, magical, reach 25, unarmed) 4d10+18 Piercing + 3d12 ElectricityClaw
+39 (+35, +31) to hit (agile, magical, reach 20, unarmed) 4d8+18 SlashingTail
+37 (+32, +27) to hit (magical, reach 40, unarmed) 4d12+18 BludgeoningMist Vision
Fog and mist don't impair a sky dragon's vision; they ignore the Concealed condition from fog and mist.
+2 Status to All Saves vs. MagicCountered by FireIf the sky dragon takes fire damage, the elemental magic of metal within them is tempered. Until the end of their next turn, they take a –1 circumstance penalty to attack rolls and AC, and their jaws Strikes don't deal electricity damage. This limitation ends if the dragon uses Steel Lightning Breath.
Effect: Countered by Fire
Fed by Earth (divine)When a sky dragon is targeted by an earth spell or effect, they crystallize the minerals in their scales to create a light-bending or light-scattering layer for camouflage. For 1 minute, the dragon is Concealed while flying.
Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental)90 feet. DC 42 will
A creature that first enters the area must attempt a Will save.
Regardless of the result of the saving throw, the creature is temporarily immune to this monster's Frightful Presence for 1 minute.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected by the presence.
Success The creature is Frightened 1.
Failure The creature is Frightened 2.
Critical Failure The creature is Frightened 4.
Divine Lightning (divine, holy)Requirements The dragon worships a deity whose sanctification entry lists "holy"
Effect The sky dragon channels divine power through its attacks, making them more effective against the unholy. Any electricity damage it deals becomes spirit damage against unholy creatures.
Greater Constrict(4d10+10) bludgeoning, DC 44 fortitude
The monster deals the listed amount of damage to any number of creatures Grabbed or Restrained by it. Each of those creatures can attempt a basic Fortitude save with the listed DC. A creature that fails this save falls Unconscious, and a creature that succeeds is then temporarily immune to falling unconscious from Greater Constrict for 1 minute.
Metallic StrikesThe sky archdragon's jaws and claw Strikes counts as any metal for the purposes of calculating immunities, resistances, and weaknesses.
Perfected FlightA sky dragon can hover in place without spending an action, and they automatically succeed at all Acrobatics checks to Maneuver in Flight.
Steel Lightning Breath
(divine, electricity)The dragon shoots a ball of electricity that deals 12d12 electricity damage in a 40-foot burst within 75 feet (DC 44 reflex save). They can't use Steel Lightning Breath again for 1d4 rounds.
Stunning Electricity (divine, electricity, incapacitation)The dragon rapidly coils, then unleashes crackling lightning that deals 5d12 electricity damage in a 60-foot emanation. Each creature in the area must attempt a DC 44 fortitude save; regardless of the outcome, the creature then becomes temporarily immune for 10 minutes.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage and is Stunned 1.
Failure The creature takes full damage, is stunned for 1 round, and can't fly for 4 rounds.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage, is stunned for 2 rounds, and can't fly for 1 minute.
Divine Prepared Spells (DC 44, +36 to hit)
Cantrips (10th Level): Detect Magic, Divine Lance, Read Aura, Shield, Stabilize
1st Level: Alarm, Bless, Sanctuary
2nd Level: Augury, Create Food, Dispel Magic, Translate
3rd Level: Dream Message, Heroism, Locate
4th Level: Divine Wrath, Read Omens
5th Level: Banishment, Scouting Eye, Truespeech
6th Level: Blessed Boundary, Spirit Blast, Truesight
7th Level: Divine Decree, Energy Aegis, Interplanar Teleport, Sunburst
8th Level: Canticle of Everlasting Grief, Pinpoint
9th Level: Falling Stars, Wrathful Storm
10th Level: Cataclysm, Gate
1st Level: Gentle Landing, Gust of Wind
2nd Level: Invisibility
4th Level: Vapor Form
5th Level: Truespeech
Rituals
Consecrate, Collective Memories
When the imperial dragons first arrived in the Universe, each was well-attuned to the elemental planes they hailed from. As the war between the Elemental Lords raged on and the benevolent lords fell one by one, the Planes of Metal and Wood sealed themselves away. For the dragons who originated from the Corroded Core, their very existence was now at stake. These dragons flew from mountaintop to mountaintop, seeking refuge from the then-perilous Tian Xia overrun by warring yaoguai. Finally, upon the mountain peaks of Chenlun, Gossamer, Kelsang, Kimu, Kullan, Kyojin, and the Wall of Heaven, celestial beings answered the dragons' cries for help. What the dragons no longer had in elemental metal, these celestials provided through divine blessings and essence. With their nature changed, the dragons as a species survived. In time, their proximity to the sky and the deities they serve became their namesake. Their past as elemental metal dragons became but a faded memory and creation myth for all but the sky dragons themselves to remember.
The sky dragons proved their gratitude with eternal service. Some became infused with the planar energies of the gods they served, becoming massive and powerful; many were among the progenitors of the modern empyreal dragon. Others stayed in the Universe, practicing their faith and perfecting the divine arts over life and spirit. Rare indeed are sky dragons who strike out on their own, wielding non-divine powers on missions unrelated to a greater will. The few who do retain much of their reclusive and contemplative nature, at least during their younger years.
With the recent return of the Plane of Metal, there have been careful inquiries about sky dragons' connection to that plane. Some wonder if they might find surviving distant relations. These inquiries are not out of curiosity, but need. While being empowered by celestial beings gave the sky dragons the power to defend themselves, it didn't solve the issue of elemental deficiency. Worse, the deficiency continues despite the Corroded Core's return. Sky dragon hatchlings, from eggs or live birth, are born vulnerable, with only patches of scales or none at all. Even with exposure to large deposits of mineral or salt veins (which serve as magnets and reservoirs for elemental metal energy), it can take decades before a hatchling's scales toughen to the point that they have adequate protection to leave the lair. If the Plane of Metal has an answer to this issue—either locations that might serve as a safe birthing or hatching grounds or a way to restore the dragon's ability to absorb ambient elemental energy—it's of utmost importance that all sky dragons learn of the method and opportunity.
Traits
This rarity indicates that a rules element is very difficult to find in the game world. A rare feat, spell, item or the like is available to players only if the GM decides to include it in the game, typically through discovery during play. Creatures with this trait are rare. They typically can't be summoned. The DC of Recall Knowledge checks related to these creatures is increased by 5.
DivineThis magic comes from the divine tradition, drawing power from deities or similar sources. Anything with this trait is magical. A creature with this trait is primarily constituted of or has a strong connection to divine magic.
DragonDragons are reptilian creatures, often winged or with the power of flight. Most can exhale magical energy and are immune to sleep and paralysis.
ElectricityEffects with this trait deal electricity damage. A creature with this trait has a magical connection to electricity.
MetalEffects with the metal trait conjure or manipulate metal. Those that manipulate metal have no effect in an area without metal. Creatures with this trait consist primarily of metal or have a connection to magical metal.