Vorpal Dragon (Young)Creature 9
Source Pathfinder Lost Omens Draconic Codex
Perception +18 (darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet)
Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Fey, Talican
Skills Acrobatics +16, Arcana +20, Athletics +20, Diplomacy +16, Intimidation +18, Nature +18
Str +6, Dex +3, Con +4, Int +4, Wis +3, Cha +3
AC 28; Fort +21; Reflex +15; Will +18;
HP 150
Speed 35 feet (fly 100 feet)
Immunities confused, doomed, sleep, paralyzed
Resistances Fire 10
Chin Blade
+21 (+16, +11) to hit (magical, reach 10) 2d8+10 SlashingClaw
+21 (+17, +13) to hit (agile, magical) 2d6+10 SlashingTail
+19 (+14, +9) to hit (magical, reach 15, sweep) 2d12+10 SlashingPinion
+17 (+13, +9) to hit (agile, magical, propulsive, versatile p) 2d8+7 Slashing+2 Status to All Saves vs. ArcaneCutting Rebuke
Trigger A creature within reach of the dragon's chin blade that the dragon can see makes a Strike against the dragon
Effect The dragon makes a chin blade Strike against the triggering creature.
Draconic Frenzy
The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one tail Strike in any order.
Draconic MomentumThe dragon recharges their Feast of Blood whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike.
Feast of Blood (arcane, void)The dragon inhales sharply, pulling blood from wounds and into the dragon's maw. Each creature in a 10-foot emanation takes their current persistent bleed damage plus 6d6 void damage (DC 28 will save). The dragon gains temporary Hit Points equal to half the greatest amount of void damage dealt to a single creature this way. The dragon can't use Feast of Blood again for 1d4 rounds.
Vorpal Binding (arcane)The vorpal dragon beheads its foes—sometimes without killing them. A vorpal dragon's chin blade Strikes count as having the vorpal weapon property rune for the purpose of weaknesses. Whenever the vorpal dragon critically succeeds on a chin blade Strike, it deals an additional 2d6 persistent bleed damage, which can be ended normally.
When a vorpal dragon rolls a natural 20 on a chin blade Strike, the target must attempt a DC 28 fortitude save; this has the incapacitation trait. On a failure, the creature is beheaded. A creature beheaded this way does not automatically die; instead, their head and body live on, disconnected but mystically linked, with the head controlling the body from afar. A beheaded creature is Clumsy 2 and Dazzled as they attempt to coordinate movements from an unusual perspective, or Clumsy 4 and Blinded and Deafened if their head can't perceive their body from its location. These conditions are suppressed if the body holds its head, and don't apply to actions performed exclusively by the head, mind, or voice. If the body is killed, the head can live on, but destroying the head kills the body as well. This effect can be reversed by taking a 2-action activity, which has the manipulate trait, to firmly reattach the severed head to the correct body. Whether attaching the severed head to a different headless body is effective is at the GM's discretion.
Vorpal dragons were not created by some ancient divinity nor born of a specific realm or force. Their birth was an arcane accident, the result of unstoppable magic contacting immovable beast. In unknowable ancient ages, the first jabberwock was wrought by the Eldest and the first vorpal sword was wrought in turn to slay the beast. When that very first blade went snicker-snack for the very first time, tasting the primeval lifeblood of the draconic Tane, the first vorpal dragon was born.
Vorpal dragons are most notorious for their keen vorpal magic. Even the least of these dragons can sever a foe's head in a single lucky stroke. Unusually, however, the subject survives as a bipartite creature: a headless body controlled by a detached head that still thinks and speaks, and which can outlive said body's destruction. It's not uncommon for would-be dragonslayers to be sent home carrying their own heads under one arm as a lesson in humility. The unluckier ones, alas, may be kept as trophies—and, in a very literal sense, conversation pieces—while the dragon devours their greater portion. Some might even wear their favorite severed heads as a macabre necklace.
Traits
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.
ArcaneThis 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.
DragonDragons are reptilian creatures, often winged or with the power of flight. Most can exhale magical energy and are immune to sleep and paralysis.
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.