Drake, Rift
Horns jut from this muscular dragon's beaked head, and spikes cover the dragon's hide even in places on its winged arms.
Drake, Rift (CR 9)
Large Dragon (Earth)Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Initiative: +7
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +14
Speed: 30 feet, Climb 20 feet, Fly 60 feet (average)
Space: 10 feet
Defense
Armor Class: 23, touch 12, flat-footed 20 (+3 Dex, +11 natural, -1 size)Hit Points: 126 (11d12+55)
Saving Throws: Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +8
Immunity: paralysis, sleep
Energy Resistance: acid 30
Offense
Melee: bite +18 (2d8+10/19-20 plus bleed), tail slap +12 (1d10+3 plus Trip)Reach: 10 feet
Special Attacks: Bleed (1d6), clinging corrosion, Pounce, savage bite
Statistics
| Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 (+7) | 17 (+3) | 20 (+5) | 8 (-1) | 12 (+1) | 11 (+0) |
CMB +19
CMD 32
Feats: Bleeding Critical, Critical Focus, Fly-by Attack, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills: Climb +15, Fly +14, Intimidate +12, Perception +14, Sense Motive +11, Stealth +12, Survival +13
Languages: Draconic
Special Qualities: speed surge
Special Abilities
Clinging Corrosion (Su)
As a standard action, a rift drake can spit a ball of caustic gas that bursts into a cloud upon impact. This attack has a range of 60 feet and deals 5d10 points of acid damage to all creatures within the resulting 15-foot-radius spread. Additionally, any creature damaged by this attack is affected as though by the spell slow for 1d4 rounds. A successful DC 20 Reflex save halves the damage and negates the slowing effect. Once a rift drake uses its breath weapon, it cannot do so again for 1d6 rounds. The save DC is Constitution-based.Savage Bite (Ex)
A rift drake applies 1-1/2 times its Strength bonus to damage dealt with its bite attack, and it threatens a critical hit on a 19-20.Speed Surge (Ex)
Three times per day as a swift action, a rift drake can draw on its draconic heritage for a boost of strength and speed that allows it to take an additional move action that round.Ecology
Environment: Warm Hills or MountainsOrganization: solitary, pair, or rampage (3-12)
Treasure: standard
Creatures of the badlands and regions scarred by the gods, rift drakes are as savage and brutal as the lands they hunt. Their strength and savagery often make them seem like mere deadly beasts, but rift drakes simply delight in battle more than most drakes, frequently clashing even with other members of their own kind. They rarely deign to talk with other creatures, often doing so only as a cruel game in which they make more and more outrageous demands until their victims realize the drakes are toying with them or the manipulative drakes grow bored.
A rift drake rarely stays on land for long, preferring to circle high above near ominous peaks or spires and roosting in the crevices of the same. When a rift drake spies prey from such heights, it breaks from its flight to dive onto victims, scattering groups and sowing terror with its sudden emergence. With particularly agile foes, a rift drake will use its breath to slow victims first, then pick them off one by one. Rift drakes enjoy the taste of blood, and focus their attacks on the fleshiest-looking creatures.
A rift drake is around 14 feet long, end to end. Its burly, spiky body weighs about 2,500 pounds.