Sparkrender

In recent months, the observatory ruins on Stormwreck Isle have become the home of an arrogant Blue Dragon wyrmling called Sparkrender, a descendant of Runara’s ancient rival. Like his ancestor, Sparkrender seeks to claim the destructive magic that lingers at the site. Like Runara, Sparkrender has recruited Kobolds to join his cause.
About five days before The Party arrived on the island, a Bronze Dragon wyrmling named Aidron left the safety of Dragon’s Rest and Runara’s tutelage and came to the ancient observatory. The two wyrmlings met and immediately clashed. Sparkrender attempted to turn the bronze wyrmling against Runara, but Aidron’s hatred of chromatic dragons was stronger than his disagreement with Runara. Ultimately, Sparkrender overpowered Aidron and imprisoned him in the observatory ruins.
Sparkrender believes Aidron is the key to unlocking the observatory’s magic and claiming his ancestor’s power. With the bronze wyrmling imprisoned, Sparkrender began planning a ritual that will awaken the spirits of all the island’s dead dragons and bind them to his will—at the cost of Aidron’s life.

Sparkrender CR: 3

Medium dragon, lawful evil

Armor Class: 17

Hit Points: 52 (8d8+16)

Speed: 30 ft , fly: 60 ft , burrow: 15 ft , swim: 0 ft , climb: 0 ft

STR

17 +3

DEX

10 +0

CON

15 +2

INT

12 +1

WIS

11 +0

CHA

15 +2

Saving Throws: DEX +2, CON +4, WIS +2, CHA +4

Skills: Perception +4 [1d20+4), Stealth +2 [1d20+2]

Damage Immunities: Lightning

Senses: Blindsight 10 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14

Languages: Draconic

Challenge Rating: 3 ( 700 XP)

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8[1d10+3] piercing damage plus 3 [1d6] lightning damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5–6). The dragon exhales lightning in a 30-­foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22[4d10] lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Vain and territorial, blue dragons soar through the skies over deserts, preying on caravans and plundering herds and settlements in the verdant lands beyond the desert’s reach. These dragons can also be found in dry steppes, searing badlands, and rocky coasts. They guard their territories against all potential competitors, especially brass dragons.
A blue dragon is recognized by its dramatic frilled ears and the massive ridged horn atop its blunt head. Rows of spikes extend back from its nostrils to line its brow, and cluster on its jutting lower jaw.
A blue dragon’s scales vary in color from an iridescent azure to a deep indigo, polished to a glossy finish by the desert sands. As the dragon ages, its scales become thicker and harder, and its hide hums and crackles with static electricity. These effects intensify when the dragon is angry or about to attack, giving off an odor of ozone and dusty air.

Suggested Environments

Desert Predators. Though they sometimes eat cacti and other desert plants to sate their great hunger, blue dragons are carnivores. They prefer to dine on herd animals, cooking those creatures with their lightning breath before gorging themselves. Their dining habits make blue dragons an enormous threat to desert caravans and nomadic tribes, which become convenient collections of food and treasure to a dragon’s eye.
When it hunts, a blue dragon buries itself in the desert sand so that only the horn on its nose pokes above the surface, appearing to be an outcropping of stone. When prey draws near, the dragon rises up, sand pouring from its wings like an avalanche as it attacks.

Related Plots

• Absorbtion Ritual

Ruled Locations

• Clifftop Observatory

Related Historical Events

• 1489 BCE
  Sparkrender Hatches