Xathanon |
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Xathanon has no physical form; it is composed entirely of positive energy. In fact, some say this beast isn't a dragon but rather the physical embodiment of the Positive Energy Plane. When on the Prime, Xathanon resembles a burst of golden energy in the shape of a dragon. Its eyes appear as multicolored, glowing 'crystals'. On the Positive Energy Plane, Xathanon is a formless swirl of positive energy. This dragon can communicate with any sentient object or being via telepathy.
Combat: Xathanon detects evil and often acts outside the boundaries of law, responding swiftly to any perceived threat. In combat, Xathanon is a force of nature. On its native plane (the parenthetical statistics represent the creature's abilities on the Positive Energy Plane), it moves as swiftly as pure energy. Xathanon can travel to any point on the Positive Energy Plane, where it always strikes first in combat. On the Positive Plane, this creature has one mode of attack: a blast of pure positive energy. Any creature struck by such a blast suffers 6d10 points of damage. In addition, the creature must make a saving throw vs. death magic or explode into millions of particles of positive energy.
On the Prime, Xathanon uses traditional draconic melee attacks. Its deadly 'claws' inflict 3d4 points of damage each, and its razor sharp 'teeth' inflict 5d6 points of damage. Xathanon can also strike opponents with its tail for 3d8 points of damage. All undead creatures - and beings from the Negative Energy Plane - suffer triple damage from these attacks.
While on the Prime Material Plane, Xathanon can breathe a stream of pure positive energy 45 feet long and 10 feet wide. This breath weapon acts as a resurrection, heal, and restoration spell on Good-aligned creatures. In addition, the energy destroys (as the clerical turning effect of the same name) any undead or negative energy being of fewer than 10 Hit Dice. Such creatures with more than 10 Hit Dice must make a saving throw vs. death magic (with a -2 penalty) to survive. Creatures that save still suffer 8d8 points of damage.
Finally, Xathanon can plane shift at will.
Habitat/Society: Formed by Bahamut from the essence of the Positive Plane, Xathanon serves Draco Paladin unswervingly. However, Xathanon rarely attends the Draconic Court on Mount Celestia, preferring the pulsing depths of the Positive Material Plane. Despite its seeming isolation, Xathanon keeps a close watch over the events unfolding in the multiverse. This dragon is 100% likely to answer a summons from Bahamut or one of Bahamut's children.
Xathanon follows the exploits of certain heroes, and it might (15% chance) come to the aid of one of its 'chosen'. When on the Prime Material Plane, Xathanon can fuse its essence to the corporeal form of a Good-aligned character. Filled with the power of the Positive Material Plane, the hero transforms into a gold dragon, receiving all of the benefits and powers (including AC, hit points, physical attacks, innate abilities, etc.) of a Great Wyrm of that species. Note that heroes retain their personalities during the transformation, and they need not make a System Shock roll. The change lasts one hour for every level of the hero. Afterward, Xathanon must immediately return to the Positive Energy Plane to recuperate for no less than 10 hours.
Xathanon holds a special hatred of Dhrakoth. The two have never met in combat, and some say that, if such a battle were to occur, the very fabric of the multiverse might tear under the opposing forces of positive and negative energy.
Ecology: As a creature composed of pure energy, Xathanon does not require physical sustenance. It is not known whether this dragon must return to the Positive Energy Plane on a regular basis - except after infusing mortal heroes with its essence.