This small dragon has feathered wings on its forearms and powerful legs it uses to cling to trees.
The jaculus (plural jaculi), is a draconic predator that roams the forest and jungle looking for valuable objects it can add to its hoard. Also called the javelin snake, a jaculus loves shiny or reflective items, and it is clever enough to identify items of real value. It will fight and kill to take items it desires, which it stashes inside hollow trees far from any forest trail.
Leapers. Jaculi are far better jumpers than flyers. They can jump 18 feet horizontally or 12 feet vertically after taking a single 2-foot step. They even climb faster than they fly, so they use their wings to flap clumsily back into the trees only when necessary.
Teamwork Thievery. Jaculi are among the least intelligent of the dragons—but they’re still smarter than most humans, and they’re known to pursue cunning and complicated plots to build their hoards. Many traditional tales tell of jaculi in the southern forests working as teams to separate merchants and other travelers from their wealth, figuring out ways to abscond with gems and jewelry before the owners even know they’ve been robbed. Some jaculi may feign docility or even pretend to be friendly and helpful, but wise travelers know that the creatures drop such ruses as soon as they can steal what they’re really after.
Jaculus
Small dragon, neutral evilArmor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 65 (10d6 + 30)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 10 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 17 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 13 (+1) |
Saving Throws Str +4, Dex +6, Con +5, Wis +3, Cha +3
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +3, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances acid, lightning
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Spearhead. If the jaculus moves at least 10 feet straight toward a target and hits that target with a jaws attack on the same turn, the jaws attack does an extra 4 (1d8) piercing damage.
Actions
Multiattack. The jaculus makes one jaws attack and one claws attack.
Jaws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage.