Appearing as a well-muscled humanoid with the lower body of a serpent, this hideous yet strangely majestic creature is covered in thick, golden scales. A flaming emerald crest frames its bestial face, and it holds a red-hot trident in its hands.
Salamander Kings and Queens. Salamanders rule over vast swaths of the Elemental Plane of Fire, contesting with the efreeti and azers for dominion over the region. Leading the race in their plans of conquest and violence are the salamander monarchs, powerful sovereigns that appear similar to normal salamanders but have thick, golden scales and flaming crests upon their heads: emerald for females and azure for males. Both sexes are treated equally in salamander society, though female salamander monarchs are more common and are responsible for ensuring the survival of the salamander race.
Symbols of Adoration. Despite their impulsive natures, salamanders never willingly disobey the commands of a salamander monarch, and most are willing to lay down their lives for one if the need arises. This conditioning is bred into salamanders from birth, and much of their society is built on it.
Salamander Monarch
Large elemental, neutral evilArmor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 161 (17d10 + 68)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 18 (+4) | 18 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws Con +9, Wis +7
Skills Arcana +7, Intimidation +9
Damage Vulnerabilities cold
Damage Immunities fire; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Senses darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Ignan, Infernal
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Heated Body. A creature that touches the salamander monarch or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 14 (4d6) fire damage.
Heated Weapons. Any metal melee weapon the salamander monarch wields deals an extra 7 (2d6) fire damage on a hit (included in the attack).
Inspiring Sovereign. Each salamander within 30 feet of the salamander monarch and that can see the monarch has advantage on its melee attack rolls and saving throws.
Innate Spellcasting. The salamander monarch’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
3/day: flaming sphere, heat metal
1/day: conjure elemental (fire elemental only)
Actions
Multiattack. The salamander monarch makes two attacks: one with its trident and one with its tail.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) fire damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 18). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, the salamander monarch can automatically hit the target with its tail, and the salamander monarch can’t make tail attacks against other targets.
Trident. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage or 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack, plus 7 (2d6) fire damage.
Immolating Crest (Recharge 6). The salamander monarch causes its crest to flare with brilliant radiance, illuminating everything within 30 feet of it with a blue or green light. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 28 (8d6) fire damage and catches on fire. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and doesn’t catch on fire. Until a creature on fire takes an action to douse the fire, the creature takes 7 (2d6) fire damage at the start of each of its turns.