The thin, serpentine body of a drake unfolds as its scales slowly shift in a menagerie of changing colors. Its head rears back as veiny frills extend, black bile dripping from its gaping maw.
Venom drakes are venomous jungle-dwelling predators that use their natural camouflage to ambush and hunt prey.
Camouflaged Hunter. The drake can change the colors of its scales providing it with the camouflage and helping it hunt in a multitude of environments. It is most commonly found in tropical rainforests, but it can also make its home in more temperate forests. Venom drakes claiming hunting territory in mountainous forests is less common.
Crippling Venom. The venom drake’s venom is unique, causing hyperactivity in a creature’s nerve endings. Survivors have reported increased tactile senses, to the point of feeling pain from any touch.
Venom Drake
Large Dragon, Chaotic EvilArmor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 142 (15d10 + 60)
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 10 (+0) | 16 (+3) | 6 (-2) |
Saving Throws Con +7, Dex +6
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +6
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Draconic
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Aching Venom. The venom drake produces a potent poison that causes its victims to feel pain from even the most benign contact, leaving them aching from the weight of their clothing or sore after a simple sword swing. When a creature that succumbs to this poison takes bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, it must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be incapacitated until the end of its next turn as pain fills its body. This potent poison remains within the creature’s body until removed by the greater restoration spell or similar magic or until the creature finishes a long rest.
Keen Smell. The venom drake has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Shifting Camouflage. The venom drake’s scales adapt to its current surroundings. The drake has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in nonmagical, natural terrain.
Actions
Multiattack. The venom drake makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks or three Spit Venom attacks. If the drake hits one creature with two Spit Venom attacks, the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or succumb to the drake’s venom (see the Aching Venom trait).
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 13 (3d8) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or succumb to the drake’s venom (see the Aching Venom trait).
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Spit Venom. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d8 + 3) poison damage.
Venom Breath (Recharge 5–6). The venom drake spits venom in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 36 (8d8) poison damage and succumbs to the drake’s venom (see the Aching Venom trait). On a success, a creature takes half the damage and doesn’t succumb to the venom.