2.7 KiB
type, role, location, alignment, race
| type | role | location | alignment | race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npc | Traitor Dragon Lord | Ashveil Caldera / Citadel of Sundering | Chaotic Evil | Ancient Red Dragon |
Morgra, the Ashen Matron
Appearance
An immense ancient red dragon whose crimson scales are veined with black, like cooling magma. Her horns sweep back in a crown-like formation, and a permanent haze of heat shimmers around her. In humanoid form, she appears as a regal woman in her 40s with copper-red hair, black nails like talons, and eyes that literally smolder.
Personality
- Arrogant — believes dragons are the rightful rulers of Aethrune
- Patient — she has waited millennia; a few more years are nothing
- Cruel — enjoys psychological torment as much as physical
- Charismatic — can sway even other Dragon Lords with her silver tongue
Motivation
"For three thousand years I have guarded a prison I did not build, for mortals who do not deserve our protection, bound by a pact I did not choose. Tell me, little creature — would you not break your chains?"
Role in Campaign
- Arc 3: Sits on the Draconic Court; opposes the party at every turn
- Arc 3 climax: Reveals treachery, attacks the Heart of the Mountain with her brood
- If she escapes (flees at 25% HP), she becomes a boss in Arc 4 Tier 4
Stat Block — Ancient Red Dragon (CR 24)
- HP: 546 | AC: 22 | Speed: 40 ft, climb 40 ft, fly 80 ft
- Standard Ancient Red Dragon stat block (MM p.97) with the following additions:
Seal-Bound Aura (corrupted): Instead of granting resistance to allies, her aura inflicts vulnerability to fire damage to creatures of her choice within 30 ft (DC 21 CHA save each round to resist).
Seal Fracture (Recharge 6, replaced Fire Breath when seal energy is available): 90 ft cone, 26d6 force damage (DC 24 DEX half). This attack cracks seal anchors and cannot be used against other targets.
Legendary Actions (3): Tail Attack, Wing Attack (2 actions), Elemental Roar (3 actions — 60 ft cone, DC 21 CON, 6d6 thunder + deafened for 1 minute).
Tactics
- Opens with Seal Fracture to weaken the party and battlefield simultaneously.
- Uses flight and hit-and-run tactics; never stays in melee for long.
- Prioritizes healers and spellcasters.
- At 25% HP: casts plane shift on herself to escape to the Citadel of Sundering (unless prevented by counterspell or similar magic).
Secrets
- She was in love with Ignivar, the Betrayer — his imprisonment drove her toward the Hand of Ruin.
- She knows the location of all seven seal anchors and has been feeding coordinates to High Pontiff Vosseth for 200 years.
- Her true dragon name — spoken only once in three millennia — means "Ash That Remembers Flame."