Dragon Hatchery

In the dragon life cycle, eggs and hatchlings are the least witnessed by non-dragons and non-kobolds. A typical clutch of surviving eggs is five to ten hatchlings who are protected by their parents or older siblings. However some, such as conspirator and diabolic dragons, are left to their own and only the strongest or most cunning survive.

With soft scales for the first months – even years or decades in some cases – of their lives, dragon hatchlings are vulnerable to threats, including parasites that feed on their eggs or burrow into their scales. Luckily, a species of tiny reptiles feed on these parasites and other small predators that eat dragon eggs. These dragonlets are affected by the innate draconic magic within lairs and hatcheries, allowing them to survive in otherwise inhospitable environments.

Dragon Hatchling Adjustments

You can turn an existing, living dragon – young, if applicable – into a hatchling by completing the following steps. Divide the creature's level by 2 (rounded down) and change its statistics as follows.

• Decrease the creature's size by two sizes.
• Decrease the creature's Intelligence modifier to –3. Decrease the creature's Dexterity modifier by 3 to a minimum of 0. Decrease all other attribute modifiers by 3 to a minimum of -3.
• If the creature knows any languages, remove all except Draconic.
• Remove the creature’s Intelligence-based skills. Halve all other skill bonuses.
• If the creature has a bonus to specific saves, reduce the bonus by 1. If the creature has any resistances or weaknesses, use the minimum value for its new level.
• Decrease the creature’s HP and any regeneration by half, rounding to the nearest whole number.
• Use the low value for the creature’s AC, and Will saving throw; the high value for attack bonuses and Strike damage for jaws and ranged Strikes, and Reflex saving throw; and the moderate value for the Perception modifier, attack bonuses and Strike damage for all other Strikes, and Fortitude saving throw. Reduce bonus damage on Strikes by one die size.
• Decrease the reach of all its Strikes by 10 feet, and halve the range of its ranged Strikes.
• Decrease the creature’s speeds and special senses by half, rounding to the nearest 5 feet.
• If the creature has the Draconic Frenzy or Draconic Momentum ability, remove them.
• If the creature knows any spells, remove any spells of rank 1 or higher. Use the moderate value for its spell DC and spell attack modifier.
• Use the high value for the creature’s breath weapon DC, and halve its range and size (rounded to the nearest 5 feet). Use the limited area damage for its new level.
• Use the moderate value for the DCs and damage of the creature's remaining abilities. Halve the range and size of all auras and abilities.

Dragon Hatchling Abilities

Dragon hatchlings gain one ability from the list below. You can add more than one ability if you wish to make an especially flavourful hatchling, but you might need to weaken it in some other way to avoid making it too powerful.

Defensive Display Feeling threatened, the dragon hatchling hisses, puffs up, or whips its tail aggressively. The hatchling attempts to Demoralize all creatures in a 10-foot emanation, using the high value for its Intimidation check.

Egg Tooth If the dragon hatchling is especially young, it may still have its egg tooth. It gains an egg tooth Strike (an unarmed attack that deals slashing damage). The damage amount should be the same as the creature's non-agile attacks.

Environmental Instincts The dragon hatchling’s burrow, climb, or swim speed increases by 5 feet. Depending on its environment, this may give it a speed that it loses as it grows into a young dragon.

Run and Hide Requirement The dragon hatchling is in its parent’s lair or hatchery; Effect The dragon hatchling Strides its speed and then attempts to Hide. The hatchling can Hide without cover.

Soft Bones The dragon hatchling is able to move through spaces one size smaller than itself without having to Squeeze.

Swallow Whole (attack) Frequency Once per day; Requirement The dragon hatchling’s last action was a successful bite or jaws Strike against a Tiny creature or a creature at least two sizes smaller than the hatchling. Effect The hatchling is able to use swallow whole even if it has not grabbed or restrained the creature in its jaws or mouth.