Bitterstrike

With the Barrowhaunts finished, it’s time to explore the next faction within Threats to the Nentir Vale.

Bitterstrike is a powerful white dragon that is constantly building her army of subjects and vassals to hold power over the region. Decades ago she treated the people of the Vale as her meals, uncaring of what they may do to protest, but a powerful warrior finally fought back and severely wounded the dragon in a single strike, gouging out her eye with his pick. She fled, evading the area for three full decades as she waited out the short, pitiful life of the human who dared stand up to her.

In her time away, Bitterstrike did what few white dragons do: she learned more than wanton destruction and short-sighted anger. She unlocked some of her magical bloodline for powerful magic, both that which she could unleash upon others and some to augment herself. She can now impose her will upon others with a powerful geas that freezes their blood, binding them to her will and also leaving them vulnerable to her if they should even think to betray her.

Originally from the 4e Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale. This post came out a week ago on my Patreon. If you want to get access to all my monster conversions early, as well as a spot on the Paper and Dice Discord server, consider backing me there!

5th Edition

Yet despite her power, Bitterstrike is still a young dragon. Nearly having reached full dragon adulthood, she’s barely in the Large size category anymore and within another decade will reach full adulthood. Even then however, she could stand toe-to-toe with many of her elders due to the powerful magical rituals she’s cast upon herself, allowing her powerful breath weapon to harm even creatures of pure ice.

Bitterstrike
Large dragon, chaotic evil
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 157 (15d10 + 75)
Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
Str 21 (+5) Dex 10 (+0) Con 20 (+5) Int 10 (+0) Wis 15 (+2) Cha 16 (+3)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +9, Wis +6, Cha +7
Skills Intimidation +7, Perception +10
Damage Immunities cold
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 12 (8400 XP)
Action Recovery. If Bitterstrike is charmed, frightened, or stunned at the end of her turn, she can expend all her Legendary Actions to end the effect.
Deep Cold. Cold damage dealt by Bitterstrike ignores resistance, and creatures immune to cold damage take half as much damage instead of no damage (as though they had resistance).
Ice Walk. Bitterstrike can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn’t cost her extra movement.
Legendary Resistance (2/Day). If Bitterstrike fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Vassals. Any creature that Bitterstrike casts geas on gains immunity to cold damage for as long as the spell remains on it, except for cold damage dealt by Bitterstrike. The creature is instead vulnerable to cold damage dealt by Bitterstrike. Additionally, the creature gains the ability to cast hellish rebuke as a first level spell once per day, dealing cold damage instead of fire damage. The creature’s spellcasting ability score for this spell is Charisma.
Innate Spellcasting. Bitterstrike’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
1/day: hellish rebuke (deals cold damage instead of fire)
1/week: geas (as 7th level spell)
Actions
Multiattack. Bitterstrike can use her Frightful Presence. She then makes three attacks: one with her bite and two with her claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10+5) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) cold damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8+5) bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of Bitterstrike’s choice that is within 120 feet of her and aware of her must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to Bitterstrike’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Deep Cold Breath (Recharge 5-6). Bitterstrike exhales an icy blast in a 45-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the target takes 49 (11d8) cold damage and is restrained by ice. As an action, a creature within reach can make a DC 15 Strength check, breaking the ice on a success. The ice can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 15; hp 25; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to cold, poison, and psychic damage).
If the saving throw is successful, the target takes half as much cold damage and is not restrained.
Legendary Actions
Bitterstrike can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Bitterstrike regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. Bitterstrike makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. Bitterstrike makes a tail attack.
Rampage (Costs 2 Actions). Bitterstrike can move up to her speed. Each time Bitterstrike moves within 5 feet of a creature for the first time during this movement, she can make a claw attack against that creature.

13th Age

The white dragons have been in decline since the defeat and death of the White. The magical influence an Icon has over its people wanes, causing white dragons to become more simple and bestial compared to other dragons. Bitterstrike thinks she can prevent that, and with the powers she’s unlocked she has become greater than any other white dragon in the present age. With her vassals and her personal strength, surely she can rise up to become a new White, joining the council of chromatic dragons once again so that they may become the Four.

As with all dragons, Bitterstrike has the Escalator and Flight special rules. She actually already has the equivalent of two dragon special abilities (7 on the chart, free use of her breath weapon when staggered, and 14, One Unique Thing), but don’t let that stop you from rolling one or two more for her, as well as unleashing her Nastier Specials unless the party puts in the work to break her power before confronting her.

Bitterstrike
Huge 7th level troop [dragon]
Initiative: +11
Vulnerability: Fire
Bitter Claw and Bite +11 vs. AC (2 attacks) – 20 damage
Natural 16+: Bitterstrike can make a deep cold breath attack as a free action.
[Special Trigger] C: Deep Cold Breath +11 vs. PD (each nearby enemy) – 15 cold damage and the target is stuck (save ends)
Natural Odd Hit or Miss: Bitterstrike takes 2d8 damage.
[Special Trigger] C: Bitter Vengeance +11 vs. PD (the triggering enemy) – 20 cold damage and the target pops free from Bitterstrike
Limited Use: 1/battle, as an interrupt action, when Bitterstrike takes damage from a nearby enemy.
Bloodied Breath: The first time that Bitterstrike is staggered during a battle, she can use deep cold breath as an interrupt action. Bitterstrike doesn’t take damage from a natural odd roll when using deep cold breath in this way.
Bloody Escalation: While staggered, Bitterstrike’s crit range expands by an amount equal to the escalation die.
Instinctive Rampage: Bitterstrike gets an extra action each round, taken at the initiative count 10 higher than her action. If Bitterstrike couldn’t take this action because she’s confused or stunned, then that effect ends instead of Bitterstrike taking the action.
Resist Cold 18+.
AC 23 PD 20 MD 16 HP 300
Nastier Specials
Deep Cold: Bitterstrike treats her natural die roll as 5 points higher for the purpose of overcoming damage resistance with her cold attacks.
Vassals: All of Bitterstrike’s allies in this battle gain resist cold 14+ if they did not already have better.