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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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There is a Legacy version here.

Dragon, Whisper

Source Monster Core 2 pg. 133
Whisper dragons are keen collectors of rumors and secrets who spend centuries honing their information networks and relationships. They generally do so not out of an intent to hold the information over others or to use for their own machinations, but simply because the process of learning and gathering information is fulfilling. Their hoards are sparse compared to those of other dragons, as they hold their true treasures—secrets—in their minds.

Members

Adult Whisper Dragon (Creature 11), Ancient Whisper Dragon (Creature 16), Whisper Archdragon (Creature 20), Young Whisper Dragon (Creature 7)

No Icon Alternate Abilities

Whisper dragons can develop different skills and abilities than are typical. You can apply the following adjustments to whisper dragons of any age.

Some whisper dragons bind an informant’s secrets into contracts, obtaining their information in exchange for granting them a boon. To make a dragon with this ability, replace Steal Knowledge with the following.

Draft Contract [three-actions] (occult, manipulate) The dragon produces a contract for a single living mortal. This contract can grant a single boon or ability, the extent of which is dependent on the power of the dragon, in exchange for one piece of knowledge the mortal possesses. The mortal must willingly sign their true name to the contract, as well as the knowledge they wish to surrender. Upon signing, the mortal forgets the bartered information, which cannot be restored by any means short of a wish ritual; if they restore this knowledge, they lose the boon granted by the contract.

A whisper dragon can develop strong bonds with their informants that allow them to view the world through their informants’ senses. To make a dragon with this ability, replace Information Network with the following ability.

Share Sight [two-actions] (concentrate, occult, scrying) The dragon states the name of an allied informant within 100 miles, giving them a mental alert. The informant can choose whether to accept the contact. If they consent, the dragon projects their senses into the informant’s, allowing them to perceive through their informant. When they do, they lose all sensory information from their own body. The dragon can Sustain this effect for up to 1 hour and Dismiss it as a free action. A whisper dragon might take on a humanoid guise to gather information without attracting notice. To make a dragon with this ability, give them the following ability.

Change Shape [one-action] (concentrate, occult, polymorph) The dragon takes on the appearance of a Small or Medium humanoid. Their humanoid shape has a specific, persistent appearance. In humanoid shape, the dragon loses their jaws, claws, and tail Strikes, but retains their attack bonuses with any weapons they wield. Their Speed is reduced to 25 feet.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Naizraa

The whisper dragon Naizraa resides in a sumptuous palace high on the bluffs of northern Qadira’s Saray Coast. She keeps a close eye on the intrigues of Qadira’s nobility and sometimes offers her patronage to talented individuals seeking information or influence, in exchange for a secret of their own.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Whisper Dragon Spellcasting

Whisper dragon spellcasters tend to cast the following spells.

Young Whisper Dragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 25, attack +17; 3rd hypercognition, ring of truth; 2nd clear mind, humanoid form, see the unseen; 1st command, disguise magic, mindlink; Cantrips (3rd) daze, detect magic, forbidding ward, message, telekinetic hand

Adult Whisper Dragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 30, attack +22; As young whisper dragon, plus 5th sending, synaptic pulse; 4th confusion, detect scrying, rewrite memory; 3rd dream message; Cantrips (5th) daze, detect magic, forbidding ward, message, telekinetic hand

Ancient Whisper Dragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 37, attack +29; As adult whisper dragon, plus 7th interplanar teleport, project image, retrocognition; 6th scrying, teleport, zealous conviction; 5th scouting eye; Cantrips (7th) daze, detect magic, forbidding ward, message, telekinetic hando

Whisper Archdragon

Occult Prepared Spells DC 42, attack +34; As ancient whisper dragon plus 9th overwhelming presence, telepathic demand; 8th disappearance, hidden mind, unrelenting observation; Cantrips (9th) daze, detect magic, forbidding ward, message, telekinetic hand

Dragon

Related Groups Dragon, Adamantine, Dragon, Barrage, Dragon, Bog, Dragon, Brine, Dragon, Cinder, Dragon, Cloud, Dragon, Conspirator, Dragon, Coral, Dragon, Crystal, Dragon, Delight, Dragon, Despair, Dragon, Diabolic, Dragon, Empyreal, Dragon, Executor, Dragon, Forest, Dragon, Fortune, Dragon, Horned, Dragon, Magma, Dragon, Mirage, Dragon, Mocking, Dragon, Oath, Dragon, Omen, Dragon, Phase, Dragon, Requiem, Dragon, Resurrection, Dragon, Rime, Dragon, Rune, Dragon, Sage, Dragon, Sea, Dragon, Sky, Dragon, Sovereign, Dragon, Stormcrown, Dragon, Time, Dragon, Umbral, Dragon, Underworld, Dragon, Vizier, Dragon, Vorpal, Dragon, Wailing, Dragon, Wish, Dragonet, Wyrmwraith
Dragons come in myriad forms, with many having magical abilities or connections to magic. Some dragons draw greater power from magic than others, allowing them to manifest abilities or alter their physiques with prolonged exposure to magic. These dragons become more powerful as they age and strengthen their connections with their magical origins. Scholars debate the classification of these dragons, with some preferring the name magical dragons and others using traditional dragons due to their connection to specific magical traditions. Regardless of their names, these dragons share a number of characteristics: their ability to tap into magical energies, intensified might and cunning as they grow older, and an inclination to hoard vast amounts of treasure and wealth.

Draconic Spellcasters

Each dragon features a sidebar on spellcasting dragons of that type. To make a dragon spellcaster, remove the dragon's Draconic Frenzy and Draconic Momentum abilities, and give them the spells outlined in their sidebar. You can swap out any number of these with other spells, provided you keep the same number of spells for each rank. You might also want to increase the dragon's Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma modifier by 1 or 2 to reflect their mastery of magic.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Draconic Groupings

The broader grouping of dragons is generally sorted into more granular categories, the first of which is based on the four magical traditions. Each dragon falls into one of these large categories, and dragons in a given category share a number of common traits.

Arcane Dragons: These dragons seem to have greater control over magic and their innate abilities. Many arcane dragons have mastery over a certain subset of magic, such as illusions or teleportation. Other arcane dragons have the ability to tap into or manipulate raw magical energies, regardless of their origins. Their bodies tend to be more slender than other dragons due to their reliance on magic for hunting. Their scales generally come in perfect patterns or very organized shapes.

Divine Dragons: While the name might suggest dragons directly related to deific entities, divine dragons instead derive their power from planes other than the mortal Universe. Similar to how a god grants power to a cleric, these dragons receive magical abilities and other influences from another plane. As such, divine dragons are among the most varied of dragons. These dragons generally take on an appearance similar to other native creatures of their influential planes, making it difficult for them to hide their planar connections.

Occult Dragons: At times alien and off-putting and other times alluring and mysterious, occult dragons derive their powers from the inexplicable and unknown. These dragons use magic that seems to exist within the crevices and shadows between other forms of magic. Whether it's due to this strange magical influence or something else, occult dragons are most likely to directly interact with other creatures. While generally sporting similar builds to other dragons, occult dragons make greater use of their wings as supplementary appendages, leaving their forward limbs free to use for other things. Their scales and plating generally feature strange shapes and patterns that are rarely seen in the natural world.

Primal Dragons: While all dragons are fierce and terrifying in their own way, primal dragons seem to embody the most bestial traits among dragons. These dragons derive their power from the magic of the natural world. While primal dragons aren't directly bound to serve nature, many of them choose to act as keepers of their habitats. Primal dragons are generally larger than other dragons and fall back on their instincts more often, making them particularly dangerous when threatened. Their scales typically have less elaborate shapes than other dragons, or will sometimes resemble natural terrain. Some dragons even grow natural features like small plants on their bodies.

Draconic Families: In addition to these classifications, dragons are sometimes grouped into families. These include the enigmatic esoteric dragons, the regal imperial dragons, the space-faring outer dragons, and the mighty skymetal dragons. Draconic families are sometimes made up of dragons with obvious physiological similarities, while other families seem to be made up of dragons of similar color, habitat, behavior, or other traits that make for vague connections. Often, families include dragons of varied magical traditions. As such, the members of a given family are sometimes the subject of debate and scholarly arguments.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Dragon Gods

The legends say that within the chaos at the birth of the existence were born two dragons, Apsu and Sarshallatu. Together, they had seven children. Each of these children represents and holds dominion over a different fundamental truth. Yluma, Turvu, Garhaazh, and Brixori each have a connection to arcane, divine, primal, and occult magic respectively. Gaasham is a dragon of creation, while Dahak is a dragon of destruction, though some have come to associate benevolence and wickedness respectively with these dragons. Finally, Otilaz is connected to death, the inevitable fate of most creatures, draconic or otherwise. More information on these gods is found in Pathfinder Lost Omens Draconic Codex.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Great Dragons

While other draconic creatures like drakes and linnorms exist, the magical connection of the dragons in these pages has earned them a distinct place among draconic classifications. While terms like high dragons, magical dragons, primordial dragons, source dragons, traditional dragons, and others have been used by scholars throughout time to classify these dragons, the most common term is great dragons. Most commoners are aware of the term great dragon, but less are aware of specific nuances between great dragons and their draconic cousins. As such, the term great dragon can often get thrown around whenever a somewhat draconic creature larger than a human makes an appearance.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Shape-Changing Dragons

Though it's uncommon, some dragons can take humanoid forms. They gain the following ability:

Change Shape [one-action] (concentrate, polymorph); The dragon takes on the appearance of any Small or Medium humanoid. This doesn't change their Speed or attack and damage bonuses with their Strikes but might change the damage type their Strikes deal (typically to bludgeoning).