Drachanids

Drachanids, also known as Broodkeepers and Spider Dragons, are among the most terrifying and monstrous of dragons, possessing a sadistic hatred and malice that remains unrivaled even amongst true dragon species. As thoroughly evil as it is possible to be, these dragons care only for that which grants it the most pleasure in life; the systematic consumption of all living species.

The smell of acid and rotting meat wafts from a drachanid's mouth; the last remnants of its previous meal. Its drab and colourless body, covered in carapace and tiny hair follicles, allow it to blend in seamlessly with its constructed surroundings of web and darkness, whilst affording it with an increased range of mobility. It lies in wait, eight eyes focused in every direction, for the slightest quiver of its spun web, for the moment when its unwitting prey stumbles and finds itself in its trap; paralyzed, bound and conscious until the very moment when its insides turn to liquid and it is devoured by both the drachanid and all the spiders that makes its home within its gullet. The discarded and torn web is reabsorbed alongside its unfortunate prey, ready to be spun and used again to create the trap for the drachanid's next unsuspecting meal.

Scourges of the Underdark. Drachanid's prefer the dark and musty tunnels of the Underdark, making its lair in one of the many tunnels and chambers left behind by purple worms and other burrowing monsters. For many of the creatures that reside in the Underdark, an infestation of drachanid's
are a scourge that threatens all, devouring all available
food sources and any who might resist.

Web of Steel. A drachanid's web possesses
incredible strength, beyond the
bounds of regular spider
silk. Capable of supporting
the drachanid's large size
and weight, this web is
used to devastating effect
both defensively in its lair
and offensively whilst
catching prey.

Sadistic Ravagers. In regards to wealth and treasure, drachanid's are no different from their chromatic cousins. A drachanid derives the most pleasure from taking and plundering what they wish for while its terrified owner pleas for their life, only to be devoured a moment later. Drachanid raids against urban settlements are especially common, carrying with them swarms of spiders that can then feed upon the unwitting; and if no treasure can be found, live entertainment can always be carried back its lair to provide some amusement.

A drachanid's hoard is the stuff of legends, and is guarded jealously from all who might seek it out. Its most coveted treasures are precious stones and the crude idols that those who worship it as a god crafted, though raw gold, platinum and mithril can sometimes be found as well. Even if an item or treasure holds no value, a drachanid will desire it all the same if its owner places value in it, and will even go to great lengths to possess it itself, or barring that, destroy it.

Spider Incubation. A drachanid and its spider supplicants form a symbiotic relationship, each aiding the other in different ways. Drachanids regularly consume the egg sacs of mundane spiders, providing protection for the spiderlings to hatch, in addition to providing them with rich and nourishing food sources that allow them to grow without fear. These spiders can then lay their eggs directly inside the drachanids stomach, creating a thriving colony of spiders subsisting on
the liquefied flesh of iits iiiii hosts victims. The drachanid can
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii then regurgitate these spiders iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii when needed, whether it be in
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiio defense of its lair or when
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii colonising a new den.

Ancient Drachanid

Gargantuan dragon, neutral evil

  • Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 310 (20d20 + 100)
  • Speed 40 ft., burrow 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
23 (+6) 19 (+4) 21 (+5) 13 (+1) 15 (+2) 14 (+2)
  • Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +11, Wis +8, Cha +8
  • Skills Perception +14, Stealth +10
  • Damage Immunities poison
  • Condition Immunities poisoned
  • Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 24
  • Languages Arachnoid, understands Common, Draconic and Undercommon but can't speak them, telepathy 120 ft.
  • Challenge 23 (50,000 XP)


Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the drachanid fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Spider Climb. The drachanid can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down and on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the drachanid knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.

Web Walker. The drachanid ignores the movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Actions

Multiattack. The drachanid can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. The drachanid can replace its bite attack with a web attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.

Tail Stinger. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 20ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage and the target must make a DC 19 Constitution saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.

Web Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 120/480 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 20 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (Same as Web Breath).

Swallow. The drachanid makes one bite attack against a Large or smaller creature. If the attack hits, the creature must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be swallowed by the drachanid. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the drachanid, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the drachanid's turns.iiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ii If the drachanid takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the drachanid must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the drachanid. If the drachanid dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse by using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.

Frightful Presence. Each creature of the drachanid 's choice that is within 120 feet of the drachanid and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 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 the drachanid's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6}. The drachanid uses one of the following breath weapons.

Web Breath. The drachanid exhales webbing in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, or be restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 20 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 15; hp 20; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

Spider Breath. The drachanid exhales clumps of spiders in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 56 (16d6) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. In addition, these spiders form 7 (2d6) swarms of spiders, acting as allies of the drachanid and obeying its telepathic commands.

Legendary Actions

The drachanid can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The drachanid regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The drachanid makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The drachanid makes a tail stinger attack.
Web Attack. The drachanid makes a web attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The drachanid beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet of the drachanid must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The drachanid can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Adult Drachanid

Huge dragon, neutral evil

  • Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 189 (18d12 + 72)
  • Speed 40 ft., burrow 30 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
21 (+5) 18 (+3) 18 (+4) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 13 (+1)
  • Saving Throws Dex +8, Con +9, Wis +7, Cha +6
  • Skills Perception +12, Stealth +8
  • Damage Immunities poison
  • Condition Immunities poisoned
  • Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 22
  • Languages Arachnoid, understands Common, Draconic and Undercommon but can't speak them, telepathy 120 ft.
  • Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)


Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the drachanid fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Spider Climb. The drachanid can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down and on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the drachanid knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.

Web Walker. The drachanid ignores the movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Actions

Multiattack. The drachanid can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. The drachanid can replace its bite attack with a web attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Tail Stinger. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 15ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage and the target must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.

Web Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 90/360 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 18 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (Same as Web Breath).

Swallow. The drachanid makes one bite attack against a Medium or smaller creature. If the attack hits, the creature must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or be swallowed by the drachanid. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the drachanid, and it takes 14 (4d6) acid damage at the start of each of the drachanid's turns. iiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iii If the drachanid takes 20 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the drachanid must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the drachanid. If the drachanid dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse by using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.

Frightful Presence. Each creature of the drachanid's choice that is within 120 feet of the drachanid and aware of it must succeed on a DC 14 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 the drachanid's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6}. The drachanid uses one of the following breath weapons.

Web Breath. The drachanid exhales webbing in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, or be restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 18 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 15; hp 15; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

Spider Breath. The drachanid exhales clumps of spiders in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. In addition, these spiders form 5 (2d4) swarms of spiders, acting as allies of the drachanid and obeying its telepathic commands.

Legendary Actions

The drachanid can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The drachanid regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The drachanid makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The drachanid makes a tail stinger attack.
Web Attack. The drachanid makes a web attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The drachanid beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the drachanid must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The drachanid can then fly up to half its flying speed.


























Young Drachanid

Large dragon, neutral evil

  • Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 112 (15d10 + 30)
  • Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 17 (+3) 15 (+2) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 11 (+0)
  • Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +5, Wis +4, Cha +3
  • Skills Perception +7, Stealth +6
  • Damage Immunities poison
  • Condition Immunities poisoned
  • Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
  • Languages Arachnoid, understands Common, Draconic and Undercommon but can't speak them, telepathy 60 ft.
  • Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)


Spider Climb. The drachanid can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down and on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the drachanid knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.

Web Walker. The drachanid ignores the movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Actions

Multiattack. The drachanid makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. The drachanid can replace its bite attack with a web attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Web Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 60/180 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 14 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (Same as Web Breath).

Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6}. The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.

Web Breath. The drachanid exhales webbing in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, or be restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 14 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 12; hp 10; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

Spider Breath. The drachanid exhales clumps of spiders in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 33 (10d6) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. In addition, these spiders form 2 (1d4) swarms of spiders, acting as allies of the drachanid and obeying its telepathic commands.

Drachanid Hatchling

Medium dragon, neutral evil

  • Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
  • Speed 30 ft., burrow 15 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 11 (0) 9 (-1)
  • Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +3, Wis +2, Cha +1
  • Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5
  • Damage Immunities poison
  • Condition Immunities poisoned
  • Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
  • Languages Arachnoid, understands Draconic but can't speak it, telepathy 30 ft.
  • Challenge 2 (450 XP)


Spider Climb. The drachanid can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down and on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the drachanid knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.

Web Walker. The drachanid ignores the movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Web Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 11 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (Same as Web Breath).

Summon Swarm (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The drachanid hatchling summons a swarm of spiders to aid it in combat. The swarm appears in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of the drachanid, acting as an ally of the drachanid and obeying its telepathic commands.

Web Breath (Recharge 5-6). The drachanid exhales webbing in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, or be restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target or another creature can make a DC 11 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).


A Drachanid's Lair

Drachanids make their lairs deep underground or in secluded locations near an abundant food source. Thickly woven webbing covers every surface around a legendary drachanid's lair, and the sound of swarming spiders can be heard as soon as one draws near. Desiccated and still writhing prey cocooned in web can be found scattered throughout, while any path to the center of the lair is restricted by web barriers.

All manner of spider-kind can be found in and around a drachanid lair, worshipping the drachanid with respect, awe and primal fear as they lie in supplication, awaiting any chance to gain its favor.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the drachanid takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the drachanid can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:

  • Chunks of rock and desiccated prey fall from the ceiling, potentially striking up to three creatures underneath that the drachanid can see within 120 feet of it. The drachanid makes one ranged attack roll (+10 to hit) against each target. On a hit, the target takes 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage.
  • A writhing mass of swarming spiders fills a 20-foot-radius area centered on a point the drachanid chooses within 120 feet of it. The swarm of spiders spreads around corners and can climb any vertical or horizontal webs in the area, remaining until the drachanid dismisses it as an action, uses this lair action again, or dies. Any creature in the area when it appears must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (4d4) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature that ends its turn in the area takes 10 (4d4) piercing damage.
  • Webbing collapses in a 20-foot-radius area centered on a point the drachanid chooses within 120 feet of it. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained by the drachanid's web.

Regional Effects

The region surrounding a drachanid's lair is altered by the creature's presence, which creates one or more of the following effects:

  • There's a noticeable increase in the population, diversity, and size of spiders in the region.
  • Local fauna becomes virtually extinct, having fled the area or been devoured by the hordes of spiders.
  • Surfaces within 1 mile of the drachanid's lair become covered in sticky webs.
  • Faint scuttling sounds can be heard, but their source not directly seen, within 500 feet of the lair.
  • Warrens of tunnels covered over by webbing form in and around the drachanid's lair. These tunnels can be spotted from a safe distance with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check. Otherwise, the first creature to step on the thin webbing covering these holes must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or fall 1d4 x 10 feet into the tunnel and become restrained by web.

If the drachanid dies, local spiders return to normal levels over the course of 2d6 days. Any tunnels and undisturbed webbing remain where they are.

Credits

This has been an inspired and deeply enjoyable exercise for me. The sheer creepiness, and at the same time, the sadistic pleasure I gained from it, imagining the terror and disgust of future players stumbling upon my creation, made this all worthwhile.

I hope that all who take the time to peruse my homebrew will be simultaneously disgusted, eager, and excited to take one of these guys on. Suffice to say, I'll definitely be using this in one of my future campaigns.

Design

Designer. Muatt88
Inspiration for Overall Design:

  • /u/TemplarsBane for the original concept and impetus for this homebrew (Link here)
  • /u/HumansWillComeForYou for added inspiration stemming from their own rendition of a spider dragon
    (Link here)
  • /u/ItsADnDMonsterNow for added inspiration stemming from their own rendition of a spider dragon
    (Link here)
  • /u/TheVisage for their drawn rendition of the spider dragon (Link here)
  • Other commenters in the original post supplying their own ideas.

Art

Drachanid Art. Muatt88 (modified in photoshop utilising various existing art pieces)
Art Assets:

  • Spidragon by Crowsrock on DeviantArt for the original image and body of the spider dragon
  • Bone Devil by Filip Burburan of Wizards of the Coast (Art found within WotC Monster Manual, page 71), for the wings and tail stinger.
  • Stalagmites by wetdryvac
  • Spider Cave by Castlevania, Lords of Shadow.

Sources

  • Drachanid Art -> Feel free to use (Let me know if you do though)

Swarm of Spiders

Medium swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned

  • Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 22(5d8)
  • Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
3 (-4) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 1 (-5) 7 (-2) 1 (-5)
  • Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
  • Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
  • Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 8
  • Languages –
  • Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)


Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny insect. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Spider Climb. The swarm can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down and on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the swarm knows the exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.

Web Walker. The swarm ignores the movement restrictions caused by webbing.

Actions

Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 0ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 10 (4d4) piercing damage, 5 (2d4) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.


Drachanid Web

Drachanid webbing has vulnerability to fire damage, and immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage. The AC and number of hit points for a 10-foot-square piece of webbing is determined by the age of the drachanid that created it, as shown:

  • Ancient Drachanid: iAC 15; hp 20; DC 20
  • Adult Drachanid: iAC 15; hp 15; DC 18
  • Young Drachanid: iAC 12; hp 10; DC 14
  • Drachanid Hatchling: iAC 10; hp 5; DC 11