I had to redo this post due to internet issues, so I'm gonna make this a little quick. When I started designing this creature, I decided that I wanted to do a different take on a drake, making it a full quadruped instead of a winged biped. Fortunately, I had the amazing art of my buddy Daniel Larios to bring that vision to life allowing me to present to you - the smog drake!
The whole ideation behind this began with me wandering what a drake, who are normally attuned to more classical elements, might look like if it inhabited a more advanced, urban environment. Deciding that they subsisted on pollution, filth, and rot, I built the smog drake, giving them the classic benefits of their dragon typing as well as the speed surge that all drakes seem to have. Their diet has infused them with a perpetual stench and turned their spit foul and caustic. From a design standpoint, I tend to find most drake 'breath weapons' cooler than those used by true dragons. Obviously, there are exceptions, but neat mechanics always seem to get incorporated into the spit or breath of drakes, and I tried to emulate that with the smog drake's rot spit. I was initially ensure of how to type the damage for condensed rot and decay before deciding that negative energy was a good fit for it. The idea behind its disease comes from black lung, a symptom of humanity's progress and industrialism that felt appropriate to allow them to spread.
I wanted these guys to be mobile pack hunters, using walls, rooftops, and other urban obstacles to really fight using a 3D space. Dodge and Mobility as their feats encourages them to be a bit more mobile and to really fight as a pack while that speed surge can help them get into position and still be able to unleash a full attack.
Pathfinder 1e Version:
There wasn't too much to change for the second edition version though I was able to condense its skills somewhat. Draconic Frenzy is an ability possessed by most drakes and dragons in PF2e, and helps with its action economy, while Speed Surge is once again seen mostly on drakes. Since nauseated isn't a condition in second edition, I went with sickened for its Rot Spit, giving it a mean to spread that condition even when targets succeed against its Stench. I had initially considered giving the smog drake's jaws Strike some nifty traits, but since it deals the most damage and already had Dead Lung attached to it, I opted against that.
Pathfinder 2e Version:
Blue's D&D 5e Version:
ENCOUNTER HOOKS
Industrial Smaug: A circle of druids approach the heroes and ask them to investigate a local factory that they believe is a threat to the environment. The heroes are asked to look into the matter surreptitiously but are otherwise free to take on this task how they see fit. Approaching the building during the day is difficult as the workers and officials there only allow them limited access, likely necessitating them to find a different way in or to break in at night. If the heroes manage to get in during the day, there are distracted by a scream from outside where some workers have been attacked by a pack of smog drakes. Saving the workers could give them a useful source into the factory, but if they intrude upon the factory at night, they become targets of the cruel drakes who use the cover of darkness and environment to their advantage.
Sewer Scramble: When tasked with eliminating a gang of drug dealers and other criminals, whether they be rivals or foes, the heroes must delve under the city. The gang lairs in the sewers beneath the city and their hideout is guarded by Sherman, the otyugh, and the pack of smog drakes that live alongside him. Sherman and the smog drakes have struck a deal with the gang – the criminals provide the scavengers with corpses, which they readily devour, in return for protection of their hideout. Sherman lurks within the muck and refuse of the sewers, pulling victims into it, while the smog drakes prowl along the walls and walkways, hampering and surrounding victims that manage to resist Sherman’s grasp.
I'm glad that I could finally post this creature - I honestly had a lot of fun designing it, even if it's a little simple. Thanks to Daniel Larios for the fantastic art! Next week, we're going back to the world of Monster Hunter, but I am looking at my list of requests for some other ideas that I'll be trying to do in the future.
Have a Monstrous Monday!
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