ASHARDALON A traditional song called! The Coming of Ashardalon describes the depredations of this red dragon of immense power and selfimportance, Ashardalon is well known for his tenacious clasp on life, no matter his injuries and setbacks, When he was struck a mortal blow, the dragon bound a demon into his breast as a second heart. But when that oo threatened to fail him, Ashardalon left the world to find the sustenance he required to live forever. Ashardalon resembles an ancient red dragon in its prime, but certain odd features stand out. He has a demonic visage, and on his chest isa gruesome scar in the shape ofa large winged humanoid —a balor. The dragon's eyes are twin beams of burning fire, and tiny bolts of lightning constantly play between his claws and fangs. Immortality at Any Cost. Ashardalon received a blow so grievous that his heart was damaged beyond repair. The dragon, calling on all his craft and knowledge of ancient rituals, managed to replace his heart with a magically bound. demon—no less than a balor, named Ammet, But so terrible was Ashardalon's wound that even Ammet's enchanted labor began to fail the dragon's bod. Ashardalon began to search for a source of life energy so pure that nothing could ever again threaten to kill him, ending up at his current lair on the Astral Plane. The Sunless Citadel Ashardalon was a creature of great fury and power even before he achieved his legendary status or gathered a cult following, Indeed, at least a century prior to the wound that ultimately paved the way for his demonic heart, he and his red dragon mate hunted a lush green land called the Golden Plain, The Golden Plain was ruled by a human king who dwelt in a many:towered fortress, As Ashardalon grew more reckless with his power, he eame into direct conflict with the kingdom and its king. Thinking to show the dragon a monarchis true might, the king sent a secret force of his knights to slay Ashardalon's mate. Upon learning of his mate’s death, Ashardalon went on a rampage so fierce and so extended that the land itself finally buckled, pulling the king's fortress beneath the ground. The once-lush region was renamed the Ashen Plain, and the fortress was rechristened the Sunless Citadet In this sunken castle, Ashardalon's first followers eame to revere him. Heart of Nightfang Spire. Remnants of the cult survived this disaster, and it reconstituted itself around a reli ofits dragon liege: Ashardalon’s heart. With a magic born of equal parts, ‘kill faith, and desperation, the cultists rekindled the heart but not to life. The ritual infused it with the energy of the Shadowfell and transformed it, reborn in undead darkness, into the center of faith and necromantic power for the eu. The cultists hoped to call back Ashardalon, but the dragon never answered their summons, ‘Some sages and adventurers are aware of Nightfang Spire, where the remnant of Ashardalon's cult yet keeps its faith alive, worshiping the undead heart of Ashardalon. Stories paint a picture of a tower overrun by undeac, former cultists that linger despite their dragon lord’s departure, The cultists are led by a vampire named Gulthias, whose single-minded ‘dedication to the memory of Ashardalon keeps the residents of the tower—including the heart— animate and instilled “with a sense of purpose. Gulthias, growing more and more desperate, has initiated the mass sacrifice of nearby villages ‘and cities to attract the attention of Ashardalon, No matter what atrocities Gulthias commits, though, Ashardalon is unlikely to return to his undead heart and his followers,ASHARDALON'S LAIR Ashardalon’ lair isa mysterious domain in the Astral Plane called the Bastion of Unborn Souls, Claims that the Bastion is a font of preinearnate souls are derided as improbable. Sul, the Bastion’s erystalline trees sprout soullike ‘manifestations like brilliant points of light. When “ripe,” they. fall from the trees and flow away, possibly to incarnate as living creatures, Whatever the truth, each point of light is a source of life and energy to a creature that consumes it Ashardalon has ensconced himself in the center of the Bastion, bathed in a stream of raw soulstuff to keep his faltering life steady: Like a boulder in a stream, the dragon's, body interrupts the flow, which beads across him like water. Creatures who stay within the confines of the Bastion of Unborn Souls do not noticeably age—the raw soulstuff keeps ‘them young and vibrant. Ashardalon could conceivably live forever here. If indeed its points of light are preincarnate souls, creatures of the world might be born as soulless husks, shambling vestiges of what they might otherwise be, and ‘open to malign influence. Lam Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative tes) Ashardalon takes alair action to cause one ofthe following effects; the dragon can't use the same effect two rounds in a row: + Ashardalon gorges himself on the life force cascading around him, regaining 30 hit points, * Ashardafon casts dispel magic. His spellcasting ability is Charisma. * Soulstuifis energized at a point within 120 feet of Ashardalon that he can see, creating a 20foothigh, Sfoot- radius geyser of positive energy. Each creature in the ‘eyser's area must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) radiant damage on a failed save, or half ‘as much damage on a successful one. Should Ammet, Eater of Souls, burrow forth from. Ashardalon’s corpse, he also has access to these actions. REGIONAL EFFECTS ‘The Bastion of Unborn Souls is on the Astral Plane, and has all the properties and effects ofthat place, The vicinity of the Bastion also has the following effects: + Creatures on the Astral Plane don't age or suffer from hhunger or thirst. Additionally, creatures within 6 miles of the Bastion are immune to all diseases and can't have their maximum hit points reduced. * Within 6 mites ofthe Bastion, resting restores more vitality A character regains all spent Hit Dice atthe end of along rest. With a short rest, a character regains Hit Dice equal to is or her level divided by four (minimum of one die) + Within 1 mile ofthe Bastion, characters can heal themselves even faster. As an action, a character can use a healing surge and spend up to half his or her Hit Dice. For each Hit Die spent in this way, the player rolls the die and adds the character's Constitution modifier The character regains hit points equal to the total The player can decide to spend an additional Hit Die after each roll A character ‘who uses a healing surge can't do so again until he or she finishes a short or long rest. ‘The Bastion is a permanent fixture ofthe Astral Plane and these effects remain whether or not Ashardalon is present. Lecacy OF ASHARDALON ‘Ashardalon made his first appearance in Bruce Cordel's 2000 Aagship adventure The Sunless Citadel or 3rd Edition D&D, as ‘a mysterious name scrawled in blood across the dungeon wall Follow-up adventures inthe series included The Standing ‘Stone, Heart of Nightfang Spire, and Bastion of Broken Souls continuing through 20th level. These adventures can be purchased from hitp//www.DMsGuildcom, ‘The legendary dragon also made appearances in the 4th Edition Draconamicon and the Wrath of Ashardalon board game, Most recently Sunless Citadel was updated to Sth Edition as part ofthe Tales from the Yawning Portal collection in 2017,ASHARDALON, ANCIENT RED DRAGON Gargantuan dragon (demon), chaotic evil ‘Armor Class 22 (natural arrnor) Hit Points 615 (30420 + 300) ‘Speed 40 ft, climb 40 ft, fly 80 Ft STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 30 (+10) 10 (+0) 30 (+10) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 25 (47) ‘Saving Throws Dex +8, Con +18, Wis +10, Cha +15 Skills Deception +15, insight +10, Intimidation +15, Perception +18, Stealth +8 Darrage Resistances cold, lightning Darrage Immunities fire, poison Condition Immunities frightened, paralyzed, poisoned Senses blindsight 60 ft, truesight 120 ft, passive Perception 26 Abyssal, Common, Draconic Challenge 27 (105,000 XP) ee Death Burst When Ashardalon dies, he explodes in a burst of flame. Each creature within 30 feet of him ‘must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw, taking 105 (3046) fire darnage on a failed save, or half as rnuch damage on a successful one. The explosion ignites flarnenable objects in that area that aren't being worn or carried, and a half-dragon balor appears in part of the space formerly occupied by Ashardalon, The balor acts ‘on Ashardalon's initiative count. Bloodied Flames, When Ashardalon has les than half his hit points remaining atthe start of his turn, each creature within 10 feet of Ashardalon takes 10 (3d6) fire damage, and flammable objects within 10 feet of hirn that aren't being worn or carried igrite. Legendary Resistance (3/Dey).f Ashardalon fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Magic Weapons. Ashardalon's weapon attacks are magical. Actions Multizttack Ashardalon can use his Frightful Presence. He then makes three attacks: one with his bite and two with his claws. Bite, Melee Weapon Attack: +18 tohit, reach 15 fe, ‘one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) fire damage. (Caw, Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 fe, fone target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) lightning damage. If Ashardalon scores a critical hit, he rolls damage dice three times, instead of twice. Tail Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 20 ft, one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage. Frightful Presence, Each creature of Ashardalon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of him must succeed on a DC 21 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. Ifa creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the ‘creature is immune to Ashardalor's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours. Fite Breath (Recharge 5-6) Ashardalon exhales fire in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw, taking 105 (30d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Legendary Actions ‘Ashardalon 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, Ashardalon regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn. Detect. Ashardalon makes a Wisdorn (Perception) check. Tall Attack Ashardalon makes a tail attack, Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). Ashardalon beats his wings. Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. Ashardalon can then fly up to half his flying speed.Ammer, EATER OF SOULS If Ashardalon is somehow defeated (even if disintegrated or imprisoned) the champions must still face a grotesque creature: a demon-shaped heart. The balor that was bodily used to shore up Ashardalon’s failing life is Ammet, and his time with Ashardaton changed him in many ways. The monster's entire form beats with slow steady evil Once free, Ammet thanks those that defeated Ashardalon and releases a gibbering scream, possibly meant as laughter. “He will immediately attack any of the dragon's allies who may bbe present, and defend himself if attacked, but otherwise is villing to parley before he quits for the Abyss. However, he, like Ashardalon, is addicted to the soulstuff atthe center of the Bastion, and unless prevented from doing s0, he ‘eventually returns to feed AMMET, HALF-DraGon BALOR Huge fiend (demon), chaotic evil ‘Armor Class 19 (natural armor) HitPoints 262 (21d12 +126) Speed 40 ft, fy 80 f STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 26 (+8) 15 (+2) 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 22 (+6) ‘Saving Throws Str +15, Con +13, Wis +10, Cha +12 Skills Deception +12, insight +10, Intimidation +12 Damage Resistances cold, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from nonmagical attacks Damage Immunities fre, poison Condition Immunities poisoned Senses Blindsight 30 ft, truesight 120 ft, passive Perception 13 ‘Abyssal, Draconic, telepathy 120 ft Cfalenge 21 (33,000 %°) Death Throes When Ammet dies, he explodes, and each creature within 30 feet of him must make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 70 (20d6) fre damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The explosion ignites flammable objects in that area that aren't being worn or carried, and it destroys Ammet's weapons. Fire Aura At the start of each of Ammet's turns, each creature within 5 feet of him takes 10 (3d6) fire darnage, and flammable objects in the aura that aren't being worn or carried ignite. A creature that touches Ammet o hits him with a melee attack while within 5 feet of him takes 10 (348) fire damage Legendary Resistance (3/Dey). If Aramet fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance, Ammnet has advantage on saving, throws against spells and other magical effects. Magic Weapons. Ammet's weapon attacks are magical, Actions Multiattack Ameet makes two attacks: one with his longsword and one with his whip, Longsword Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, each 10 ft, one target. Hit: 21 (348 + 8) slashing damage plus 13 (38) lightning damage. If Ammet scores a critical hit, he rolls damage dice three times, instead of twice Whip. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 30 ft, cone target. Hit: 15 (246 + 8) slashing damage plus 10 (Bd6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed ‘ona DC 20 Strength saving throw or be pulled up to 25 feet toward Ammet. Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6), Ammet exhales fire in a 60- foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 70 (20d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a suecessful ore. Teleport Aramet ragicallyteleports, along with any ‘equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to ‘an unoceupied space he can see. Legendary Actions ‘Arnmet can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option ‘can be used at atime and only at the end of another creature's turn, Ammet regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn Detect. Ammmet makes a Wisdorn (Perception) check Teleport. Ammet uses Teleport Inflare. Each creature within 5 feet of Ammet takes 10 (36) fire damage