Guard Drake
Guard Drake
A Guard Drake is a reptilian creature created out of Dragon scales by means of a bizarre and grisly ritual.When trained properly, a Drake is obedient, loyal, and territorial, which makes it an excellent watchbeast that can follow simple commands.
Gifts from Dragons
The ritual to create a Guard Drake was originally devised by The Cult of Tiamat, but has spread to other groups that are skilled in arcana and associated with Dragons. The cooperation of a Dragon is necessary for the ritual to succeed, and a Dragon typically provides its help when it wants to reward its allies or worshipers with a valuable servant.
The Ritual, which takes several days, requires 10 pounds of fresh Dragon scales (donated by the Dragon allied with the group), a large amount of fresh meat, and an iron cauldron. When the process is complete, a Halfling-sized egg emerges from the cauldron and is ready to hatch within a few hours.
Eager to Learn
A newly hatched Guard Drake imprints upon the first creature that feeds it (usually the one planning to train it), establishing an aggressive but trusting bond with that individual. A Guard Drake is fully grown within two to three weeks and can be trained in the same length of time. One is the equivalent of a Guard dog in terms of what it can be trained to do.
A Guard Drake resembles the type of Dragon it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A Drake can't reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other Guard Drakes.
Variant: Chromatic Guard Drakes
Each type of Chromatic Dragon's scales and blood creates a Guard Drake that resembles a wingless,stunted version of that type of Dragon, with unique abilities related to that type. Each has the special features described below.
Black Guard Drake
A black Guard Drake is amphibious (it can breathe Air and Water), has a swimming speed of 30 feet, and has resistance to Acid damage.
Blue Guard Drake
A blue Guard Drake has a burrowing speed of 20 feet and resistance to Lightning damage.
Green Guard Drake
A green Guard Drake is amphibious (it can breathe Air and Water), has a swimming speed of 30 feet, and has resistance to Poison damage.
Red Guard Drake
A red Guard Drake has a climbing speed of 30 feet and resistance to Fire damage.
White Guard Drake
A white Guard Drake has a burrowing speed of 20 feet, a climbing speed of 30 feet, and resistance to Cold damage.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Genetics and Reproduction
Growth Rate & Stages
Dietary Needs and Habits
Additional Information
Domestication
Facial characteristics
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
- Darkvision 60ft, and
- Passive Perception 12
Comments
Author's Notes
Original Article taken from Volo’s Guide to Monsters D&D 5e by Wizards of the Coast (WotC)