GEMSTONE DRAGONSA long-forgotten branch of the draco genus, draco crys-

tallus are primarily hexapods like their more common

cousins draco metallus and draco chromaticus. They are

older than the other draconic genera, which accounts

for their wider diversity in body type.

Many long ago abandoned their wings or let them

atrophy, relying instead on their innate mental powers

to lift and propel them telekinetically. They are now

rare, hunted for the gemstones that grant them—and,

for a brief time, anyone who holds one—their psionic

powers. Many have slumbered or hidden from civili-

zation for many thousands of years, only awakening

during times of catastrophic need.

They are sages and hoard knowledge rather than

treasure and so are often found in or near ancient

libraries. Their crystalline structure grants them

enhanced speed and agility, their nerve impulses being

conducted by the piezoelectric effect rather than mere

chemical signals.

As a result they are more agile, and their quasic-

rystalline skin grants them natural armor. Weapons

spark and chip jeweled fragments off their hides but

find little purchase there. They are harder to hit and

damage but have less raw health than their metallic

and chromatic cousins.

They are the keepers of forgotten lore and rarely take

sides in the battles between good, evil, law, and chaos.

Rather, they act to preserve the world, or knowledge, or

to prevent dangerous knowledge from falling into any

hands. They come in every flavor of neutral alignment,

but if one is neutral good, they’re more neutral good

than neutral good, if you take my meaning.

Unlike their more barbaric cousins, they rarely have

an affinity for one type of terrain over other (the emer-

alds being an exception) and so their lairs can be found

anywhere—caves, dungeons, libraries, cities, clouds,

pocket dimensions. There is no such thing as a “typical”

gemstone dragon lair.

PsionicsThe gemstone dragons are silico-organic organisms.

When hatched, they are almost entirely organic. As

they grow, their crystalline structure grows, as does

their psionic power.

The crystals that grow on and thread through their

bodies form a network of psionic filaments that capture,

conduct, amplify, and store charges of psionic energies,

which the dragons then convert into manifestations.

Each dragon begins with a number of charges based

on their age. They can expend these charges to cast any

psionic manifestation. Many of these manifestations

have a base cost and can be enhanced by expending

more charges.

Over time, the dragon’s crystals conduct more psionic

energies into its body, recharging its power. At the end

of each of its turns, roll the recharge die and restore

that many charges.

Each dragon also has a Fracture score. Each time it

takes more damage than its Fracture score in a single

turn, its crystalline form fractures, diminishing its

ability to recharge its power. Roll the recharge die and

reduce the dragon’s maximum charges by the result.

This damage heals itself upon finishing a long rest.

ManifestationsPsionic charges are used to manifest psionic abilities.

These manifestations are the primary source of a gem-

stone dragon’s power. All manifestations have a range

of 30 feet, unless noted otherwise.

The following manifestations are by no means the

only ones the dragons have access to. It is known that

the most powerful gemstone dragons can alter their

form at will in a manner that defies all inspection. But

these are the most well-documented and commonly

used manifestations available to all psionic creatures.

The save DC against a dragon’s manifestation is 8

plus the dragon’s proficiency bonus plus the dragon’s

Intelligence modifier.

AMPLIFY

Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self

Duration: 1 minute Charges: 4

The dragon focuses the power of its mind and wreaths

its teeth, claws, and tail in glowing psionic force. For

the next minute, all of its melee attacks deal an extra

3d8 psychic damage.

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