AC 21 (natural armor)
HP 264 (16d20 + 96; bloodied 132)
Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Proficiency +6; Maneuver DC 21
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +12, Int +8, Wis +9
Skills History +8, Insight +9, Nature +8
Damage Resistances cold, fire
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Aquan, Common, Draconic
Amphibious. The dragon turtle can breathe air and water.
Innate Spellcasting. The dragon turtle’s spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 17). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
3/day each: control weather , water breathing , zone of truth
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 52 (7d12 + 7) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 21). Until this grapple ends, the dragon turtle can’t bite a different creature, and it has advantage on bite attacks against the grappled creature.
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 46 (6d12 + 7) bludgeoning damage. This attack deals double damage against objects, vehicles, and constructs.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 46 (6d12 + 7) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it makes a DC 21 Strength saving throw . On a failure, it is pushed 15 feet away from the dragon turtle and knocked prone .
Steam Breath (Recharge 5–6). The dragon turtle exhales steam in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in the area makes a DC 20 Constitution saving throw , taking 52 (15d6) fire damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one.
Lightning Storm (1/Day). Hundreds of arcs of lightning crackle from the dragon turtle. Each creature within 90 feet makes a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw , taking 35 (10d6) lightning damage on a failure or half damage on a success.
BONUS ACTIONS
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) slashing damage.
REACTIONS
Retract. When the dragon turtle takes 50 damage or more from a single attack or spell, it retracts its head and limbs into its shell. It immediately regains 20 hit points. While retracted, it is blinded ; its Speed is 0; it can’t take reactions; it has advantage on saving throws ; attacks against it have disadvantage ; and it has resistance to all damage. The dragon turtle stays retracted until the beginning of its next turn.
Tail. When the dragon turtle is hit by an opportunity attack, it makes a tail attack.
Combat
The dragon turtle uses its ram attack against ships. When fighting creatures, it uses Steam Breath if available and its bite otherwise. It generally uses its tail only as a reaction, unless it wants to push a melee combatant before retreating. It uses Lightning Storm when it can’t otherwise reach its enemies. It attacks with its claws every turn. Dragon turtles flee into deep water when bloodied ; if pursued, they turn around once their Steam Breath recharges and fight to the death.
Legends and Lore
With a History or Nature check, characters can learn the following:
DC 10 Dragons turtles are enormous, intelligent turtles that can live for centuries.
DC 15 Much like dragons, dragon turtles are capricious creatures. Mortals who disrespect them do so at their peril.
DC 20 Dragon turtles use magic to control the weather and can call lightning down on those who anger them. Once it has retracted into its shell, a dragon turtle is nearly impossible to kill.
Sometimes mistaken for islands or icebergs from a distance, dragon turtles are formidable ocean creatures that embody draconic dignity and patience. They despise lawless and unmannerly conduct, and quickly expel the rude and surly from their domains. Their extremely long lives make them experts on a range of topics, and they love discussing astronomy, geography, philosophy, and politics.
Storm Sages. Dragon turtles spend most of their lives within a day’s swim of their underwater lair, although occasionally one will bask atop the waves long enough to be charted as a small island. Even on the surface, they rarely receive unwelcome visitors, as ships often face strong winds and choppy seas when approaching a dragon turtle..
Explorers who win their way to a dragon turtle are fiercely interrogated. A dragon turtle passes judgment quickly and can become either a staunch ally or an implacable enemy. Occasionally, a dragon turtle takes such a liking to travelers that it invites them to rest atop its shell as guests or students. A dragon turtle reacts violently if its guests are harmed or threatened.
Eager Invitations. A nation that forms an alliance with a dragon turtle can reap centuries of security and prosperous weather. Some coastal rulers court dragon turtles with flattery, festivals, and rich tribute, while others bind them to service using sinister rituals. Botched attempts to compel a dragon turtle result in murderous rampages and devastating storms. A far safer way to earn a dragon turtle’s good will is through humble character, good deeds, and lavish gifts.
1 With a storm in its wake, on its way to attack a foe
2 Sleepily sunning itself, resembling a small island
3 Surrounded by storms; wishes to be left alone
4 Curious and hungry for gossip and conversation
5 Expects tribute from passing ships
6 Suspicious of travelers; uses zone of truth to determine their motives
1 A sudden change in weather: calm to stormy or vice versa
2 A lookout spots a previously uncharted island
3 Flocks of birds circling overhead
4 The wreckage of a merchant vessel floating atop the waves
Dragon turtles lair in the ocean depths.
CR 17–22 Dragon turtle
Treasure 500 pp, 2,000 gp, 5,000 sp, jade-inlaid ship’s wheel (750 gp), silver disc inscribed with map of the world (750 gp), elemental gem (water) , 2 potions of invisibility , horn of blasting fashioned from conch shell
CR 23–30 Titanic dragon turtle
Treasure 1,500 pp, 5,000 gp, 10,000 sp, 15 pieces of jewelry (750 gp each), 90 pearls (100 gp each), spell scroll of wish inscribed on a turtle shell, luck blade , portable hole
Dragons include red and gold dragons, which are huge reptilian fire-breathers that number among the world’s most dangerous monsters. This type includes white dragons , which breathe killing frost, as well as smaller reptilian creatures related to true dragons, such as pseudodragons .