Rugaard

Rugaard hatched into a world that offered no mercy for the weak. Born with a twisted leg that bent inward, he was deemed defective before his scales had even dried from the egg. In the brutal hierarchy of his clutch, the hatchling trials were absolute—only the strongest earned names, resources, and a place in the family cave. When Rugaard stumbled during the combat, his siblings circled like vultures, and his parents watched with cold indifference as he was cast into the outer darkness. His mother's parting words—"Overcome"—were not encouragement but a death sentence, a final dismissal that taught him the universe recognized only victors and corpses. Alone in the wilderness, starving and broken, young Rugaard learned that survival demanded something more dangerous than fangs and fire: it demanded cunning, strategy, and the willingness to become something harder than stone. Each scar that marked his copper scales was a lesson etched in blood and suffering. A territorial dragon's claws left him half-blind; a collapsed tunnel crushed his wing; smoke and flame had ravaged his lungs until his own fire became little more than a struggling ember. Where other dragons relied on physical dominance, Rugaard forged himself into a weapon of intellect and calculation, orchestrating victories through manipulation and foresight rather than brute strength. Every slight, every dismissal, every moment of pity he detected in another's gaze was catalogued and filed away, fuel for his burning ambition. He rose from nothing through sheer force of will, building alliances and crushing enemies with mathematical precision, always remembering that the world had tried to erase him. Now, as he climbs toward absolute power, Rugaard carries the conviction that mercy is a luxury only the strong can afford to show—and he has never been strong enough to afford such luxuries.

Strength

16, modifier +3

Dexterity

14, modifier +2

Constitution

20, modifier +5

Intelligence

20, modifier +5

Wisdom

12, modifier +1

Charisma

18, modifier +4

Cunning Strike

Rugaard makes a melee attack with his claws. On a hit, it deals 2d10 + 5 slashing damage.

Fire Breath

Rugaard exhales fire in a 60 ft. cone. Each creature must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.

Manipulative Tactics

Rugaard can force one creature he can see within 60 ft. to make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute.

Cunning Strategist

Rugaard has advantage on initiative rolls and can’t be surprised.

Battle Scars

Rugaard has resistance to fire damage due to his hardened scales.

Ruthless Precision

When Rugaard scores a critical hit, he deals an extra 2d10 damage.

Mastermind

Rugaard can use his intelligence modifier for attack rolls instead of strength.

strength

+8

dexterity

+7

intelligence

+10

wisdom

+6

constitution

+10

charisma

+9

Strategic Retreat

Rugaard can move up to half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Ruthless Elimination

Rugaard makes one claw attack against a creature within reach.

Overcome

Rugaard can force a creature within 30 ft. to make a DC 18 Intelligence saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage.

fire

blinded