Sapphire Dragon [Gem]

From light to deep blue, these handsome dragons glitter from the day they hatch, and they are often confused with blue dragons by anyone who forgets that blues live in deserts. Besides their own language they know the shared gem-dragon tongue, and 16% of hatchlings can talk with any thinking creature, plus 5% per age category.

Sapphires are not malicious, but they defend their territory like soldiers and trust no newcomer. Normally the dragon watches intruders before choosing a course, unless they include old enemies like dwarves or drow. Visitors who are not aggressive face questions and probing spells meant to learn what they want and talk them into leaving. Threaten the dragon or its hoard and it strikes at once with breath, spells and claws, using psionics or other powers to escape if it might die.

Its breath is a 75-foot cone of piercing, nearly inaudible sound, 5 feet across at the snout and 25 at its end. Victims save vs. breath weapon to halve the damage and must make another such save or flee in panic for 1d6 rounds plus 2 per age level. Because the fear acts on the body, creatures immune to magical fear still flee on a failed save. Deaf targets suffer the damage but not the fear. It casts and uses powers at 7th level plus its combat modifier.

Hatchlings are immune to fear of every kind and to paralysis, slow, web and hold. Later: continual light (young) and stone shape (juvenile), each 3/day; anti-magic shell 1/day (adult); passwall 6/day (mature adult); wall of stone (venerable) and sunray (great wyrm), each 3/day.

Psionics: psychoportation is most common (any science or devotion), with psychokinesis (molecular rearrangement, telekinesis, disintegrate; devotions soften, control lights, animate shadow, molecular manipulation) and clairsentience (clairvoyance, clairaudience; devotions radial navigation, know direction) also available.

Sapphires live deep underground and often hide their hoards in sealed caverns that only spells or psionic travel can reach. Emerald dragons sometimes live alongside them. Young are treated well but must leave and find territory of their own once they become young adults.

They hunt giant spiders, which they consider a rare treat. Deep dragons, drow, dwarves, mind reavers and aboleth are their sworn foes.