# Landwyrm, Desert >[!rimg]+ > ![[Placeholder2.png]] <div class="grid-container"><div class="MON">Desert Landwyrm</div> <div class="CR">CR 18 (153,600 XP)</div> <div class="SOU">Draconomicon pg. 169</div> <div class="SYS">Dungeons & Dragons 3.5</div></div> NE Gargantuan Dragon **Init** +4 **Senses** darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; **Perception** +46 **Aura** frightful presence (160 ft., DC 31 Will) #### defense **AC** 33, 6 touch, 33 flat-footed (+27 natural, -4 size) **hp** 432 (32d12+224) **Fort** +25, **Refl** +18, **Will** +21 **Feint** 52, **Demoralize** 45 #### offense **Speed** 40 ft., burrow 20 ft. **Melee** bite +41 (4d6+12/19-20), 2 claws +40 (2d6+12) **Space** 20 ft., **Reach** 15 ft. (20 ft. with bite) **Special Attacks** sandstorm #### statistics **Str** 35, **Dex** 10, **Con** 24, **Int** 21, **Wis** 17, **Cha** 20 **BAB** +32, **CMB** +39, **CMD** 49, **TA** +40, **RTA** +28 **Feats** [[Alertness]], [[Blind-fight]], [[Cleave]], [[Combat Expertise]], [[Great Cleave]], [[Improved Critical]] (bite), [[Improved Initiative]], [[Improved Overrun]], [[Improved Snatch]], [[Improved Vital Strike]], [[Power Attack]], [[Snatch]], [[Snatch and Swallow]], [[Stealthy]], [[Vital Strike]], [[Weapon Focus]] (bite) **Skills** Bluff +40, Diplomacy +40, Escape Artist +36, Intimidate +40, Knowledge (local) +40, Knowledge (nature) +40, Knowledge (nobility) +40, Perception +46, Sense Motive +42, Stealth +37, Survival +38 **Racial Bonuses** Perception +4, Stealth +4 **Languages** Aklo, Common, Draconic, Giant, Orc **SQ** desert adaptation, stillness #### special abilities ### Desert Adaptation (Ex) Desert landwyrms can go without water for a number of days equal to their Constitution score. Even after this point, they need only make a Constitution check each day (rather than each hour, as noted in Starvation and Thirst) to avoid taking nonlethal damage from thirst. They take no nonlethal damage from heat exposure (though they take damage from fire normally). They suffer no ill effects from being caught in dust storms or sandstorms (including their own sandstorm attack). ### Sandstorm (Ex) A desert landwyrm can create a small sandstorm by kicking up sand, dust, and debris in a 120-foot-radius spread centered on itself. Any creature in the affected area must succeed on a DC 33 Fortitude save or be blinded for 1d6 rounds. This ability only functions in deserts or areas with similar quantities of dust or sand. ### Stillness (Ex) Desert landwyrms gain a +4 bonus to Stealth checks in desert terrain when they are immobile. #### ecology **Terrain** Warm deserts **Organization** Solitary, pair, or flight (3–6) **Treasure** Standard **Advancement** 33–39 HD (Gargantuan); 40–48 HD (Colossal) Landwyrms are cunning, wingless predatory dragons who ruthlessly scour their environment for prey. While some claim they represent a primitive, ancestral form of the true dragons, most dismiss such claims. Regardless of its origin, each variety of landwyrm is singularly adapted to its natural environment. All landwyrms lack wings, but their body shapes vary by type, from serpentine (desert landwyrms) to craggy (mountain landwyrms). They have large, powerful jaws, clawed fore and hind limbs, and thick scales whose coloration matches that of their natural environment. Landwyrms have stores of great knowledge about their environment, and if approached peacefully and respectfully, they can be sources of great wisdom. Landwyrms can make excellent steeds, though they are strong-willed and independent, so even the least intelligent must be treated with great respect, or it will turn on its rider. The heart of a desert landwyrm burns with a patient evil as it lies in wait for victims. A desert landwyrm’s yellow-brown scales perfectly blend with its arid surroundings. Their sinuous bodies make them look like enormous serpents, until one notices the powerful front and rear claws normally held tight against the body. Desert landwyrms often lair in ancient tombs or other ruined buildings, which leads to their nickname of “tomb dragon.” They are quite capable of defending their lairs from any but the largest blue dragons, with whom they often clash over territory. They respond best when offered valuables. ### Combat Thanks to its hardy nature, a desert landwyrm can lie buried in the sand for weeks at a time waiting for prey, with only its rocky eye-ridge protruding. When potential victims approach, the landwyrm bursts forth, creating a sandstorm to blind its prey. It ignores panicked opponents, knowing that it can track them down later if needed.