Xykon' Zombie Dragon : How is it possible ?

[Johel]

Ok, I've searched for a topic about it but didn't find it, so...

I though it was pretty cool to get a undead dragon which can fly, so a zombie dragon. Problem is, using the SRD, it's seems impossible.

From the SRD online
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/zombie.htm

Hit Dice
Drop any Hit Dice from class levels (to a minimum of 1), double the number of Hit Dice left, and raise them to d12s. If the base creature has more than 10 Hit Dice (not counting those gained with experience), it can’t be made into a zombie with the animate dead spell.

I've check for the HD of any Large-sized dragon. The lowest is the very young golden dragon (yes, those one got big pups...) but it still has 11 HD so it's impossible to make a dragon zombie with Animate Undead.

I checked for Create Undead and Create Greater Undead but they don't speak about zombie. So, how did Xykon to get his mount ?

This thread is not in the Oots part of the forum because I'm looking for a covered-by-the-rules answer. If somebody has one, don't hesistate.

[Recaiden]

The Zombie Dragon template from Draconomicon.

[The Demented One]

Well, within OOTS, at least, artistic license. He gets one because it's cool and fits him.

Outside of that, I think Draconomicon has several templates for undead dragon, and there's probably a zombie dragon template that gets around the normal HD restriction.

[Mushroom Ninja]

Xykon is has epic spellcasting.

Anything is possible.

[Mushroom Ninja]

I just checked the SRD. Very Young Red Dragons have 10 HD and are Large.

[PirateMonk]

Xykon is has epic spellcasting.

Anything is possible.

This is it: the Animate Dead Epic Spell Seed allows animating creatures as zombies and doesn't put a cap on HD.

[Sinfire Titan]

The Zombie Dragon template from Draconomicon.

This is the correct answer. It is do-able via normal spells and very reasonable. Add in Corpse Crafter and Nimble Bones, and you've got a hell of a tank to play with.

[mostlyharmful]

This is the correct answer. It is do-able via normal spells and very reasonable. Add in Corpse Crafter and Nimble Bones, and you've got a hell of a tank to play with.

Which isn't even to add in that it might not nessecarilly be a strict zombie since the only definitions of it are eye-witnesses (OotS) who are guessing and Xykon (Who's a damn moron when he isn't interested). There's any number of weird and bizarre Undead templates you could put on a dragon corpse when an epic casters involved.

Oh, and to the Red Dragon possibility, it's reasonably clear it's the reanimated corpse of that silver dragon that settled into Xykons backup lair which would make it a silver, just had to throw that out their... sorry...

[UglyPanda]

There was a thread or two about it when the Battle for Azure City arc began. It essentially came down to artistic license and the DM of the OotS universe invoking rule 0.

Edit: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...=zombie+dragon
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...=zombie+dragon

[Mewtarthio]

Which isn't even to add in that it might not nessecarilly be a strict zombie since the only definitions of it are eye-witnesses (OotS) who are guessing and Xykon (Who's a damn moron when he isn't interested). There's any number of weird and bizarre Undead templates you could put on a dragon corpse when an epic casters involved.

I dunno; something tells me Xykon would be able to tell a zombie from a much cooler and more fun undead.

That something would be Xykon, who is in my room now. Send help.

[mostlyharmful]

I dunno; something tells me Xykon would be able to tell a zombie from a much cooler and more fun undead.

Just because he knows the difference doesn't mean he's poncy enough to waste his time educating soon-to-be-roadkill on the difference, esspecially once it's been depanced by the straight frikkin' fighter for Balgaroths sake

[Sebastian]

While he was researching his "moderately escapable forcecage" Xykon researched an improved animate undead spell, too. Simple. :)

[Morty]

Except that here we can see that it's Redcloak who animates the dragon.

[Shadowtraveler]

He didn't so much make one as he borrowed one.

That's my version and I'm sticking to it.

[Recaiden]

This is the correct answer. It is do-able via normal spells and very reasonable. Add in Corpse Crafter and Nimble Bones, and you've got a hell of a tank to play with.

Yes, Animate dead can create a "zombie dragon" from Draconomicon, of up to at least 20 HD. Easily enough.

[xPANCAKEx]

i swear some catgirls should have seriously died from this thread:

comics don't have to conform to rules or physics. Or the DnD handbook.

end of discussion

[Collin152]

i swear some catgirls should have seriously died from this thread:

comics don't have to conform to rules or physics. Or the DnD handbook.

end of discussion

Catgirlicide does not work that way.

Physics hasn't been invoked, nor has chemistry, or any other realworld principle.
Just game mechanics.

[Mushroom Ninja]

Catgirlicide does not work that way.

Physics hasn't been invoked, nor has chemistry, or any other realworld principle.
Just game mechanics.

But, on the subject of catgirl slaughter, Dragons are very big and heavy. Surely they need a larger wingspan than they are usually portrayed with to lift off of the ground...

[Collin152]

But, on the subject of catgirl slaughter, Dragons are very big and heavy. Surely they need a larger wingspan than they are usually portrayed with to lift off of the ground...

They're dragons. Magic runs in their veins. They have an organ dedicated to channeling their magic.
That they fly is the least of the concerns of physics.

[Chronos]

Yeah, dragons are supposed to break all the rules. That's what they're there for. Frankly, I don't think my suspension of disbelief could handle a dragon that paid heed to the laws of physics.

[Chronicled]

But, on the subject of catgirl slaughter, Dragons are very big and heavy. Surely they need a larger wingspan than they are usually portrayed with to lift off of the ground...

While Collin and Chronos have it right, if you want a pseudo-physics/biology explanation: Dragons have large sacs of methane in their bodies (similar to the air sacs of birds) which counteract their large size. These sacs also provide ample fuel for things like breath weapons...

[Collin152]

While Collin and Chronos have it right, if you want a pseudo-physics/biology explanation: Dragons have large sacs of methane in their bodies (similar to the air sacs of birds) which counteract their large size. These sacs also provide ample fuel for things like breath weapons...

Methane can freeze things?

Like I said, the Draconis Fundamentalis solves all your physical problems with magic.

[Mushroom Ninja]

Like I said, the Draconis Fundamentalis solves all your physical problems with magic.

Alright, that makes sense.

[Fiendish_Dire_Moose]

Could be a DracoLich that he got to do his bidding. :D

[CASTLEMIKE]

If you need a magical reason all Dragons receive a freebie racial enhanced variant of the Borne Aloft reserve feat which is powered by their bones similar to needing a fifth level air spell to power the reserve feat non dragons.

This phenomena hasn't been wildly studied in FRPGs because most dragons don't care to be studied like a lesser creature and everyone knows dragons can fly because they are magical creatures and have wings.

[amanamana]

While Collin and Chronos have it right, if you want a pseudo-physics/biology explanation: Dragons have large sacs of methane in their bodies (similar to the air sacs of birds) which counteract their large size. These sacs also provide ample fuel for things like breath weapons...

Someone has been watching the discovery channel...

[Johel]

Thank you, folks.

[Greg]

Someone has been watching the discovery channel...

UK channel 4 first, I think.

[DemonSlayer]

Problem is, using the SRD, it's seems impossible.

Since when has that been a problem ?

[DigoDragon]

Frankly, I don't think my suspension of disbelief could handle a dragon that paid heed to the laws of physics.

Wow, I've never heard of that kind of issue before. That's quote worthy because I will agree.