Vriti (D&D 2nd Edition Monster)

These long, legless dragons are the offspring of Vrita, a huge immortal dragon defeated in an ancient battle with Indra. In this battle several scales were torn loose from Vrita and fell to earth, where they sprung to life and became vriti. Their name means "obstruction" and it is the mission of these monsters to prevent people from acquiring whatever it is they need. Resources such as water are typical.This is one of the many monsters I developed for my "Indian Adventures" campaign many years ago and the file containing this writeup was dated December 1995. It is stat'ed for 2nd Edition AD&D but can easily be adapted for use with any other edition of the game. 

Appearance: Vriti have brownish, thick hides, armored with great sheets of scale. These long, legless dragons are the offspring of Vrita, a huge immortal dragon defeated in an ancient battle with Indra. In this battle several scales were torn loose from Vrita and fell to earth. There they sprung to life and became vriti.

Combat: Vriti bite with maws full of long, sharp teeth. They also will wrap themselves around an opponent and then tighten their coils, crushing them. Once a hit roll is successfully made, crushing damage is automatic.

Lightning and related attacks are saved at at ‑2 by vriti, who take +2 points of damage on each die of this sort of damage.

A vriti's breath is scorching and dry, and once per turn it can fire a searing blast of heat, for 1d6 points of damage per hit die they possess (save for half).

Habitat/Society: Vriti are so evil and treacherous that they do not like to associate even with each other.

Ecology: Vriti are the deadliest predators in whatever area they choose to dwell, for they will not live in the vicinity of creatures more powerful than themselves.

Variants/Notes: Half of all vriti have wizard spellcasting ability of 1st to 12th level. They specialize in spells that control weather, so that they can bring drought and destroy water. 

Vriti

Climate/Terrain: Ruins, arid areas

Frequency: Very rare

Organization: Solitary

Activity Cycle: Any

Diet: Carnivorous

Intelligence: Average

Treasure: Lots

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

No. Appearing: 1

Armor Class: 1

Movement: 12

Hit Dice: 10‑12

THAC0: 10 or better

No. of Attacks: 2

Damage/Attack: 5‑20 (bite); 7‑28 (crush)

Special Attacks: Breath, spells

Special Defenses: Spells

Magic Resistance: As per a dragon

Size: L

Morale: High

XP Value: Many