"Because I have complete mastery over everything I possess!"
Though half of Cassius's body had been torn apart, he felt the fighting spirit within his heart surging with boundless fury, nearly reaching its zenith. His draconic form was regenerating at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Dragging his battered body and cloaked in towering draconic fire, he swung his dragon claw with all his might, colliding midair with Kazul's claw—a talon far larger than his own.
"Boom!"
Another ear-splitting sonic boom erupted high in the heavens as the two mighty divine powers clashed. The shockwave expanded across the sky in an instant, scattering the ash and smoke for thousands of meters around.
"Come on, then!"
A grotesque sneer spread across Kazul's horribly burned face.
***
**Cinder Emperor - Cassius (Normal Form)**
**Name:** Cassius Claudew Norixius
**Type:** Colossal dragon, lawful evil
**Race:** Juvenile atavistic red dragon
**AC:** 39 (natural armor, gilded scales)
**Base Ability Scores:**
Strength — 36
Dexterity — 12
Constitution — 33
Intelligence — 17
Wisdom — 20
Charisma — 35
**Skill Proficiencies:** Ruling +42, Intimidation +31, Persuasion +19, Athletics +18, Appraise +12, Deception +12, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Arcana +4, Escape +4, Survival +4, Knowledge (Future) +4
**Damage Immunities:** Fire
**Damage Resistances:** Lightning, Cold
**Senses:** Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 40 ft., Passive Perception 21 (30 within Imperial Domain)
**Languages:** Common, Draconic, Ancient Giant (partial)
**Abilities:** Chaos Breath, Primal Breath, Imperial Domain: Absolute Severance, Imperial Domain: Burst, Imperial Domain: Control, Body of Storm Echoes, Power of Everfrost Runes, Maximized Fire Breath, Targeted Fire Breath, Gilded Carapace, Bloodline Boon, Frightful Presence, Draconic Fury, Scales of Blood, Ancient Dragon Avatar, Energy Substitution, Summon Elemental, Energy Focus, Energy Harmonization, Energy Explosion
**Feats and Traits:** Imperial Domain, Chaos Breath Weapon, Primal Breath Weapon, Bloodscale Rage, Draconic Spell, Army Breaker, Maximized Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Weapon, Frost Giant Slayer, Gilded Scales, Combat Caster, Sovereign Aura, Fugitive, Silver Tongue, Hard Landing, Power Attack, Shockwave, Wing Storm
**Combat Equipment:** Heart of Garyx, Sovereign True Dragon Crown - Divine Wind, time pocket watch, Ring of the Storm Sovereign's Eye, Horn of Everfrost, Scimitar of Decapitation, Ring of the Noble Efreeti, amulet of spell immunity...
**Equipped Spells:**
Recharge: Storm of Vengeance, Kobar's Glacial Cage
1/day: Time Stop, Temporal Stasis, Control Weather, Glacial Cascade, Greater Decapitating Sword
3/day: Greater Cone of Cold, Globe of Invulnerability, Dimension Door, Speak with Dead, Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, Blade Ward, Expeditious Retreat
**Class Levels:** True Dragon Sorcerer 16 / Master of Elements 4 / Bloodscaled Fury 4
**Caster Level:** 21
**Spells:**
9th Level: Dragon Absorption, Dragon's Spell Plunder, Meteor Swarm, Summon Elemental Behemoth
8th Level: Spell Wither, Mind of the Labyrinth, Incendiary Cloud, Sunburst
7th Level: Cataclysmic Dragon Eye, Burning Stone Smog, Dragon Shadow Simulacrum, Fire Storm, Delayed Blast Fireball
6th Level: Terrifying Vision of Tiamat, Undying Inverted Scale, Dragon's Justice
5th Level: Dragon's Breath of Life, Graceful as a Dragon, Bag of Greed, Flaming Dimension Door
4th Level: Firestride Exhalation, Polymorph, Wall of Fire, All-Seeing Eye, Aerial Maneuverability, Hoard Ward
3rd Level: Energy Scales, Blink, Protection from Energy, Fireball, Dimension Door, Flame Leap
2nd Level: Sheltering Egg, Enhance Ability, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force, Invisibility, Primal Hunter
1st Level: Fog Cloud, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield, Thunderwave, Scorching Ray, Dragon Spittle
Cantrips: Scratch, Fear Tremor, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, True Strike, Prestidigitation, Message, Witch Bolt, Fire Bolt, Scorching Ray
**Spell-like Abilities:**
1/day: Suggestion
At will: Control Fire Elementals
**Challenge Rating:** 27 (100,000 XP)
**Description:** This red dragon is referred to by draconic scholars as the "Red Emperor." Within a span of merely several decades, he forged an incomparably mighty empire, bringing the vast expanse of the Great Anzeta Wasteland beneath the shadow of his wings.
Under the mutual witness of the "Platinum Dragon God" Bahamut and the "Dragon Queen of Five Colors" Tiamat, this red dragon donned the crown symbolizing supreme authority and crowned himself emperor.
Some revere him, viewing him as a savior and liberator; others detest him, regarding him as a heinous, wicked dragon.
Yet without question, this red dragon's power commands profound awe. He once burned Mortifer, the notorious "Mouth of the Night," into nothingness; caused Oszedro, the famed "Silver Wing" of Clan Melvord, to plummet from the sky; and even devoured an efreeti pasha within the Elemental Plane of Fire.
Now, facing the chaotic situation across the continent of Feanso, he lies dormant inside a volcano, silently gathering strength—his pale golden pupils brimming with avarice. None can fathom the true extent of his ambitions.
...
**Heart of Garyx - Cassius (Frenzy Form)**
**Name:** Cassius Claudew Norixius
**Type:** Colossal dragon, chaotic evil
**Race:** Juvenile atavistic red dragon
**AC:** 44 (natural armor, gilded scales, crimson radiance)
**Base Ability Scores:**
Strength — 41
Dexterity — 12
Constitution — 39
Intelligence — 8
Wisdom — 28
Charisma — 35
**Skill Proficiencies:** Intimidation +55, Athletics +28, Hunting +20, Perception +8
**Damage Immunities:** Fire
**Senses:** Blindsight 80 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 32
**Languages:** Common, Draconic
**Abilities:** Chaos Breath, Primal Breath, Frightful Presence, Draconic Fury, Scales of Blood, Tireless Rage, Inspire Frenzy
**Feats and Traits:** World Purger, Chaos Breath Weapon, Primal Breath Weapon, Immortality, Bloodscale Rage, Army Breaker, Maximized Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Weapon, Hard Landing, Power Attack, Shockwave, Wing Storm
**Class Levels:** Bloodscaled Fury 12
**Divine Rank:** 0 (Quasi-deity)
**Spell-like Abilities:** Control Chaos
**Challenge Rating:** 29 (135,000 XP)
**Description:** Cassius's will has been influenced by the lingering destructive divinity of Garyx and twisted by the curse of abyssal demons, transforming him into a monster dominated by chaos.
"He shall bring an end to this decadent world; this is the ultimate law governing the cosmos," so the demons say.
...
**Lord of Mercy - Cassius (Human Form)**
**Name:** Cassius Claudew Norixius
**Type:** Medium humanoid, lawful evil
**Race:** Dragonblooded Human (Red Dragon)
**AC:** 19 (natural armor, robes of flame)
**Base Ability Scores:**
Strength — 21
Dexterity — 14
Constitution — 20
Intelligence — 17
Wisdom — 20
Charisma — 32
**Skill Proficiencies:** Ruling +32, Intimidation +20, Persuasion +19, Appraise +12, Deception +12, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Arcana +4, Escape +4, Survival +4, Knowledge (Future) +4
**Damage Immunities:** Fire
**Senses:** Blindsight 20 ft., Darkvision 20 ft., Passive Perception 21 (30 within Imperial Domain)
**Languages:** Common, Draconic, Ancient Giant (partial)
**Abilities:** Imperial Domain: Absolute Severance, Imperial Domain: Burst, Imperial Domain: Control, Body of Storm Echoes, Power of Everfrost Runes, Energy Substitution, Summon Elemental, Energy Focus, Energy Harmonization, Energy Explosion
**Feats and Traits:** Imperial Domain, Bloodscale Rage, Draconic Spell, Army Breaker, Frost Giant Slayer, Combat Caster, Sovereign Aura, Silver Tongue
**Combat Equipment:** Heart of Garyx, Sovereign True Dragon Crown - Divine Wind, time pocket watch, Ring of the Storm Sovereign's Eye...
**Equipped Spells:**
Recharge: Storm of Vengeance, Kobar's Glacial Cage
1/day: Time Stop, Temporal Stasis, Control Weather, Glacial Cascade
3/day: Greater Cone of Cold, Globe of Invulnerability, Dimension Door, Speak with Dead, Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, Blade Ward, Expeditious Retreat
**Class Levels:** True Dragon Sorcerer 16 / Master of Elements 4
**Caster Level:** 21
**Spells:**
9th Level: Dragon Absorption, Dragon's Spell Plunder, Meteor Swarm, Summon Elemental Behemoth
8th Level: Spell Wither, Mind of the Labyrinth, Incendiary Cloud, Sunburst
7th Level: Cataclysmic Dragon Eye, Burning Stone Smog, Dragon Shadow Simulacrum, Fire Storm, Delayed Blast Fireball
6th Level: Terrifying Vision of Tiamat, Undying Inverted Scale, Dragon's Justice
5th Level: Dragon's Breath of Life, Graceful as a Dragon, Bag of Greed, Flaming Dimension Door
4th Level: Firestride Exhalation, Polymorph, Wall of Fire, All-Seeing Eye, Aerial Maneuverability, Hoard Ward
3rd Level: Energy Scales, Blink, Protection from Energy, Fireball, Dimension Door, Flame Leap
2nd Level: Sheltering Egg, Enhance Ability, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force, Invisibility, Primal Hunter
1st Level: Fog Cloud, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield, Thunderwave, Scorching Ray, Dragon Spittle
Cantrips: Scratch, Fear Tremor, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, True Strike, Prestidigitation, Message, Witch Bolt, Fire Bolt, Scorching Ray
**Spell-like Abilities:**
1/day: Suggestion
At will: Control Fire
**Challenge Rating:** 19 (25,000 XP)
**Description:** Cassius assumes humanoid form via Greater Polymorph, frequently displaying this appearance in space-restricted settings such as the Imperial Council Hall and the Imperial Court.
In this form, Cassius rarely engages in slaughter, so the people's reverence for him far outweighs their fear. Some even call him the "Lord of Mercy," "Noble Sovereign," or "Incarnation of Divine Bearing."
**Cinder Emperor - Cassius (Normal Form)**
**Name:** Cassius Claudew Norixius
**Type:** Colossal dragon, lawful evil
**Race:** Juvenile atavistic red dragon
**AC:** 39 (natural armor, gilded scales)
**Base Ability Scores:**
Strength — 36
Dexterity — 12
Constitution — 33
Intelligence — 17
Wisdom — 20
Charisma — 35
**Skill Proficiencies:** Ruling +42, Intimidation +31, Persuasion +19, Athletics +18, Appraise +12, Deception +12, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Arcana +4, Escape +4, Survival +4, Knowledge (Future) +4
**Damage Immunities:** Fire
**Damage Resistances:** Lightning, Cold
**Senses:** Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 40 ft., Passive Perception 21 (30 within Imperial Domain)
**Languages:** Common, Draconic, Ancient Giant (partial)
**Abilities:** Chaos Breath, Primal Breath, Imperial Domain: Absolute Severance, Imperial Domain: Burst, Imperial Domain: Control, Body of Storm Echoes, Power of Everfrost Runes, Maximized Fire Breath, Targeted Fire Breath, Gilded Carapace, Bloodline Boon, Frightful Presence, Draconic Fury, Scales of Blood, Ancient Dragon Avatar, Energy Substitution, Summon Elemental, Energy Focus, Energy Harmonization, Energy Explosion
**Feats and Traits:** Imperial Domain, Chaos Breath Weapon, Primal Breath Weapon, Bloodscale Rage, Draconic Spell, Army Breaker, Maximized Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Weapon, Frost Giant Slayer, Gilded Scales, Combat Caster, Sovereign Aura, Fugitive, Silver Tongue, Hard Landing, Power Attack, Shockwave, Wing Storm
**Combat Equipment:** Heart of Garyx, Sovereign True Dragon Crown - Divine Wind, time pocket watch, Ring of the Storm Sovereign's Eye, Horn of Everfrost, Scimitar of Decapitation, Ring of the Noble Efreeti, amulet of spell immunity...
**Equipped Spells:**
Recharge: Storm of Vengeance, Kobar's Glacial Cage
1/day: Time Stop, Temporal Stasis, Control Weather, Glacial Cascade, Greater Decapitating Sword
3/day: Greater Cone of Cold, Globe of Invulnerability, Dimension Door, Speak with Dead, Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, Blade Ward, Expeditious Retreat
**Class Levels:** True Dragon Sorcerer 16 / Master of Elements 4 / Bloodscaled Fury 4
**Caster Level:** 21
**Spells:**
9th Level: Dragon Absorption, Dragon's Spell Plunder, Meteor Swarm, Summon Elemental Behemoth
8th Level: Spell Wither, Mind of the Labyrinth, Incendiary Cloud, Sunburst
7th Level: Cataclysmic Dragon Eye, Burning Stone Smog, Dragon Shadow Simulacrum, Fire Storm, Delayed Blast Fireball
6th Level: Terrifying Vision of Tiamat, Undying Inverted Scale, Dragon's Justice
5th Level: Dragon's Breath of Life, Graceful as a Dragon, Bag of Greed, Flaming Dimension Door
4th Level: Firestride Exhalation, Polymorph, Wall of Fire, All-Seeing Eye, Aerial Maneuverability, Hoard Ward
3rd Level: Energy Scales, Blink, Protection from Energy, Fireball, Dimension Door, Flame Leap
2nd Level: Sheltering Egg, Enhance Ability, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force, Invisibility, Primal Hunter
1st Level: Fog Cloud, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield, Thunderwave, Scorching Ray, Dragon Spittle
Cantrips: Scratch, Fear Tremor, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, True Strike, Prestidigitation, Message, Witch Bolt, Fire Bolt, Scorching Ray
**Spell-like Abilities:**
1/day: Suggestion
At will: Control Fire Elementals
**Challenge Rating:** 27 (100,000 XP)
**Description:** This red dragon is referred to by draconic scholars as the "Red Emperor." Within a span of merely several decades, he forged an incomparably mighty empire, bringing the vast expanse of the Great Anzeta Wasteland beneath the shadow of his wings.
Under the mutual witness of the "Platinum Dragon God" Bahamut and the "Dragon Queen of Five Colors" Tiamat, this red dragon donned the crown symbolizing supreme authority and crowned himself emperor.
Some revere him, viewing him as a savior and liberator; others detest him, regarding him as a heinous, wicked dragon.
Yet without question, this red dragon's power commands profound awe. He once burned Mortifer, the notorious "Mouth of the Night," into nothingness; caused Oszedro, the famed "Silver Wing" of Clan Melvord, to plummet from the sky; and even devoured an efreeti pasha within the Elemental Plane of Fire.
Now, facing the chaotic situation across the continent of Feanso, he lies dormant inside a volcano, silently gathering strength—his pale golden pupils brimming with avarice. None can fathom the true extent of his ambitions.
...
**Heart of Garyx - Cassius (Frenzy Form)**
**Name:** Cassius Claudew Norixius
**Type:** Colossal dragon, chaotic evil
**Race:** Juvenile atavistic red dragon
**AC:** 44 (natural armor, gilded scales, crimson radiance)
**Base Ability Scores:**
Strength — 41
Dexterity — 12
Constitution — 39
Intelligence — 8
Chapter 855