A couple months back, I had some fun playing with the variant rule for dragons as innate spellcasters by applying it to Venomfang. Today, let’s travel south to the Sword Mountains and do the same for Cryovain.

The Monster Manual’s variant rule for dragons as innate spellcasters:

Dragons are innately magical creatures that can master a few spells as they age, using this variant.

A young or older dragon can innately cast a number of spells equal to its Charisma modifier. Each spell can be cast once per day, requiring no material components, and the spell’s level can be no higher than one-third the dragon’s challenge rating (rounded down). The dragon’s bonus to hit with spell attacks is equal to its proficiency bonus + its Charisma bonus. The dragon’s spell save DC equals 8 + its proficiency bonus + its Charisma modifier.

As a CR 6 monster with a +1 Charisma modifier, Cryovain can master one spell of first or second level. He can use it once, daily. His spell save DC is 12.

Ensnaring Strike (Conjuration). When making a successful claw attack, Cryovain uses his bonus action to cast ensnaring strike. Only, for the restraining effect, re-flavor the spell to use ice or frost at the point of impact (instead of writhing mass of thorny vines) and substitute the piercing damage for cold damage instead. This is a first level spell that can be cast at higher levels, so cold damage could be as high as 2d6 – in addition to the 2d6+4 slashing damage from the claw attack. Nasty.

Entangle (Conjuration). This is another one that needs re-flavoring, but could be diabolical in an area with snow or ice. Rather than vines sprouting from the ground, columns of ice shoot up from the ground, partially encasing anyone targeted by the spell in ice, requiring a successful Strength saving throw to break free. This could be a signature tactic, setting up restrained targets for Cryovain’s breath weapon in the next round.

Hunter’s Mark (Divination). “Their bestial nature makes them the best hunters among all dragonkind, singularly focused on surviving and slaughtering their enemies.” A spell like hunter’s mark sounds fairly on-brand for a white dragon. It’s right there in the name of the spell.

Thunderwave (Evocation). I used this for Venomfang, and I think it fits well for Cryovain as well. If the dragon can succeed in surprising most or all of the characters to begin combat, Cryovain lands heavily in the midst of his foes, sending a shock wave through the earth that rattles their bones and sends all but the most nimble characters sprawling to the ground to begin the combat.

Warding Wind (Evocation). A spray of snow whips around Cryovain like a winter squall, deafening adjacent attackers, making nearby ground difficult terrain, and imposing disadvantage on attacks made against the dragon. It requires a little cosmetic re-flavoring, but the effects of the spell remain the same.

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