Saladrex is a powerful, chaotic chromatic Red dragon. In the original Throne of Bhaal, he is evil. In the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition he is chaotic neutral. Saladrex the Ancient One (as referred to by the Githyanki Captain) has his Lair connected to the Githyanki encampment.
He provides useful information about Carston and the warring factions created by his mischief, as well as some insight about the machine of Lum the Mad, including how to solve a puzzling problem and how to get Carston out of his glass prison. You can ask him all sorts of questions, even about the "Imprisoned One". However, he has grown very suspicious of outsiders, thinking they come to steal his hoard. He enjoys adulation and is not overtly looking for conflict or violence. Should you indulge his penchant for flattery, and perhaps "stroke his ego" a bit more, you may find out exactly why he is in Watcher's Keep. If you are short with him or rebuff his boasting then he will tire of you. This could lead to hostilities.
If defeated, Saladrex drops the Staff of the Ram +4, arguably the best staff and highest damaging weapon for a backstab in the saga.
| “ | Greetings puny one. I am Saladrex. I assumed the disturbance I heard earlier was another attack by the mind flayers, but I see now that you must have been the cause. It is nice to see a new mouse stumble into my lair. | ” |
— Saladrex, the Ancient One | ||
Gameplay[]
Saladrex will initiate dialogue when a party member is in detection range, which is also the same range as the nearest party member can see - the dragon is neutral at the outset of the dialogue.
The dialogue can lead to a peaceful outcome, or hostilities. It is up to the player and the choices selected that will determine this.
If the party undertakes certain actions in sight of the dragon, it will turn hostile, including directly attacking it, setting traps or snares, and the presence of summoned/conjured creatures.
Another trigger for a response is certain arcane or priest spells cast on the party within the dragon's detection range - examples include Protection From Magical Weapons, Draw Upon Holy Might (spell), Improved Haste, Protection From Energy, and others.
Saladrex can See the invisible.
Check the InfoBox for Saladrex's scripted actions and general triggers for use of spells, and innate abilities.
Expect several Wing Buffet attacks and Red Dragon Breath blasts during the battle. The breath weapons are used no sooner than every three rounds.
Almost all of Saladrex's spell attacks are not interruptible by damaging the dragon, and ForceSpell cast.
Note that when the dragon's hit points first fall below 50%, a Heal spell will trigger, mending all of his wounds.
See the dragon's immunities and special abilities listed on the InfoBox.
When the beast is defeated, take the gold and loot which can be recovered from Saladrex's corpse.
Bugs[]
Saladrex's regeneration ability timing mode is set as permanent, but that setting requires a duration to work, and it has no duration, and therefore it doesn't operate correctly. This is an issue throughout the game in several other creatures as well. This issue is included in The Enhanced Edition Fixpack (EEFP) and is already identified to Beamdog for possible fixing in the future.
Gallery[]
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Sword Coast Stratagems revises Saladrex in many ways. Especially if you install the "Smarter Dragons" component (which is responsive to the game difficulty selection). His SCS AI improves targeting and recognition of opponent's protections, which means he will fight smarter and not waste attacks on someone he cannot hit or damage. It will also influence his tactical options and attack methods. First, some mention of the dragon's stats and abilities. In most cases, all of the unmodded ones are still applicable:
- Saladrex is a 26 Hit Dice dragon (casts spells at level 26)
- 732 Hit Points (depends on difficulty setting)
- 3 Attacks per round (6 with Improved Haste)
- Movement modifier +4 (in addition to haste modification)
- Dragon claw attack reach range is 5' and +4 enchantment with SCS
- Breath weapons attacks and Wing Buffeting can't be blocked by any spells or the Cloak of Mirroring with this mod
Immunities in addition to the unmodded dragon version:
- Intelligence modification (feeblemindedness will work on Saladrex, but not Mind Flayer brain drain)
- Blindness
- Fire based spells (Incendiary Cloud, Sunfire etc.)
As stated in the article above, Saladrex has access to several innate Dragon abilities (which are manifested as "spells"). They are uninterruptible. A little bit more on what SCS does with the following:
- Dragon Fear (SPIN895): Moderately sized 16 ft radius aura centered on the dragon, ticks every round. No MR resistance or spell protections apply. Save vs. Spell at -4 or be affected by Panic. Fear protection can prevent, or remove the panic effects, but dispel magic will not remove it. Duration 1 turn.
- Lower Fire Resistance (SPIN682): Moderately sized 16 ft radius around the targeted area or creature. Bypass MR. Save vs. Spell at -3 penalty or Fire Resistance is reduced by -50%. No spell protections can block and cannot be dispelled. Duration 6 rounds.
- Wing Buffet (SPIN695): as described in main article. It is a moderately sized 16 ft area of effect around the dragon. Victims within are knocked back 30 feet away from the source (no save), then go Unconscious for 3 seconds (save vs. spell with -10 penalty to negate) and are hurt for 1d8 +12 crushing damage (no save).
- Protection From Magical Weapons (SPIN686): As per the wizard spell
- Dragon stoneskin (SPIN694): As per the Wizard spell with 10 skins applied
- Minor Sequencer (DW#DT11): Double Magic Missile (a total of 10 missiles)
- Spell Sequencer (DW#DT10): Stoneskin, Spell Deflection and Remove Magic
- Spell Trigger (DW#DT9): Improved Haste, Spell Immunity and Spell Deflection
Spells: Saladrex is scripted to use the following spells, as determined by the AI's need: Magic Missile (×5), Melf's Acid Arrow (×2), Fire Arrow (×2), Remove Magic (×2), Slow, Greater Malison, Breach (×3), Death Spell, Ruby Ray (×2), and Power Word Blind.
With the installation of the Spell Revisions mod, some of Saladrex's arcane memorized spells will be the SR version.
The Golem Construction for Spellcasters mod adds the "Secret Manual of Golem Building (vol. 6)" to the dragon's hoard.
Mod gallery[]
- Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
Mod screenshots[]
External Links[]
- Saladrex on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.