Death Matrix

When this spell is cast, an extremely powerful and complex pattern of magical energy is woven into the dragon's life force, and it cannot be negated (or even detected) by any means short of a full wish. Thereafter, the magic lies dormant until activated, but it grows in strength as the dragon ages, due to its connection with the dragon's life force.

Upon the dragon's demise, the death matrix is triggered, causing the dragon's corpse to blow apart in an enormous explosion that showers a 50-foot-radius sphere with gemencrusted scales, muscle and sinew, bones, claws, fangs, innards, and blood—and the raw, unrestrained might of the dragon's breath weapon. All creatures within the radius must immediately save vs. breath weapon. If the saving throw is successful, the damage caused by the explosion is reduced by half. Otherwise, the explosion inflicts an amount of damage equal to the breath weapon of the dragon. Worse still, any damage die result of a 1 or 2 is regarded as a 3; thus, the triggered death matrix of a great red wyrm inflicts an astounding 84-252 points of damage (24d10+12, counting all rolls of 1 or 2 as 3).

Note, however, that since the explosion includes the hurled body parts of the dragon and basic concussive force in addition to the dragon's breath weapon, immunity to that breath weapon does not provide immunity to damage. Finally, objects exposed to the blast must make item saving throws vs. disintegration or be destroyed. Creatures or objects killed or destroyed by the explosion are completely obliterated.

As noted, only a full wish can remove a death matrix. Beyond that, there is only one method to avoid triggering a death matrix, and that is the instantaneous annihilation of the dragon. A spell like disintegrate or a magical item such as a sphere of annihilation is necessary to obliterate the dragon instantly and completely. Without the dragon's corpse (or a fraction thereof), the death matrix cannot cause an explosion and simply dissipates in a wave of magical energy noticeable by creatures in the radius as a tingling sensation. It is otherwise harmless and cannot be absorbed or harnessed in any way. If even so much as a scale remains of the dragon, the death matrix is triggered upon its death. (The damage inflicted is considerably lessened if only a fraction of the dragon's body remains. DMs must use their own judgment in modifying the damage in such cases.)

Obviously, the level of this spell puts it out of reach for use by most dragons, regardless of age or species. Therefore, most dragons must rely on scrolls bearing the spell in order to set up a death matrix.