Sources
CR
Type
Size
Alignment
Movement

Animated Breath

Large Elemental, Neutral Evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor), 17 cold form only
Hit Points 95 (10d10 + 40)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
STR
19
+4
DEX
11
+0
CON
18
+4
INT
6
-2
WIS
10
+0
CHA
5
-3
Damage Resistances damage of the type matching the animated breath's form (acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison)
Condition Immunities Exhaustion, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned, Restrained, Unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands Draconic but can't speak
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Traits

Chromatic Form. When created, the animated breath takes one of five forms, matching its creator's breath weapon: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison. This form determines the creature's AC, damage resistance, traits, and attacks.

Fire Aura (Fire Form Only). At the start of each of the animated breath's turns, each creature within 5 feet of it takes 3 (1d6) fire damage, and flammable objects in the aura that aren't being worn or carried ignite. A creature that touches the animated breath or hits it with a melee attack takes 3 (1d6) fire damage.

Putrid Aura (Acid and Poison Forms Only). A creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the animated breath must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. A creature that touches the animated breath or hits it with a melee attack takes 3 (1d6) acid damage.

Actions

Multiattack. The animated breath makes two Slam attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 11 (2d10) damage of a type determined by the animated breath's form: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison.

Bonus Actions

Lightning Burst (Lightning Form Only). The animated breath magically teleports to an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet of it. Each creature within 5 feet of the animated breath after it teleports takes 3 (1d6) lightning damage.

Lore

A chromatic dragon's breath weapon is a manifestation of the energy that suffuses the dragon. With sufficient practice, dragons can learn to draw on magic from the Elemental Planes to shape their breath weapons into bipedal form, creating Elemental creatures called animated breaths. Chromatic dragons often use these creatures as guardians for their hoards or send them out to gather treasure from the territory around their lairs.