Dragons
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Everyone knows what Dragons are. They are mighty creatures reflecting the spirit dragons of the world, perhaps as animals to Totems. They fly. They breathe out fire, poison, lightning or icy cold. They collect hoards of treasure - gold, silver, copper, brass and bronze metals, gems and jewelry- whatever sparkles and shines seems to catch their greedy eyes. The young are ferocious, fierce and aggressive. This rage calms with age. They may acquire the spoken languages of other creatures and wield the Dragon Line magics in a manner beyond human ability and producing magics to rival the greatest Mages. The Eseret worship them as Lesser Gods beneath the The Order of Heaven, Holy Church of Kuan. (See Esereti Dragon Worship ). The Olia superstitiously hold them as reverential creatures of symbolic significance. The Golam and Torga people rightly fear them and may hunt them for the treasure hoards, the valuable skin and bones imbued with magic and impressive trophies. The [Octnon call them ancestors and gods. Taurien, Fae and Titans all respect and fear Dragons, though fae may craft Chimeric ones to serve as mounts and pets.
Yet spirits of the terrain, of forest, mountain, plain and swamp, cloud and storm all take Dragon shapes. And there are other dragon-related creatures. Physical Dragons were perhaps created by the spirits as their servants - as the various breeds do have terrain associations. Perhaps the spirits are the greater manifestations of the dragon as Totems are greater manifestations of lesser creatures. The Dragon has mythic associations across many cultures and societies ( see Dragons in the world .
Everyone knows what Dragons are. They are mighty creatures reflecting the spirit dragons of the world, perhaps as animals to Totems. They fly. They breathe out fire, poison, lightning or icy cold. They collect hoards of treasure - gold, silver, copper, brass and bronze metals, gems and jewelry- whatever sparkles and shines seems to catch their greedy eyes. The young are ferocious, fierce and aggressive. This rage calms with age. They may acquire the spoken languages of other creatures and wield the Dragon Line magics in a manner beyond human ability and producing magics to rival the greatest Mages. The Eseret worship them as Lesser Gods beneath the The Order of Heaven, Holy Church of Kuan. (See Esereti Dragon Worship ). The Olia superstitiously hold them as reverential creatures of symbolic significance. The Golam and Torga people rightly fear them and may hunt them for the treasure hoards, the valuable skin and bones imbued with magic and impressive trophies. The [Octnon call them ancestors and gods. Taurien, Fae and Titans all respect and fear Dragons, though fae may craft Chimeric ones to serve as mounts and pets.
Yet spirits of the terrain, of forest, mountain, plain and swamp, cloud and storm all take Dragon shapes. And there are other dragon-related creatures. Physical Dragons were perhaps created by the spirits as their servants - as the various breeds do have terrain associations. Perhaps the spirits are the greater manifestations of the dragon as Totems are greater manifestations of lesser creatures. The Dragon has mythic associations across many cultures and societies ( see Dragons in the world .
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragons have a reptilian look - scaled bodies with horns on the long snouted head and spines or frills on neck and tail. They posses six limbs - two in the front with large claws, two legs in the back- also clawed and membranous wings like a bat. The tail is long and agile. The fore paws have ability for fine control nearly like a hand with one toe that serves as a thumb. The eyes have excellent vision in day and night.
Biological Traits
Dragons hatch as size -1 creatures and grow +1 size per decade to size 4, then every 50 years for +1 size. Every 4 Size above 3 adds +1 wound. Maximum size is 12 ( 100 ft long and 30 ft tall).
Dragons all are wildcard creatures and possess excellent vision: Night and dark vision. They ignore up to 4 points of Scale penalty vs smaller crearures.
They have Claw and bite attacks: Str+d6 (to size 4)/ +d8 (to size 7)/ +d10 (to size 11)/ +d12 (to size 12)
Pace 7, Parry 6, Toughness ( 8 (3) / 11 (4) / 15 (5)/ 18 (5) )
Flight (pace 12/ 16/ 18/ 24) Edges: Arcane Background. (dragonline Magic), Dodge, Fear ( +2, 0/-2/-3), Frenzy, and Sweep (tail) Str+ 1d4/+d6/+d8/+d10 . DRagons possess Spirit Speech
Breed specific immunities by their breath weapon, breath weapons (2d6/ 3d6/ 4d6/ 5d6) and Armor from scaly hides. (+2/+3/+4/+5 by size).
Breath weapons: fire (Red and Golden - cone), ice (White and Silver - cone), acid (Green and Black - stream), Lightning (Blue and Copper - stream), Paralysis ( Brass/ bronze - cone)
Marsh Dragons/ Taiga: (Black) aquatic - swim pace 9, breath weapon works underwater. ignores terrain penalties in swamp and marsh. Immune to Acid, paralysis, sleep and stun. Burrow pace 4. Attributes: Agility 8/6/6/6. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/ 8/8/10 Strength 8/10/12/ 12+2. Vigor 8/10/12/12+2.
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 8/8/10/12
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick
Red: Immunity to fire, paralysis, sleep, stun. +4 damage from cold. Aura of Fire -at end of the dragon's turn all adjacent foes take 2d4 damage.Attributes: Agility 6/8/8/8. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/8/10/10 Strength 8/10/12/12+4. Vigor 8/10/12/12+2
Skills: Athletics 6/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 6/8/8/8
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick
Blue: Immune to Electricity, paralysis, sleep and stun. Aura of Lightnings - at end of a combat round all adjacent foes take 2d4 area effect damage. Attributes: Agility 6/8/10/10. Smarts 6/8/10/10. Spirit 6/8/10/12 Strength 8/10/12/ 12+2. Vigor 6/8/10/12
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 10/8/8/6 Survival 6/8/8/10 . Occult 10/8/8/8 Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, (improved) Quick
Mountain (White): immune to cold, paralysis, sleep and stun. Burrow pace 6. Aura of Cold - at end of dragon's turn adjacent foes take 2d4 cold. Attributes: Agility 6/6/6/6. Smarts 6/8/10/12. Spirit6/8/10/12 Strength 8/10/12/12+1. Vigor 8/10/10/12
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 4/6/8/10 Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick
Forest (Green) Moves silently and leave no trace. They may command plants to move and entangle. Attributes: Agility 6/6/6/8. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/8/10/12 Strength 6/8/10/12. Vigor 8/10/12/12+1
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 8/10/12/12+2
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick.
Desert (bronze), Plains (gold) and Alpine ( Brass) : burrow pace 6, Medium Blast template Slow (-2 on spirit roll to resist). Attributes: Agility.8/6/6/6 Smarts 8/10/10/12. Spirit 8/10/12/12=1 Strength 8/10/12/12+4. Vigor 6/8/10/12 Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 6/8/8/10 (Gold). Healing 4/6/8/10
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick (Bronze Frenzy Improved), (Brass:Level headed), (Gold: Strong willed)
Scrub ( Copper) slumber medium blast . Attributes: Agility 6/6/6/8. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/8/10/12 Strength 6/8/10/12. Vigor 8/10/12/12+1
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 4/6/8/10 Thievery 6/10/8/4
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick, Danger sense, Linguist.
Dragons all are wildcard creatures and possess excellent vision: Night and dark vision. They ignore up to 4 points of Scale penalty vs smaller crearures.
They have Claw and bite attacks: Str+d6 (to size 4)/ +d8 (to size 7)/ +d10 (to size 11)/ +d12 (to size 12)
Pace 7, Parry 6, Toughness ( 8 (3) / 11 (4) / 15 (5)/ 18 (5) )
Flight (pace 12/ 16/ 18/ 24) Edges: Arcane Background. (dragonline Magic), Dodge, Fear ( +2, 0/-2/-3), Frenzy, and Sweep (tail) Str+ 1d4/+d6/+d8/+d10 . DRagons possess Spirit Speech
Breed specific immunities by their breath weapon, breath weapons (2d6/ 3d6/ 4d6/ 5d6) and Armor from scaly hides. (+2/+3/+4/+5 by size).
Breath weapons: fire (Red and Golden - cone), ice (White and Silver - cone), acid (Green and Black - stream), Lightning (Blue and Copper - stream), Paralysis ( Brass/ bronze - cone)
Marsh Dragons/ Taiga: (Black) aquatic - swim pace 9, breath weapon works underwater. ignores terrain penalties in swamp and marsh. Immune to Acid, paralysis, sleep and stun. Burrow pace 4. Attributes: Agility 8/6/6/6. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/ 8/8/10 Strength 8/10/12/ 12+2. Vigor 8/10/12/12+2.
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 8/8/10/12
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick
Red: Immunity to fire, paralysis, sleep, stun. +4 damage from cold. Aura of Fire -at end of the dragon's turn all adjacent foes take 2d4 damage.Attributes: Agility 6/8/8/8. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/8/10/10 Strength 8/10/12/12+4. Vigor 8/10/12/12+2
Skills: Athletics 6/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 6/8/8/8
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick
Blue: Immune to Electricity, paralysis, sleep and stun. Aura of Lightnings - at end of a combat round all adjacent foes take 2d4 area effect damage. Attributes: Agility 6/8/10/10. Smarts 6/8/10/10. Spirit 6/8/10/12 Strength 8/10/12/ 12+2. Vigor 6/8/10/12
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 10/8/8/6 Survival 6/8/8/10 . Occult 10/8/8/8 Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, (improved) Quick
Mountain (White): immune to cold, paralysis, sleep and stun. Burrow pace 6. Aura of Cold - at end of dragon's turn adjacent foes take 2d4 cold. Attributes: Agility 6/6/6/6. Smarts 6/8/10/12. Spirit6/8/10/12 Strength 8/10/12/12+1. Vigor 8/10/10/12
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 4/6/8/10 Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick
Forest (Green) Moves silently and leave no trace. They may command plants to move and entangle. Attributes: Agility 6/6/6/8. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/8/10/12 Strength 6/8/10/12. Vigor 8/10/12/12+1
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 8/10/12/12+2
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick.
Desert (bronze), Plains (gold) and Alpine ( Brass) : burrow pace 6, Medium Blast template Slow (-2 on spirit roll to resist). Attributes: Agility.8/6/6/6 Smarts 8/10/10/12. Spirit 8/10/12/12=1 Strength 8/10/12/12+4. Vigor 6/8/10/12 Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 6/8/8/10 (Gold). Healing 4/6/8/10
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick (Bronze Frenzy Improved), (Brass:Level headed), (Gold: Strong willed)
Scrub ( Copper) slumber medium blast . Attributes: Agility 6/6/6/8. Smarts 6/8/8/10. Spirit 6/8/10/12 Strength 6/8/10/12. Vigor 8/10/12/12+1
Skills: Athletics 8/8/8/10 Common Knowledge 4/6/9/10 Fighting 6/8/10/10 Notice 6/8/8/8. Intimidation 6/8/10/10 Persuasion4/6/8/10 Spell casting 12/10/8/8 Stealth 12/10/8/8 Survival 4/6/8/10 Thievery 6/10/8/4
Edges: Arcane background, arcane resistance, Dodge, Frenzy, Quick, Danger sense, Linguist.
Genetics and Reproduction
Obviously they must mate and produce young, but the tales and lore is rare in telling of Dragon mating and eggs. We assume it is eggs as ancient texts report. The ancient texts and lore of Esereti say the Dragons believe they are reincarnated - literally - physically reborn as their former selves but as hatchlings. This is contrasted by the Mad Monk Lazra of Uxrighia in his "Book of the Ancients" who claims that Dragons spend time as spirits before remanifesting themselves. Both are probably stories made in order to make themselves more powerful and mystical in the eyes of superstitious primitives who would believe such nonsense.
Growth Rate & Stages
Dragons grow across their entire lives. The smallest known being perhaps 3 meters in length to more than 30 meters. They are known to have lived for many centuries if not millennia (as suggested by ancient myths and stories).
Dietary Needs and Habits
Dragons appear to be carnivores that hunt and devour all lesser creatures. They do not engage in farming or keeping of livestock. On the other hand dragons do eat every and any food item in attacks on isolated farms and keeps.They are fond of beer, ale, wines, brandy and other alcohol.
Behaviour
Dragons do not engage in making things, or producing clothes. They are intelligent when older, speaking the languages of other creatures. They do not write but there are reports that they may read. They craft no weapons or armors, and perhaps believe that they themselves as great and formidable creatures, make adequate weapons of themselves and their bodies and the scales of their hide provides sufficient protection. Then they may further provide themselves magical augmentation. So perhaps they are not far wrong. Dragons are not known to gather and form no villages or cities - preferring solitary dominion over their territories.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Dragons are solitary and seem to settle dominance and status via physical contest and conflict.
Show spoiler
Dragon status is determined by size and strength, and also by wits. Superior magical ability or reason frequently give individuals an edge in contests. Older Dragons have reputation that carries status. Within Dragon conclaves and meetings, one is usually the Judge and serves to help smooth disputes and status.
As shapechangers dragons will spend decades building personae, writing books and building political connections. They frequently aim and confusing and obscuring dragon lore of other species and promoting their own agendas. One high order secret are the Dragon Watch - dragons that oversee regions of the world and keep them isolated to prevent global level conflicts and conquests. Within these regions dragon frequently play disguised roles as advisors and sages to rulers, subtlely manipulating ambitions and conflicts.
As shapechangers dragons will spend decades building personae, writing books and building political connections. They frequently aim and confusing and obscuring dragon lore of other species and promoting their own agendas. One high order secret are the Dragon Watch - dragons that oversee regions of the world and keep them isolated to prevent global level conflicts and conquests. Within these regions dragon frequently play disguised roles as advisors and sages to rulers, subtlely manipulating ambitions and conflicts.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Dragon skin is tough and makes excellent high end leather armor with a strength like steel plate. Likewise dragon bone may be used for armor. The bones, blood and other parts are valuable magical components in potions and alchemy or components of an Artificier's devices.
Warning! There be Dragons here! They have told their secrets and woe to any who misuse this lore!
Show spoiler
Dragons do gather in councils. They watch at the edge of several regions of the world to keep a balance and separate powers that would plunge the world into unimaginable conflict. They communicate by voice but also as spirits and record lore, knowledge and communications via enchanted stones. These stones carry a spirit magic that few mortals are aware of and are of a higher order than most spirits short of Incarna, Terrestrial or higher forms may access.
Dragons are great spirits that accepted the offer of the first Gods of assuming material form. When killed or they die from whatever cause they return to spirit form. Years or decades may pass as they gather material to recreate a mortal form. The hoards of rare metals, gems and jewelry are magical foci, material spells that gather energies and help them reform and help empower their magics. They know if the hoard is disrupted because it breaks the flow of the energies. Other items they may have gathered from conquest, education or simple curiosity. Disrupting the hoard disrupts the magic and only delays the Dragon's return or weakens their magic. It will certainly invoke their wrath. Some dragons have cults of followers that worship them, help guard and protect the hoard, or serve them and will perform offerings and rituals to help a Dragon return. Dragons may Shapechange into any animal or creature ethnicity as an action for 1 essence.
The reformation of a Dragon is a great magical event. Swirling elemental powers roar forth as the Dragon reforms. This return to mortal form is rigorous and painful and the returned Dragon is seething with raw power. They crackle with energy. But they may suffer amnesia, losing details of memories. They have weak control upon returning to life and are prone to rampages and fury ( Clarity ignores Spirit and starts at 1d4 and increases 1 d level each time essence drops to negative until max 1d12+2, Spirit starts at d12+10 and drops a die as Clarity increases). Many dragons after several cycles have created memory stones - which tend to be large crystals, or possibly gemstones - to preserve copies of their memories. Recovering them becomes an important objective on restoration. They must make a Clarity roll success to resist pouring essence into attacks and magics, success and raise if injured or facing a major threat. Restored Dragons are at size 7. See the Dragon template Biological info
Dragons are great spirits that accepted the offer of the first Gods of assuming material form. When killed or they die from whatever cause they return to spirit form. Years or decades may pass as they gather material to recreate a mortal form. The hoards of rare metals, gems and jewelry are magical foci, material spells that gather energies and help them reform and help empower their magics. They know if the hoard is disrupted because it breaks the flow of the energies. Other items they may have gathered from conquest, education or simple curiosity. Disrupting the hoard disrupts the magic and only delays the Dragon's return or weakens their magic. It will certainly invoke their wrath. Some dragons have cults of followers that worship them, help guard and protect the hoard, or serve them and will perform offerings and rituals to help a Dragon return. Dragons may Shapechange into any animal or creature ethnicity as an action for 1 essence.
The reformation of a Dragon is a great magical event. Swirling elemental powers roar forth as the Dragon reforms. This return to mortal form is rigorous and painful and the returned Dragon is seething with raw power. They crackle with energy. But they may suffer amnesia, losing details of memories. They have weak control upon returning to life and are prone to rampages and fury ( Clarity ignores Spirit and starts at 1d4 and increases 1 d level each time essence drops to negative until max 1d12+2, Spirit starts at d12+10 and drops a die as Clarity increases). Many dragons after several cycles have created memory stones - which tend to be large crystals, or possibly gemstones - to preserve copies of their memories. Recovering them becomes an important objective on restoration. They must make a Clarity roll success to resist pouring essence into attacks and magics, success and raise if injured or facing a major threat. Restored Dragons are at size 7. See the Dragon template Biological info
I like the spiritual basis of dragons you have written here. It has given me something new to think about for how to present dragons in my own world. Good work, and enjoyable reading!
Thank you for the kind comments.