While Dragons are literally THE titular monster of Dungeons and Dragons, they can sometimes make it a bit tricky to involve them. Here are a few small adventure hooks you can use to bring a dragon into your adventures:
1- Patron. A dragon looks after a particular geographical area (it might be out of enerosity, or it might be a protection racket) in exchange for something valuable- cattle, tithing of gold, or human sacrifices (perhaps it takes them to be servants, taking inventory of its treasure hoard, polishing its scales, or even running the administration of its empire). For whatever reason, the village is unable to pay its price, and asks the PCs to intercede for them. Maybe they're bringing a different or substandard offering, or maybe they're trying to renegotiate the deal. Maybe the PCs aren't even aware that there is a deal... 2- Tyrant. A dragon imposes its will on the nearby area by force. It's powerful and dangerous, and the bones of would-be heroes adorn the scorched fields near its lair. Those who would win glory and renown would do well to end this dragon's reign of terror. 3- Vicious Beast. A dragon has been wounded by something which has lodged within it. This might be a poisoned thorn, the axe of a would-be killer, or something it has eaten. Whatever the injury, this has driven the dragon into a rage, despoiling the area. A reward is offered for bringing peace to the region again. 4- Territorial conflict. Some kind of dragon lives in the region, and has an uneasy peace with the humanoid that live there. However, a younger, but more powerful dragon is looking for territory nearby and is trying to drive the first dragon away. If you can make things uncomfortable for the new dragon, it might seek a lair elsewhere. 5- Undercover Boss. A dragon lives peacefully in shapehanged humanoid form, pretending to be a simple noble or perhaps a sorcerer. When someone discovers the dragon's identity, they call in professional dragon-slayers (perhaps including the PCs) and try to win themselves a hoard and a name. If the dragon is good-aligned, it may even seek out some of the slayers to neutralize or recruit them against its foes. 6- Power Vacuum. The death of an ancient dragon causes a 'gold rush' of sorts, with various adventuring parties, wizards, and even nations sending caravans to claim part of the dragon's hoard. Whether the dragon's descendants (perhaps including Dragonborn or Half-Dragons) agree to this is irrelevant. Perhaps the dragon even had a Will instructing what should be granted to each of its many descendants. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 22 May 2021. Comments are closed.
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AuthorI'm Luke. He/him pronouns. Archives
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