Subduing dragons

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

spellweaver

Jul 27, 2005 10:05:46
Any thoughts on this?

Do you allow it in your campaign?

Can you sell a subdued dragon? and if so, where and to what price?

:-) Jesper
#2

gazza555

Jul 27, 2005 10:12:00
Any thoughts on this?

Do you allow it in your campaign?

Can you sell a subdued dragon? and if so, where and to what price?

:-) Jesper

It hasn't come up so far, but yes I would allow a dragon to subdued. However, I would not allow the dragon to be sold. IIRC the subdued dragon is treated as a follower not as a slave. It could be interesting way in 3e/3.5 to get a cohort. :D

Regards,
Gary
#3

zombiegleemax

Jul 27, 2005 10:37:02
IMC, intelligent dragons cannot be subdued, but they will almost certainly surrender if a total amount of subdual damage equal to their hit points are dealt to them. Surrender terms are as with any other intelligent creature, and various alliances/debts can thus be created.

Dragons with beast-level intellect can be subdued, or "broken," like a horse, using subdual damage. They can then be trained and used as steeds or even beasts of burden. They sense, however, the nature of their "master's" alignment, and depending on how they are treated, can range from moderately docile to extremely rambunctious and rebellious. Back in the day with BECMD&D, this kind of action was best used with "small" dragons by high level Expert or low level Companion adventurers. It was through this kind of action that the various Dragon Wings of the Retebius Air Fleet came into being, though some of the members actual rode intelligent dragons who were their friends and companions rather than servants.
#4

weasel_fierce

Jul 27, 2005 10:42:06
Keep in mind that a subdued dragon will flee or take revenge when it gets a suitable chance.
#5

gazza555

Jul 27, 2005 10:49:10
IMC, intelligent dragons cannot be subdued, but they will almost certainly surrender if a total amount of subdual damage equal to their hit points are dealt to them. Surrender terms are as with any other intelligent creature, and various alliances/debts can thus be created.

Dragons with beast-level intellect can be subdued, or "broken," like a horse, using subdual damage. They can then be trained and used as steeds or even beasts of burden. They sense, however, the nature of their "master's" alignment, and depending on how they are treated, can range from moderately docile to extremely rambunctious and rebellious. Back in the day with BECMD&D, this kind of action was best used with "small" dragons by high level Expert or low level Companion adventurers. It was through this kind of action that the various Dragon Wings of the Retebius Air Fleet came into being, though some of the members actual rode intelligent dragons who were their friends and companions rather than servants.

Maybe that's it, IMC, dragons are as intelligent (if not more so) as any other intelligent race. I, however, do prefer the term surrender to subdue. I suppose my players could try it on a wyvern or dragonnel etc.

I'm also currently re-reading the Dragonlord Chronicles so maybe it's clouding my judgement.

Regards,
Gary
#6

spellweaver

Jul 27, 2005 11:07:37
Keep in mind that a subdued dragon will flee or take revenge when it gets a suitable chance.

My sentiment exactely! Wouldn't a dragon just take off at the first opportune moment, perhaps breathing once on its "owner" first and then fly away...?

I really don't see how any dragon (I also consider them intelligent always) could be subdued for much more than it takes it to recover from its wounds.

:-) Jesper
#7

zombiegleemax

Jul 28, 2005 9:32:32
A Lawful dragon might agree to serve you if you spare its life. (A Chaotic dragon might agree to this as well, but would probably break the agreement). Neither dragon, IMO, would allow its "contract" to be sold to another person.
#8

zombiegleemax

Jul 29, 2005 6:26:23
It all depends ont he situation I guess. I allow it, but I also make it very difficult to keep them. Dragons are too powerful or smart to allow that treatment for long, unless it's by a lawful honor or something that will bind them. Selling them however is not an option.