In a Dragonlance game that is far on the horizon, I want to include a particularly interesting NPC. To be specific, a blue dragon that the adventurers are sent to kill (or more accurately, steal from), but when they finally get past all the traps, lair wards, and minions, and burst into the dragon's personal chamber, they find him at first completely unconcerned with their presence. When they draw enough attention to themselves, the dragon looks up, and welcomes them to kill him. He will not resist.
If they inquire further, he will state that he has no reason to continue to live. His rider, the only mammal he ever respected, and his mate, who has been his constant companion for the last 3 centuries, and his friend even before that, have both been slain in the recent War. His first clutch of eggs by his mate were stolen by dark clerics of takhisis (whom he had trusted), and corrupted in a last act of desparation ages ago, during the war of the Lance(Yeah, I just had to widget in a couple Noble Draconians). His second clutch were smashed by adventurers and profiteers while he was away at war. And now even his goddess is dead.
If everything he is ever loyal to, everything he ever cares about, will either betray him or die, he asks, what reason does he have to continue with this existence?
I think this will offer a really interesting roleplaying situation for my players, and also an interesting surprise, as I hardly think this is what they'll expect upon reaching a dragon's inner sanctum.
Now here's my question: Is it against the nature of an evil creature, even one so loyal as the Blue Dragon, to care enough about other creatures that their death or betrayal could lead him to suicide (or more accurately, the loss of the will to live. He's not pursuing death, so much as welcoming it if it comes)? I ask because I have to decide whether he comes to this suicidal decision while remaining wholly evil, or whether he had started to become good, and is now being tortured by this fact.
Any input is welcome on this.
Originally posted by Khaibit_Ema_Neteru
Now here's my question: Is it against the nature of an evil creature, even one so loyal as the Blue Dragon, to care enough about other creatures that their death or betrayal could lead him to suicide (or more accurately, the loss of the will to live. He's not pursuing death, so much as welcoming it if it comes)? I ask because I have to decide whether he comes to this suicidal decision while remaining wholly evil, or whether he had started to become good, and is now being tortured by this fact.
I can't see any problem with this at all, alignment or no. Khellendros/Skie had a single-minded obsession over Kitiara long after her death, such that it drove him to do some pretty over-the-top things. Being evil doesn't stop you from being the slave of your emotions.
Cheers,
Cam
I can't see any problem with this at all, alignment or no. Khellendros/Skie had a single-minded obsession over Kitiara long after her death, such that it drove him to do some pretty over-the-top things.
This is true, and it was one of the major points I've been kicking around in my head. But developing a suicidal tendency implies that you actually value(d) the person more than yourself, which is why it was even a question in my mind, because that's one step farther than Khellendros.
he might just end up a redeemed dragon if your players treat him kindly enough and gain his loyalty.
I'm hoping that's exactly what would happen. Even if he was still totally evil at the beginning of this situation, he's incredibly vulnerable to alignment change, at this point. After all, he understands pain, loss, and despair now, it wouldn't be a stretch to convince him that inflicting the same on others would not bring him pleasure. And from there, to convince him that curing said conditions in others might bring him happiness....
Now that would be a handy ally to have on their side.
No kidding. Especially since, in order to be a young adult (Ie, of mate-able and egg-producing age) during the war of the lance, he would need to be nearing mature adult age by the post-war-of-souls era.
It depends how you want your story to turn out.
Have you read the leagon of steel? that happens in the leagon of steel but the dragon was very close to death (starved, broken leg, festering wound)
how do your pc's act in the game?
maby hint at his condition before the pc's open up with a fire ball.
like, "the dragon weakly stare at you and resumes staring at the ground (mutering what appears to be a name)", or "i will give you my hord if you can do me one favor, kill me"
how will the pc's be able to convert the dragon too? Will one of the pc's look like the dragon's dead rider? will the dragon acualy join them if their company easses the dragon's pain? will the dragon fall in love with a pc (a big long shot)? will the dragon adventure with the pcs because it takes his mind off the dead rider?
But any way if the dragon becomes a cohort or adventures with the pc's you will have to balence this out with future encounters.
I love the idea not you just have to make it survive the pc's
how do your pc's act in the game?
this particular game hasn't started yet, I just know that this is something I would definitely like to have happen, PCs willing. Knowing the people I'll be playing with...most of them don't tend to play characters from the "Shoot first, ask questions later" camp. Especially since a few of them have cultivated a deliberate ignorance toward most of the monster books. In other words, the player herself doesn't know for sure that a given creature-type is evil, because she's never read the book.
how will the pc's be able to convert the dragon too?
I have a few ideas about how it COULD be done, but honestly, it's up to my players. If they come up with a way that makes sense, given the dragon's personality, and would work, then it will work.
But any way if the dragon becomes a cohort or adventures with the pc's you will have to balence this out with future encounters.
Oh gods no. I have no intention of letting this dragon adventure with them, as he will be so far beyond their party level he would steal the show of any combat he was in. I was thinking if and when they've converted him, that he would go off on his own, and occasionally act as a source of knowledge/last-ditch help/monetary assistance when needed. Possibly even set him up on the dragon isles, if the metallics would have him.
Edit: Not to mention, he'd offer spy potential. I mean, just wearing a knight of neraka's armor might not get you past a KoN checkpoint. But if you call in a favor from your HUGE blue dragon buddy, and he comes along to vouch for you, I doubt they're gonna say no....
Originally posted by Mizik
how will the pc's be able to convert the dragon too?
There is a spell in the Book of Exalted Deeds - Sanctify the Wicked. Basically a creature affected by this spell gains the Sanctifed Creature template (also featured in BoED). The sample monster given in that book is a red dragon (it´s extremely weird seeing a chaotic GOOD red dragon). So I guess that could work...at DM´s discretion of course :D
Knowing the people I'll be playing with...most of them don't tend to play characters from the "Shoot first, ask questions later" camp. Especially since a few of them have cultivated a deliberate ignorance toward most of the monster books. In other words, the player herself doesn't know for sure that a given creature-type is evil, because she's never read the book.
OK, it's all very well and good for the players to cultivate no knowledge of monster stats, but I would like to add that dragons are incredibly well known about on Krynn. Chromatic dragons are evil, and everyone knows it. It's good to roleplay with the idea that your character knows very little in terms of weaknesses and so on, but it's also a good idea to keep in mind that the characters are *not* stupid, and it is possible to find out a lot of random stuff about creatures through research.
If they're going to go raiding a blue dragon's lair, they're probably going to be aware that it is evil (even if it isn't actually evil - they will go in there with the belief it is), and if they research, they can probably find out that lightning doesn't work so well on them, but cold spells work much better, that the thickness of their hide and magical abilities means that magical weapons or spells would be needed to even think about damaging them, that their lairs are in deserts, so they frequently do this, this and this with them, and so on.
Although it's nice for people to not meta-game, a creature made out of bones is obviously not going to be as affected by piercing weapons as bludgeoning, and a player bringing this up due to the DR the skeletons have is making a good point. Also, if players are aware of things weaknesses and strengths, it can work for the DM. I hardly bother touching the DMG during play as one of my regular palyers knows the contents cover to cover. I only really need the MM for inspiration when I need a random encounter, and this guy can tell me any of the bits I've missed in the quick once-over I've given the creature.
My advice would be to talk to players seperately on this. Advise some of them (the more impulsive) that they are aware chromatic dragons are evil, and are likely to kill you outright. Best chance to survive is a sneak assault. Advise the others simply that chromatic dragons are evil, and let them do a spot or sense motive or something (wild empathy?) to realise the dragon's miserable. Let the party get into some kind of fight over it. Provide the dragon with a modicum of amusement. Everyone's a winner.
OK, it's all very well and good for the players to cultivate no knowledge of monster stats, but I would like to add that dragons are incredibly well known about on Krynn. Chromatic dragons are evil, and everyone knows it. It's good to roleplay with the idea that your character knows very little in terms of weaknesses and so on, but it's also a good idea to keep in mind that the characters are *not* stupid, and it is possible to find out a lot of random stuff about creatures through research.
This is true, but among the more common folk, dragons are also subject to a lot of rumor. For example, do remember that for a long time people weren't even aware there WERE good dragons, or that dragons ever breathed anything but fire (remember laurana's surprise when the white dragon didn't incinerate her ship). So there would be doubt in the character's mind as to the exact nature of any given dragon. However, someone who gets too comfortable with "The Rules" (which I, myself, am incredibly guilty of) would KNOW certain things, with absolute certainty, even when in the context of a game they turn out to be wrong.
Though, I think by this time, I guess dragons have been back long enough that a lot of the knowledge about them is pretty concrete, so never mind, forget my original thought.
I think what I will do, however, is make them aware of exactly how futile sneaking up on a dragon is. If they pretty much KNOW that the dragon is aware of them, and he doesn't react, that will set off little alarms in their heads, I'm sure.
Has it helped you so far?
Glad to be of help!