From the book, "Valley of Dust and Fire" page 76, we read in part, the following on the Dragon of Tyr...
"The Dragon has plots and purposes that can take centuries to unfold. where it once persued dozens of schemes and paid close attention to the doings of its minions, it now seems more contemplative and introspective... It spends weeks on end wndering in the corridors of its own mind, devoting its fearsom intelligence to pursuits beyond the conception of mortal creatures."
Ok, first off, cool, I like the imagery, makes a fully transformed Dragon seem more like a Dragon of other worlds, real smart, very crafty, and tough as nails. A good concept for a fully transformed Dragon whose been around for a while...
Second however.. What the freak is so bloody interesting?? I mean honestly, does he do spell research in his head or something?? (that would explain the lack of living quarters :P for such a big creature :P) Here's my question, if you've completed your Metamorphosis, (and that doesn't put a cap on your level progression) Wouldn't you sit around devising new PrC's and templates for yourself or others??
Is that what you'd have your maxed out transformed AB's doing when they are whole??? If not, what else?? Just sit back and say, "ahhh... glad that's over, wonder what's on the discovery channel..." I think not :P still, what would "you" do?
You are aware that The Dragon it is referring to, is Borys, right? Not every fully-developed dragon in the world. Borys appeared to have his mind full - maybe he did - reliving the past, the whole prison of Rajaat issue, and so forth. Borys is "The Dragon" - and always has been referred to as "The Dragon", not just any dragon. Mainly because as far as 99.9999999% of the world of Athas is concerned, there was only one Dragon, and even then, it was surrounded with myths and legends, and no real hard evidence or facts. People don't readily know that the Sorcerer-Kings are all dragons. It's not like they advertise it...ok, I think Andropinis kinda advertised it, but he's an oddball, and entrapped in The Black.
The point of the matter is - the Champions of Rajaat all tend to have a lot of things on their minds - and imagine that, you go lead the effort to wipe out a race genocidally for what you later found to be a total madman (but was your master/teacher as well) - you now have 2,000 years of operation after he was trapped away, and the constant fear of his inevitable return (Borys would be the most concerned with this, as he directly dealt with reinforcing the wards on Rajaat). Then there's the infighting between he various Sorcerer-Kings, the nuisence of the Veiled Alliance, and various other little dilemmas they all have to work on. One would think that this is a lot to keep a mind busy, even after a few millenia.
I am baffled by the line of reasoning leading to your inquiries.
Yes, I understand that it was referring to THE DRAGON, Borys, and what you say makes sense, he was in a very unique situation.. yet I think that there could be more to it than just reminiscing, keeping up to date on current events, and making sure the gate to the yard is locked every year... He's an advanced being, a fully transformed Dragon, fully, done, complete.. hes' gone through the animalistic stages, he's got his city tighter than a drum, (or mekilot hide drum :P or whatever) he doesn't bother with much except his guardianship over rajaat, at least, not that anyone can tell...
Edited and left out of my previous quote was this..
"The Dragon is content to let other lesser beings busy themselves with paltry designs; nothing is worth its personal efforts anymore."
and the next paragraph states..
"Only the greatest and most unusual events - such as an invasion of its Sanctum - now rouse the Dragon's interest. Do not mistake indifference for inability; if it's obscure purposes are threatened, the Dragon responds with full fury."
So I know he has things going on in that head of his, and I know he's got very important things to deal with.. however, his circumstances sparked an interest and curiosity in my own mind.. in some campaigns, he may not be the only fully transformed Dragon, in some campaigns the PC's may be fully transformed whatever's (Dragons, Avangions, Elementals, Spirits, whatever) if so, they've kind of risen to the top of the food chain.. what then?? You've completed this monstrous task, this monumental epic of epic feats.. are you really done?? nothing to do but wait around for someone to rise to the challenge? or get bored with the lesser creatures?
If you have AB's in your campaign, how would you deal with one that was fully transformed?? Especially a PC? Retire him? or give him new persuits??
The past still continues to influence the future: Look at how the Lens was stolen during those 100 years and was still missing until only a few years ago, and how its absence shaped the world under the Champions' perview.
So I know he has things going on in that head of his, and I know he's got very important things to deal with.. however, his circumstances sparked an interest and curiosity in my own mind.. in some campaigns, he may not be the only fully transformed Dragon, in some campaigns the PC's may be fully transformed whatever's (Dragons, Avangions, Elementals, Spirits, whatever) if so, they've kind of risen to the top of the food chain.. what then?? You've completed this monstrous task, this monumental epic of epic feats.. are you really done?? nothing to do but wait around for someone to rise to the challenge? or get bored with the lesser creatures?
Well, for Elemental Lords, and I suppose others as well, there is always the Elemental plains. Or you could start you're own city, or take over an existing one. You could put yourself to the task of restoring the sun to its former size. Or attempt to unmake the Pristine Tower. Or look into chronomancy and travel to the distant past, or far-flung future.
If you have AB's in your campaign, how would you deal with one that was fully transformed?? Especially a PC? Retire him? or give him new persuits??
Maybe the 'Birthright' approach would work?
I'm liking some of these tasks, what's the birthright approach? I've never played that realm.
Birthright is what happens when you mix DnD with Sid Meire's Civilization. Basically each player gets their own City. Though in actually, it doesn't need to be a city. They could the head of a religion, or a trading house, so long as they're in charge of people. Each month or so, each player decides what they're doing. Developing public works, developing the military, plotting against or cooperating with other players or NPCs, etc, etc. I've played it once in a PBeM, though it didn't get very far, and I wasn't entirely certain of the rules. There's actually a Birthright board here under 'Other Roleplaying Worlds'. If you're interested, you might want to look into it.
Any thoughts??
Wouldn't you sit around devising new PrC's and templates for yourself or others??
I don't think the Dragon is aware of Templates and Prestige Classes. And besides how can you rule out that he isn't pursuing greater power in some form. Perhaps he has to figure out what the next step is. I mean, except for Rjaat The Dragon is probably the strongest creature that has ever exsisted on Athas, he can't just go kill some Dwarves and level up. Or can he?
I don't think the Dragon is aware of Templates and Prestige Classes. And besides how can you rule out that he isn't pursuing greater power in some form. Perhaps he has to figure out what the next step is. I mean, except for Rjaat The Dragon is probably the strongest creature that has ever exsisted on Athas, he can't just go kill some Dwarves and level up. Or can he?
I bet he wishes he could :P I have often wondered why he didn't finish them off?
Not knowing the next step.. good point
I like that Not aware of templates an Prc's?? why not??
Not aware of templates an Prc's?? why not??
I was refering to the fact that the Dragon (being a ficitional character in the game) isn't aware of the mechanics of the game. It's more a game designer's perview to design prestige classes and templates. ;)
When the Dragon found out that he had been tricked by Rajaat, he and all the other champions probably decided that genocide wasn't gonna accomplish anything. Plus I think their hatred of their former master probably went a long way towards discouraging them from continuing to follow his plan, though I have heard that Dwarves are Tastey :P
I bet he wishes he could :P I have often wondered why he didn't finish them off?
Because himself, along with the other Champions stopped their genocidal purges - part of their rebellion against Rajaat, and realization that they were effectively annihilating everything on the planet that wasn't a halfling.
I was refering to the fact that the Dragon (being a ficitional character in the game) isn't aware of the mechanics of the game. It's more a game designer's perview to design prestige classes and templates. ;)
When the Dragon found out that he had been tricked by Rajaat, he and all the other champions probably decided that genocide wasn't gonna accomplish anything. Plus I think their hatred of their former master probably went a long way towards discouraging them from continuing to follow his plan, though I have heard that Dwarves are Tastey :P
Well, yes, I wouldn't assume he would know of game mechanics either, but I'd think he'd be more than interested in other forms of power, both to increase his own, and to defend against the powers of others who might come against him the future..
Yeah, I can go with them stopping their wars just to spite Rajaat, but if it had been me, I would have gone genocidal on halflings... Actually, if I ever play a character who becomes a dragon, I think that's what he'll do
He'll hunt them down, absorb all he can of their races knowledge and history (by force) and then squash them, turning them, and their races, to ash.. :D They are too dangerous for a respectable dragon to keep around. ;)Course, Rajaat may have some protective Guardians for that Race.. but....that's a chance I'm willing to take... besides.. you know what you're enemies greatest weapons are... they are the toys you are about to add to your own collection
hehe
Its a good thing that you aren't the Dragon, Athas would be totally screwed. Maybe he doesn't actually want to destroy all of exsistance and relizes that the halflings aren't to blame and might be the only thing that can save the world from total dissolution.... maybe he hasn't done anything in such a long time because he is deeply depressed with what has happened to the world because of his actions and ponders what can be done to restore the world to it's former glory without giving up his life or his power
In my opinion the Dragon spent all his time focused on Rajaat and keeping his old master imprisoned, as well as maybe trying to find a way to give him the power to kill his master. He no longer cared about insignificant things - which to someone of his power is almost everything.
I dont think he cared about restoring Athas - what benefit would that be to him? A new green age would mean a new age of defilers. I bet the Veiled Alliance would go Defiler en-masse (remember they arent good guys) and begin another war on the scale of the Cleansing Wars to get rid of the SK's. The SK's have everything they want, with no challengers (except for those darn free slaves - but they wouldn't be able to defeat any of the SK's anymore)