1000 features, traps, and other things to spice up a dragon's lair

[Razjah]

59) Deep inside a desert is a cave where the dragon makes its lair. It has transformed the cave into an oasis. The air inside the cave is even damp from the moisture. Small springs and glowing plants provide decoration while the sound of water dripping and bubbling soothes the ears of desert dwellers. The dragon's hoard is a vast cavern of water and plant life, it plans to transform the desert-but adventurers and the like keep intruding trying to kill the dragon and/or steal its treasure, constantly pushing inhibiting the dragon's plans.

60) The dragon living in a remote monastery. It hides its true form from outsiders and appears to be an elderly man with a bum leg. The dragon teaches the arts of assassination to those who can pay tribute and promise a cut of all deals in the future. The dragon uses these assassins as a spy network to send mercenaries to lands in need of those capable of killing in all manner. In this way it every increases its hoard. Should an assassin live long enough to retire, he or she is welcomed back to the monastery to live a life of peace and comfort, in exchange for aiding in the monastery's defense should the need arise. The mountain paths have all been blocked in various rock-slides triggered by the dragon and its disciples. No army can get through on foot with enough supplies to last the siege and the howling winds are powerful enough to interfere with most forms of flight.

 

[darjr]

61) The lair is at the bottom of an immense stadium. The sections are filled to standing room only with kobolds who insultingly jeer at the characters and riotously cheer the dragon. They occasionally throw dangerous things at the PC's and get so loud that concentration checks are required to do anything complicated.

If the dragon is defeated they will pour out of the exits like ants and riot in the nearest village or town and throughout the countryside.

 

[Electric Wizard]

62) The lair is built around a deep, wide and very steep lava tube. The chambers are at multiple levels far from each other Anyone unable to fly will obviously be at a disadantage. The minions are all flying creatures or subterranean nasties that have evolved membranes that allow them to glide.

 

[MrBauxite]

63) A network of long abandoned tunnels with functioning gnomish steam trains. Imagine the pc's fleeing the dragon and fending it off from the carriage of the train as the tracks wend their way through tunnels and caverns.

 

[Razjah]

64) The dragon's lair is deep in the heart of a jungle. It stalks the deep wilds there, acting more as a boogeyman to the local people than a real threat. The villages that pay tribute (though who or what collects it is never seen) survive and do very well. Those villages that do not pay tribute seem to have many people go missing during hunts. The dragon is a master of disguise and moving quietly despite its great bulk- plus the canopy provides excellent cover against ground based prey.

The truth is that many have seen the dragon, but they were unaware what they saw was the dragon. It delights in hiding as a moss covered section of the canopy or a great bolder near an ancient ruin.

 

[Quickleaf]

65) The dragon's lair is overflowing with treasure, and several magic items are haphazardly scattered about as if to flaunt the great wyrm's wealth. A handful of these magic items seem useful in a confrontation against a dragon: ring of fire resistances, scroll of protection from dragons, sword of dragonslaying, etc. These are universally cursed items, however. The ring inflicts fire vulnerability. The scroll lowers the party's defenses against the dragon. The sword acts as a backbiter spear which cannot penetrate dragon scale. And so on.

 

[Electric Wizard]

66) The dragon lies in the middle of a ruined city. He has piled rubble, debris and garbage into mountains around his bed. Those who climb the mountains of detritus must be careful. Dislodging one rusty bucket, stone head or unmated boot might trigger a landslide. Mages hiding unnatural features beneath their heavy robes scour the ruin and attack any who come near.

 

[Razjah]

67) The dragon living in the clouds. Once a great cloud castle was built, but over the many years it fell into ruin. The dragon has moved in and adopted the place. It is difficult for mortals to attack, offers a great view, and with ready access to both sea creatures and land animals there is plenty of game to hunt. The cloud castle can even be powered to act as a defense network for the dragon-striking at enemies with thunder (stuns) and lightning (damage).

 

[Evilhalfling]

68. A long cone shaped hallway, with a small-sized slit at the end.

69. quicksand floor, with submerged path for minions.

70. poison gas/icy mist/explosive gas, in easily broken clay pots.

 

[Razjah]

71) The dragon hides in a library, each book is a tiny little demiplane. The bookworm holes allow for travel between planes without exiting the shelves. The dragon's horde is hidden within the many planes as well.