Answering Questions about Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons (was: Primal Power Preview)

[davethegame]

BTW do any of the new draconians have death throes that affect implements?

Nope, and most of them explode

1) Aside from the new dragons, and the Draconians... what other monsters are there?

Wyrmling versions of the metallics (including a piece of art that is super cute)

Hollow dragons, basically the metallic version of dracolichs without the undead flavor

Couatls

Drakes: Liondrake, Vulture Drakes

Drakkensteed, elongated dragons designed for riding and bred from metallic dragons.

More Kobolds, including more dragonkin.

2) What the heck is Orium?

"A crimson-hued metal used by ancient empires" that is supposed to enhance magic and may have originated in the Feywild, but is mostly long lost. It reminds me of Cinnabril (sp?) from Red Steel but without the cursing/mutations. It gets its own sidebar.

3) OK. We see in the excerpt they mention about good and evil metallics. There's obviously material in there about Helpful dragons (Mentors, the Old Man assisting you, etc etc). What about Metallics as antagonists - are there any concrete plots offered, any advice in general beyond what we saw in the excerpt, or is it just "Well they can be evil, unaligned, or still antagonists... figure it out for yourself!"

Yes, in fact, I'd say more about making them antagonists than allies. There's a lot about how proud and condescending they are. Most of the sample encounters involve fighting metallic dragons. There's some draconic campaigns and organizations that help with this as well.

4) Subdual encounteres - what the hell is that? We get the excerpt Friday, I just want an idea of what that is.

Good question! I don't remember anything like that in my read-throughs and it's not in the index, but I'll keep an eye out.

 

[nightwyrm]

Maybe "Orium" (or at least the name) is inspired by Orichalcum?

 

[Rechan]

Yay kobolds! Yay Drakes!

Orichalcum is gold. Or well, super gold.

Hopefully there's good advice in there with regards to antagonists. Making, for instance, Good-aligned antagonists takes a litlte bit of skill.

It seems I edited in #5 after you started, so I'll repeat: What surprised you? Or do you think will surprise us?

BTW, thanks Dave.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

What are the personalities of the "new" metallics? (new to 4e, that is ) Like how copper dragons tend to be miserly and silver dragons tend to be knights-errant.

I'd like to know their breath weapons and monster roles too, if you would be so kind.

Thank you very much!

 

[davethegame]

Hopefully there's good advice in there with regards to antagonists. Making, for instance, Good-aligned antagonists takes a litlte bit of skill.

I think you'll like the advice about making them antagonists, but not necessarily about making them good AND antagonists.

It seems I edited in #5 after you started, so I'll repeat: What surprised you? Or do you think will surprise us?

I was surprised that they decided to put in so many different dragon types, and not so many related monsters- I thought they would follow suit from Draconomicon 1 and include lots of related monsters. I tend to find the dragon-related monsters easier to use in games than a pile of new solos, but I do like a lot of the new dragon types.

I was also surprised at how much it uses from DMG2, like the organizations and campaign styles.

BTW, thanks Dave.

Sure thing!

 

[davethegame]

What are the personalities of the "new" metallics? (new to 4e, that is ) Like how copper dragons tend to be miserly and silver dragons tend to be knights-errant.

I'd like to know their breath weapons and monster roles too, if you would be so kind.

Brass (Artillery): Placid, curious, talkative, with a strong mercenary streak.
Bronze (Brute): Duty-bound and honorable, see the world in black and white.
Cobalt (Controller): Grim, sullen, have a "mine!" attitude
Mercury (Lurker): Erratic, craves variety
Mithral (Skirmisher): Aloof, stay in the Astral Sea, above the concerns of mortals
Orium (Soldier): Taciturn, history buffs
Steel (Controller): Loves humanoids and live in cities, hate authority

 

[Nahat Anoj]

Brass (Artillery): Placid, curious, talkative, with a strong mercenary streak.
Bronze (Brute): Duty-bound and honorable, see the world in black and white.
Cobalt (Controller): Grim, sullen, have a "mine!" attitude
Mercury (Lurker): Erratic, craves variety
Mithral (Skirmisher): Aloof, stay in the Astral Sea, above the concerns of mortals
Orium (Soldier): Taciturn, history buffs
Steel (Controller): Loves humanoids and live in cities, hate authority

Cool, thanks! They all look like nice additions to the metallic dragon family.

That is indeed a lot of dragons. Not that I'm complaining, I like reading about them. I just wonder how the chromatics will keep up! For colors, we have yellow and orange left, but what else? Puce??

I know I'll get some flak for this, but to be honest I'd like to see gem stone dragons make a comeback! They could actually have a personality this time ...

 

[davethegame]

I know I'll get some flak for this, but to be honest I'd like to see gem stone dragons make a comeback! They could actually have a personality this time ...

No flak from me, I loved the gem dragons, played one in a Council of Wyrms game way back when. I think it might be cool to tie them into the 4e backstory of psionics and make them dragons who were created to beat the Far Realm.

 

[Rechan]

Cobalts hang out in the cold areas, right? Do they have a particular schtick/neat tricks?

Wow. Sincce Mithril dragons hang out in the Astral sea, I guess you won't see any young ones.

Anyone remember the Amber Dragon, from one of the 2e compendium annuals? I think one of those would be neat.

 

[Rechan]

I just wonder how the chromatics will keep up! For colors, we have yellow and orange left, but what else? Puce??

Fang dragon.