D&D 3E/3.5 Hiring a 3.5 Dragon
- Thread starter Strill
- Start date
HoboGod
First Post
Uh, they also tend to be very antisocial and xenophobic. Even those dragons that like people rarely reveal themselves as dragons, instead choosing to take the form of animals and kindly old men. And though the metallic dragons horde treasure like any dragon, they aren't as motivated by greed, rather they tend to be motivated by an appreciation of life. I don't imagine mercenary work is common practice for true dragons of any kind.
Even if one is willing to hire himself out, there is the "very greedy" and "not subservient" aspects. If I was going to allow this, I'd probably figure out a reasonable price for the service and double it.
Actually, the doubled price is probably his final offer. His initial offer is probably at least twice that.
Actually, the doubled price is probably his final offer. His initial offer is probably at least twice that.
kitcik
Adventurer
I don't see a dragon negotiating.
Their final offer might very well be "give me everything you have and I won't kill you."
On the other hand, if you had something (not with you) that the dragon particularly desired, I suppose a lawful dragon might be willing to exchange a task for it.
I would be curious how you would start the conversation.
"You fried me at hello." might be a common epitaph.
Empirate
First Post
What quite a few people here seem to forget is that dragons are NPCs. Why shouldn't there be a famous dragon-for-hire in your campaign? A mercenary of twelve dozen wars, fighting for the highest bidder and toppling kingdoms for a price? A legendary figure whose services can alter the course of a whole season's campaigning?
Or how about a dragon taking his wages of war in the form of utterly innocent, utterly adorable, utterly tasty virgins? Or magical secrets? Or an annual tribute, along with some public adulation and tail-kissing? How about a dragon with a personal agenda that needs a lot of outside help - help for which the dragon is totally content to smash a few skulls in a splendid little war?
Similar to how high-level adventurers will break the rules of a 'normal' war - and expect compensation for it -, dragons are just powerful NPCs with a self-serving streak. Come up with a fitting personality, a fitting agenda, a fitting backstory, and you're set.
Now on to calculate the price: take a look at the Dragon Ally spells - the price tag is steep, but can be worth it. Something like CR of the dragon squared times 100 gp for a single combat? IIRC, that is. I'd probably add in thrice that just to keep the dragon on retainer for a season (ready to come and help at short notice).
Or how about a dragon taking his wages of war in the form of utterly innocent, utterly adorable, utterly tasty virgins? Or magical secrets? Or an annual tribute, along with some public adulation and tail-kissing? How about a dragon with a personal agenda that needs a lot of outside help - help for which the dragon is totally content to smash a few skulls in a splendid little war?
Similar to how high-level adventurers will break the rules of a 'normal' war - and expect compensation for it -, dragons are just powerful NPCs with a self-serving streak. Come up with a fitting personality, a fitting agenda, a fitting backstory, and you're set.
Now on to calculate the price: take a look at the Dragon Ally spells - the price tag is steep, but can be worth it. Something like CR of the dragon squared times 100 gp for a single combat? IIRC, that is. I'd probably add in thrice that just to keep the dragon on retainer for a season (ready to come and help at short notice).
Halivar
First Post
Wyvernhand
First Post
Hmmm, I agree with Empirate on this. Depending on how common dargons are in your world, i could see this happening. In the Realms, or maybe pre war Greyhawk, I could definitely see this happening. Then again, in Soviet Eberron, dragon hire YOU!
An interesting thought i came up with while thinking about this is that a dragon would be a good spot to liquidate some expensive but not useful magic items. Normally when you sell items, its at half price. If you were trading items to a dragon for service, however, you might be able to barter for full price for services.
An interesting thought i came up with while thinking about this is that a dragon would be a good spot to liquidate some expensive but not useful magic items. Normally when you sell items, its at half price. If you were trading items to a dragon for service, however, you might be able to barter for full price for services.
Halivar
First Post
Kyprumix is a 40-year-young (juvenile) copper dragon. He was rather indolent as a wyrmling, showing great disinterest in his clutch's hunting of hill animals. 10 years ago, he struck out on his own, seeking better game in human lands. He found ready acceptance with a gladiatorial troupe, and he travelled from arena to arena, usually serving as the finale. Kyprumix enjoyed the noteriety, and relished the cheers of the crowd, but the carefully set fights were unsporting to him. One day he broke his way out of an arena, killing a score or more of slave-handlers and guards, and set himself up with a mercenary band.
Over the last 10 years, he has lent himself out to various lords and generals, and amassed to himself a small fortune. Today, he fights with a magic +2 greatsword (do dragons have opposable thumbs? Do they need them? What the heck ever!) and custom-fitted +1 half-plate armor. He prefers flying into battle-field hot-spots and neutralizing large groups of enemies before flying off to find new challengers. He does not delight in bloodshed or killing, but rather in combat, the glory of victory, and the acquisition of the spoils of war. He rarely fights for the same leader twice, preferring to move on in search of new adventures. He demands a large share of the spoils of victory, which he directs to be sent to his remote keep, where human and demi-human retainers collect and keep track of his wealth. Kyprumix will not work for evil or chaotic rulers (though being chaotic himself), and will not take part in an unfair fight (not out of any sense of honor, but rather due to lack of challenge).
Kyprumix is a 14 HD juvinile copper dragon with 5 levels of fighter.
Kyprumix
Size/Type: Medium Dragon (Juvenile, Copper)
Hit Dice: 14d12+5d10+38 (154)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor)
Immunities: Sleep, paralysis, acid
Armor Class: 31 (+13 natural, +7 half-plate, +1 magic), touch 10, flat-footed 31
Base Attack/Grapple: +19/+22
Attack: +2 greatsword +25 melee (2d6+8)
Attack: Bite +19 melee (1d8+3)
Attack: 2 wings +19 melee (1d4+1)
Full Attack: +2 greatsword +25/+20/+15/+10 melee (2d6+8) and bite +19 melee (1d8+3) and 2 wings +19 melee (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon; line of acid (60 ft., Reflex DC 10), cone of slow gas (30 ft., Fort DC 10, 4 rounds on failure)
Special Qualities: Spider climb, blindsense 60 ft., keen senses
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +10, Will +12
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 14
Skills: Bluff +20, Hide +18, Intimidate +25, Knowledge (military strategy) +10, Listen +22, Jump +20, Search +20, Sense Motive +20, Spot +22, Swim +15
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Flyby Attack, Hover, Power-attack, Wingover, Weapon Focus (greatsword), Weapon Specialization (greatsword), Improved Initiative
Challenge Rating: 14
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Over the last 10 years, he has lent himself out to various lords and generals, and amassed to himself a small fortune. Today, he fights with a magic +2 greatsword (do dragons have opposable thumbs? Do they need them? What the heck ever!) and custom-fitted +1 half-plate armor. He prefers flying into battle-field hot-spots and neutralizing large groups of enemies before flying off to find new challengers. He does not delight in bloodshed or killing, but rather in combat, the glory of victory, and the acquisition of the spoils of war. He rarely fights for the same leader twice, preferring to move on in search of new adventures. He demands a large share of the spoils of victory, which he directs to be sent to his remote keep, where human and demi-human retainers collect and keep track of his wealth. Kyprumix will not work for evil or chaotic rulers (though being chaotic himself), and will not take part in an unfair fight (not out of any sense of honor, but rather due to lack of challenge).
Kyprumix is a 14 HD juvinile copper dragon with 5 levels of fighter.
Kyprumix
Size/Type: Medium Dragon (Juvenile, Copper)
Hit Dice: 14d12+5d10+38 (154)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor)
Immunities: Sleep, paralysis, acid
Armor Class: 31 (+13 natural, +7 half-plate, +1 magic), touch 10, flat-footed 31
Base Attack/Grapple: +19/+22
Attack: +2 greatsword +25 melee (2d6+8)
Attack: Bite +19 melee (1d8+3)
Attack: 2 wings +19 melee (1d4+1)
Full Attack: +2 greatsword +25/+20/+15/+10 melee (2d6+8) and bite +19 melee (1d8+3) and 2 wings +19 melee (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon; line of acid (60 ft., Reflex DC 10), cone of slow gas (30 ft., Fort DC 10, 4 rounds on failure)
Special Qualities: Spider climb, blindsense 60 ft., keen senses
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +10, Will +12
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 14
Skills: Bluff +20, Hide +18, Intimidate +25, Knowledge (military strategy) +10, Listen +22, Jump +20, Search +20, Sense Motive +20, Spot +22, Swim +15
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Flyby Attack, Hover, Power-attack, Wingover, Weapon Focus (greatsword), Weapon Specialization (greatsword), Improved Initiative
Challenge Rating: 14
Alignment: Chaotic Good
