Dragon Shaman joins Mafia: HELP! (thieves' guild related)

[Wraith Form]

Hiya, n00b DM here.

One of my players is a dragon shaman (copper). He's 3rd level. He's been "recruited" (read: "being blackmailed") to work for a large, powerful thieves' guild (very much modeled after the Mafia of yesteryear - powerful and very pervasive, has the govt. in it's pocket, etc).

The tech level of my setting is a bit higher than normal, and I've been relying on the Iron Kingdoms and Ravenloft (especially the Renaissance cultures) settings for inspiration, as well as the computer game Arcanum. My group just intercepted a crate of guns, to give you an idea of the tech level - roughly 16th century.

Dragons seem to ill-fit in a high tech level world, which is the root of my problem. I'm having trouble thinking of how to make my player's dragon shaman PC be more "important" as far as my group's adventures.

I need some brainstorming assistance. Can you help, please? Just shotgun-blast me with ideas, based on what you just read, and I'll plot-jack ideas from there. Thank you for any help!

Alternately, if you can suggest low- or mid-level adventures that might be useful, I'd take those ideas too.

 

[Kurotowa]

What do you mean by "important"?

As a party role, they do a lot just by existing and standing there. Good aura use will do a lot to improve whoever's nearby. For active combat participation, they have to wait till 4th level when they get their breath weapon. For out of combat effects they should try to make the most of their skills and free Skill Focus feat.

 

[Wraith Form]

What do you mean by "important"?

Ah. I'm talking about plot-wise. I usually have a side-plot (or even a primary plot) for the rogue and the multi bard\beguiler in the party - those two are easy with a bossy thieves' guild breathing down their necks. (I only have 3 players total.)

For ex - the "party" had to steal a healing formula, which was obviously geared specifically for the rogue. The crate of guns? It was an arms trade that the bard\beguiler was most useful in negotiating. (She's a "Face".)

So what do I have the dragon shaman do, aside from being a bodyguard for the other two? What kinds of adventures can a thieves' guild have a dragon shaman do?

 

[Kurotowa]

It's hard, at 3rd level. They don't have the healing powers that come at 6th level, they don't have the breath weapon that comes at 4th level. The two things they have are auras and a Skill Focus. So the question is, which auras and what Skill Focus does the PC have? With the Presence or Senses aura the PC would be a useful addition to a con job or lookout. If the PC has a Skill Focus in Bluff they should be the one running the con job, if it's Gather Info then send them to find someone hiding from the guild.

 

[Wraith Form]

First, his skill focus was on Hide. He's good at it, but the rogue is better.

Second, I think you're misunderstanding my question. I'm looking for plot hooks, adventure ideas, or modules that would be fun & appropriate for a dragon shaman in the above situation (being forced to be part of a thieves' guild in a Renaissance era setting).

I was thinking that I'd start gearing up for Red Hand of Doom, for example, but it seems very "middle ages"-y, and not enough "Renaissance"-y.

 

[Agent Oracle]

3rd level? just got his draconic adaptation.

Black: Water Breathing - The objective will require someone to SWIM through a narrow pipe that connects two fountains, however, the pipe is long, far too long for any normal person to infiltrate.

Blue: Vetriloquisim at will: ... Mmm... Oh, there are guard towers watching over a property. Every few minutes, they issue a simple call from one tower to the next. In order for the plan to go off, the guards have to be taken out from one of the towers, without alerting any of the other towers. The PC has to issue the Guard-call through his ventriloquisim power.

Brass: Endure elements... mmm... classic elemental traps?

Bronze: See Black.

Copper: Spider Climb: inacessable room atop a high tower, nobody in the clan (who is disposeable) can climb it without being seen or falling.

Gold / Green: See Black

Red: Treasure Seeker: Kinda writes itself. +5 to search checks?

Silver: Feather Fall: Only way to escape a job is to jump off a cliff.

White: Icewalker. the job is in the icy north.

 

[Wraith Form]

3rd level? just got his draconic adaptation.

Copper: Spider Climb: inacessable room atop a high tower, nobody in the clan (who is disposeable) can climb it without being seen or falling.

Good idea! Thanks!

 

[Kurotowa]

Did you change his totem dragon from Brass to Copper? That's why I was going on about the wrong set of skills.

Yeah, someone with Hide and Spider Climb will be a great second story man for the guild. Everyone locks their doors, but not everyone locks their windows. Anywhere there's a hole in security that a stealthy wall climbing guy can get to, he's their man. Second story windows, high towers, any place defended by walls. Just send him in.

 

[Wraith Form]

Did you change his totem dragon from Brass to Copper? That's why I was going on about the wrong set of skills.

Yes, I changed it. That was my mistake. Meh, bronze, copper...details, details.

 

[MonkeyDragon]

Recall that the plots for this PC don't have to come entirely from his abilities (though having a chance to show off your skills is always good). I'd think first about including bits dealing with his personality and background, and tweaking for his abilities from there.