D&D General Eastern Dragons in 5e

[Corinnguard]

Who else would make a list of 35 brightly colored dragons with special magical powers?

A rival RPG company that came out with a 3e-adjacent RPG to 3.0/3.5 D&D.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

I think I would borrow some elements from the Essence Dragons in Level Up for a 5e Asian Dragon.

Yeah, I like the LevelUp Essence dragons. It's a design space rich enough to hold Asiatic dragons as well as things like 4e's Catastrophic dragons.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

In my game, Crossroads, dragons are either mortal, and more like… more diverse Pern dragons that can take humanoid shape, or they’re immortal and like lung in essence. Evil greater dragons are rare, but terrifying like fallen angels.

All dragons are tied to the world, and reflect it in some way. Like forest dragons might have deep green quills or and hide like tree bark, or might resemble a hybrid of a dragon and a wolf, mantis, forest cat, etc. Mortal dragons livfespans vary, and not all can easily take humanoid shape, and when young they are comparable to other mortals in power.

Greater dragons are basically minor gods.

Anyway my greater dragons are inspired by anime and Japanese videos games, and by East Asian alchemy and folklore, but don’t always look like classic Eastern dragons, since again they have environmental and elemental features.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Very cool ideas. However, I wouldn't want eastern style D&D dragons to so closely resembling actual RL mythologies and beliefs. I would rather see a new and fresh take. D&D dragons only take inspiration from western dragons, I would prefer they do the same for eastern dragons as well. Inspiration and innovation are more important than accuracy to me.

So not

It is more that they are still sacred and still worshipped beings thus the grounds is far more rocky than the western dragon, which is basically just a monster.
I want innovation, but also the classic flavour.

I also want the carp that turns into a dragon as I like the determination those guys have.

 

[Clint_L]

Who else would make a list of 35 brightly colored dragons with special magical powers?

Yeah making fun of folks with autism is pretty funny. I'm sure my son sees the humour.

 

[Tonguez]

Celestials
I already run gold dragons as Ti'anlong Celestials, the only change needed is to replace firebreath with Storm (wind and lightning) and give them a radiant aura.

Generally if you treat Eastern dragons more like guardian spirits you can use the current dragon stat blocks, just removing wings (but keeping fly) and remembering that most are associated with water and regularly use Control Weather, Gust of Wind, and Call Lightning. NB Dragons are natural scorcerers so give them any spell that fits

So

1 Ti'enlong are Celestial Gold Dragons (Greatworm) who guard the celestial gates of divine realms. They are associated with maintaining cosmic balance, divine authority, ascension, starlight and astrology (divination). They battle Evil and settle disputes amongst gods, dragons and mortals. Tienlong may also help Mortals to ascend to godhood (Quest hook!)

2 Shenlong are weather spirits sending both soothing showers and punishing storms, so use Blue dragon stats as a base emphasizing Weather, Wind, Storm. Shenlong also embody divine favor, balance of nature, communication between Heaven and Earth. Seeking harmony but also punishing transgressions. Often take human form and visit nearby villages.

3 Panlong are the coiled serpents who guard subterranean rivers and Hidden Knowledge.
They often challenge unrealised potential encouraging spiritual journeys or tests of faith. Panlong are wingless Copper Dragons that have not yet ascended to Celestial rank.

4 Chianglong river guardians associated with seasonal waterflows, flood-drought cycles and irrigation. Bronze dragons and loyal followers serving Dragon kings. They are assigned to ensure harmony between water and land. Chianglong in human form usually carry a huge sword as a mark of their authority. They will respond to prayers and offerings, enforce the power of the ocean over land, punish prideful mortals and punish those who desecrate sacred waters with floods or by withholding rain until appropriate offerings are made.

5 Yinglong (Winged Dragon) is the Bronze Dragon Warrior sent by the Ti'en as a divine enforcer or destroyer of great evils.
They are associated with Storms, Divine Punishment, enforcing Vows, Righteous wrath and Heroism and are the dragons most likely to respond to mortal prayer, aiding worthy rulers and war heroes in legendary battles

Personally Id stop here and either make the following unique or forget about them like:

Chilong the hornless 'son of the dragon king' is a youthful Green Dragon bard who promotes peace, refinement and artistry. They avoid direct conflict, preferring restraint and diplomacy rather than crude violence.

Fuzanlong the Red Dràgon dwelling in volcanoes with its hoard of Gems, Treasure and Secrets. The Fuzanlong has both reverence for the treasures it guards and a jealous greed for more. They like to test mortals with trials of temptation and humility, but will ruthlessly incinerate any who attempt theft.

Tun Mi Lung Japanese inspired Tempest Dragon associated with Storms and Cataclysm, Destruction, divine punishment and Sea Travel. They Manifest when nature is wronged or the balance disturbed bringing seasonal typhoons to cleanse regions of corruption.

Dilong (Lilung)
Topaz dragon protects the land as guardian of ley lines, stone circles, or burial mounds. They help maintain agricultural fertility and assist during times of drought and famine.

yulong
The koi Carp who lives for 1000 years may seek to leap the waterfall and thus be transformed. They are symbols of perseverance, rising potential, education, journeys, hope and transformation. Found guarding sacred rivers and waterfall shrines as they await transformation into full dragonhood.

You could make Koi juvinile celestial dragons in carp form

 

[Stormonu]

Is there a reason we couldn’t bring back the dragons of the original Fiend Folio (Lung dragons, I believe?)?

 

[cbwjm]

I'd follow previous editions, I think 3e had some good versions of eastern dragons.

 

[dave2008]

I also want the carp that turns into a dragon as I like the determination those guys have.

I always loved that story, I was sad to find out that it was mostly not true (as in not what Asian people believed). It was a story, but not THE story on the origin of dragons.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I always loved that story, I was sad to find out that it was mostly not true (as in not what Asian people believed). It was a story, but not THE story on the origin of dragons.

I also remember one where four of them went against heaven to save people from a drought and were punished by being crushed under mountains, but turned themselves into rivers so as to still help people.