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How many age categories should dragons have?
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<blockquote data-quote="Vaprak001" data-source="post: 7159019" data-attributes="member: 6775623"><p>I'd expand upon Mercurius' theme of thresholds, which seems more organic than a simple dragon birthday 'boost-up'. What people haven't really considered so far in this thread are the historic events that would shape the development of dragons. </p><p></p><p>In my homebrew 1E world I had the almost obligatory cataclysm that separated ancient and modern times (with a Dark Ages in the middle) and was using two addition dragon ages (Cataclysm, Pre-Cataclysm) before 2E even came out. This became necessary as the party I was DM'ing needed ever-greater challenges. Transplanted to the FR, and using the 3E Campaign Setting (and Mercurius) I would have something like:</p><p></p><p><em><em>"1. hatchling/wyrmling - until a dragon is autonomous</em></em></p><p><em><em>2. young/juvenile - essentially childhood, dragon is still wild and animalistic</em></em></p><p><em><em>3. adult/mature - dragon becomes I-centered, sexually mature"</em></em></p><p><em><em>4. elder/ Old - </em> (Post 902 Dale Reckoning/ up to c.480 yo) Threshold marked by the creation of the first Draco-liches by the Cult of the Dragon. Many young-old evil dragons accepted to undergo the process creating a "missing generation" with demographic consequences for size and magical ability</em></p><p><em><u>Wyrms</u> (genetically bigger, wide range of magic)</em></p><p><em>5. Venerable (-339 to 902 DR) Threshold marked by the Fall of Netheril. Dragons born in the aftermath of Netheril had an easier time of things! Poor organisation and the plundering of civilisation meant easy pickings. Dragons of this age are physically more powerful than younger dragons but lack the sheer magical power of older ones. Perhaps the last of the truly great dragons?</em></p><p><em>6. Ancient (-7,790 to -339 DR) Threshold marked by the rise of the great human civilisations. Ancient dragons were forced into the wilder areas of the world, reinforcing the scale and power differences between the various dragon races (especially that of the evil dragons). This time also marked the evolution of magic, driven by the Nether scrolls which encouraged ever greater experimentation by dragons with their sorcery. </em></p><p><em><u>Great Wyrms </u> (genetically the biggest of their kind, individuals with unique magic and powers)</em></p><p><em>7. Legendary (-11,700 to -7,790 DR) Threshold bounded by the rise of Tethir, the first Elven dragonslayer and Calim's final dragon pogrom. Dragons born to this age truly are the most spectacular physical specimens of their kind and grew up exposed to magic in it's infancy. These dragons may have unique spell capability.</em></p><p><em>8. Mythical (Pre -11,700 DR) These dragons literally ruled the world (like dinosaurs once ruled ours). The most powerful of the 'creator races', surviving specimens are of almost godlike scale, intelligence and power. They are also extremely individual and quirky, with atypical powers (some of which may be failing) and moral outlook for their race. Indeed their original race is somewhat obscured, for instance 'red' dragons of this age could range from almost black to light orange in colour - that is if there are any left! In game terms these dragons should never be met randomly and be almost impossible to kill. Although I don't agree with Mercurius that there should be one of each race, the slaying of any one of these dragons should have global repercussions. Maybe the slaying of one caused the Flight of Dragons in 1356DR?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>So the quick answer - 8 categories! Thanks</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Vaprak001, post: 7159019, member: 6775623"] I'd expand upon Mercurius' theme of thresholds, which seems more organic than a simple dragon birthday 'boost-up'. What people haven't really considered so far in this thread are the historic events that would shape the development of dragons. In my homebrew 1E world I had the almost obligatory cataclysm that separated ancient and modern times (with a Dark Ages in the middle) and was using two addition dragon ages (Cataclysm, Pre-Cataclysm) before 2E even came out. This became necessary as the party I was DM'ing needed ever-greater challenges. Transplanted to the FR, and using the 3E Campaign Setting (and Mercurius) I would have something like: [I][I]"1. hatchling/wyrmling - until a dragon is autonomous 2. young/juvenile - essentially childhood, dragon is still wild and animalistic 3. adult/mature - dragon becomes I-centered, sexually mature" 4. elder/ Old - [/I] (Post 902 Dale Reckoning/ up to c.480 yo) Threshold marked by the creation of the first Draco-liches by the Cult of the Dragon. Many young-old evil dragons accepted to undergo the process creating a "missing generation" with demographic consequences for size and magical ability [U]Wyrms[/U] (genetically bigger, wide range of magic) 5. Venerable (-339 to 902 DR) Threshold marked by the Fall of Netheril. Dragons born in the aftermath of Netheril had an easier time of things! Poor organisation and the plundering of civilisation meant easy pickings. Dragons of this age are physically more powerful than younger dragons but lack the sheer magical power of older ones. Perhaps the last of the truly great dragons? 6. Ancient (-7,790 to -339 DR) Threshold marked by the rise of the great human civilisations. Ancient dragons were forced into the wilder areas of the world, reinforcing the scale and power differences between the various dragon races (especially that of the evil dragons). This time also marked the evolution of magic, driven by the Nether scrolls which encouraged ever greater experimentation by dragons with their sorcery. [U]Great Wyrms [/U] (genetically the biggest of their kind, individuals with unique magic and powers) 7. Legendary (-11,700 to -7,790 DR) Threshold bounded by the rise of Tethir, the first Elven dragonslayer and Calim's final dragon pogrom. Dragons born to this age truly are the most spectacular physical specimens of their kind and grew up exposed to magic in it's infancy. These dragons may have unique spell capability. 8. Mythical (Pre -11,700 DR) These dragons literally ruled the world (like dinosaurs once ruled ours). The most powerful of the 'creator races', surviving specimens are of almost godlike scale, intelligence and power. They are also extremely individual and quirky, with atypical powers (some of which may be failing) and moral outlook for their race. Indeed their original race is somewhat obscured, for instance 'red' dragons of this age could range from almost black to light orange in colour - that is if there are any left! In game terms these dragons should never be met randomly and be almost impossible to kill. Although I don't agree with Mercurius that there should be one of each race, the slaying of any one of these dragons should have global repercussions. Maybe the slaying of one caused the Flight of Dragons in 1356DR? So the quick answer - 8 categories! Thanks[/I] [/QUOTE]
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