Looking for plot suggestions: a dragon got away

[msherman]

In the last session of my game, my PCs defeated a young black dragon, taking its hoard. The dragon itself escaped, though. The party was on a long-distance travelling adventure when they came across the lair -- it's unlikely that they'll be back in the area any time soon.

I'd like to come up with something more interesting than "the dragon comes back and fights you again" to do with that dragon. Any suggestions?

 

[Quickleaf]

It's hoard gone, the dragon goes to the swamp of its birth to nurse its wounds. However, the PCs discover a puzzle among the treasure hoard that reveals a curse on the kingdom and their search leads them back to the dragon. In the meantime, the dragon has made a tentative alliance with an evil border nation to hinder trade caravans of their rival. This time the PCs face a vengeful dragon on its home turf with secret allies.

 

[Rechan]

Dragons have enormous egos and intelligence. Imagine stealing everything that a narcissistic genius ever owned. Imagine what that person would then do in revenge. Now, add in the fact they can fly and have some nasty raw powers.

Black dragons are sinister, sneaky, and corruptive. I imagine that once the dragon licks its wounds, it will then begin to use its brainmeats for vengeance.

Instead of trying to go tooth and claw, start making alliances, start stalking the party, learning about their backgrounds, and exploiting them. Engineer situations ahead of time. Obviously, the dragon doesn't have the funds to do this, so it's going to have to trade favors or "work" for it (which no doubt will make the dragon feel insulted, in addition to the injuries).

Additionally it could be seeking out power to increase its own abilities, so it has some new tricks when the PCs meet it. Particularly if they used any noticable tactics, it might look for ways to defend against those tactics.

 

[darjr]

It wasn't his hoard. He was just in charge of it, a low level guard of sorts. He's on the run now, because the real treasures owners are not the forgiving sort. But they'll find him, and when they do he'll take them strait to the PC's cause that's the only way he'll save his own skin.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

The dragon is prideful and angry, seeking vengeance. But it's also young and impressionable.

Maybe it falls under the manipulative influence of a powerful and clever hag who'd like nothing more than to get her grimy claws on both the dragon's hoard, as well as the PC's hard-earned treasure.

 

[Vorput]

See
Giant In the Playground Games ,
Giant In the Playground Games ,
Giant In the Playground Games , &
Giant In the Playground Games

Doesn't get much better than that

Sadly, a young black dragon can't quite manage all that- but if he can somehow track down the PCs family or friends...

 

[LostSoul]

Long-distance adventure, eh?

Have the dragon offer its services as a guide in return for its hoard. If the PCs turn it down, it will stay ahead of them and warn/provoke anything and everything in their path.

edit: What's more, the presence of the dragon makes rest uncertain (unless the PCs have access to a Rope Trick or similar ability).

edit take 2: I always find it's helpful to ask myself: What does the dragon want?