D&D 5E (2014) magic item trade

[Hawk Diesel]

Indeed. Although, as I've said, they don't know he's a dragon.

They don't need to learn he's a dragon. But you could give them a trinket and tell them that "According to legends, the bearer of this trinket only needs to hold it tight in their palms in an hour of need, and a great ally will spring forth to protect those who possess it. But once used, it will crumble to dust."

They don't have to know it would be a silver dragon that will appear, or that it is in fact the sage. But keep it mysterious enough to intrigue the players, and of such unknown potential that they would only use it when they desperately need it.

 

[pukunui]

Yes! I will have him give them a miniature silver dragon egg that they can break to summon an ally should they find themselves in desperate need of one.

 

[BoldItalic]

What about spell scrolls? The supposed wizard could plausibly offer scrolls in exchange. You could limit it to non-combat spells to avoid unbalancing the game.

 

[pukunui]

What about spell scrolls? The supposed wizard could plausibly offer scrolls in exchange. You could limit it to non-combat spells to avoid unbalancing the game.

They've already exchanged some scrolls with him. It would be in keeping with his sage persona, though, to just offer them a whole bunch of scrolls and nothing else. LOL.

 

[Ancalagon]

If the silver dragon is a bit devious... the best "reward" is giving them more work - as in getting them to do something in your advantage, but with them thinking you are doing them a great favor.

DragonSage: Thank you for bringing me this dangerous artifact, I will make sure it cannot harm anyone. As a reward, here is a 100 gp and something you may find interesting.
Heroes: Oh?
Dragonsage: Yes. A map to the secret tomb of Ulfar the Mad. This ancient document indicates how to get there. It is said that this tomb is most perilous, but I'm sure you can handle it. Filled with treasure of course.
Heroes: Sweet! ... hmmm... this map was drawn recently. The ink is still wet!
Dragonsage: oh well yes, it's a copy, the original is , erm, too fragile to travel.
Heroes: seems legit.
Dragonsage: Good luck!

2 weeks later.

Heroes: We're back! And you were right, so much treasure.
Dragonsage: Excellent.... aaand?
Heroes: Except... there was this evil sword of evilness. It tried to possess us several times and keeps summoning demons at sunset... So... could you take care of that for us?
Dragonsage: Of course! You were wise to come to me.
Heroes: Why do we keep finding these horrible artifacts?
Dragonsage: The magic of old was most perilous indeed. But fret not, I have a reward for you - the key to the Ancient vault of the Dark Dwarven Duke!
Heroes: Awesome!

 

[pukunui]

[MENTION=23]Ancalagon[/MENTION]: Yeah, that was more or less one of my original ideas for this campaign but it kinda evolved into something different. I suppose I could steer it back in that direction, but the PCs are 9th level now. I'm not sure how much longer they'll be willing to do that sort of thing.

 

[Ancalagon]

[MENTION=23]Ancalagon[/MENTION]: Yeah, that was more or less one of my original ideas for this campaign but it kinda evolved into something different. I suppose I could steer it back in that direction, but the PCs are 9th level now. I'm not sure how much longer they'll be willing to do that sort of thing.

It doesn't have to be just evil artifacts though

Heroes: We're back!
Dragonsage: How did it go?
Heroes: It was pretty rough, and we lost 4 hirelings, but you were right, that dragon *did* have 7 tons of silver.
Dragonsage: *excellent*
Heroes: We had so much silver we gave a ton to the priests to raise the 4 hirelings *and* give them a pension.
Dragonsage: Most noble of you!
Heroes: And you were also right about that dragon being a lying, foul-mouthed, back stabbing jerk, with a bit of a limp on the left rear leg. How did you know so much about him?
Dragonsage: ... history books?

 

[MonkeezOnFire]

If your players are approaching the higher levels perhaps a good reward could be the types of rewards that increase the PC's status. Things like property, titles, or connections to people in power. They can use these things to start building themselves up to be real movers and shakers and when they get there they have to start tackling much bigger issues. They then have to adventure in order to stop forces that threaten entire kingdoms as opposed to monsters that only threaten local villages.