A Dragon who wears her hoard [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Dragon who wears her hoard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
someonelse812
10-10-07, 10:12 AM So I needed to come up with a bit of fluff on the fly during the last session. I told the PCs that this great red wyrm likes to wear her hoard in the form of jewelry, mostly gold and rubies. I have the colossal red miniature right here and it is covered with spikes and points of all kinds. So this dragon keeps her hoard in jewelry form (rather than coins) and wears it, she is completely covered in jewelry. Rings and bracelets and necklaces and crowns of all kinds on her horns. Countless ioun stones orbit her, and she wears plenty of magic items, as much as is possibly allowed for a dragon to wear. Her lair is of course very hot and sometimes, some of the gold will melt into her scales, over the centuries this has given her a sort of golden sheen, she still looks like a red dragon, but a shiny golden red dragon.
How feasible is this? Could a great wyrm carry her entire hoard on her person as jewelry, or would there be too much even for her?
Magrus
10-10-07, 10:51 AM If you are involving magical items? Yes, of course. Throw in the Embed Spell Focus feat, some of those spell focus items are costly. 1,500 here and 3,000 there for a gem or rod or whatever adds up. Get the Forge Ring feat, and then Extra Rings feat to add 4 magical rings. Stuff like that.

You just need to be wary, if you are having the entire hoard be mostly magical equipment on this dragon all in use, you may have to bump the CR up a bit. They are expected to have and use magic, but translating almost everything to magical items that are worn means they are ALL in use. Thats like statting out that Ogre your low level party fought with level 10 PC equipment. Dragons get a LOT of treasure.
GoriceXII
10-10-07, 10:52 AM I think this is a cool idea. Ioun stones can't readily be removed except by the wearer, a common idea in dragon stories is the gems and gold getting to be part of their scales. She would probably not so much look like a person wearing jewellry--she'd look as you suggest, an astonishingly beautiful dragon.

She's of maximum size? And the pcs are going to face off against her? I don't think it's unreasonable--after all if they do finish her off then kudos for not just dying or becoming a meal. Just have a good idea maybe of where everything is and describe it as appearance--let them figure out the rest for themselves. If she can't wear the rest of it give her the gullet feat and have her swallow some of it.

Bear in mind too with the magical items that will enhance an already very powerful creature. She sounds like she's going to be the biggest baddest fight in your game.
someonelse812
10-10-07, 11:39 AM I'm running a gestalt game, so I'm planning on having them meet her at around Lv20. 6 gestalt PCs at level 20, 2 of them with leadership, this is a small army. the cohorts are gestalt, but not the followers.

most of what the dragon is wearing is mundane jewelry, albeit very expensive jewelry. some of it is magic, but because its all such expensive jewelry its really hard to tell whats mundane and whats magical without carefull inspection using detect magic.
Kouk
10-10-07, 12:33 PM Heh, if it is really covered completely in jewelry, you might consider giving the dragon an extra point of AC or so :P
KillerGM
10-10-07, 12:47 PM So I needed to come up with a bit of fluff on the fly during the last session. I told the PCs that this great red wyrm likes to wear her hoard in the form of jewelry, mostly gold and rubies. I have the colossal red miniature right here and it is covered with spikes and points of all kinds. So this dragon keeps her hoard in jewelry form (rather than coins) and wears it, she is completely covered in jewelry. Rings and bracelets and necklaces and crowns of all kinds on her horns. Countless ioun stones orbit her, and she wears plenty of magic items, as much as is possibly allowed for a dragon to wear. Her lair is of course very hot and sometimes, some of the gold will melt into her scales, over the centuries this has given her a sort of golden sheen, she still looks like a red dragon, but a shiny golden red dragon.
How feasible is this? Could a great wyrm carry her entire hoard on her person as jewelry, or would there be too much even for her?

That's really cool. :D

And even with the magic items - she could wear more than she could have activated (6 magic rings, but only 2 function).

I really like the image of it! :D
Count Arioch the 28th
10-10-07, 12:53 PM Thats like statting out that Ogre your low level party fought with level 10 PC equipment. Dragons get a LOT of treasure.

More like statting out an ogre with level 4 monster equipment, what you said was a bit of an exxageration.

Personally, I increase the dragon's CR by 2 because they're dragons and they were purposefully designed under-CR'ed.
someonelse812
12-17-07, 10:54 PM I’m still working out the details of this dragon. The PCs still have a little ways to go, they just leveled up to 17. Soon they will have their first awe inspiring introduction to this dragon, they have heard of her, even seen her from afar, but now they will actually meet and speak with her.

So, I’d like to revive this thread to get some more input and assistance. I am going to start working up a description to read aloud when the PCs first meet the dragon, I can handle it for the most part, but I would love some suggestions about points of detail or other descriptions to throw in to really make the players wet themselves.

Secondly, some people mentioned some feats and other things, so I want to put together a list of these feats and any spells or items that would be useful to this dragon and where they're from so I can use all this info when statting out the dragon.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Lord_Varos
12-17-07, 11:28 PM This would be absolutely impossible. That said, let's move on to more important, relevent matters.

You'd have to explain how the whole thing doesn't fall off during the 30 foot+ vertical motion of a dragon flapping its wings. It's not at all likely that they are all perfectly fitted and could stay on right, so it might be entertaining to describe crowns and jewels being flung off at random and spiking nameless followers in the face during the fight/chase.

Um, describe it the way you see it. None of our visualizations will be as vivid as the one you have, and you won't be able to read them aloud in any more real a manner. The violent and scary things you could come up with on your own will make a lot more sense to you visually than ours.

Lastly: holy lord, man. Six-player gestalt? What were you thinking? If they are all gestalt and level 20, there is no way a single dragon will be a challenge, unless it has somewhere in the 3-figure range of HD or a template that makes it immune to... everything.
someonelse812
12-18-07, 12:45 AM ya, power gaming is fun sometimes. this is our powergamer campaign.

this is why I have no intention of altering her CR, they will meet this great wyrm at around level 20 or 21.

also when i made that post I did have 6 players in the game, currently I have 2. (so if you live in southeast michigan and want to play get in touch).

I don't think the jewels will fall off. this is a fantasy world where there is lots of magic and other strange things. I also use incantations in my campaign as an easy way to explain away any kind of wierd magic effect I can think of. Also note that she spends time in her lair under a volcano, which is very hot, a lot of the gold she wears partially melts and molds to her scales. she has to keep putting on new pieces because the old jewelry melts and the jewels get lodged in her scales.
imagine if Mr T's bling kept melting so he had to put on more. each neckless is good for maybe a month before its melted beyond recognition.
this is only for the mundane stuff though, most magic items can stand up to some more extreme heat.
Loftower
12-18-07, 02:33 AM I would have the dragon keep a jeweler, or team of jewelers captive in her lair. The jeweler would have to be able to tolerate the heat somehow (I would use a heat-resistant race). This gives you a very plausible reason for the jewels to fit, and to be more-or-less uniformly high quality: she isn’t just wearing what she finds, she is providing raw materials to a skilled professional who is cranking out artwork. Why doesn’t she have any coins? Because they’ve been converted into jewelry.

If the circumstances work out, the PCs may have a conversation with the jeweler. This could have some interesting consequences. For starters the jeweler will know what is magic, what is the best jewelry, and what is filler. The jeweler could be delighted to be free of the dragon, or disappointed that his patron is gone. (An artist will put up with a lot of grief from someone who really appreciates his work.)

“Partially melted” and “exquisite jewelry” don’t go together well. I recommend that you pick one and stick to it. A gilded dragon is plausible enough if that’s what you’re really after. I would not give the dragon any armor bonus for the jewelry or gilding (except for enchantments to that effect, of course). Think about how thick the soft metals would have to be laid on to be meaningfully better than the dragon’s natural armor.

I think Lord Varos is correct: describe it the way you see it. Since you asked, if it were my adventure the dragon would wear a garment made from gold chains, like a fish-net body stocking. In the interstices there would be gemstones set. The different color and luster of the different stones would make a hint of a garment or suit – perhaps a green scarf look from emeralds set around the neck. Other “jewelry” would actually be effects made with the mosaic. The dragon could create tattoo-like effects in the mosaic as well. This also gives the dragon good reason to be looking for some very specific gemstones: to complete parts of the outfit.
metalmayhem80110
12-18-07, 03:08 AM I like this. What I would almost do is figure out the dragons horde (In actual GP), and than spend it.

The Draconomicon has GREAT things for customizing dragons and their loot, I'd thumb through it if you get a chance.

Some of the dragon only items in there, are well, just brutal to say the least.

I'd buy her mostly combat items, concidering she's supposed to be one of the biggest and the baddest out there.

I'd concider even giving her rings of elemental control :P Just to watch the PC's deck up in anti-fire stuff, to have earth and water rings pulled out on them :P
blodgett
12-18-07, 09:58 AM Read the Hobbit. Smaug encrusted himself in gems to protect himself in arrows, and since D&D is based on it (and Lord of the Rings) there's a definite precedent.
toucanbuzz
12-18-07, 10:32 AM If she's a smart dragon, she'll invest her valuables into some trading commodities, futures, and medium risk long-term stock options. If I walk around town with all my diamonds and valuables on the outside, I'm just asking from some thug to attempt to take 'em. Same applies with the dragon. :rolleye2:
Guardian1
12-18-07, 11:02 AM I like this. What I would almost do is figure out the dragons horde (In actual GP), and than spend it.

The Draconomicon has GREAT things for customizing dragons and their loot, I'd thumb through it if you get a chance.

Some of the dragon only items in there, are well, just brutal to say the least.

I'd buy her mostly combat items, concidering she's supposed to be one of the biggest and the baddest out there.

I'd concider even giving her rings of elemental control :P Just to watch the PC's deck up in anti-fire stuff, to have earth and water rings pulled out on them :P

Dragon-only items? You would be speaking of the Amulet of Supremacy (minor artifact, gives benefits of the Maximize Breath meta-breath feat to breath weapon and Maximize Spell feat to all spells and spell-like abilities, with no cost from either feat), the Gemstone of Fortification (provides a 25% 75% or 100% chance that critical hits will be negated and damage will be rolled normally, can be embedded into a true dragon's scales), and the Gorget of Tempest Breath (metal collar that gives the Tempest Breath feat to the user, takes up the robe slot) if I'm not mistaken. Yes, those items are truly nasty. However, let's not forget the following:

Dragonarmor of Invincibility: +5 half-plate barding (+12 armor bonus) covered with spikes and blades that give a +5 enhancement bonus on all the dragon's natural attacks). Resizes to fit any dragon within a specific size category, presumably determined at creation of the armor.

Claws of the Ripper: Metal blades that fit over a dragon's claw (a 'la Freddy Krueger) that increase the critical damage multiplier of a dragon's claws to a x4. Only resizes to fit dragons of Large or greater size.

Jaws of the Dragon: Metal, bladed jaws that fit comfortably inside a dragon's. Has blades that improve the damage from the dragon's bite attack as the sharptooth spell (increases bite damage by one size larger. Resizes to fit any creature, but only creatures with a bite attack get the benefit.

These items can make a dragon an even scarier sight than it already is, and if it weren't for that jewelry only thing, these are what I would recommend.
Guardian1
12-18-07, 11:04 AM I like this. What I would almost do is figure out the dragons horde (In actual GP), and than spend it.

The Draconomicon has GREAT things for customizing dragons and their loot, I'd thumb through it if you get a chance.

Some of the dragon only items in there, are well, just brutal to say the least.

I'd buy her mostly combat items, concidering she's supposed to be one of the biggest and the baddest out there.

I'd concider even giving her rings of elemental control :P Just to watch the PC's deck up in anti-fire stuff, to have earth and water rings pulled out on them :P

Dragon-only items? You would be speaking of the Amulet of Supremacy (minor artifact, gives benefits of the Maximize Breath meta-breath feat to breath weapon and Maximize Spell feat to all spells and spell-like abilities, with no cost from either feat), the Gemstone of Fortification (provides a 25% 75% or 100% chance that critical hits will be negated and damage will be rolled normally, can be embedded into a true dragon's scales), and the Gorget of Tempest Breath (metal collar that gives the Tempest Breath feat to the user, takes up the robe slot) if I'm not mistaken. Yes, those items are truly nasty. However, let's not forget the following:

Dragonarmor of Invincibility: +5 half-plate barding (+12 armor bonus) covered with spikes and blades that give a +5 enhancement bonus on all the dragon's natural attacks. Resizes to fit any dragon within a specific size category, presumably determined at creation of the armor.

Claws of the Ripper: Metal blades that fit over a dragon's claw (a'la Freddy Krueger) that increase the critical damage multiplier of a dragon's claws to a x4. Only resizes to fit dragons of Large or greater size.

Jaws of the Dragon: Metal, bladed jaws that fit comfortably inside a dragon's. Has blades that improve the damage from the dragon's bite attack as the sharptooth spell (increases bite damage by one size larger). Resizes to fit any creature, but only creatures with a bite attack get the benefit.

These items can make a dragon an even scarier sight than it already is, and if it weren't for that jewelry only thing, these are what I would recommend.
Derren S.
12-18-07, 11:13 AM Considering that such old dragons have very thick scales you could nail the treasure to her scales. Make small chains out of coins and nail them to the scales. Be sure to mention all the noise the dragon does when he moves as she is now covered with hundreds of chimes. (Only do this if you don't want to be stealthy).

On the mechanical side, give the dragon a Gemstone of Fortification and the Blinding Breath spell (Both Draconomicon). Nearly no one prepares against the blinding condition so Blinding Breath is really devastating. Give her a Draught which changes her breath weapon (Also Draconomicon) to change the breath into somethinf not fire (and best not cold too) so that all teh PCs are affected by it and see how they fare while being blinded.
Merestil Haye
12-18-07, 12:52 PM ya, power gaming is fun sometimes. this is our powergamer campaign.

this is why I have no intention of altering her CR, they will meet this great wyrm at around level 20 or 21.I'm not sure what you are looking for,but here are some ideas.

1. Why should the dragon be an average model? Give the creature the elite array. Make sure it gets +4 Dex and watch the PCs cry foul when it gets multiple AoOs per round with Combat Reflexes. Or better, roll the abilities fresh and apply racial adjustments.

There's a spell in the Spell Compendium that turns natural armour bonus into a Deflection bonus to AC. The name escapes me for the moment. Poor touch AC? Not this dragon.

If you haven't houseruled Wraithstrike, Dragon + Wraithstrike + Power Attack = mauled PCs. (I've houseruled Wraithstrike to apply to the next attack though - primarily because of one character in my Gestalt game who, when he found out about the spell at 12th level, could power attack for his maximum BAB (+11 or so) and still have his second iterative attack with a higher attack bonus than the touch AC of many enemies. At that point he was dealing on average 55-60 hit points per successful attack and had 4 attacks per round. The houserule got applied at the start of the next session. Even the player agreed, because it made him think about which attack to apply the spell to.)
mtbOgre
12-19-07, 05:51 PM You could use sovereign glue to stick large cut gemstones on her. Then she wouldn't worry about gems falling off. Of course unless the characters happen to have universal solvent they will spend 3 weeks prying and hacking scales with huge gemstones welded to them off the rotting dragon corpse. I guess they will have minions do that.
metalmayhem80110
12-20-07, 01:02 AM Dragon-only items? You would be speaking of the Amulet of Supremacy (minor artifact, gives benefits of the Maximize Breath meta-breath feat to breath weapon and Maximize Spell feat to all spells and spell-like abilities, with no cost from either feat), the Gemstone of Fortification (provides a 25% 75% or 100% chance that critical hits will be negated and damage will be rolled normally, can be embedded into a true dragon's scales), and the Gorget of Tempest Breath (metal collar that gives the Tempest Breath feat to the user, takes up the robe slot) if I'm not mistaken. Yes, those items are truly nasty. However, let's not forget the following:

Dragonarmor of Invincibility: +5 half-plate barding (+12 armor bonus) covered with spikes and blades that give a +5 enhancement bonus on all the dragon's natural attacks. Resizes to fit any dragon within a specific size category, presumably determined at creation of the armor.

Claws of the Ripper: Metal blades that fit over a dragon's claw (a'la Freddy Krueger) that increase the critical damage multiplier of a dragon's claws to a x4. Only resizes to fit dragons of Large or greater size.

Jaws of the Dragon: Metal, bladed jaws that fit comfortably inside a dragon's. Has blades that improve the damage from the dragon's bite attack as the sharptooth spell (increases bite damage by one size larger). Resizes to fit any creature, but only creatures with a bite attack get the benefit.

These items can make a dragon an even scarier sight than it already is, and if it weren't for that jewelry only thing, these are what I would recommend.

Yeah, those are some of the items I was mentioning. There are also some neat prestiege classes if you'd want to give her some levels in them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
someonelse812 10-10-07, 10:12 AM	So I needed to come up with a bit of fluff on the fly during the last session. I told the PCs that this great red wyrm likes to wear her hoard in the form of jewelry, mostly gold and rubies. I have the colossal red miniature right here and it is covered with spikes and points of all kinds. So this dragon keeps her hoard in jewelry form (rather than coins) and wears it, she is completely covered in jewelry. Rings and bracelets and necklaces and crowns of all kinds on her horns. Countless ioun stones orbit her, and she wears plenty of magic items, as much as is possibly allowed for a dragon to wear. Her lair is of course very hot and sometimes, some of the gold will melt into her scales, over the centuries this has given her a sort of golden sheen, she still looks like a red dragon, but a shiny golden red dragon. How feasible is this? Could a great wyrm carry her entire hoard on her person as jewelry, or would there be too much even for her?
Magrus 10-10-07, 10:51 AM	If you are involving magical items? Yes, of course. Throw in the Embed Spell Focus feat, some of those spell focus items are costly. 1,500 here and 3,000 there for a gem or rod or whatever adds up. Get the Forge Ring feat, and then Extra Rings feat to add 4 magical rings. Stuff like that. You just need to be wary, if you are having the entire hoard be mostly magical equipment on this dragon all in use, you may have to bump the CR up a bit. They are expected to have and use magic, but translating almost everything to magical items that are worn means they are ALL in use. Thats like statting out that Ogre your low level party fought with level 10 PC equipment. Dragons get a LOT of treasure.
GoriceXII 10-10-07, 10:52 AM	I think this is a cool idea. Ioun stones can't readily be removed except by the wearer, a common idea in dragon stories is the gems and gold getting to be part of their scales. She would probably not so much look like a person wearing jewellry--she'd look as you suggest, an astonishingly beautiful dragon. She's of maximum size? And the pcs are going to face off against her? I don't think it's unreasonable--after all if they do finish her off then kudos for not just dying or becoming a meal. Just have a good idea maybe of where everything is and describe it as appearance--let them figure out the rest for themselves. If she can't wear the rest of it give her the gullet feat and have her swallow some of it. Bear in mind too with the magical items that will enhance an already very powerful creature. She sounds like she's going to be the biggest baddest fight in your game.
someonelse812 10-10-07, 11:39 AM	I'm running a gestalt game, so I'm planning on having them meet her at around Lv20. 6 gestalt PCs at level 20, 2 of them with leadership, this is a small army. the cohorts are gestalt, but not the followers. most of what the dragon is wearing is mundane jewelry, albeit very expensive jewelry. some of it is magic, but because its all such expensive jewelry its really hard to tell whats mundane and whats magical without carefull inspection using detect magic.
Kouk 10-10-07, 12:33 PM	Heh, if it is really covered completely in jewelry, you might consider giving the dragon an extra point of AC or so :P
KillerGM 10-10-07, 12:47 PM	So I needed to come up with a bit of fluff on the fly during the last session. I told the PCs that this great red wyrm likes to wear her hoard in the form of jewelry, mostly gold and rubies. I have the colossal red miniature right here and it is covered with spikes and points of all kinds. So this dragon keeps her hoard in jewelry form (rather than coins) and wears it, she is completely covered in jewelry. Rings and bracelets and necklaces and crowns of all kinds on her horns. Countless ioun stones orbit her, and she wears plenty of magic items, as much as is possibly allowed for a dragon to wear. Her lair is of course very hot and sometimes, some of the gold will melt into her scales, over the centuries this has given her a sort of golden sheen, she still looks like a red dragon, but a shiny golden red dragon. How feasible is this? Could a great wyrm carry her entire hoard on her person as jewelry, or would there be too much even for her? That's really cool. :D And even with the magic items - she could wear more than she could have activated (6 magic rings, but only 2 function). I really like the image of it! :D
Count Arioch the 28th 10-10-07, 12:53 PM	Thats like statting out that Ogre your low level party fought with level 10 PC equipment. Dragons get a LOT of treasure. More like statting out an ogre with level 4 monster equipment, what you said was a bit of an exxageration. Personally, I increase the dragon's CR by 2 because they're dragons and they were purposefully designed under-CR'ed.
someonelse812 12-17-07, 10:54 PM	I’m still working out the details of this dragon. The PCs still have a little ways to go, they just leveled up to 17. Soon they will have their first awe inspiring introduction to this dragon, they have heard of her, even seen her from afar, but now they will actually meet and speak with her. So, I’d like to revive this thread to get some more input and assistance. I am going to start working up a description to read aloud when the PCs first meet the dragon, I can handle it for the most part, but I would love some suggestions about points of detail or other descriptions to throw in to really make the players wet themselves. Secondly, some people mentioned some feats and other things, so I want to put together a list of these feats and any spells or items that would be useful to this dragon and where they're from so I can use all this info when statting out the dragon. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Lord_Varos 12-17-07, 11:28 PM	This would be absolutely impossible. That said, let's move on to more important, relevent matters. You'd have to explain how the whole thing doesn't fall off during the 30 foot+ vertical motion of a dragon flapping its wings. It's not at all likely that they are all perfectly fitted and could stay on right, so it might be entertaining to describe crowns and jewels being flung off at random and spiking nameless followers in the face during the fight/chase. Um, describe it the way you see it. None of our visualizations will be as vivid as the one you have, and you won't be able to read them aloud in any more real a manner. The violent and scary things you could come up with on your own will make a lot more sense to you visually than ours. Lastly: holy lord, man. Six-player gestalt? What were you thinking? If they are all gestalt and level 20, there is no way a single dragon will be a challenge, unless it has somewhere in the 3-figure range of HD or a template that makes it immune to... everything.
someonelse812 12-18-07, 12:45 AM	ya, power gaming is fun sometimes. this is our powergamer campaign. this is why I have no intention of altering her CR, they will meet this great wyrm at around level 20 or 21. also when i made that post I did have 6 players in the game, currently I have 2. (so if you live in southeast michigan and want to play get in touch). I don't think the jewels will fall off. this is a fantasy world where there is lots of magic and other strange things. I also use incantations in my campaign as an easy way to explain away any kind of wierd magic effect I can think of. Also note that she spends time in her lair under a volcano, which is very hot, a lot of the gold she wears partially melts and molds to her scales. she has to keep putting on new pieces because the old jewelry melts and the jewels get lodged in her scales. imagine if Mr T's bling kept melting so he had to put on more. each neckless is good for maybe a month before its melted beyond recognition. this is only for the mundane stuff though, most magic items can stand up to some more extreme heat.
Loftower 12-18-07, 02:33 AM	I would have the dragon keep a jeweler, or team of jewelers captive in her lair. The jeweler would have to be able to tolerate the heat somehow (I would use a heat-resistant race). This gives you a very plausible reason for the jewels to fit, and to be more-or-less uniformly high quality: she isn’t just wearing what she finds, she is providing raw materials to a skilled professional who is cranking out artwork. Why doesn’t she have any coins? Because they’ve been converted into jewelry. If the circumstances work out, the PCs may have a conversation with the jeweler. This could have some interesting consequences. For starters the jeweler will know what is magic, what is the best jewelry, and what is filler. The jeweler could be delighted to be free of the dragon, or disappointed that his patron is gone. (An artist will put up with a lot of grief from someone who really appreciates his work.) “Partially melted” and “exquisite jewelry” don’t go together well. I recommend that you pick one and stick to it. A gilded dragon is plausible enough if that’s what you’re really after. I would not give the dragon any armor bonus for the jewelry or gilding (except for enchantments to that effect, of course). Think about how thick the soft metals would have to be laid on to be meaningfully better than the dragon’s natural armor. I think Lord Varos is correct: describe it the way you see it. Since you asked, if it were my adventure the dragon would wear a garment made from gold chains, like a fish-net body stocking. In the interstices there would be gemstones set. The different color and luster of the different stones would make a hint of a garment or suit – perhaps a green scarf look from emeralds set around the neck. Other “jewelry” would actually be effects made with the mosaic. The dragon could create tattoo-like effects in the mosaic as well. This also gives the dragon good reason to be looking for some very specific gemstones: to complete parts of the outfit.
metalmayhem80110 12-18-07, 03:08 AM	I like this. What I would almost do is figure out the dragons horde (In actual GP), and than spend it. The Draconomicon has GREAT things for customizing dragons and their loot, I'd thumb through it if you get a chance. Some of the dragon only items in there, are well, just brutal to say the least. I'd buy her mostly combat items, concidering she's supposed to be one of the biggest and the baddest out there. I'd concider even giving her rings of elemental control :P Just to watch the PC's deck up in anti-fire stuff, to have earth and water rings pulled out on them :P
blodgett 12-18-07, 09:58 AM	Read the Hobbit. Smaug encrusted himself in gems to protect himself in arrows, and since D&D is based on it (and Lord of the Rings) there's a definite precedent.
toucanbuzz 12-18-07, 10:32 AM	If she's a smart dragon, she'll invest her valuables into some trading commodities, futures, and medium risk long-term stock options. If I walk around town with all my diamonds and valuables on the outside, I'm just asking from some thug to attempt to take 'em. Same applies with the dragon. :rolleye2:
Guardian1 12-18-07, 11:02 AM	I like this. What I would almost do is figure out the dragons horde (In actual GP), and than spend it. The Draconomicon has GREAT things for customizing dragons and their loot, I'd thumb through it if you get a chance. Some of the dragon only items in there, are well, just brutal to say the least. I'd buy her mostly combat items, concidering she's supposed to be one of the biggest and the baddest out there. I'd concider even giving her rings of elemental control :P Just to watch the PC's deck up in anti-fire stuff, to have earth and water rings pulled out on them :P Dragon-only items? You would be speaking of the Amulet of Supremacy (minor artifact, gives benefits of the Maximize Breath meta-breath feat to breath weapon and Maximize Spell feat to all spells and spell-like abilities, with no cost from either feat), the Gemstone of Fortification (provides a 25% 75% or 100% chance that critical hits will be negated and damage will be rolled normally, can be embedded into a true dragon's scales), and the Gorget of Tempest Breath (metal collar that gives the Tempest Breath feat to the user, takes up the robe slot) if I'm not mistaken. Yes, those items are truly nasty. However, let's not forget the following: Dragonarmor of Invincibility: +5 half-plate barding (+12 armor bonus) covered with spikes and blades that give a +5 enhancement bonus on all the dragon's natural attacks). Resizes to fit any dragon within a specific size category, presumably determined at creation of the armor. Claws of the Ripper: Metal blades that fit over a dragon's claw (a 'la Freddy Krueger) that increase the critical damage multiplier of a dragon's claws to a x4. Only resizes to fit dragons of Large or greater size. Jaws of the Dragon: Metal, bladed jaws that fit comfortably inside a dragon's. Has blades that improve the damage from the dragon's bite attack as the sharptooth spell (increases bite damage by one size larger. Resizes to fit any creature, but only creatures with a bite attack get the benefit. These items can make a dragon an even scarier sight than it already is, and if it weren't for that jewelry only thing, these are what I would recommend.
Guardian1 12-18-07, 11:04 AM	I like this. What I would almost do is figure out the dragons horde (In actual GP), and than spend it. The Draconomicon has GREAT things for customizing dragons and their loot, I'd thumb through it if you get a chance. Some of the dragon only items in there, are well, just brutal to say the least. I'd buy her mostly combat items, concidering she's supposed to be one of the biggest and the baddest out there. I'd concider even giving her rings of elemental control :P Just to watch the PC's deck up in anti-fire stuff, to have earth and water rings pulled out on them :P Dragon-only items? You would be speaking of the Amulet of Supremacy (minor artifact, gives benefits of the Maximize Breath meta-breath feat to breath weapon and Maximize Spell feat to all spells and spell-like abilities, with no cost from either feat), the Gemstone of Fortification (provides a 25% 75% or 100% chance that critical hits will be negated and damage will be rolled normally, can be embedded into a true dragon's scales), and the Gorget of Tempest Breath (metal collar that gives the Tempest Breath feat to the user, takes up the robe slot) if I'm not mistaken. Yes, those items are truly nasty. However, let's not forget the following: Dragonarmor of Invincibility: +5 half-plate barding (+12 armor bonus) covered with spikes and blades that give a +5 enhancement bonus on all the dragon's natural attacks. Resizes to fit any dragon within a specific size category, presumably determined at creation of the armor. Claws of the Ripper: Metal blades that fit over a dragon's claw (a'la Freddy Krueger) that increase the critical damage multiplier of a dragon's claws to a x4. Only resizes to fit dragons of Large or greater size. Jaws of the Dragon: Metal, bladed jaws that fit comfortably inside a dragon's. Has blades that improve the damage from the dragon's bite attack as the sharptooth spell (increases bite damage by one size larger). Resizes to fit any creature, but only creatures with a bite attack get the benefit. These items can make a dragon an even scarier sight than it already is, and if it weren't for that jewelry only thing, these are what I would recommend.
Derren S. 12-18-07, 11:13 AM	Considering that such old dragons have very thick scales you could nail the treasure to her scales. Make small chains out of coins and nail them to the scales. Be sure to mention all the noise the dragon does when he moves as she is now covered with hundreds of chimes. (Only do this if you don't want to be stealthy). On the mechanical side, give the dragon a Gemstone of Fortification and the Blinding Breath spell (Both Draconomicon). Nearly no one prepares against the blinding condition so Blinding Breath is really devastating. Give her a Draught which changes her breath weapon (Also Draconomicon) to change the breath into somethinf not fire (and best not cold too) so that all teh PCs are affected by it and see how they fare while being blinded.
Merestil Haye 12-18-07, 12:52 PM	ya, power gaming is fun sometimes. this is our powergamer campaign. this is why I have no intention of altering her CR, they will meet this great wyrm at around level 20 or 21.I'm not sure what you are looking for,but here are some ideas. 1. Why should the dragon be an average model? Give the creature the elite array. Make sure it gets +4 Dex and watch the PCs cry foul when it gets multiple AoOs per round with Combat Reflexes. Or better, roll the abilities fresh and apply racial adjustments. There's a spell in the Spell Compendium that turns natural armour bonus into a Deflection bonus to AC. The name escapes me for the moment. Poor touch AC? Not this dragon. If you haven't houseruled Wraithstrike, Dragon + Wraithstrike + Power Attack = mauled PCs. (I've houseruled Wraithstrike to apply to the next attack though - primarily because of one character in my Gestalt game who, when he found out about the spell at 12th level, could power attack for his maximum BAB (+11 or so) and still have his second iterative attack with a higher attack bonus than the touch AC of many enemies. At that point he was dealing on average 55-60 hit points per successful attack and had 4 attacks per round. The houserule got applied at the start of the next session. Even the player agreed, because it made him think about which attack to apply the spell to.)
mtbOgre 12-19-07, 05:51 PM	You could use sovereign glue to stick large cut gemstones on her. Then she wouldn't worry about gems falling off. Of course unless the characters happen to have universal solvent they will spend 3 weeks prying and hacking scales with huge gemstones welded to them off the rotting dragon corpse. I guess they will have minions do that.
metalmayhem80110 12-20-07, 01:02 AM	Dragon-only items? You would be speaking of the Amulet of Supremacy (minor artifact, gives benefits of the Maximize Breath meta-breath feat to breath weapon and Maximize Spell feat to all spells and spell-like abilities, with no cost from either feat), the Gemstone of Fortification (provides a 25% 75% or 100% chance that critical hits will be negated and damage will be rolled normally, can be embedded into a true dragon's scales), and the Gorget of Tempest Breath (metal collar that gives the Tempest Breath feat to the user, takes up the robe slot) if I'm not mistaken. Yes, those items are truly nasty. However, let's not forget the following: Dragonarmor of Invincibility: +5 half-plate barding (+12 armor bonus) covered with spikes and blades that give a +5 enhancement bonus on all the dragon's natural attacks. Resizes to fit any dragon within a specific size category, presumably determined at creation of the armor. Claws of the Ripper: Metal blades that fit over a dragon's claw (a'la Freddy Krueger) that increase the critical damage multiplier of a dragon's claws to a x4. Only resizes to fit dragons of Large or greater size. Jaws of the Dragon: Metal, bladed jaws that fit comfortably inside a dragon's. Has blades that improve the damage from the dragon's bite attack as the sharptooth spell (increases bite damage by one size larger). Resizes to fit any creature, but only creatures with a bite attack get the benefit. These items can make a dragon an even scarier sight than it already is, and if it weren't for that jewelry only thing, these are what I would recommend. Yeah, those are some of the items I was mentioning. There are also some neat prestiege classes if you'd want to give her some levels in them.