So, my character, Julia, is a Ranger (sorry), and she really, REALLY likes dragons.
She has a drake, she knows all about dragons (advantage on any checks relating to animal handling/insight/history with dragons, automatically can discern nearby dragon lairs, etc.), you get the picture.
However, Dragons are... well, obviously not the friendliest.
So how would Julia here go about petting one? Where would they like and not like to be pet, and what would be the optimal way to pet them (Scratches vs pats)?
Point 1: dragons are intelligent and dignified creatures, and your best bet to pet one without offending it is either to forge a deep bond of friendship with it, or to find a wyrmling or young dragon.
Point 2: chromatic dragons are evil, so whatever you do, find a metallic one to pet so you don't get roasted, lightninged, or melted in acid.
This is closer to a comedy-style campaign than a totally serious one. The dragons we’ve been shown tend to act all big and mighty to servants and adventurers, but in private they get high on catnip or play with balls of yarn or whatever.
I pacified an adult black dragon with a nat 20 animal handling check by giving it tummy rubs, so im looking for a sillier answer I suppose
This is closer to a comedy-style campaign than a totally serious one. The dragons we’ve been shown tend to act all big and mighty to servants and adventurers, but in private they get high on catnip or play with balls of yarn or whatever.
I pacified an adult black dragon with a nat 20 animal handling check by giving it tummy rubs, so im looking for a sillier answer I suppose
A nat 20 on a skill check is meaningless, just as a nat 1 on a skill check is equally meaningless. You can see that is embedded in the rules.
So, my character, Julia, is a Ranger (sorry), and she really, REALLY likes dragons.
She has a drake, she knows all about dragons (advantage on any checks relating to animal handling/insight/history with dragons, automatically can discern nearby dragon lairs, etc.), you get the picture.
However, Dragons are... well, obviously not the friendliest.
So how would Julia here go about petting one? Where would they like and not like to be pet, and what would be the optimal way to pet them (Scratches vs pats)?
Persuasion checks are key; you want the consent of the dragon in question.
After that, just ask where it would enjoy being pet/scratched.
Based on my extensive knowledge of the "How to Train Your Dragon" series, I would say that the best place to pat a dragon is either under the chin or behind the horns. However, as dragons are highly intelligent beings, I'm not sure how they would feel about being pet. I'd say you'd need a deep bond or a wyrmling, and ask for their consent so you don't get eaten. Then again, I keep on going back to the "highly intelligent" part. Dragons in dnd are much more intelligent than humans, so it might be a self-esteem thing. How would you, as a humanoid, feel if an ape or octopus or other relatively intelligent species of animal were to try and pet you? Most, if not all of my dnd characters(and me as a human being) would feel kinda disrespected, although some might think it's a little cute.
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Pokemon Master, Hero of Hyrule, Jedi Knight, Minecrafter, Celestial Being Beyond Comprehension, Bounty Hunter, Salmon Runner, Nailmaster, Yarn Yoshi Enjoyer, Animal Lover, Math Rock Roller, Nerd King in all Aspects.
(And, of course, Dragon Tamer. It is in the name, after all)
Yeah, I’d agree with everyone saying get consent. Maybe try to sell it as a way to stroke their ego. You’re not petting them, you are giving them a well-earned massage, or you’re grooming them, like those birds that clean crocodile teeth. Make it clear you don’t think of them as a pet. Then I’d say behind the ears. Or just ask them if they’ve got any hard-to-reach places they’d like you to see to. As an attendant would.
First get a lance and a glove to make a dragon petting testing device. Stuff the glove with straw so it looks like a hand. Attach that to the end of the lance. Use that device to attempt to pet the dragon. If it comes back shorter than when it started move to a new dragon with a new device. Alternately attach a small creature like a halfling to the end of the lance and have them attempt to pet the dragon. If all goes well you can then pet your new friend. If not, you have learned how to feed a dragon.
So, my character, Julia, is a Ranger (sorry), and she really, REALLY likes dragons.
She has a drake, she knows all about dragons (advantage on any checks relating to animal handling/insight/history with dragons, automatically can discern nearby dragon lairs, etc.), you get the picture.
However, Dragons are... well, obviously not the friendliest.
So how would Julia here go about petting one? Where would they like and not like to be pet, and what would be the optimal way to pet them (Scratches vs pats)?
I imagine that would differ from dragon to dragon much how it differs among different animals of any other species, dogs, cats, horses, humans, etc.
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Point 1: dragons are intelligent and dignified creatures, and your best bet to pet one without offending it is either to forge a deep bond of friendship with it, or to find a wyrmling or young dragon.
Point 2: chromatic dragons are evil, so whatever you do, find a metallic one to pet so you don't get roasted, lightninged, or melted in acid.
This is closer to a comedy-style campaign than a totally serious one. The dragons we’ve been shown tend to act all big and mighty to servants and adventurers, but in private they get high on catnip or play with balls of yarn or whatever.
I pacified an adult black dragon with a nat 20 animal handling check by giving it tummy rubs, so im looking for a sillier answer I suppose
A nat 20 on a skill check is meaningless, just as a nat 1 on a skill check is equally meaningless. You can see that is embedded in the rules.
Persuasion checks are key; you want the consent of the dragon in question.
After that, just ask where it would enjoy being pet/scratched.
Stick about 20 lbs of cat nip in your buddies back pack.
Seriously I do not know why dragons do not think of people as pets or at least toys.
Based on my extensive knowledge of the "How to Train Your Dragon" series, I would say that the best place to pat a dragon is either under the chin or behind the horns. However, as dragons are highly intelligent beings, I'm not sure how they would feel about being pet. I'd say you'd need a deep bond or a wyrmling, and ask for their consent so you don't get eaten. Then again, I keep on going back to the "highly intelligent" part. Dragons in dnd are much more intelligent than humans, so it might be a self-esteem thing. How would you, as a humanoid, feel if an ape or octopus or other relatively intelligent species of animal were to try and pet you? Most, if not all of my dnd characters(and me as a human being) would feel kinda disrespected, although some might think it's a little cute.
Pokemon Master, Hero of Hyrule, Jedi Knight, Minecrafter, Celestial Being Beyond Comprehension, Bounty Hunter, Salmon Runner, Nailmaster, Yarn Yoshi Enjoyer, Animal Lover, Math Rock Roller, Nerd King in all Aspects.
(And, of course, Dragon Tamer. It is in the name, after all)
HE'S BACK... AND WEIRDER THAN EVER!
Yeah, I’d agree with everyone saying get consent. Maybe try to sell it as a way to stroke their ego. You’re not petting them, you are giving them a well-earned massage, or you’re grooming them, like those birds that clean crocodile teeth. Make it clear you don’t think of them as a pet.
Then I’d say behind the ears. Or just ask them if they’ve got any hard-to-reach places they’d like you to see to. As an attendant would.
First get a lance and a glove to make a dragon petting testing device. Stuff the glove with straw so it looks like a hand. Attach that to the end of the lance. Use that device to attempt to pet the dragon. If it comes back shorter than when it started move to a new dragon with a new device. Alternately attach a small creature like a halfling to the end of the lance and have them attempt to pet the dragon. If all goes well you can then pet your new friend. If not, you have learned how to feed a dragon.
Everyone know that dragons love being scratched behind the ears and between the wings on their back 😉
Just don’t pull the tail
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