My players are about to encounter a gnome village that is under siege by a dragon who arrived a just a few days before the PCs. I was reading up on gnomes and how they are tricksters and typically have a lot of fun. I was trying to decide how the vibe of the village would change since there is an element of fear and danger.
If the Dragon is any kind of threat at all, and they usually are, the Gnomes really only have two choices; hide or flee. Gnomes are pretty good at hiding. They might use their animal friends or clockwork toys to keep an eye on the Dragon, as it is unlikely to bother with them. If they cannot hold out under the siege they will run for their lives. Under no circumstances would they fight a Dragon that presented a danger. The "vibe" would be one of abject terror.
How has the dragon been there for a few days and the situation is still unresolved? It seems like by the end of the first afternoon the gnomes will be dead or have fled (or the dragon will be dead). Especially if it’s old enough to have a fear aura, and we’re talking about simple villagers, most of them are not going to make their save and will have just left town. I understand that the mechanics of the aura work differently, I’m just talking about the reasonable, logical choice a person would make if a dragon moved in. Even if it just buzzes the village and breathes on them sometimes (which I’d wonder why it would do that instead of just, you know, killing everyone and taking their stuff) people would leave pretty quick once it became clear this wasn’t a one-off dragon attack. Actually, as I’m writing this, I’d suppose anyone with the means to leave would do so, and the poor people would be stuck with nowhere to go. And as far as rp, maybe a lot of gallows humor as they feel defeated but try to keep their morale up?
What does the dragon want and why aren't the gnomes just handing it over? If the gnomes are holding out instead of just immediately capitulating that says a lot about what they believe and how invested they are in whatever they're protecting.
Given that there is a reason they wouldn't give up whatever the dragon wants, I could see them:
Running away
Giving up a fake version of whatever it is the dragon wants (and then probably running away)
Misleading the dragon as to where they are (think the fake mechanized silhouettes in Home Alone) and/or trying to make it think it has killed them all
Seeking an alliance with something strong enough to protect them
How has the dragon been there for a few days and the situation is still unresolved? It seems like by the end of the first afternoon the gnomes will be dead or have fled (or the dragon will be dead). Especially if it’s old enough to have a fear aura, and we’re talking about simple villagers, most of them are not going to make their save and will have just left town. I understand that the mechanics of the aura work differently, I’m just talking about the reasonable, logical choice a person would make if a dragon moved in. Even if it just buzzes the village and breathes on them sometimes (which I’d wonder why it would do that instead of just, you know, killing everyone and taking their stuff) people would leave pretty quick once it became clear this wasn’t a one-off dragon attack. Actually, as I’m writing this, I’d suppose anyone with the means to leave would do so, and the poor people would be stuck with nowhere to go. And as far as rp, maybe a lot of gallows humor as they feel defeated but try to keep their morale up?
Dragon is setting up shop in the area in persuit of a specific enemy based on PCs backstory. The gnome village happens to be in the area and was discovered only because the dragon has areal view and true sight so illusion didnt work.
These gnomes are tinkerers and particularly fond of jewelry. They settled there due to a rich mine of precious stones the get raw materials from.
Dragon first attacked but then realized that keepimg the town alive can get him a supply of gems. He has a few followers that he uses as minions to keep ppl from fleeing. Some have. But there are many still remaining.
What does the dragon want and why aren't the gnomes just handing it over? If the gnomes are holding out instead of just immediately capitulating that says a lot about what they believe and how invested they are in whatever they're protecting.
Given that there is a reason they wouldn't give up whatever the dragon wants, I could see them:
Running away
Giving up a fake version of whatever it is the dragon wants (and then probably running away)
Misleading the dragon as to where they are (think the fake mechanized silhouettes in Home Alone) and/or trying to make it think it has killed them all
Seeking an alliance with something strong enough to protect them
It will eventually be #4 once the PCs discover whats going on.
Dragon is in the area for something else but discovered this village which has rich precious stones mines. He is keeping the village functional so they can keep mining gems. Its sort of a side entertainment for the dragon while he is in the area for the main reason. Which has to do with an NPC from a PCs backstory.
Ideally they'll discover the that as they help the gnomes get rid of the dragon.
Dragon first attacked but then realized that keepimg the town alive can get him a supply of gems. He has a few followers that he uses as minions to keep ppl from fleeing. Some have. But there are many still remaining.
With this idea in mind, I would probably follow the concepts that Undaunted and Xalthu presented. The gnome village being held hostage would probably try to promote the imagery of being happy and free, but it would have an underlying tense feeling to it. Jokes would be more morose and cynical versus the normally more lighthearted humor for which gnomes are known. A little bit of "gallows humor" would probably be mixed into conversation, especially for the gnomes who might be struggling with the overlying feeling of captivity and/or dread. Similarly, laughter would probably feel forced at times, since the lighthearted nature of the gnomes is being squelched by the dragon's presence.
The degree of how dark and morose to make the community would depend on how much influence the dragon has had on the community thus far. You mentioned that the dragon only arrived a few days earlier, so the gnome village hasn't had a lot of time to be subjugated and their spirits broken. Plus, not sure how actively the dragon and/or its minions have interacted with the gnomes, especially if its perusing another bigger agenda item.
So, I would view that the gnomes are probably worried but trying to stay hopeful and make the best of the situation for now. Again, characters should feel some of the strain of the situation underneath what the normal situation should be.
Do the gnomes know who the minions are? I’d think they’d be really suspicious if outsiders showing up just after the dragon, and assume the PCs are working for/with it. You could throw in some quests to force the PCs to earn the gnomes’ trust. And, of course, give the PCs the option of saying screw these gnomes, we don’t need them, let’s just go get the dragon.
Do the gnomes know who the minions are? I’d think they’d be really suspicious if outsiders showing up just after the dragon, and assume the PCs are working for/with it. You could throw in some quests to force the PCs to earn the gnomes’ trust. And, of course, give the PCs the option of saying screw these gnomes, we don’t need them, let’s just go get the dragon.
They do. But thats an interesting thought. I might incorporate something along this lines.
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Hello,
My players are about to encounter a gnome village that is under siege by a dragon who arrived a just a few days before the PCs. I was reading up on gnomes and how they are tricksters and typically have a lot of fun. I was trying to decide how the vibe of the village would change since there is an element of fear and danger.
Any thoughts?
If the Dragon is any kind of threat at all, and they usually are, the Gnomes really only have two choices; hide or flee. Gnomes are pretty good at hiding. They might use their animal friends or clockwork toys to keep an eye on the Dragon, as it is unlikely to bother with them. If they cannot hold out under the siege they will run for their lives. Under no circumstances would they fight a Dragon that presented a danger. The "vibe" would be one of abject terror.
<Insert clever signature here>
"ARM THE CANNONS!"
Mystic v3 should be official, nuff said.
Beat me to it
thats only if their the tinkering kind the illusion kind just sort of vanish
How has the dragon been there for a few days and the situation is still unresolved? It seems like by the end of the first afternoon the gnomes will be dead or have fled (or the dragon will be dead).
Especially if it’s old enough to have a fear aura, and we’re talking about simple villagers, most of them are not going to make their save and will have just left town. I understand that the mechanics of the aura work differently, I’m just talking about the reasonable, logical choice a person would make if a dragon moved in.
Even if it just buzzes the village and breathes on them sometimes (which I’d wonder why it would do that instead of just, you know, killing everyone and taking their stuff) people would leave pretty quick once it became clear this wasn’t a one-off dragon attack. Actually, as I’m writing this, I’d suppose anyone with the means to leave would do so, and the poor people would be stuck with nowhere to go.
And as far as rp, maybe a lot of gallows humor as they feel defeated but try to keep their morale up?
What does the dragon want and why aren't the gnomes just handing it over? If the gnomes are holding out instead of just immediately capitulating that says a lot about what they believe and how invested they are in whatever they're protecting.
Given that there is a reason they wouldn't give up whatever the dragon wants, I could see them:
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I feel like gnomes would still be cheerful and hopeful, but the conversation should have hints of desperation.
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
Dragon is setting up shop in the area in persuit of a specific enemy based on PCs backstory. The gnome village happens to be in the area and was discovered only because the dragon has areal view and true sight so illusion didnt work.
These gnomes are tinkerers and particularly fond of jewelry. They settled there due to a rich mine of precious stones the get raw materials from.
Dragon first attacked but then realized that keepimg the town alive can get him a supply of gems. He has a few followers that he uses as minions to keep ppl from fleeing. Some have. But there are many still remaining.
It will eventually be #4 once the PCs discover whats going on.
Dragon is in the area for something else but discovered this village which has rich precious stones mines. He is keeping the village functional so they can keep mining gems. Its sort of a side entertainment for the dragon while he is in the area for the main reason. Which has to do with an NPC from a PCs backstory.
Ideally they'll discover the that as they help the gnomes get rid of the dragon.
With this idea in mind, I would probably follow the concepts that Undaunted and Xalthu presented. The gnome village being held hostage would probably try to promote the imagery of being happy and free, but it would have an underlying tense feeling to it. Jokes would be more morose and cynical versus the normally more lighthearted humor for which gnomes are known. A little bit of "gallows humor" would probably be mixed into conversation, especially for the gnomes who might be struggling with the overlying feeling of captivity and/or dread. Similarly, laughter would probably feel forced at times, since the lighthearted nature of the gnomes is being squelched by the dragon's presence.
The degree of how dark and morose to make the community would depend on how much influence the dragon has had on the community thus far. You mentioned that the dragon only arrived a few days earlier, so the gnome village hasn't had a lot of time to be subjugated and their spirits broken. Plus, not sure how actively the dragon and/or its minions have interacted with the gnomes, especially if its perusing another bigger agenda item.
So, I would view that the gnomes are probably worried but trying to stay hopeful and make the best of the situation for now. Again, characters should feel some of the strain of the situation underneath what the normal situation should be.
Do the gnomes know who the minions are? I’d think they’d be really suspicious if outsiders showing up just after the dragon, and assume the PCs are working for/with it. You could throw in some quests to force the PCs to earn the gnomes’ trust. And, of course, give the PCs the option of saying screw these gnomes, we don’t need them, let’s just go get the dragon.
They do. But thats an interesting thought. I might incorporate something along this lines.