I have a couple Dragons that players could potentially interact with in my campaign, but I realized last session I dont really know how I could voice them in Draconic, and it made a social encounter with a Dragon very, very anticlimactic. All I was able to come up with was slowing my speech down and lowering my voice slightly, but it didnt feel like that was doing the interaction justice, or engaging the players.
What types of voices or other mannerisms could I give to dragons? I specifically have currently a Young Green Dragon intent on manipulating Kobolds to build his own hoard and steal from humans, but who would recognize the players as a serious threat. The other main dragon I have that players are likely to interact with is an Ancient Gold LG dragon who serves as the protector of a major trade city.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Focus more on getting the character of the Dragon across, you'll find yourself naturally changing your voice and mannerisms to help with immersion if you just go all in with character work.
Also voice software could be neat if you have the prep time and it doesn't get hinky on you.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
A couple of folks have already hit the nail on the head. Before you can get voice and mannerisms, you need to lay out the dragon. What is its personality like? What does it want? What's it been through?
Oh. And pride. Spades and buckets full of pride and arrogance, regardless of the dragons alignment. Evil dragons see other creatures as "those lesser insects infesting the planet". Good dragons see them as "those poor unfortunate little things who can't do anything for themselves"
So far I have set out that the Green Dragon is ambitious and power hungry, and definitely views humanoids as lesser beings, but also sees them as easy to manipulate and a way to further goals of creating a layer, amassing a hoard, causing chaos, etc.
The gold dragon is very old and kind to the humanoids- viewing himself as a protector of what is now a city after an age-old pact with the original villagers to protect them. He is fascinated by the culture, food, and technology of the various humanoid species. I think it would make sense for him still to see humanoids as lesser, but also have come to respect humanoids a lot more than other dragons of the realm.
I dont think the gold dragon would actually be as prideful of himself as much as he is prideful of his city and hoard. The Green Dragon however would definitely be noticeably egotistical.
Everyone else touched on the idea of personality and attitude. So here it goes.
Growl... Just learn to slur words in an agressive or gruff manor. Maybe use a long lisp inbetween s words. As the green dragon you can raise your head or turn your nose up at the players while speaking. An arrogant position helps with naturally getting into the voice and feel of the prideful character. For the gold dragon a more old man approach might seem approrpiate. Instead of nose up maube just chest up. Demand respect from the world you have run and seen for so long, but give respect as you are a fair dragon. Try speaking in a calm, firm or boisterous tone. The power behind words can be stronger than the pitch.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I have a couple Dragons that players could potentially interact with in my campaign, but I realized last session I dont really know how I could voice them in Draconic, and it made a social encounter with a Dragon very, very anticlimactic. All I was able to come up with was slowing my speech down and lowering my voice slightly, but it didnt feel like that was doing the interaction justice, or engaging the players.
What types of voices or other mannerisms could I give to dragons? I specifically have currently a Young Green Dragon intent on manipulating Kobolds to build his own hoard and steal from humans, but who would recognize the players as a serious threat. The other main dragon I have that players are likely to interact with is an Ancient Gold LG dragon who serves as the protector of a major trade city.
There's a discussion thread on Reddit, touching on dragon voice examples in Critical Role, Movies, and some voice changing software. Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/4v2rmg/how_would_you_voice_a_dragon/
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Focus more on getting the character of the Dragon across, you'll find yourself naturally changing your voice and mannerisms to help with immersion if you just go all in with character work.
Also voice software could be neat if you have the prep time and it doesn't get hinky on you.
Also - with the Gold Dragon, you can cheat; they can assume humanoid form and interact in a more relateable ( and easy to voice ) form.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
A couple of folks have already hit the nail on the head. Before you can get voice and mannerisms, you need to lay out the dragon. What is its personality like? What does it want? What's it been through?
Oh. And pride. Spades and buckets full of pride and arrogance, regardless of the dragons alignment. Evil dragons see other creatures as "those lesser insects infesting the planet". Good dragons see them as "those poor unfortunate little things who can't do anything for themselves"
Ongoing Projects: The Mimic Book of Mimics :: SHARK WEEK
Completed Projects: The Trick-or-Treat Table
My Homebrews: Races :: Classes :: Spells :: Items :: Monsters
So far I have set out that the Green Dragon is ambitious and power hungry, and definitely views humanoids as lesser beings, but also sees them as easy to manipulate and a way to further goals of creating a layer, amassing a hoard, causing chaos, etc.
The gold dragon is very old and kind to the humanoids- viewing himself as a protector of what is now a city after an age-old pact with the original villagers to protect them. He is fascinated by the culture, food, and technology of the various humanoid species. I think it would make sense for him still to see humanoids as lesser, but also have come to respect humanoids a lot more than other dragons of the realm.
I dont think the gold dragon would actually be as prideful of himself as much as he is prideful of his city and hoard. The Green Dragon however would definitely be noticeably egotistical.
Everyone else touched on the idea of personality and attitude. So here it goes.
Growl... Just learn to slur words in an agressive or gruff manor. Maybe use a long lisp inbetween s words. As the green dragon you can raise your head or turn your nose up at the players while speaking. An arrogant position helps with naturally getting into the voice and feel of the prideful character. For the gold dragon a more old man approach might seem approrpiate. Instead of nose up maube just chest up. Demand respect from the world you have run and seen for so long, but give respect as you are a fair dragon. Try speaking in a calm, firm or boisterous tone. The power behind words can be stronger than the pitch.