I have an adventure I would like to run in a swamp area I've created. As I build out the swamp and wonder who lives there, I am considering making the swamp the lair of a young black dragon. Problem is, the swamp is only about 36 square miles. Do you think that a young black dragon could plausibly live here? I'm also thinking that he has taken control of a tribe of lizard folk who help protect and serve him. I've attached my map of the swamp.
How about a dragon turtle(think Morla from Neverending Story), tone down the CR a bit. He hasn't moved in decades and relies on the lizardmen or (tortles) to bring him food/offerings.
How about a dragon turtle(think Morla from Neverending Story), tone down the CR a bit. He hasn't moved in decades and relies on the lizardmen or (tortles) to bring him food/offerings.
I will read up on dragon turtles. Whatever the CR is, I don't intend for the players to try to fight this guy.
It could also have some drakes or kobolds or lizardfolk that now worship it. There could also be hags in the swamp and perhaps it has made a tacit alliance with them.
You could also have the young black dragon be closer to the "edge" with perhaps something more malevolent deeper in.
Also, if in a swamp don't forget plant monsters! like shambling mounds or assassin vines or creepers.
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"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
It could also have some drakes or kobolds or lizardfolk that now worship it. There could also be hags in the swamp and perhaps it has made a tacit alliance with them.
You could also have the young black dragon be closer to the "edge" with perhaps something more malevolent deeper in.
Also, if in a swamp don't forget plant monsters! like shambling mounds or assassin vines or creepers.
Thanks! I will look into these other monsters as well. I do believe that there's a tribe of lizard folk that worship and serve the dragon. The Monster's Manual suggests that the black dragon live in some sort of cave. Do I need to make a cave lair in this swamp or could you imagine other options?
Every DMs gaming world is a bit different. In my world, I like black dragons to have more of a burrow in a soft place in a swamp. Some place with two exits, it could even be the remains of a long-ago abandoned tower, with the upper portion exposed to the air, and the lower portion forming a sub-swamp escape route.
If you do something like that, perhaps have water breathing potions that the party can "gain" from the lizardfolk, or perhaps acid resistance.
Perhaps the party could convince a lizard folk to tell them of how they saw the dragon emerge from a different area (ie the opening from the underwater escape) so that the players can investigate.
Depending on your party level, a young black dragon can be tough! so give your party some options ahead of time (whether they choose to use them or not).
Just some ideas, hope they help, but it's your game so DM as you want to, and help the players create an epic story :)
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"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
Black dragons definitely like swamps, per the MM. But are you asking whether a dragon would live in a swamp or are you asking if the swamp is too small to accommodate a young black dragon?
Black dragons definitely like swamps, per the MM. But are you asking whether a dragon would live in a swamp or are you asking if the swamp is too small to accommodate a young black dragon?
Black dragons definitely like swamps, per the MM. But are you asking whether a dragon would live in a swamp or are you asking if the swamp is too small to accommodate a young black dragon?
I'm asking if my swamp is too small.
For a young dragon, that much swamp should be a good starter lair. Theoretically, as the dragon ages and its presence warps the nearby landscape, the swamp will grow to accommodate it.
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"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
I was going to point out Green Dragons would be an appropriate consideration, too.
I will read up on Green Dragons as well. I was also interesting in a dragon with a shape changing feature who could present himself as a humanoid, but it seems that only the metallic dragons do that.
I was going to point out Green Dragons would be an appropriate consideration, too.
I will read up on Green Dragons as well. I was also interesting in a dragon with a shape changing feature who could present himself as a humanoid, but it seems that only the metallic dragons do that.
So the MM doesn't specify that they can change their shape. But the Tyranny of Dragons storyline has half-dragons (so does the MM) and the lore of how those are created is that a half-dragon is born when a polymorphed dragon mates with a humanoid. So honestly, if you want the dragon to be able to change its shape go for it. They'll keep their mental stats (INT, WIS, and CHA) and their HP but then take on the physical stats of whatever new form they take. (i.e. if you base the polymorphed form on the veteran the primary things you'd change is the STR, DEX, and CON scores along with the HP.
I have an adventure I would like to run in a swamp area I've created. As I build out the swamp and wonder who lives there, I am considering making the swamp the lair of a young black dragon. Problem is, the swamp is only about 36 square miles. Do you think that a young black dragon could plausibly live here? I'm also thinking that he has taken control of a tribe of lizard folk who help protect and serve him. I've attached my map of the swamp.
How about a dragon turtle(think Morla from Neverending Story), tone down the CR a bit. He hasn't moved in decades and relies on the lizardmen or (tortles) to bring him food/offerings.
I will read up on dragon turtles. Whatever the CR is, I don't intend for the players to try to fight this guy.
A young black dragon could definitely live there.
It could also have some drakes or kobolds or lizardfolk that now worship it. There could also be hags in the swamp and perhaps it has made a tacit alliance with them.
You could also have the young black dragon be closer to the "edge" with perhaps something more malevolent deeper in.
Also, if in a swamp don't forget plant monsters! like shambling mounds or assassin vines or creepers.
"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
Thanks! I will look into these other monsters as well. I do believe that there's a tribe of lizard folk that worship and serve the dragon. The Monster's Manual suggests that the black dragon live in some sort of cave. Do I need to make a cave lair in this swamp or could you imagine other options?
You're welcome!
Every DMs gaming world is a bit different. In my world, I like black dragons to have more of a burrow in a soft place in a swamp. Some place with two exits, it could even be the remains of a long-ago abandoned tower, with the upper portion exposed to the air, and the lower portion forming a sub-swamp escape route.
If you do something like that, perhaps have water breathing potions that the party can "gain" from the lizardfolk, or perhaps acid resistance.
Perhaps the party could convince a lizard folk to tell them of how they saw the dragon emerge from a different area (ie the opening from the underwater escape) so that the players can investigate.
Depending on your party level, a young black dragon can be tough! so give your party some options ahead of time (whether they choose to use them or not).
Just some ideas, hope they help, but it's your game so DM as you want to, and help the players create an epic story :)
"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
Black dragons definitely like swamps, per the MM. But are you asking whether a dragon would live in a swamp or are you asking if the swamp is too small to accommodate a young black dragon?
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I'm asking if my swamp is too small.
For a young dragon, that much swamp should be a good starter lair. Theoretically, as the dragon ages and its presence warps the nearby landscape, the swamp will grow to accommodate it.
Seems like a black dragon has been mentioned already, but consider that Black Dragons AND Green Dragons compete for control of similar enviornments
I was going to point out Green Dragons would be an appropriate consideration, too.
I will read up on Green Dragons as well. I was also interesting in a dragon with a shape changing feature who could present himself as a humanoid, but it seems that only the metallic dragons do that.
So the MM doesn't specify that they can change their shape. But the Tyranny of Dragons storyline has half-dragons (so does the MM) and the lore of how those are created is that a half-dragon is born when a polymorphed dragon mates with a humanoid. So honestly, if you want the dragon to be able to change its shape go for it. They'll keep their mental stats (INT, WIS, and CHA) and their HP but then take on the physical stats of whatever new form they take. (i.e. if you base the polymorphed form on the veteran the primary things you'd change is the STR, DEX, and CON scores along with the HP.
My Homebrew Backgrounds | Feats | Magic Items | Monsters | Races | Subclasses