So I'm looking to include a polymorphed ancient silver dragon as a temporary party member/guide for the party. The NPC isn't upfront about its identity as a dragon and I'm planning on using the dragons as innate spellcasters variant to make the dragon NPC come off as a wandering sorcerer. The dragon only knows 6 spells and can only cast them once per day (though I'm considering giving it the ray of frost cantrip).
Does it make more sense for this silver dragon NPC to know cold element spells for its damaging spells or would it be reasonable to assume that this NPC would have learned spells of different elements (even fire) since it already has a cold breath weapon in its true draconic form? (i.e. why would a silver dragon develop a cone of cold spell when it already has a cold breath weapon? The same applies to red dragons and fireball etc..)
I guess the distinction boils down to a question on if the innate spellcasting is derived from the magical/elemental nature of the dragon or if the dragon has studied/developed these spells over its immense lifetime. The spellcasting variant has a minimum age requirement.
I just wanted to hear other peoples' opinions on the subject. (Btw, any word on when 5e Draconomicon is coming out? ;) )
So I'm looking to include a polymorphed ancient silver dragon as a temporary party member/guide for the party. The NPC isn't upfront about its identity as a dragon and I'm planning on using the dragons as innate spellcasters variant to make the dragon NPC come off as a wandering sorcerer. The dragon only knows 6 spells and can only cast them once per day (though I'm considering giving it the ray of frost cantrip).
Does it make more sense for this silver dragon NPC to know cold element spells for its damaging spells or would it be reasonable to assume that this NPC would have learned spells of different elements (even fire) since it already has a cold breath weapon in its true draconic form? (i.e. why would a silver dragon develop a cone of cold spell when it already has a cold breath weapon? The same applies to red dragons and fireball etc..)
I guess the distinction boils down to a question on if the innate spellcasting is derived from the magical/elemental nature of the dragon or if the dragon has studied/developed these spells over its immense lifetime. The spellcasting variant has a minimum age requirement.
I just wanted to hear other peoples' opinions on the subject. (Btw, any word on when 5e Draconomicon is coming out? ;) )
Give him fireball and a few utility spells and read the first 2-3 Dragonlance novels.
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Ah, forgot about him....Perhaps an eternally floppy hat as well
Thanks,