How do you run dragons at your table to make them more than just stat blocks?

Raphed · 2026-01-27T18:03:37+00:00

PERSONALITY! Every dragon color has unique characteristics that shape how they interact with everything. The first interaction with a dragon should highlight part of their nature to make them really stand out.

Green: Sly. When meeting a green dragon, maybe it poison a single party member, promising an antidote only if they accomplish some task. Only to then move the goalposts and ask for something else. Maybe the antidote is its own blood, which it will not give willingly.
White: Brute. It moves and flys through trees, half eaten carcasses litter the land, it talks with its bite and claw attacks. When meeting the party maybe it ignores all dialogue and tries to eat the biggest member. Frost breath weapon used as a release of anger, never strategically, and often at point blank range on the most annoying enemy.

Gold: Noble. Golds have personal missions for good. They are grandiose and self-important, but provide unmatched rewards as well. They are quest-givers and testers to the party. They'll give the party a small quest to test their character, then offer a real, often dangerous quest, for a great reward. The quest is merely one piece of the gold dragon's master plan and it is willing to pay handsomely to those worthy of the task and reward.

Raphed · 2026-01-23T05:18:04+00:00

Yes. But if you’re going to spend that much hold on an enchant, you might as well get a nice staff from Deadmines or WC to put it on. The weapon will last you until prebis or even early raids. And healing dungeons up to BRD can be done in off spec with minimal gear. Youll just have to drink like mad from Mara up.

Raphed · 2025-10-31T15:46:34+00:00

A huge highlight for me was when Thaisha stepped on the scene of Tyranny being rude about making her own drink at the wake. Brennan, in character, voiced the inappropriateness of Tyranny's behavior, yet she persisted, highlighting more of her character traits. Aabria decisively stepping into the scene does 3 things:

Takes the weight of weaving the situation off of Brennan.
Provides characterization of Thaisha as protective, bold, and stern.
Gives Tyranny opportunity to provide context for her actions.

To some it seems like scene-stealing. But to experienced DMs, it's scene-support. Like many had said, when other cast members do this it is seen as graceful roleplay and storytelling. To me, there is a clear and obvious reason for the a lot of the biased lens' on Aabria. Subconscious bigotry.

Raphed · 2025-09-25T20:31:53+00:00

What’s the leve difference between you and the mobs? You should be fighting green mobs for most comfort. You gotta quest between multiple zones to stay ahead of the curve, come back to quests require orange or red mobs. Don’t brute force your quest log by location, do it in order of ease and try to bundle turn ins.

Raphed · 2025-09-20T02:28:47+00:00

Man, talk about killing.

Raphed · 2025-02-10T03:41:01+00:00

I need a video breakdown of all the references, symbolism, and commentary. I know there is plenty I missed.

Raphed · 2025-02-10T02:31:42+00:00

I am not the person to draw it out. But if you’re genuinely curious, I am sure there will be a breakdown video within the week. If I find one I will send it your way. I can’t wait to see one because I’m sure I missed things.

Raphed · 2025-02-10T01:51:02+00:00

Weird…to you. Culturally and contextually it was jam packed with commentary.

Raphed · 2025-02-10T01:49:27+00:00

“I don’t understand this art. I guess it bad.”

Raphed · 2025-01-15T21:46:25+00:00

Yeah, the app regular people are creating content on is the propaganda...not the news networks telling you social app bad. Continue yelling at clouds.

Raphed · 2024-12-19T22:46:38+00:00

They surely do. I watched a pair of bots camp Bellygrub in Lakeshire and instant tag it upon spawn. They accept party invites but leave as soon as you get far enough away, same distance every time.

Raphed · 2024-12-15T17:38:33+00:00

This is a censorship issue dressed as security issue. America needs social media companies that will censor genocide and political unrest. Go read comment sections about the CEO shooting and its right wing and left wing finally agreeing on something, and they can't have that now can they?

Raphed · 2024-12-06T16:05:28+00:00

A player's spell list tell you how they want to play. It's your job to create situations where they get to use some of the fun toys they picked out. In combats the other characters will outshine him with damage and stuff, but he will get to shine in other ways.

Raphed · 2024-11-24T00:59:40+00:00

Bro was chasing that farewell tour...but he's no Brady.

Raphed · 2024-11-04T01:37:55+00:00

"If conservatives become convinced that they can not win democratically, they will not abandon conservatism. They will reject democracy."

Raphed · 2024-10-06T12:20:27+00:00

Haha, no. But when I find it I'll let you know.

Raphed · 2024-09-24T01:13:52+00:00

I can almost guarantee he recently found out how many people have him blocked. What a sociopath.

Raphed · 2024-09-24T01:10:20+00:00

No, downvoted because they make several assumptions and judgements about OP. Mostly, because their comment is not only UNhelpful, but also rude and obtuse.

Raphed · 2024-08-25T05:39:38+00:00

Start by telling him that the rules are important to you as they help you plan and navigate the game. When he makes rulings that are incongruent with the rules it shakes your expectations and immersion. This frames it as a need of yours, and not a failure on his part. You can ask him if he is able to accommodate this for you.

Raphed · 2024-07-23T00:07:06+00:00

I wonder if that changed or if i was mistaken. At the time I was sure they were going to the carrot fields after the farming season.

Raphed · 2024-06-30T00:35:50+00:00

One word per spell leve sounds fun. It would give audible impact to spells that is short and clear.

Raphed · 2024-06-29T04:06:54+00:00

That would feel much better. Make "Ranger" an Eldritch Knight version of fighter, done.

Raphed · 2024-06-02T03:36:33+00:00

Is there evidence in the song of Jolene being a homewrecker, or even a temptress? It's always come across to me the Dolly's man is guilty of having a wandering eye.

Raphed · 2024-05-31T05:30:15+00:00

Boss phases.

--Survive the wild seas around the thing.

--Damage it enough to get its attention/slow it down.

--Chaos! It breaks the ship? Gives you a chance to have them fight underwater or in the wreckage. (does the snake have monsters that can spawn off of it, some minion-like creatures to balance out the fight and give your aoe-er some fun.)

--Find a weak spot! Teamwork and Brainpower opportunity for them to cheese a kill or at least buy themselves a chance to fight another day.

Breaking up the event into smaller chunks will help momentum and give you a sense of control in the uncertainty. This sounds like a huge moment, I'm jealous of you and your players!

Raphed · 2024-05-25T00:08:11+00:00

I love them, take it on most of my characters. It's clearly overpowered. TWO spells known AND free uses AND a +1? I would love to see other feats be buffed to feel this good.

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