Dragon modifiers

[captaincrumbcake]

For my own "campaign/world" I've expanded a couple of components regarding dragons in the M&T L-B-B. You will likely notice a similarity to latter editions (1-E/AD&D, for example); but I've fashioned my own approach to this, as to better fit (IMO) the OD&D (and my own)rules.

I. Dragon Bite Damage
1. The bite of a dragon varies by its size and color; all based on the d6.
2. For each Hit Die below 6, reduce bite damage by 1. For each Hit Die above 6, increase it by 1.
(Thus a small white dragon would bite for 1 d6-1, a large white dragon for 1 d6+1; a small red dragon for 1 d6+3 and a large red dragon for 1 d6+5)

II. Extended Dragon Ages
1. Beyond the 6th age of Very Old is:

7. Ancient---- 100-500 years old
8. Venerable--501-1000 years old
9. Immortal---1001 + years old

2. The hit die for ancient/venerable/immortal dragon types increases, with the dragon receiving the max. number allowed per die.
Ancient----d8; an ancient dragon gets 8 hp per hit die.
Venerable--d10 a venerable dragon, 10 hp per hit die.
Immortal---d12 an immortal dragon, 12 hp per hit die.
(Thus, an Ancient large white dragon would have 7 x 8 (56) hp; an ancient large red dragon would have 11 x 8 (88) hp; a large immortal red dragon will have 11 x 12 (132) hp.

(more thoughts on this to come.)
    

[tetramorph]

Nice, captaincrumbcake.

I give all dragons two attacks and sometimes three (jaws, claws, tail).

I agree that the listed dragon ages seem a bit skimpy. I just multiply them all by 10.

[captaincrumbcake]

Continuing:

I'm not a big fan of dragons using spells, like spells. To me, it kind of makes them magic-users in monster bodies; and isn't, really, very creative.

I see them as having to work at performing certain abilities that resemble spells. Thus, I'll likely go through the entire lists someday and modify them to reflect this thinking.

For example, I like the idea of them being able to Charm and eventually put to Sleep, beautiful maidens. Dragons are, mythically, scary/horrible to face--they aren't cute! And their egos are such that they attempt to  nullify this perception by possessing the fairest of maidens in the land/s. In order to do this, they must first charm their intended...bride (?), before being able to place her in stasis like a trophy on the mantle in their den. I picture this process much like that of the character of Darkness, in the Tom Cruise movie, Legend, having to woo Lilly in order to get her to agree to his wants.

So, the whole point being:

spells--out! special (dragon) abilities--in! (as soon as I get them figured out!   )

[The Semi-Retired Gamer]

This whole discussion is really creative and insightful. I believe the Dragons definitely need modifying in this manner or something similar. Great ideas so far! This is one area where the Adventures in Fantasy section on Dragons may be of particular interest. I will pull out my rules and expand on some ideas of my own.

[hengest]

I like the idea of having human spellcasting rather cut-and-dried, as it tends to be, and dragons with special abilities that are more like epithets..."Ancalagon the Lady-Killer". The worst sides of human behavior in single-minded serpentine form.

Maybe dragons don't reproduce sexually, but are generated at the edges of communities whose inhabitants mistreat each other in certain ways. The characters will find the creature undefeatable by normal means until the system of bullying (or whatever) is brought to light...that would be a certain special campaign or adventure, I guess.