GoCorral

Location

Dragons are spread throughout Cimmeria and the world beyond. The different varieties of dragons can be found in different habitats based on their elemental type. Fire and ice dragons prefer mountains. Acid dragons prefer swamps and forests. Lightning dragons prefer the desert. Non-elemental dragons prefer plains and hills. Wherever they live, dragons are typically away from civilized society. Their existential threat to villages and towns inevitably leads to violent conflict.

Some dragons can be found in civilized areas due to long traditions of good conduct between mortals and the dragons in those areas. The Dragon of Colchis is a good example, having lived in the city since before the Olympians came to Cimmeria. The bronze dragons of Sheerzen watch over the city from without as their mortal hybrid cousins rule the city from within. The silver dragon, Kinderax, serves the royal family of Aractrash and is ready to find a mate and bring more friendly silver dragons into the kingdom. Many ancient dragons can be found at Mars’ Oasis, enchanted by the magic of the Orbs of Dragonkind. Those ancient dragons defend the vault of powerful artifacts kept by King Mero III. All these dragons exist alongside people who have no worries about the monsters in their midst.

Outside of cities, the blue dragons of the Shacklack Desert have built their own draconic civilization over the centuries of Bavastatner’s rule. Descendants of Bavastatner have a place to gather, share information, and plan actions at Bavastatner’s Cave in the Dominarie Mountains. The blue dragons have many hybrid cousins that assist them as labor for the true-blooded dragons. With Bavastatner’s death his oldest children have taken up leadership of the clan. They have begun welcoming other dragon types to their community, hoping to build a true nation of dragons, for dragons, and by dragons.

Relations with Other Races

Dragons have adversarial relationships with many of the other races of Cimmeria. The Dragon Hegemony poisoned any chance of dragons being welcomed into society. Dragon’s lust for treasure further sours good feeling across the country. Dragons are likely to backstab any alliance they make if it means a payoff of gold and jewels. The best relationships dragons have are based around payment for services with either treasure for more intelligent subraces or food for the less intelligent.

Dragons did build some good relationships with other races during the Dragon Hegemony. Goblins and giantkin were used as foot soldiers to assist in subduing the other races of Cimmeria. That servile connection has continued into the modern age with many dragons using goblins, giants, and trolls as their servants and laborers in small kingdoms. The goblins and giantkin wait on the dragon’s every need. If the slightest error occurs, the dragon is likely to eat one of their subjects in recompense for the mistake.

Kobolds have a strong relationship with dragons due to their origination from dragon teeth. During the Heroic Age, dragon’s teeth could be sown in the ground to grow into fearsome warriors called spartoi. The magic surrounding dragon’s teeth continued into the Iron Age, but with a weaker core. Dragon’s teeth still sprout into warriors, but now they are small dog-lizard people instead of golden warriors rippling with muscles. These kobolds are supremely devoted to their creators to the point of cult-like worship. Kobolds will die for their creator. Most dragons are indifferent to the kobolds that surround their lairs. Some are frustrated and chase them away while others encourage the cult and use kobolds as minions in a similar fashion to goblins and giantkin.

Githyanki are the exception to dragons’ pessimistic view on relationships with other races. Every other race is a lesser being that must bow to dragons or made to bow before them through force and intimidation. Githyanki are a true ally to dragons, blue dragons specifically. Perhaps a weaker ally, but an ally nonetheless. The pact with Bavastatner gave githyanki access to some blue dragon eggs. They have raised these dragons as mounts and have formed powerful bonds with their cooperators. Githyanki extended this mount and rider relationship to some species of planar dragons as well. The dragons receive a home, companionship, and treasure in exchange for helping githyanki spread their empire across the multiverse. While the attempt failed in Cimmeria, there are other regions and other worlds where githyanki will strike next. And their draconic allies will be at their side for the next conflict.

Common Deities

Dragons do not commonly worship the gods. Above the tit for tat exchange that many mortals perform to receive the blessings of the gods, dragons would rather gather worshipers for themselves. Those dragons that do devote worship to the gods typically choose their monstrous ancestors, Typhon and Echidna. The only other god commonly worshiped by dragons is Zeus. As dragons are the kings of the mortal world they pay homage to the King of Olympus.

Place in Adventuring

Dragons are a challenge at the apex of an adventurer’s career. The ultimate monster with power and ferocity beyond any other. A single dragon can threaten an entire kingdom. Only the bravest and most accomplished adventurers dare take on a fully grown dragon. Even with all the skills, magical items, and preparations in the world, many adventurers still perish when fighting the greatest beast.

Lesser variants of dragons sometimes serve mortals. Wyverns as flying mounts for knights. Drakes as enhanced guard dogs for the wealthy. The greater chromatic, metallic, and planar dragons occasionally ally with mortals as well. Wyrmlings can be tricked or influenced into serving as guard dogs. More mature dragons can be mounts for mortals, but they must be made willing through payment or other means. Either way, these arrangements are fragile and prone to snap at any moment.