DM Rowan
Adventurer
The DM Renaissance is in full swing!
Posts: 96
Favorite D&D Class: Bard/Paladin
Favorite D&D Race: Half Elf
Gender: NB Lesbian
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Post by DM Rowan on Jul 19, 2016 23:43:00 GMT
I'm looking to design an abandoned civilization/temple deep in the forest in which a green dragon has made her lair. I wanted to make it feel realistic by having a detailed society in my mind even if the PCs didn't explore it. I thought it would be fun to build it DM Nastics style with everyone contributing. That way everyone is free to use it. I know I want the city hidden behind a Waterfall from reading about green dragon lairs in the MM.  The MM also says that the prickly vegetation within 1 mile of its lair parts as the dragon passes and that they can also grow huge thickets so I thought it would be cool if the original entrance to the city under the waterfall was blocked by a huge wall of briers that parted only for the dragon and that was the only way the dragon could get into her den. So the PCs have to hack through them OR maybe there's a smaller secret way forgotten somewhere up the cliff or down the river or something? Here's some pictures for inspiration cause that usually helps.     |
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Post by swordnut on Jul 22, 2016 10:40:58 GMT
History doesnt happen in a vacuum. Here are some things to consider that may add depth and options:
1 - What came before the temple? Often holy places are re-used from previous civilizations, like anglo-saxon burials in bronze age barrow mounds (thats about 1500-2000 years difference give or take).
2 - If it was a natural site that was first used by the dragon, what was the original layout? Perhaps some natural cave sections were walled off or flooded?
3 - What led to the selection of this over every other waterfall? - is there something about the geology, the history, the magical resonances etc?
4 - what is around the site? For perspective, Stonehenge sits in a landscape full of religious/ritual sites extending for over 10 miles. Processional walkways/roads,small stop-off sites, places for people to live while they built it, places for people to trade etc.
5 - where there is one city, there will be a whole landscape to service it. The population needs food, and so the land around it needs to change to accomodate it. If its been lost to the forrest, have a look at mayan landscape studies. A major road might now be an odd raised bank running through the forest, with smaller trees on it. A field system might seem like a giant staircase, but hugging the contour lines. there will be towns around the city at about a days easy-ish travel, with farm villages and hamlets closer in.
6 - How did the civilization fall? Was it by the dragon? did they put up a fight or run? Were they gone before the dragon got there? Why?
7 - Whole civilizations dont just disappear (with possibly the exception of the easter islanders). Where are they now? People and culture spread out and may dilute or shift to account for their new circumstances.
What happened when the surrounding lands had to accept huge numbers of refugees? Did they go to an underpopulated area and rebuild?
Do they want to come back?
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Post by blakeryan on Jul 24, 2016 10:02:07 GMT
- first there was a bunch of druidic halfling types who had their own village
- then one terriable day some big nasty green dragon took over and ate them all, but kept their neat stuff.
- said dragon had a baby but had to go off to help its mate, both were slain, leaving the baby alone in the caves
- kinda thinkin a bunch of dragonborn got sick of the militant bahamut/tiamat clan thing for normal dragonborn society, and went their own way.
- they found this area with a baby green dragon and raised it with their own neutral/isolationist ideals
- maybe they took some items with them and the pcs have dreams/are directed by someone else who has dreams about how to recover the items
- alternatively they could be travelling elsewhere and just fall into the area by accident
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