RPG Blog Carnival: Dragon Borders
On one hand I was actually working on a region which has a neighbouring dragon as a defining feature on the other hand I wasn't prepared for writing anything about it on a blog for now. I guess it is just my luck. While I did come up with the region I still am not entirely sure how to bite it being in close proximity to dragon activity.
Boring Background
In my solo playtest I introduced the Kingdom of Targay which is part of broader Talsia culture/one of fallen empires. Talsia lies in the land of mountains and hills, with arid climate and civilised life concentrated on the shores and in river valleys. And as one wide valley is open for Targay to exist to the north of it is another, even wider valley eroded by another big river. The dryness of climate, mountains and stuff is really inspired by Wizard/Tower/Academy town from Heroes of Might and Magic.
About Dragons
The case of how dragons affect a community is connected a lot to it's size and abilities. What can dragons do? Well, first thing that is basically the biggest advantage of a dragon is flight. Thanks to it the creature can be only hit with ranged weapons, which based on the altitude and speed of such flight might be close to impossible. And then it is protected from damage by its scales, some dragons also possess strong magical immunity. As for its offensive capabilities we have sharp teeth, claws, sometimes we can add tail and generally spiky body. And then famous breath weapon, whatever it might be, lets focus on classic fire breathing.
I mean, even at a glance dragons seem like formidable foes. Formidable against a kingdom, impossible for five adventurers with their dog. Even if we treat the dragon as a creature the size of a horse as it was depicted in pre-modern times it seems powerful. Shit, dog-sized dragon is still this flying tank that spews fire and can cut your arm off!
So a dragon is a menace to any community. Let's rule out simply killing a dragon in the neighbourhood then. What is the other way a community may deal with such danger? Magic? Well, each setting has its own magic and dragons. From my experience dragons are either immune to magic or are a source of it. It seems from the get go magic is terrible way of dealing with dragon problem directly. It might be helpful but doesn't look like definitive win.
Okay, Warrior is dead and Wizard is useless. There is only Thief left on a battlefield. And on a scale of community - commerce. If you cannot kill it or magic it out then strike a deal with it. It seems the only way of stable dealing with dragon neighbour is to create a situation in which it just doesn't come to you or attack. It if is unintelligent then maybe serving it food regularly is the way. If it is intelligent it might be more complex. Does it want knowledge? Riches? Power through tormenting you and requiring human sacrifice?
Settling on a Dragon Situation
Okay, assuming dragon is powerful and intelligent and doesn't want to outright kill and eat your community what are the options?
Hostage Situation - it doesn't matter if it is a tyrant of its own community or it is lone monster in a cave. It holds your kingdom hostage - appease it with gifts and food and hope it won't get bored or bloodthirsty. It is also very adventurous option where the ruler seeks adventurers who could get rid of a dragon or is gathering an army to fight it directly and hope for the best.
Cold War Kingdom - if the dragon is ruling its own kingdom and doesn't act on its own then you just have a regular neighbour. Maybe a little different, weird, crazy, cultish or even pleasant and utopian. There is one problem - its ruler is also a nuke. As long as no one disturbs it, as you honour your deals and alliances or even are at war but you're fair about it there is a chance the dragon won't come out to get you. But it is always a possibility. And in case it happens it would be best if you had a plan. It works similarly if the dragon is just an observer who keeps to themselves and doesn't affect civilisation. Treat it with caution even if it doesn't seem aggressive. It is a way to organise a unit of dungeon hunters or a wizard whose sole purpose is to find a weakness against dragon or nuclear option to strike its domain.
Fiery Alliance - imagine you are a ruler and just behind your borders lives a powerful dragon who is willing to make a pact or alliance with you. Now you get protection of a dragon for some price, potentially it equalises. Now you are a Cold War Kingdom who can threaten others with pushing your DRAGON! button. But there is always a slight chance your scaly friend may act against you. And setting up an anti-dragon unit might be tougher when you're publicly friends. Do you rely on this relationship fully and hope consequences won't come during your lifetime? Do you become paranoid ruler who is constantly afraid of treason? Or maybe you marry your family in some way to the dragon or its family to cement it?
There are a ton of other ways to set it up. These are just ones that came up to me.
My Choice
I think I have an idea. Since it is a kingdom set in a valley surrounded by mountains I think the dragon's domain are some of those mountains. Kingdom lies beneath them. Dragon is this neutral observer, potentially the mountains are enough for it, maybe it laid eggs somewhere and tries to keep it peaceful until they hatch. The case is the dragon is not unambiguously hostile and so maybe officially maybe by virtue of "gentleman's" agreement it is Cold War Kingdom situation. Dragon is near but there is peace for now. And probably the ruler uses proximity to a dragon as a way to present it in a Fiery Alliance fashion, threatening neighbour kingdoms, presenting themselves as a expert in draconic knowledge and maybe making money out of "dragon tourism" - artists, scholars and bored nobles visiting the kingdom and potentially staying, enriching kingdom culturally, academically or just spending their wastrel money.