So lets assume I have 6 months of work to write a dragon AP, where the big bad of each mod is a dragon or dragony type thing for each mod
do we assume CR 6 at end of mod 1, then from then on (CR 8,11,13,16,18) at the end of each mod
for the first mod a simple very young green dragon.....from then on Im open to suggestions?
its a vaguely sylvany type setting
thoughts ?
A six volume AP with a dragon boss at the end of each fits the five heads of classic D&D depiction of Tiamat (one for each chromatic dragon race, plus a final unified one with all together- perhaps some kind of aspect or avatar of Tiamat as your BBEG). I'd go with some theme relevant to Tiamat and make each boss at the end one of her favored. Each module could reflect a classic theme associated with each chromatic dragon type and its environment, and then have Tiamat send her avatar at the end.
Thanks DP
I wonder why this discussion got moved, but many others dont
If I mention Golarion, i wonder if it will get moved back?
The different types of dragon featured in each episode sounds like a neat idea. Especially as each is found in a different sort of environment. You'd cover arctic, swamp, forest, desert, and mountain areas (presumably in that order). Which would be a nice way of giving each part it's own flavor. The sixth one could maybe be a planar sort of thing. /shrug
I've been hoping Paizo would do something like this. Sounds cool. I also like the idea of a different environment for each mod. The trick will be to write up a CR 6 dragon for mod 1 that is somehow relevant despite being so young/weak by draconic standards. Maybe start with a cult of dragon worshipers? Or maybe the first mod is a dragonhunting excusion led by a grisled, old ranger - like a safari. But you stumble onto something bigger.
You might be able to do this by expanding on the 3.5e adventure, Red Hand of Doom. Finding a copy would be the big problem.
Final dragon should be unique of some sort.
I've been hoping Paizo would do something like this. Sounds cool. I also like the idea of a different environment for each mod. The trick will be to write up a CR 6 dragon for mod 1 that is somehow relevant despite being so young/weak by draconic standards. Maybe start with a cult of dragon worshipers? Or maybe the first mod is a dragonhunting excusion led by a grisled, old ranger - like a safari. But you stumble onto something bigger.
hmmm good point. Having the end boss of episode 1 only be a young white dragon (CR 6) might not be very satisfying. Then again it is just kind of an intro. So not facing really big badies right away might be ok. Could be something like where you don't really find out about the nature of the draconic threat until the end of part one. Or maybe you just deal with minions in the first part and don't start with true dragons until the end of part two. Ya... that could work. Then maybe the big bady for part one could be a dragon cultist with a wyvern! Yeah! That sounds good. :)
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Have your BBEG actually be a Half-Dragon Sorcerer with an Orb of Dragonkind, maybe even the Gold one, stolen from Mengakare. "All those chromatics you killed? Yeah, my underlings. Thanks for getting them out of the way for me. Now I just need to offer your souls to Dahak and my ascension will be complete!"
Edit: Maybe he's the half-human son of the Lord of Hermea, a failed attempt to perfect humanity by blending his own "perfect" genetics into it. It could go horribly awry, leaving him as a Half-Gold Dragon Human Sorcerer/Dragon Disciple Ravener. A bit nutty, but why not?
Here's my overview of encounter types. :p
Episode 1
Levels: 1-5
Begin in a totally non-chromatic region. Plains, coast, and hills. Sounds like Sandpoint. ^_^
End boss: Dragon Cult Leader with Wyvern (CR 7)
Recurring monster types: Drake, Sea (CR 6), Giant, Ogres (CR 3), Troll (CR 5)
Some other monsters: dragon cultists (CR varies), kobolds (CR 1/4), pseudodragon (CR 1), reefclaw (CR 1), axe beak (CR 2), blink dog (CR 2), tatzlwyrm (CR 2), ankheg (CR 3), cockatrice (CR 3), kamadan (CR 4), basilisk (CR 5), globster (CR 5), other general monsters (CR varies)
Notes: Meet a wyrm gold dragon somewhere along the way.
Episode 2
Levels: 5-8
The adventurers continue their investigation into the frozen north.
End boss: Adult White Dragon (CR 10)
Recurring monster types: Drakes, Frost (CR 7), Giants, Frost (CR 9), Trolls, Ice (CR 4)
Some other monsters: dire wolverine (CR 4), grizzly bear (CR 4), gray ooze (CR 4), yeti (CR 4), winter wolf (CR 5), annis hag (CR 6), glacier toad (CR 6), woolly rhinoceros (CR 6), dire bear (CR 7), remorhaz (CR 7), cold rider (CR 8), mastodon (CR 9), nuckelavee (CR 9)
Notes: Focus on the harsh climate and cold weather survival.
Episode 3
Levels: 8-11
What horrors await the party in the dark heart of the swamp?
End boss: Mature Black Dragon (CR 12)
Recurring monster types: Drakes, River (CR 3), Giants, Marsh (CR 8), Trolls (CR 5)
Some other monsters: assorted undead (CR varies), swarm of stirges (CR 1/2), boggard tribe (CR 2), green hag (CR 5), ochre jelly (CR 5), vodyanoi (CR 5), hodag (CR 6), will-o'-wisps (CR 6), chuul (CR 7), gray render (CR 8), witchfire (CR 9), mobogo (CR 10), catoblepas (CR 12)
Notes: Corruption theme. Play up the horror and weirdness factor.
Episode 4
Levels: 11-13
Something is not quite right in the greenwoods of Golarion.
End boss: Old Green Dragon (CR 15)
Recurring monster types: Drakes, Forest (CR 4), Giants, Hill (CR 7), Trolls, Moss (CR 3)
Some other monsters: shambling mound (CR 6), tendriculos (CR 6), hangman tree (CR 7)
moonflower (CR 8), quickwood (CR 8), treant (CR 8), wolf-in-sheep's-clothing (CR 8), aurumvorax (CR 9), titan centipede (CR 9), giant flytrap (CR 10), alraune (CR 13), viper vine (CR 13)
Notes: A dark and twisted forest where nature itself is out to get you.
Episode 5
Levels: 13-15
Who will survive the hazards of the wastelands?
End boss: Very Old Blue Dragon (CR 17)
Recurring monster types: Drakes, Desert (CR 8), Giants, Ash (CR 11), Trolls, Rock (CR 6)
Some other monsters: bulette (CR 7), chimera (CR 7), dragonne (CR 7), behir (CR 8), girtablilu (CR 8), gorgon (CR 8), lammasu (CR 8), shantak (CR 8), sphinx (CR 8), shedu (CR 9), yrthak (CR 9), carnivorous crystal (CR 11), purple worm (CR 12), carnivorous blob (CR 13), phoenix (CR 15)
Notes: Focus on the surreal nature of the badlands. Lots of magical beasts.
Episode 6
Levels: 15-17
The adventurers must face the peaks of dragon kind.
End boss: Ancient Red Dragon (CR 19)
Recurring monster typess: Drakes, Flame (CR 5), Giants, Fire (CR 10), Trolls, Mountain (CR14)
Some other monsters: assorted demons (CR varies), assorted qlippoth (CR varies), jyoti (CR 9), bebilith (CR 10), tophet (CR 10), devourer (CR 11), retriever (CR 11), baregara (CR 12), shining child (CR 12), jubjub bird (CR 15), xacarba (CR 15), bandersnatch (CR 17), thrasfyr (CR 17)
Notes: Otherworldly powers are brought forth by the master of the dragon's council.
I was thinking for episode 1, some baddies have found and raised the dragon?
nice list Arikiel
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So lets assume I have 6 months of work to write a dragon AP, where the big bad of each mod is a dragon or dragony type thing for each mod
do we assume CR 6 at end of mod 1, then from then on (CR 8,11,13,16,18) at the end of each mod
for the first mod a simple very young green dragon.....from then on Im open to suggestions?
its a vaguely sylvany type setting
thoughts ?
By Book 3 of the Dragon AP, the PCs will be guessing at which type of dragon is behind the shenanigans. And dragons are somewhat predictable. And you've got 3 books to go. Have them on a hunt for the 'history of dragons on Golarion', including all references to dragon dieties (tiamat, apzu, et al) to make them REAL experts on dragons.
Dragons seem rather rare on Golarion, maybe the Pathfinders/other groups want to know where and how they "exist"?
Heck, add Knowledge (Draconia) to the list so they can tell a wyrm from a dragon, and properly ID a dragonet. Have fun with it, tie in powerful dragons.
As a player, I'd welcome the challenge to both categorize and battle the seemingly sparse dragons of Golarion. I'm sure there's a bronze that quests me, a gold that trusts me, a black that antagonizes me, and a red that just needs to be confronted.
Because dragons are simply awesome.