Riding dragons in Pathfinder

[Yqatuba]

I know riding dragons in a common fantasy thing but I have to wonder: Would Pathfinder's dragons actually allow someone to ride them? Based on what they're like I would think they would find it rather insulting (as it's implying they are just animals.)

[lemeres]

For the most part? No.

I mean... if you are strong enough, they don't really get much of a say in the matter. But then, you have the problem where the only dragon you can bully into regular submission is too weak to actually be a relevant boost to your abilities.

That is why people for for "I can't believe its not dragon! tm". Things like drakes, which are weak enough to be used by regular humans, so they can be a relevant fighting boost.

[MrCharisma]

I can imagine scenarios where Dragons would allow riders. A high level Paladin riding a Silver Dragon for example. This would likely be diplomacy related and not a regular thing (and probably only in serious circumstances).

I imagine the dragon would think of it the same way a PC thinks of a familiar sitting on their shoulder helping out in battle with a wand. The dragon would likely retain full autonomy - although how this plays out in game depends on how much work the GM wants to put in, you may get control of the dragon to ease play.

[Darigaaz the Igniter]

Generally if the dragon has someone on its back it's because the dragon is in charge and feels like having an extra turret for arrow/spell-fire.

[Volkard Abendroth]

I played a summoner with a dragon eidolon in PFS.

[Artofregicide]

You might want to look at book 6 of Giant Slayer. Also book 6 of WotR. End of book 4 of Hell's Rebels.

Dragon riding is not common in Golarion, as by the time a dragon gets large enough to ride it's probably too powerful to subjugate unless you're a relatively powerful character.

[Dave Justus]

The Dragonkin are between a true dragon and a drake and pretty much designed as a 'dragon mount.'

[Temperans]

There are also a number of archetypes that get dragons you can eventually ride, they however cost most of your features, so...

[Adjoint]

If you can think of an advantage that the dragon would have for carrying a person with them, they may agree. As long as you let them be in charge.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Keep in mind that a dragon-designed dragon saddle has an eject button for the rider... that gets pushed by the dragon.

[Temperans]

I always saw it as a kind of partnership thing not really about benefit. If it were about what benefits a dragon, I would asume they would use more than just an amulet. Also having a human around does make it less likely to get attacked while in a town, which means more chances to get gold. Thos sounds specially like a good trade for good dragons that might not want to kill humans for their gold.

[I am Nemesis]

And the winner for best answer iiissss...

MrCharisma wrote:

I imagine the dragon would think of it the same way a PC thinks of a familiar sitting on their shoulder helping out in battle with a wand. The dragon would likely retain full autonomy - although how this plays out in game depends on how much work the GM wants to put in, you may get control of the dragon to ease play.