Dungeons & Delvers: Gem Dragon Facelift
Gem dragons debuted in 2nd Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
The big distinction between them and chromatic and metallic dragons, besides having translucent, gem-like scales, were inherent psionic abilities (in addition to the wizard and/or priest spells possessed by other dragons).
I've already talked about how we want to shake up the appearance of dragons here and here, but while working on Red Book monsters I wondered what to do with gem dragons, to visually distinguish them from the others.
In this article I'm going to pick on emerald dragons, but my criticisms can easily apply to any gem dragon, which essentially boils down to that they just look like every other dragon. Here's their 2nd Edition incarnations (which, aside from one being in black-and-white, are virtually identical, probably intentional):
You can look at a color illustration of a chromatic or metallic dragon and easily tell what you're looking at. Even with a black-and-white illustration you can often figure it out by looking at the shape of the horns and sails, and sometimes the shape of their wings.
The black-and-white picture, I dunno. I knew it was an emerald dragon because I was specifically looking for it in the Fiend Folio Appendix, but would have probably mistaken it for another dragon otherwise (though I'm not sure which).
The color illustration makes it look like a green dragon with horns, though not as much as 3rd Edition's oddly gelatinous interpretation:
I couldn't find anything on gem dragons in either 4th or 5th Edition, but I'm guessing in either case they would have basically looked the same.
A common theme with psionics in Dungeons & Dragons are crystals. Here's a psychic warrior rocking a crystal sword, as well as a shield with a crystal set into it (no clue what either of them do, if anything):
There was also the psicrystal, which was basically psychic equivalent of a wizard's familiar. I think that's what this guy is supposed to have (along with a staff topped with a crystal, and another illustration depicts him with a bag stuffed with crystal wands):
I initially thought about making them look like dragons with various crystal growths, but that seemed too obvious, there are already plenty of monsters that look like something else with crystalline growths, and after working on some concept art for awhile I just wasn't feeling it.
So then I figured, why not just take it up to 11 and make them entirely crystal.
Running with this idea, at first I had it so that their bodies would have turned into pure crystal (through something like psychic ascension, transcending most of their bodily needs). The crystal part was like a container for their thoughts, and if smashed it would dissipate and they'd effectively die, but they'd interact with the world and defend themselves purely by thought.
Now, I might still do that at some point (maybe for a truly ancient gem dragon or something) buuut for the most part I decided to meet in the middle. I'm thinking that the only persistent part of their body is the skull and antlers, kind of like a demilich, which is composed of a handful of larger crystals.
But, when the dragon is roused the rest of the crystals just manifest and arrange themselves into a more complete draconic shape, and then excess psychic energy bleeds out, giving it an appearance similar to flames. Here's some B&W art I whipped up for one such incarnation (probably an emerald dragon):
Can't see it very well, but it would also have a third eye because, well, psychic powers. Anyway, what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Got a better idea?
You can now get a physical copy of Dungeons & Delvers: Black Book in whatever format you want (the PDF is also on sale on DriveThru)! We've also released the first big supplement for it, Appendix D, so pick that up if you want more of everything.
The first issue of The Delver, a magazine featuring fungal-themed content for both players and GMs (including an adventure in which myconids find religion), is available!
Our latest Dungeon World class, The Ranger, is now available.
Dwarven Vault is our sixth 10+ Treasures volume. If you're interested in thirty dwarven magic items (including an eye that lets you shoot lasers) and nearly a dozen new bits of dungeon gear, check it out!
By fan demand, we've mashed all of our 10+ Treasure volumes into one big magic item book, making it cheaper and more convenient to buy in print (which you can now do).
The big distinction between them and chromatic and metallic dragons, besides having translucent, gem-like scales, were inherent psionic abilities (in addition to the wizard and/or priest spells possessed by other dragons).
I've already talked about how we want to shake up the appearance of dragons here and here, but while working on Red Book monsters I wondered what to do with gem dragons, to visually distinguish them from the others.
In this article I'm going to pick on emerald dragons, but my criticisms can easily apply to any gem dragon, which essentially boils down to that they just look like every other dragon. Here's their 2nd Edition incarnations (which, aside from one being in black-and-white, are virtually identical, probably intentional):
You can look at a color illustration of a chromatic or metallic dragon and easily tell what you're looking at. Even with a black-and-white illustration you can often figure it out by looking at the shape of the horns and sails, and sometimes the shape of their wings.
The black-and-white picture, I dunno. I knew it was an emerald dragon because I was specifically looking for it in the Fiend Folio Appendix, but would have probably mistaken it for another dragon otherwise (though I'm not sure which).
The color illustration makes it look like a green dragon with horns, though not as much as 3rd Edition's oddly gelatinous interpretation:
I couldn't find anything on gem dragons in either 4th or 5th Edition, but I'm guessing in either case they would have basically looked the same.
A common theme with psionics in Dungeons & Dragons are crystals. Here's a psychic warrior rocking a crystal sword, as well as a shield with a crystal set into it (no clue what either of them do, if anything):
There was also the psicrystal, which was basically psychic equivalent of a wizard's familiar. I think that's what this guy is supposed to have (along with a staff topped with a crystal, and another illustration depicts him with a bag stuffed with crystal wands):
I initially thought about making them look like dragons with various crystal growths, but that seemed too obvious, there are already plenty of monsters that look like something else with crystalline growths, and after working on some concept art for awhile I just wasn't feeling it.
So then I figured, why not just take it up to 11 and make them entirely crystal.
Running with this idea, at first I had it so that their bodies would have turned into pure crystal (through something like psychic ascension, transcending most of their bodily needs). The crystal part was like a container for their thoughts, and if smashed it would dissipate and they'd effectively die, but they'd interact with the world and defend themselves purely by thought.
Now, I might still do that at some point (maybe for a truly ancient gem dragon or something) buuut for the most part I decided to meet in the middle. I'm thinking that the only persistent part of their body is the skull and antlers, kind of like a demilich, which is composed of a handful of larger crystals.
But, when the dragon is roused the rest of the crystals just manifest and arrange themselves into a more complete draconic shape, and then excess psychic energy bleeds out, giving it an appearance similar to flames. Here's some B&W art I whipped up for one such incarnation (probably an emerald dragon):
Can't see it very well, but it would also have a third eye because, well, psychic powers. Anyway, what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Got a better idea?
Announcements
You can now get a physical copy of Dungeons & Delvers: Black Book in whatever format you want (the PDF is also on sale on DriveThru)! We've also released the first big supplement for it, Appendix D, so pick that up if you want more of everything.The first issue of The Delver, a magazine featuring fungal-themed content for both players and GMs (including an adventure in which myconids find religion), is available!
Our latest Dungeon World class, The Ranger, is now available.
Dwarven Vault is our sixth 10+ Treasures volume. If you're interested in thirty dwarven magic items (including an eye that lets you shoot lasers) and nearly a dozen new bits of dungeon gear, check it out!
By fan demand, we've mashed all of our 10+ Treasure volumes into one big magic item book, making it cheaper and more convenient to buy in print (which you can now do).
I think that's an awesome idea, something that really sets them apart!
ReplyDeleteO f course a color illo would really be great so we can see the details that you have in mind.
Their eggs would/could be an interesting concept too. I would see them as being egg shaped crystals with protrusions and slightly emanations of their inherent psychic energy.
Delete@Kurt,
DeleteMelissa is coloring it now! I like your idea for "egg" visuals. How are you thinking they are born and grow? Does the egg just expand into a gem dragon head? Is it like a core that conjures the gem dragon body around it after a certain point?
Another idea I had was for gem dragons to give away scales. Could become a psion's psicrystal, embedded in weapons or armor (or some sort of wand or staff), or you could just jam it into your head and gain whatever powers the dragon had.
Well, I think they would hatch at some point, but I guess it depends if there will be the full range of Dragon "ages" available, I could one solution is that the egg starts pulling pieces, small pieces from it's parents to grow itself. So, the egg would gain a head form one part and a wing form another part, all until it's a small baby dragon.
DeleteThe scales as psi-crystals should be very rare, but yeah, that would be cool.
Another thought for those Psi-Crystal would be Ioun Stones.
Delete@Kurt,
DeleteBut does the egg itself change? Does a dragon pop out of it? Or does it just yank bits from the parent dragons and the egg remains as is for a kind of core?
Using gem dragon crystals for IOUN stones is brilliant! :-O
I see the egg part as slowly becoming the heart or brain of a mature Dragon.
DeleteIt depends I guess on how you want the evolution to proceed.
Thanks for for compliment, [blushing]
@Kurt,
DeleteHey that works for me! :-D
And thank YOU for chiming in with your thoughts. Always good to hear what others are thinking, because a lot of times it's something we hadn't considered and/or is just plain better than what we cooked up.