Canonfire!

Fri May 23, 2025 9:43 am The Dragons "Great Game," in Greyhawk

Hello all! I am working on a campaign idea inspired by the Draconomicon and the idea of the Dragon's "Great Game." Has anyone used this in Greyhawk? Have you used dragons as more than Smaug type villains? Where do the dragons live in GH? Are there groups/families/clans of dragons? Any help is appreciated!

Fri May 23, 2025 11:14 am

Which Draconomicon are you using? 3e or 2e? I'd like to look it up myself!

Happy

Fri May 23, 2025 1:34 pm

It is for 3rd Edition. I don't remember where it is cited, and it only discusses it briefly, but it indicates that because of their extreme longevity (often over 2,000 years), that they compete with each other by manipulating world events in a great game. This was more often played by metallic dragons. They dabble in the world of men and kingdoms, which seem very transitory to them.

Sat May 24, 2025 7:11 pm

If you click on the Deadly Denizens box/link on the left side of this page, you'll see many dragons listed. You could then Google each name to find out more about them.

There used to be a link over there that was titled 'Dragons of Oerth'. I think it was combined with 'Undead of Oerth' and 'Giants of Oerth' and replaced with the current 'Deadly Denizens' link, it you may be able to find that old list somewhere.

SirXaris
_________________
SirXaris' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SirXaris?ref=hl

Sun May 25, 2025 6:40 am

Yes, that is helpful. If a bit overwhelming. I was confused when using that link for the first time because there were so many options and locations to choose from.

Sun May 25, 2025 7:48 pm

Thanks! I will look through that immediately. It was the dragon list that I originally searched for.

Does anyone use dragons in their games? I haven't really thought about it before but considering it is "Dungeons & Dragons," and this is the oldest setting for the same, there aren't really that many.

Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:41 pm

The primary source for Xorvintaal, the Great Game, is the v.3.5 Monster Manual V, pages 38-47, Dragons of the Great Game.
In my campaign, the Great Game hasn't had a significant presence in the Flanaess for centuries, since so many players died serving Bahamut in the Demon Wars (see the Sundered Empire setting from Chainmail.).

Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:05 pm

Thank you! I was taking notes and didn't jot down the reference.

In my game I think I am going to have a few dragon's playing it, with 95% of the intrigue off stage. I have a dragon blooded sorceress, and I have never really used dragons for more than the occasional loot machine/TPK.

Thanks!

Thu Jun 05, 2025 10:07 pm

>>Does anyone use dragons in their games? I haven't really thought about it before but considering it is "Dungeons & Dragons," and this is the oldest setting for the same, there aren't really that many.

I think a lot of the early modules' dragons were more 'just monsters' than major personalities. A lot of the early modules have a dragon, but not as the core.