How to Tame A Dragon: Session 1

Introduction to the Isle of Derrik and the Town of Derrikian:

The Isle of Derrik is a rugged, windswept island situated in the far north, surrounded by treacherous seas. The landscape is dominated by lush forests, jagged cliffs, and the towering Mount Fyreskor. The island is home to a variety of exotic plants and animals, but most importantly, it is inhabited by dragons of various species.

The Town of Derrikian is a small, close-knit Viking settlement located on the southeastern coast of the Isle of Derrik. The village is built with sturdy wood and stone, featuring a central marketplace, a blacksmith, and a mead hall, where the villagers gather to celebrate their victories and discuss important matters. The inhabitants of Derrikian are tough, resourceful, and proud of their Viking heritage. They rely on fishing, farming, and dragon hunting to sustain their way of life.

Dragon Raids:

For as long as the villagers can remember, dragons have raided the town of Derrikian, swooping down from the skies to snatch livestock, burn buildings, and cause chaos. In response, the villagers have become skilled warriors, trained from a young age to defend their home against the dragon menace. Each dragon raid is a test of the villagers’ courage, strength, and resilience, as they fight to protect their homes and families.

To help the players immerse themselves in the world, you could describe the following scenes:

  1. The Opening Scene: As the sun sets, casting a warm glow over the Isle of Derrik, the village chief, Haldor Ironbeard, gathers the villagers in the town square. He announces that a dragon raid is imminent, as scouts have spotted a group of dragons approaching from the north.

  2. Preparing for the Raid: The villagers spring into action, arming themselves with weapons, shields, and dragon-fighting gear. The young adventurers, eager to prove their worth, join the older warriors in preparing for the battle. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells of the village as it braces itself for the dragon attack.

  3. The Dragon Raid: As the dragons descend upon Derrikian, the battle begins. The players will need to use their combat skills and teamwork to repel the dragons and protect the village. Describe the various dragon species involved in the raid (e.g., black, green, red, gold, sliver, etc…) and their unique abilities, as well as the chaos and destruction they cause.

    During the battle, it is important that the characters see that one of the dragons is badly injured and flees in a different direction than the other dragons. If the players don’t get the idea to track down the injured dragon, on of the NPCs will encourage them to track it down at the end of the next segement.

  4. The Aftermath: Once the raid is over, and the dragons have been driven off, the villagers assess the damage and tend to the wounded. The village chief, Haldor Ironbeard, praises the young adventurers for their bravery and announces the beginning of their official dragon training. The players can then reflect on their experiences and prepare for the next stage of their journey.

Remember to be flexible and adapt the story to the players’ decisions and actions, while encouraging creativity and teamwork.

Monsters

For simplicity, all the dragon stats have been averaged into the following single stat block.
 
Remember that you can do away with math and use the 3-strikes method instead. Each | section | of HP below could represent a solid hit. If you do that, you should decide on how many “solid hits” your player characters can take before they go down and adjust the damage accordingly.
 
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 38 (average)
00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 00000 | 0000
Speed: 30 ft., fly 60 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR
15 (+2)
DEX
14 (+2)
CON
13 (+1)
INT
10 (+0)
WIS
11 (+0)
CHA
13 (+1)
 
 
Saving Throws DEX +3, CON +3, WIS +2, CHA +3
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +3
Damage Immunities:
Green: Poison | Black/Coper: Acid | Red/Gold: Fire | White/Silver: Cold | Blue: lightening |
Condition Immunities Poisoned

Passive Perception 14

Languages Draconic
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
 

Attacks

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) (poison/fire/acid/cold/lightning)  damage.

Poison Breath (Recharge 5–6). The dragon exhales a breath weapon (poison/fire/acid/cold/lightning) in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) (poison/fire/acid/cold/lightning) damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.


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4 Responses

  1. This is so wonderful. I am a teacher running a DND campaign for some kiddos at the school I work at, and this is such a cool thing to have. And they love it. Thank you so much for what you do. It makes an impact, even if it just helps a teacher make a school day magical for some kids. It really does change their lives.

    1. Rendi, My 40th year high school reunion is not too far off and I still remember those teachers that went the extra mile to bring a little magic to our days. It’s feedback like yours that keeps me doing this. So… thank you. – DMingDad

  2. Looking into jumping into DND DMing so my 7 year old daughter and her 4 friends can play a campaign currently gathering minis a board dice etc and need campaigns cause I’m not super creative.

  3. I work with kids at a school. I’m a big fan of rpg video games and my kids love to use their imaginations. I’m new to dnd but I’m trying to find stuff to do with them that embraces their creativity and keeps them calm. I still don’t understand all of it, honestly, but I have a basic grasp (I know what dice are and BG3 has taught me some of the classes). Either way, I’m just going to adapt to how the kids need me.

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