| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Wenin |
Posted - 27 Jun 2019 : 16:52:01
Has Wizards ever addressed exactly how the cultists from the Rise of Tiamat are granted limited flight? It is just listed as a power they have. Is it the clothes they wear? Mystical power from worshipping Tiamat?
If not anything official, is there anything you as a GM or your GM used to explain this ability? |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Wenin |
Posted - 28 Jun 2019 : 19:50:49
I agree, I'm going to play it off as secret draconic magic that the cultists are tapping into.
btw, the stats have them as "human", however it is portrayed in the modules that the cultists are of a variety of races. Dragonclaw, Dragonwing, Dragonfang, Dragonsoul, are "ranks" of cultists, the last three are granted the limited flight.
Knowing that NPCs are just handed powers like this is freeing. =) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 27 Jun 2019 : 21:10:59
I don't have 5E but the name "dragonsoul" itself implies some sort of spiritual relationship or identification with dragonkind.
Some 2E Planescape stuff, 3.5E "incarna", and 4E core all basically included what amounts to being intrinsic talents - sort of like "racial" abilities, "spell-like" abilities, learned or inherited special abilities, whatever.
If the text doesn't already anchor these abilities into items (like dragon-wing capes or James Bond laser gadgets) then it's probably better to just leave the details simple and ambiguous instead of imposing complexities and conditions onto what already works.
Dragons can fly and their dragonflight obviously has some supernatural origin (since it obviously defies all natural laws). So I think it's obvious that flight for dragonsouls must somehow draw from the same source. |
| Rils |
Posted - 27 Jun 2019 : 20:42:26
I don't recall that it was specifically explained. However, they are described as wearing dragon-wing capes, and they are the highest rank below a Wearer of Purple. We always figured this was what earlier editions might call a "spell-like ability" - their faith grants them some limited draconic-themed powers, like the ability to momentarily flare their cloaks and fly like their masters. Their "Dragon Fanatic" and "Orb of Dragon's Breath" abilities would be similar. |
| Wenin |
Posted - 27 Jun 2019 : 19:50:20
I'll add the text from the module.
Limited Flight: The dragonsoul can use a bonus action to gain a flying speed of 30 feet until the end of its turn.
I suppose that bonus action could be the casting of a spell. They have no other spell based abilities. Its part of the charm of 5E, DMs can make up whatever they like, it doesn't have to adhere to any class based structure.
Cool |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 27 Jun 2019 : 17:58:42
Are Cultists treated as priests or as wizards?
Priests can gain all sorts of divine magics and granted powers from the Power they believe in, maybe a Dragon Cultist isn't unlike any other Elemental Priest, Druid, or Specialty Priest?
Wizards can gain various minor abilities from specialization, maybe a Dragon Mage isn't unlike any other Specialist Wizard?
Lacking any other official explanation I think it's safe to assume the Cult simply has aptitude with certain "dragon themed" spells, not unlike Thayan Red Magic having certain affinities with fire spells, etc. The Cult has likely learned many tidbits of draconic magic over time. |
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