Let’s Convert the Monster Manual: Bahamut, King of the Good Dragons

Dungeon Crawl Classics doesn’t use the chromatic and metallic scheme of devising dragons which is prevalent in Dungeons & Dragons as well as in the original Monster Manual. When converting materials from D&D to DCC, I have found that completely reworking dragons into their DCC versions is the best policy. Sometimes, however, you might want to retain the original version more closely to match an environment, the dragon’s allies, or the tone of a module or module series.

In converting the “name” dragons, players and judges should remember that DCC dragons are not the same as D&D dragons. I cannot recall ever using Bahamut when DMing, but then D&D doesn’t have the snazzy patron rules that DCC does, which allows even the most potent entities to have a meaningful “presence” in the game world. What’s more, stipulations for forming the patron bond even allowed me to include reasons to seek out other D&D-style metallic dragons.

As a (perhaps) interesting side note, the original 4e version of Dragora’s Dungeon made use of the chromatic dragon coding, and included images of Tiamat. When I did the DCC conversion for that, I invented the dragon-god Baphotet Kor to take Tiamat’s place. I was intentionally trying to sound pseudo-Mesopotamian to resonate with the original source, and “Baphotet” was intended to invoke “Bahamut” in the reader’s mind. Of course, this entity was very different from either named dragon in the Monster Manual, and became one of the driving catalysts behind the situation in Through the Dragonwall.

The dragon generator at Purple Sorcerer Games is highly recommended in this regard.

Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon: Init +22; Atk claw +23 melee (1d8) or bite +23 melee (1d12) or tail slap +23 melee (1d20) or wing buffet +23 melee (2d12) or breath weapon or spell; AC 32; HD 22d12 (168 hp); MV 80’ or fly 160’; Act 8d20 or 1d24 (spells); SP breath weapon (2/day, cone of cold 60’ long with a 40’ base, damage equal to Bahamut’s hp, Fort DC 32 for half), breath weapon (2/day, cloud of gas 50’ diameter up to 120’ away, Will DC 32 or become gaseous for 3d6 hours), breath weapon (2/day, cone of sonic vibration 60’ long with a 40’ base, damage equal to Bahamut’s hp, Fort DC 32 for half, disintegrates objects and beings at 0 hp), shapechange, retinue, travel noncorporeally and to other planes at will, spellcasting; SV Fort +22, Ref +22, Will +22; AL L.

          Spells (+14 to spell check): Banish, blessing, breathe life, cantrip, charm person, comprehend languages, detect evil, detect invisible, detect magic, dispel magic, food of the gods, gust of wind, holy sanctuary, knock, locate object, magic shield, neutralize poison or disease, planar step, protection from evil, read magic, remove curse, restore vitality, second sight, shatter, sleep, turn to stone, ward portal, and word of command.

The King of Good dragons, Bahamut the platinum dragon, dwells in a great fortified palace behind the east wind. Sages argue that his palace is on the elemental plane of air or some plane betwixt it and the various Heavens, but none may say with certainty save Bahamut and his court.

At times Bahamut roams the earth, aiding mortals of good will and punishing those who displease him. He often travels in human guise, but he may take any shape he chooses. Seven huge ancient gold dragons of highest abilities and loyalty serve as guards, companions, and advisors to Bahamut, and he is seldom without them.  One story tells of a sage tells of encountering an old hermit, with seven canaries singing sweetly as they flitted nearby. The sage relates that he would never have known that he was the platinum dragon in disguise except that a group of ogre and trolls happened by much to their sorrow….

The ceremony to bond with Bahamut must take place in the lair of a good metallic dragon, and must be under that dragon’s tutelage. In DCC, dragon alignment is not color-coded, so the would-be client wizard must take great care to ensure that the dragon they approach falls under the platinum dragon’s suzerainty. Not all good dragons recognize Bahamut as their ruler, and not all metallic dragons in DCC are good. As well, Bahamut only takes lawful client wizards of good moral character, so that more than one would-be client has been rejected by the King of Good Dragons. Even should these hazards be overcome, the tutor dragon will almost always desire some goodly reward for their service.

Invoke Patron check results:

12-13     The platinum dragon is busy elsewhere, but the caster sprouts metallic scales which grant some bonus to AC. Roll 1d5: (1) Brass scales (+1 AC), (2) Bronze scales (+2 AC), (3) Copper scales (+2 AC), (4) Silver scales (+3 AC), or (5) Gold scales (+1 AC). After 1d6 rounds the scales dissipate and are gone.

14-17     The caster breathes sonic energy at a single foe within 60 feet. The target takes 3d6 + CL damage (Fort save DC 15 for half).

18-19     Bahamut’s protection causes the caster to grow platinum scales, granting a +4 bonus to AC and Fort saves for 1d3 + CL turns. During this time, if struck by a critical hit, the caster may choose to reduce the protective bonus by +1 in order to avoid the critical effect (but not the normal damage) of the attack. This decision must be made before the exact result of the critical effect is determined. When the duration ends, or the bonus is reduced to +0, the scales evaporate and are gone.

20-23     Bahamut sends an average brass, bronze, or copper dragon (equal chance of each) to aid the caster. It takes 1d6 minutes for the dragon to arrive, and it leaves in 1d6 + CL rounds or until the current situation is resolved (whichever is longer). The dragon is free-willed and, while it will do its best to aid the caster, it also has the personality and temperament of its kind. The judge is encouraged to have these dragons be persistent individuals if they are sent to aid the caster more than once.

24-27     Sending divine power to aid the caster, Bahamut heals the caster and 1d5 + CL allies within 100’. All hit point damage is healed, poisons are neutralized, diseases are cured, and broken bones are fully and properly damaged without lowering any ability scores. Ability score damage is also healed, unless it is permanent or the result of spellburn. Further, the caster and affected allies gain a +2 bonus to AC and all saves for the next 1d3 + CL turns. 

28-29     Bahamut sends an average silver dragon to aid the caster. It takes 1d6 rounds for the dragon to arrive, and it leaves in 1d6 + CL turns or until the current situation is resolved (whichever is longer). The dragon is free-willed and, while it will do its best to aid the caster, it also has the personality and temperament of its kind. The judge is encouraged to have this dragons be a persistent individual if they are sent to aid the caster more than once.

30-31     Bahamut sends an average gold dragon to aid the caster. It arrives instantly, and it leaves in 1d6 + CL hours or until the current situation is resolved (whichever is longer). The dragon is free-willed and, while it will do its best to aid the caster, it also has the personality and temperament of its kind. The judge is encouraged to have this dragons be a persistent individual if they are sent to aid the caster more than once.

32+         Bahamut instantly transports the caster and all allies to his palace behind the east wind. There 3d30 days pass while wounds are healed, spells restored, and plans can be made with the benefit of the best advice. Thereafter, Bahamut casts blessing and protection from evil on the caster and whichever allies the spell result will allow before returning them to the exact time and place they came from.