I liked the five chromatic and five metallic balance of the first Monster Manual—but it didn't take long before all kinds of variations came out (crystal dragons, steel, yellow, brown, etc. etc.). I liked some of the variations, but I kind of missed the 'balance' aspect. And then there was the whole Shadowrun take on Dragons, with Western, Oriental, Feathered... how could these all fit together?
As I've been tinkering with a D6 fantasy system, I got to thinking about that very question, and what I came up with is this:
There are three main families of dragons in my fantasy world:
Western Dragons: Your typical fantasy dragons, with four legs, a pair wings, a broad body and long, sinuous tails and necks. These reside mostly in 'Western European' realms.
Eastern Dragons: Long, sinuous, almost snake-like bodies with four small legs and elaborately bearded and horned heads. They fly solely via magic—and without wings at all. These reside mostly in far Eastern asian lands.
Feathered Dragons: Long, sinuous, snake-like bodies with feathered wings and snake-like heads with feathered crests. They reside mostly in central and south america.
Within each of these major families of dragons are several different sub-types, each based around a particular physiology and ecosystem.
Storm Dragon: These dragons prefer mountain peaks and other such heights for their dwellings—spending a lot of time soaring in the sky. They 'breath' lightning bolts. Evil storm dragons are covered with deep blue scales, while their good bretheren are metallic blue-steel in color.
Sea Dragon: These dragons live in and beneath the waves of mighty oceans and seas (or occasionally large lakes). They can fly, but are more at home beneath the waves (their wings are essentially large fins). They breath clouds of scalding water/steam. Evil sea dragons are a deep blue-green in color, while their good brethren are bronze at birth, but slowly gain a blue-green 'patina' on their metallic scales.
Fire Dragon: These dragons prefer mountainside caves as their lairs. As their name suggests, they breathe fire. Evil fire dragons are deep red in color, while their good counterparts are a bright, golden metallic color.
Frost Dragon: These dragons prefer cold climates—glaciers and snow-capped mountains. They breathe a cone of frost. Evil frost dragons are stark white in color, while good dragons are a glistening ice-like silver.
Forest Dragon: These dragons prefer thick forests or swamps to lair within. They breathe a line of corrosive acid. Evil forest dragons are deep green in color, while their good brethren have copper scales, tinged with bright green patina.
Shadow Dragon: These dragons usually lair deep underground. They breathe a cloud of corrosive gas. Evil Shadow dragons are deep black in color, while good shadow dragons have scales reminiscent of black wrought iron.
Sand Dragon: These dragons dwell in arid wastes or sandy deserts. Their breath weapon is a cone of hot ash. Evil sand dragons are a yellowish orange in color, while good sand dragons are a bright, metallic brass in color.
So between the three families of dragons and the seven major sub-types, you have a heck of a lot of variety—but at the same time some symmetry (which I like). Of course this would mean that Tiamat would now have seven heads instead of five, but...I don't have a problem with that ;)
I would actually consider the good and evil variations of the various sub-types to be the same breed—but with their outward appearance (color of scales) changing to match the character of their soul. Imagine a nest of gold dragons, where one hatchling son slowly turns against the teachings of his parent(s)—his pure, golden scales slowly changing darker and darker, shifting more and more red until his outward appearance represents the tarnishing of his soul.
Well, I like it, anyway.
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