The Cult of the Dragon, as its name might suggest, seeks to venerate and ultimately serve dragons. Dragon cultists brought about Tiamat’s return to the Forgotten Realms, ushering in what they thought would be a golden era under draconic rule—that is, until Vecna emerged.
Even so, the dragons seized much territory, making them a formidable force in the land as they seek to satiate their Queen’s endless avarice.
The cult’s lowest ranks are full of groveling kobolds and fanatics who believe chromatic dragons exist to be served, their innate power making them worthy of worship. Still, if a single dragon gets too greedy, they risk attracting the ire of Tiamat and guaranteeing a painful demise.
Ultimately, the Cult of the Dragon exists only as long as its dragon overlords wish for it to. The cultists view themselves as irreplaceable, the eyes and hands of all dragons—but other factions see them as parasites that latched onto the dragons to avoid being crushed. Luckily for the cult, dragons have a grandiose sense of self and relish having hordes of humanoids that exist solely to serve them.
Goals & Ambitions
- Ensure Tiamat’s ultimate reign over the Forgotten Realms.
- Serve all dragonkind, contribute to their hoards of treasure, and gain their alliance.
- Decimate the giants, from hill to storm.
Leader: Tiamat
Red Wyrmspeaker: Unknown
Blue Wyrmspeaker: Frulam the Blue
Green Wyrmspeaker: Unknown
Black Wyrmspeaker: Rezmir the Black
White Wyrmspeaker: Talis the White
Joining the Cult of the Dragon
All humanoids are welcome to join the Cult of the Dragon, because to chromatic dragons, all humanoids are equally worthless. For some, choosing to serve a tyrannical wyrm is better than no choice at all.
With so many new devotees, the dragons have streamlined initiation: raise a treasure aloft to a dragon and ask if it may be included in the dragon’s hoard. If the dragon accepts the gift, it accepts the gift-giver. If not, the dragon destroys the offering in a single breath… and the person holding it, too.
Renown
The Cult of the Dragon rewards unwavering commitment and enthusiastic public displays of faith in dragons. Those with untamed aspirations who earn the support (willing or otherwise) of a dragon can find themselves soaring through the ranks. But one mistake and they come crashing back to the ground just as quickly.
The highest echelons of the cult are shockingly political, and Wearers of Purple secure “donations” in their pursuit of ever-more-powerful dragons to serve.
There are only five Wyrmspeakers—one for each of Tiamat’s different-colored heads—and if a role is ever vacated, many become food for wyrms trying to secure a coveted Wyrmspeaker’s mask.
Since characters who align themselves with the Cult of the Dragon choose to affiliate with dragons, it’s a natural choice for draconic bloodline sorcerers, half-dragons, and the like. Adventurers who see the inevitability of war between Tiamat and Vecna might also wish to hedge their bets by siding with the Queen of Evil Dragons.
Ranks
- Dragonclaw: A Dragonclaw is the backbone of the Cult of the Dragon. Some oversee the kobolds, while others may be assigned to serve a particular dragon.
- Dragonwing: Ascending to Dragonwing brings a new perspective on life, one in which the skies open up. The wings gifted by the dragons give cultists the first true taste of what it means to follow the path of the dragon, and for many, the taste of flight is dangerously addictive.
- Dragonfang: Dragonfangs supervise initiates, lead battles, and negotiate with other Dragonfangs on behalf of their respective dragons. Wyrmspeakers keep a close eye on this rank, as many Dragonfangs begin to feel caught in a pyramid scheme and burn out (occasionally under dragonfire).
- Dragonsoul: Rising to the rank of Dragonsoul is evidence that you now actively embody the powerful (albeit evil) traits of a dragon, leaving much of your mortal identity behind. This rank is bestowed on trusted captains and confidants of the Wearers of Purple.
- Wearer of Purple: Dragons assign a Wearer of Purple to administrate the countless forts, cities, and settlements claimed by the Cult of the Dragon. Most who rise to this rank are politicians, nobles, or decorated veterans, with a close association to one specific powerful dragon.
- Wyrmspeaker: Atop the Cult of the Dragon sit five Wyrmspeakers, one for each color of chromatic dragon. The Wyrmspeakers report to Tiamat directly, and their sole task is to seek out the dragons of the Forgotten Realms and ensure their ongoing allegiance to the Dragon Queen.
Benefits
Cult of the Dragon support comes in these ways:
- Dragons command the skies, and even a simple flyover is enough to lend authority to a cultist’s threat. In addition, few modes of transport are as expedient as dragon-flight.
- Followers of the Cult of the Dragon can make requests or pleas to their draconic overlords. If the dragon is feeling generous, they may even carry out the request.
- If ever overwhelmed, fellow cultists may come to the character’s aid in the form of 1d4 Dragonclaws, led by a Dragonfang. Alternatively, if the character has a particularly high standing, a lone adult dragon arrives instead—though the latter often demands compensation after the dust settles.