20 Things to Find in a Red Dragon's Hoard
Red dragon hoards can be immense in scope and value. Among the treasures and trinkets, however, most dragons have also accumulated objects that might not fall under the traditional heading of treasure, but which are interesting and flavoursome none-the-less.
Use the list below, to add such objects of interest to the dragon’s hoard:
The blackened shards of a particularly fine set of full plate armour are scattered throughout the hoard. The large pieces show signs of being gouged or cut open (so the dragon could get at the tasty snack inside).
The dismembered, mouldering remains of animals and humanoids lie throughout the hoard. Many of the corpses show signs of teeth marks; clearly the dragon has eaten well.
Incongruously, a blackened wrought iron cage stands amid the glittering treasures of the dragon’s hoard. Scraps of burnt flesh and fragments of burnt clothes are yet stuck to the cage’s thick iron bars.
A broken pick handle is wedged into a fissure in the floor; the pick head is nowhere to be found.
A large wooden chest, banded with thick strips of iron, stands half-buried among the hoard. The dragon uses the chest to hold some of the treasures it covets the most. If battle goes badly, the dragon tries to grab the chest and fly away.
A ledge overlooking the treasure hoard holds the severed heads of scores of individuals; these are folk who have tried to loot the dragon’s hoard and failed. The dragon has placed their heads here so the thieves can stare down for all eternity of the treasures they so coveted.
The shards of a shattered crystal ball lie in the ruins of a torn backpack. Parts of the backpack are bleached white as if stained by some unwholesome liquid.
A torn and scorched war banner hangs limply from the remains of a splintered staff. The remains of the scarlet banner depicts a rearing swan outlined with silver thread.
A massive rent in the front of this ordinary set of chainmail renders the armour useless (and impossible to don without risk of serious injury).
Three shards of a beautifully carved white oak staff lie scattered amid the hoard. The wood bears carvings of runes of power—particularly those dealing with healing.
Blood covers this studded leather dog collar sized for a gigantic hound.
A swarm of rats infest the hoard, growing fat on the dragon’s leavings. The dragon catches and kills all it sees, but the rats live in small fissures in the rock and so some alway survive the dragon’s predations.
A teetering pile of broken and scorched armour stands amid the hoard. The pile is a sculpture of sorts—the dragon enjoys seeing how high it can make the pile before it collapses.
Several choice items in the hoard lie together on a pile of furs and other soft fabrics.
An 18-foot length of partially melted chain hangs from a rocky outcrop in one wall. The chain is thick—it looks strong enough to perhaps ensnare a dragon!
A cracked and broken hammer head lies on its side amid the treasures. Nearby lie the charcoaled remains of its handle.
A roughly 20-foot-diameter steep-sided pit is gouged out of the floor. Its bottom and sides are blackened and cracked as if having been subjected to repeated high temperatures. Fragments of bone lie at the bottom amid ash and soot. (Here, the dragon cooks its meals alive).
This twisted and shattered lantern looks like it exploded from within—its body looks like it has been peeled outwards by some powerful force.
The decapitated, charred corpse of a huge black bear lies atop a pile of bones; the pile comprises the remains of both animals and humanoids. Maggots infest the bear’s corpse.
The skeletal remains of another dragon the same size as the hoard’s owner lie where the creature fell; mounded treasures fills the beast’s splintered ribcage. Glimmering gems fill the dead dragon’s eye sockets.
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This article is an extract from GM's Miscellany: 20 Things IV. Add the book to your GM’s toolkit today! Alternatively, check out the 20 Things Archive for more handy, flavoursome and time-saving 20 Things articles ready for immediate use in your campaign.
Design Creighton Broadhurst Art Paul Daly
