Gobol’s breath was ragged as he ducked behind the boulder, a sharp blast of ice breath roiling over it, freezing the air around him.
“We’ve got her running, keep it up!” he heard Li yell over the din.
Gobol nodded, hefting his longsword in one hand, his silvered shield in the other. With one look back, he sprinted from cover, rage snarled across his face as he charged down the ancient white dragon before him.
His family sword sang twice in the bright light, leaving deep gashes in the beast’s body before a jet-black claw the size of his torso swiped down and pinned him to the floor. The great white eyes of the gargantuan beast peered down at him, the claw pushing deeper and deeper into his flesh, relishing in the delicious moment that the light started to fade in Gobol’s eyes.
As the paladin slumped under the claw, Li watches in horror as a handful of small red creatures slither and chitter their way out of the Dragon’s scales, vicious mandibles clicking and clacking, tasting the air, as they descend on Gobol’s body, and with glee, start to devour his flesh…
Dragonmites
Dragonmites have formed a symbiotic relationship with their Dragon overlords, they live deep in the crevasses of the dragons’ scales, gorging on the dead scales as they slough off, trading their feast for forever keeping the vain dragons supple and beautiful.
They tend to serve only the most ancient and gargantuan of Dragons, ones large enough to have need of their service. They are unlikely to be aggressive when met, but will seek out more food if it’s in reach.
I’ve always liked the idea of symbiotic relationships between species - the birds that feed in crocodile mouths, Gobies and pistol shrimps digging together - and wanted to bring something like that to the last issue of the Minion Masterclass.
The first iteration of this week was beasts that lived in Storm Giant beards, but that ended up feeling too niche and unlikely, but then the idea of creatures that live in dragon scales came to me, small burrowing termite-like creatures evolved to fill a very small need, but one that makes sense.
At the table, I think there are two clear ways to play the Dragonmites:
Firstly, as a defense mechanism for the Dragon itself. When the party attacks, the mites will sense the fact that their feast is coming to an end, so they will emerge from the scales and seek out the adventures, making their multiple attacks to try to see them off.
Secondly, and my preferred way, is to see them as less aggressive and intelligent, but more reactive. The first time a player drops unconscious, this sea of creatures uses the Eat Dead reaction and emerges to try to feed on them. This makes saving a downed player so so urgent, makes being unconscious far riskier, and makes the combat a more complex event, with players having to balance doing damage, saving allies, and ensuring they stay in positive HP. It will also certainly make the combat more deadly, as they might get two failed saves on the turn they fall, meaning their first roll has a 50% chance of permadeath.
However you do it, hope you find a place for them at your table!