Introduction

Having studied all of the metallic dragons, it was only a matter of time before I started looking into Bahamut. While I researched Tiamat for necessity, Bahamut's story was a pleasure. I spent the better part of a year not only speaking to the kind-hearted dragons around him but even taking an audience with him during this time. So many misconceptions of dragons exist, and Bahamut is no stranger to these. While I can only do my part to speak the truth, it was a blessing to have such a safe assignment.

Physiology

Scales like Rainbows

Platinum dragon scales, when observed under bright light, faintly shimmer like a rainbow. These beautiful scales are durable but not as much as other modern dragons. They certainly offer far more protection against blows than many creatures, but modern dragons have adapted to even more physical confrontation. This fact rarely concerns Bahamut himself as his substantial magical abilities can rectify this seemingly disadvantageous state.

Diet

Dragons are often seen as exclusively carnivorous, and while this can hold for many chromatic dragons, Bahamut and other Metallic Dragons defy this assumption. Bahamut being a divine being, doesn't require any sustenance but will indulge in the delight of food and drink with friends on occasion. His favorite drink is elegant wines, especially a rare wine made from Uulidan Fruits, a wild cross between pears and grapes often only known by dragons. He often will snack on sweet fruits, usually of substantial sizes, magically enhanced, of course.

Treasures Behind the East Wind

Bahamut lives in a palace hidden by swirling yet soft winds upon one of the peaks in the plane of Celestia. Often, scholars once believed he lived in the elemental plane of air, but it seems that has been either abandoned or simply mistaken information. This palace serves as a grand home for himself and his close friends, including The Seven. The building itself is named the Palace Behind the East Wind.

Bahamut's home is extravagant and large, as he is indeed a large creature. Each wing of the palace is home to the dragons of The Seven and a central area for himself, with statues, art, and artifacts that tell the tales of his exploits adorning his home and the great hall where he often spends time with his company. The central hub is closest to what can be described as a throne room however is devoid of a throne. Instead, he sits himself to converse, and naturally, others gather around.

Vine-covered white marble is the aesthetic that best describes the decor around the palace—extravagant and natural simultaneously. Birds can nearly always be heard singing, playing, and flying on the court and its grounds.

While many dragons hoard gold, treasure, and art for their keeping, his coffers often are filled with tributes and emptied for many causes. Despite being a powerful divine being, he cannot aid in all aspects of life that he would like to. Thus he often entrusts individuals with more than enough treasure to help a cause. These causes are often complex and far more abstract than even the woes of a whole country. Keeping an entire plane able to bear life is more akin to where his considerable goals lie.

Mental and Social Observations

The Burden of History

The Lord of Metallic Dragons takes the plights and history of dragons, not just metallic, but all dragons, seriously. While Tiamat and other dragons have segregated themselves, Bahamut strives to unite dragon-kind in the teachings of his "father" IO. While IO disappeared long ago, the burden of all dragon history and its safekeeping lies with him. If he were ever to have a most valuable treasure, it is the writings of IO and the recorded history of dragons.

In my mission to uncover the true nature and origins of dragons, this information was incredibly vital. Only by earning his trust was I able to even gaze upon the records. While my goal is to understand Bahamut better, this knowledge has aided many of my other endeavors to understand the creatures of our vast and wonderful existence.

While nothing of the biological origins was present among the information, a lot of the social growth of dragons was made clear. IO, the first dragon to obtain sentience, strived to unite dragons under his wings. While they were always cunning creatures, IO taught them to speak, write and grew their culture for eons before elves, dwarves, men, orcs walked the material planes' soils. IO, who is now lost and thought to be dead, was influential to many dragons. Bahamut searched for ages of clues about his disappearance, while Tiamat claims to have been behind it; Bahamut suspects it is only to needle at his heart and fabrication from the Dragon of Lies.

Children of Bahamut

Bahamut has no biological children, but each student he cares for as if they were his very scale and blood. He heads the continuous war and struggle against Tiamat's schemes and seeks to better the world for dragons. Dragons understand that they are part of a more extensive system, and considering the needs of others around them is part of making a better world for themselves. "Deny your greed, but not yourself."

Many devote themselves as paladins and clerics of his order, especially Metallic Dragons and Dragonborn. Bahamut, just as any other diety, grants them aid, spells, and advice, mainly when working against Tiamat or a Chromatic Dragon under her wing or in the betterment of the local environment. Bahamut doesn't ask for hatred or anger towards his enemies, but instead, he asks those devout to him to listen and hear foes guiding them to a path of peace. Force isn't prohibited, though. When reason and heat to the heart fails, force is often used.

Language and Communication

As anyone could expect, the Platnum Dragon is fluent in common and Draconic, and he is also fluent in many other languages. It's more apt to list the languages in which he doesn't possess a familiarity. Most notably, he often has trouble communicating with those elementals, despite being well-traveled in those areas. While he can fully understand the languages, an unfortunate anatomical challenge for dragons prevents many sounds and proper tones from conveying clear speech in nearly all elemental languages.

Bahamut and his Interactions with other Creatures

Birds

Bahamut is amused by and fond of birds. In his palace live many birds, thousands even if they were ever to be counted. There are a few exceptions, as he doesn't enjoy the brutality of Terror Birds. Yet there are surprising flocks that tend to roost in his temples, such as crows and vultures. It's evident that when in disguise that The Seven often disguise themselves as canaries, not for an unassuming nature but also a pleasing form to their friend.

Other Deities

Bahamut doesn't often associate himself as a deity and even less so when around other gods. While it could be understood as humility, a trait he is well known for, it is often more than disdain. Since each being who achieves the near-impossible status of god-hood used to be a mortal, Bahamut despises how many seem to forget this reality. Instead of helping their followers, many use them for their gains. The fight with Tiamat is indeed personal but also, in Bahamut's eyes, necessary. Bahamut still rarely directly intervenes in an individual's struggles, but he does so exponentially more than other gods.

In particular, he despises evil deities as those who openly and brazenly manipulate for power. Even a god has limits, and he can't fight them all. However, he favors many of those who would fight against the atrocities of any evil deity. He has his claws full with Tiamat at the time being.

A Battle Long Coming

In terms of fighting capabilities, dragons are often in the top tiers of existence. Add being a talented magic wielder, impressive specimen even for dragons, and a staggering intelligence together, and Bahamut is seemingly unmatched. However, it's important to note that Tiamat is possibly even more dangerous in a physical confrontation. 1 head versus 7 is a tough match, no matter who. This imbalance is well-known to Bahamut, and he doesn't often seek opportunities to fight her directly.

I expect if they were to ever meet in battle, it would be akin to an all-out war with many dragons on each side fighting side-by-side with their chosen deity. No struggle of such magnitude has happened in humanoid written history. However, long before us, dragons recall an ancient war of such proportions that seem to be still rippling through dragon history to this day. I suspect this long-ago war has something to do with the disappearance of IO and the rise of modern dragons.

While I didn't witness Bahamut fight himself, I imagine the confrontation is solved quickly if he ever does fight. Between 7 ancient wyrm bodyguards and his impressive abilities, I see no opponent posing any real threat outside of another deity.

The Seven

Milithian - Tungesten Dragon

Another survivor of a now-extinct line of Metallic Dragon heritage Milithian represents the tungsten dragons. After the war, she was the only surviving member of her race, and with the help of Bahamut, she found a new purpose. Her scales are mottled with greys and blacks that shine brilliantly in the sun. Milithian is often described as bubbly and cheerful, well beyond the norm of dragons. She is most often beside Bahamut as his only mate, although they do not seem to have any children of their own. Bahamut may not be able to father children because they are different dragons species or purposely avoid bringing children into such an embroiled conflict as with Tiamat.

Tungsten Dragons are smaller in stature than most dragons, only topping out in the 40s of feet rather than 50s or 60s like other Metallic Dragons. They are quick land runners but can fly almost as well as any dragon. Lithe and agile like a jungle cat, they can bound and bounce. They have but a single small nose horn that curves backward. Milithian's breath weapon is an oily black acid. The acid is strong but not as potent as many other dragons; instead, the advantage lies in how sticky the acid is. While it can cling to an enemy more often, it will temporarily lock them in place.

Xibreem - Bronze Dragon

The first to rush to fight in the name of Bahamut, notably to jump in front of him, is Xibreem. A joyful and playful Bronze Dragon that is ready to fight at a moment's notice. Quite possible, the youngest of the Seven, although youngest, is quite the relative term when we are discussing dragons, and even more so when we then are immortal. Xibreem is quick-witted but also quick to anger. Although among friends, her anger is playful. She channels her temper to great lengths on the battlefield, much like that of a barbarian's rage.

For a Bronze Dragon, Xibreem is averaged sized but with a longer tail than most. She's easy to identify, her eyes shine a brilliant fiery purple, and one of her horns is broken nearly at the base. She lost this horn in a fight with a formidable Blue Dragon.

Gabruhelm - Brass Dragon

Chatty as any other Brass Dragon, Gabruhelm, serves as a herald to Bahamut and speaker for The Seven. It's said he's carried conversations longer than a human's age many times. I feel this is exaggerated, but then again, he did talk quite a bit. It's evident that most enjoy his conversations, though, even when it seems to be going on too long, I found myself enraptured by his wit and charm while conversing.

All of The Seven has seen battle, and Gabruhelm is no stranger to a fight. He has a crippled and torn wing that prevents him from flying. Due to this fact, he rarely leaves the palace. He has many friends there, remarkably some of the birds that roost there year-round. When he's not talking, it seems he's sleeping or eating. Most would suppose he'd be shy about mentioning his wing, but I may have heard the story a dozen times.

Brationa - Copper Dragon

A free spirit and a jokester, Brationa mystifies even her comrades at times. She spends the least time at the Palace Behind the East Wind; her presence and absence are pronounced. Brationa and Gabruhelm are very close, and if you can find Brationa at her home Gabruhelm is undoubtedly to be there unless he's resting. Brationa usually lets the others handle the more serious matters such as battle but would never stray away from protecting her friends.

Brationa is also one of the few of The Seven that doesn't seem to have significant battle scars. She looks young as any other elder wyrm. She does a pendant in the shape of a star that can easily mark her if you recognize the item. This treasure is her most guarded item, and she doesn't speak about why it's significant. It seems only she and Gabruhelm know its significance. Even with his talkative nature, I couldn't get any clue from Gabruhelm or Brationa herself.

Jubiim - Silver Dragon

Jubiim is often flat in tone and easygoing. She spends most of her time creating ice sculptures or other forms of art to pass the time. No other dragon has mastered the control of their breath weapon as Jubiim without magical aid. Her nickname, the Endless Winter, refers to the method in which she can breathe continuously using her breath weapon, much how some bards have mastered the art of circular breathing. I have never heard of any dragon who can use their breath weapon as often or as long as Jubiim.

Silver dragon sails already are considerably larger than most dragons, but Jubiim's is extraordinarily so. She takes pride in it, usually keeping it frosted in an elaborate pattern, and she frosts many parts of her body for decoration. It's been said she's the most beautiful dragon in the realms to some. Despite all the attention, I was not aware of any suitors.

Aargittrax - Gold Dragon

Aargittrax is a gruff battle-hardened dragon that serves as the de facto leader of the military parts of Bahamut's establishment. While he's often worried about various fronts of battle from Tiamat, he stays by Bahamut as often as he can. He doesn't attack in his plans but instead focuses on defending. There is some plan he's been brewing along with Bahamut that I understood as vital as it was secret. My knowledge, even that it exists, is rare enough of a gem.

Aargittrax is missing an eye, parts of his webbing, and the whiskers on the right side of his head. It's said he went claw-to-claw with Tiamat herself and survived. Despite his gruff appearance and voice, he's a soft and kind dragon. Of all the dragons living at the Palace, he's the only one that has a family with him, a mate, and a few wyrmlings. It's easy to see how much he cares for his family and shares thoughts with Bahamut that all dragons are family.

DM's Tool Kit

Bahamut is a problematic dragon to use in a campaign; it seems like a powerful being is either too great a challenge or too great an ally. If he's directly involved with your party, I suggest that either they've impressed him with some tremendous event or they're high level. However, Bahamut is a very benevolent dragon and could be a fun NPC to have around if handled correctly.

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