DnD Head Canons

[KorvinStarmast]

Arcane magic in the Vancian System is a akin to charging a capacitor with a kind of chaotic energy. The preparation/reading process is the charging process. The release is the burst of arcane power. Over time you develop the ability to handle more, and larger, capacitors. Mishandling the capacitors or the energy when charging them is dangerous.

Elric was a Melnibonéan Paladin, and Stormbringer was his Holy Avenger ... from a certain point of view. (Thanks, Obi Wan! ) Elric rode a dragon ...

And about dragons.

(a) Dragons have bones made of an unusual material: extremely strong and light (the bone version of titanium that is also ductile). The bones are mostly hollow. (If you look at the rotor mast of Huey you'll find a hollow metal (steel) tube). This helps them deal with the Cube/Square law...but it isn't the whole solution. Dragon scales are very strong and thin (think carbon fiber composites) yet fairly light.

(b) In general, dragon's are far more lean than bulky. See the original Chinese folk lore dragon/golden dragon model rather than the buffed/steroid using dragons from Elmore to the 5e MM. (Heck, see Tolkien's original illustrations of Smaug. Lean, not buff).

(c) Dragon tails have something like fans/feathers at their tip that spread out in flight, offering improved stability and directional control in flight. When not flying the collapse down to a tip.

(d) The magic of a dragon is mostly held in its bone marrow. That's the truly magical stuff, and it's why older dragons can command more powerful magics/spells than younger dragons. More marrow. The marrow is kept moist by the soul energy of the dragon; when a dragon dies the marrow turns to dust as the 'fluid' of the soul, and its energy, energy vacates the body and heads into the afterlife. Dragon marrow is still prized by artificers and wizards who make magical items, which informs the centuries long vendetta between some of the dragon clans and wizards...(in my version of the World of Greyhawk).

(e) Dragons eat pine trees as breath mints.