Tiamat, Goddess of wealth, greed, and vengeance - The Scaled Tyrant (CE)
Culture Names
| Culture | Name | Title | Pronouns | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alonian (Tallman) Generic | Tiamat | The Scaled Tyrant | She/They/It | The Defiant Gods |
| Asteni (Tallman) Italian | Avaritia | The Mistress of Avarice | She/They/It | Gli Dei Sfidanti (The challenging gods) |
| Dal (Tallman) Hispanic | Drakona | The Vengeful Opulence | She/They/It | Los Desafiantes (The challengers) |
| Duir (Dwarven) German | Vergeltung | The Mother of Dragons | She/They/It | Die Gegner (The opposers) |
| Dwelmer (Dwarven) Nordic | Nidhogg | The First Dragon | He/They/It | Vanróg Gudar (Deifying gods) |
| Eldar (Elven) Elven | Gorthaur | The Infernal Dragon | He/Him | Vaiar (Tyrants) |
| Eldarin (Elven) Japanese | Amakiri | The Dragon Queen | She/They/It | Akugami (Evil deities) |
| Mularir (Tallman) Greek | Avaros | The Master of Avarice | Him/They/It | Thymo theoí (Wrath gods) |
| Yotunn (Dwarven) Giant | Gullung | The Hoarder of Skulls | She/Him/It | Gegn Guir (The Gods against) |
Extra Titles
The Queen of Dragons: Tiamat, Goddess of Chromatic Dragons The Greedy: Tiamat, Goddess of Wealth and Greed The Vengeful: Tiamat, Goddess of Retribution The Dragon of Chaos: Tiamat, Goddess of Chaos
Commandments
- Amass wealth, but spend little. The gold—and the power that comes with it—is sufficient reward in itself.
- Do not forgive nor forget an indignity to yourself. Let no affront go unpunished.
- Take what you covet. Those without the strength to defend their dominion are not worthy of it.
Portfolio
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Wealth: Tiamat’s primary domain is wealth, particularly in the form of gold and treasures. She influences the accumulation and protection of riches, representing both material wealth and the power it brings.
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Greed: Tiamat embodies greed and the insatiable desire for more. She drives her followers to pursue wealth and power relentlessly, often at the expense of others.
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Vengeance: As a deity of vengeance, Tiamat commands retribution and punishment against those who wrong her or her followers. She influences acts of revenge and the settling of scores.
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Chromatic Dragons: Tiamat is the goddess of chromatic dragons, holding dominion over these mighty creatures. She represents their power, ferocity, and elemental nature.
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Power: Tiamat is associated with raw power and dominance. She influences those who seek to assert their strength and authority over others.
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Chaos: Tiamat embodies chaos and disorder, representing the unpredictable and destructive aspects of existence. She thrives in and promotes anarchy and turmoil.
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Elemental Fury: Tiamat has dominion over elemental forces, particularly fire, air, acid, poison, electricity, and cold. She wields these elements as weapons and symbols of her power.
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Destruction: Tiamat is a force of destruction and devastation, capable of unleashing chaos and ruin upon her enemies. Her domain is represented by the raw power of her chromatic children.
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Retribution: She represents the concept of retribution, ensuring that those who cross her or her followers face dire consequences. This aspect extends to personal, familial, and political spheres.
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Tyranny: Tiamat is a symbol of tyranny and absolute control. She influences leaders and rulers who seek to dominate through fear and oppression.
Alignment
Chaotic Evil
Symbols
Five-pointed star with curved points
Taloned dragon claw surrounded by draconic letters
Avatars
Alonian (Tallman) Generic
Tiamat is depicted as a massive, five-headed dragon, with each head a different color of chromatic dragon, and her leathery wings spread far and wide
Cleric Domains
| Domains |
|---|
| Trickery |
| War |
Religious Practices
Tiamat’s followers engage in various rituals and practices to honor the goddess and seek her favor. These practices often revolve around wealth, vengeance, and the power of dragons. Here are ten common rituals performed by Tiamat’s followers:
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Hoarding Ritual: Devotees gather their wealth, particularly gold, and offer a portion to Tiamat by placing it in hidden locations or temples. This ritual symbolizes their dedication to amassing wealth and the power it brings.
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The Vengeful Reckoning: Followers of Tiamat are encouraged to avenge any wrongs done to them. This ritual involves meditative preparation followed by an act of retribution against those who have wronged them, ensuring no affront goes unpunished.
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The Great Tribute: Once a year, a grand ceremony is held where the wealthiest and most powerful followers present their largest treasures to the other followers. As offerings are displayed, followers compete to show off their wealth and gather more money and power to gain Tiamat’s favor.
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Fivefold Prayer: Followers perform a prayer ritual five times a day, each time focusing on one of Tiamat’s five dragon heads. Each prayer involves specific chants and offerings associated with the elemental aspect of that head.
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Dragonborn Ascendancy: A rite of passage where followers seeking higher status or power endure trials and challenges symbolizing the might of chromatic dragons. Successful participants are honored and often gain leadership roles within the cult.
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The Greed Fest: A monthly celebration where followers indulge in feasts and display their wealth. It’s a time of boasting about recent acquisitions and plotting future gains. The most ostentatious displays are said to attract Tiamat’s attention.
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Ritual of the Dragon’s Breath: A dangerous ritual where followers expose themselves to elemental forces, such as fire or acid, to gain Tiamat’s favor. Those who survive with minimal harm are believed to be blessed with greater resilience and power.
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The Scaled Vigil: An all-night vigil held during significant celestial events. Followers stay awake, meditate, and keep watch over their hoards, believing that Tiamat herself might visit in spirit and grant visions or insights.
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The Vengeance Pact: A blood pact made between followers who swear to avenge each other’s wrongs. This ritual solidifies bonds within the cult and ensures that any member’s dishonor or harm is met with swift collective retribution.
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The Tyrant’s Blessing: A blessing ceremony for newborns within the cult. High priests bless the infants with symbols of Tiamat, marking them as future followers and promising them the goddess’s favor in their pursuit of wealth and power.
Cultural Norms
Cultures that worship Tiamat often exhibit distinct norms and practices that reflect the goddess’s domains of wealth, greed, and vengeance. These norms shape societal behaviors, values, and interactions among followers of Tiamat. Here are nine common cultural norms found in societies that venerate Tiamat:
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Display of Wealth: Flaunting one’s wealth is not only accepted but encouraged. People regularly display their riches through elaborate clothing, jewelry, and home decorations, as a sign of favor from Tiamat.
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Revenge as a Virtue: Retaliation against personal slights is a respected practice. Cultural norms uphold that it is honorable and necessary to avenge any wrongs done to oneself or one’s family.
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Respect for Dragons: Dragons are revered as divine beings and symbols of power. Their images are prominently displayed in art, architecture, and religious iconography, and their characteristics are emulated by followers.
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Greed and Hoarding: Hoarding wealth and keeping one’s riches close is seen as a virtue. Accumulating gold and treasures is a sign of prosperity and divine favor from Tiamat. Nobles often create rooms filled with gold and jewels to showcase their wealth. Generosity is viewed as foolishness and even considered taboo.
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Cunning and Deception: Cunning and deceptive behavior are admired traits. Outsmarting others to gain wealth or advantage is seen as a sign of intelligence and strength.
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Opulent Celebrations: Festivals and celebrations are lavish and extravagant, serving as opportunities to showcase wealth and power. Success in these displays is seen as a sign of favor from Tiamat.
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Mercilessness in Business: Business dealings are ruthless. It is expected that one will take every advantage, even at the expense of others, to increase personal wealth and influence.
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Clan and Family Loyalty: Loyalty to one’s clan or family is paramount. Collective retribution and support within family units are strong, ensuring mutual protection and vengeance.
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Elemental Affinity: Cultural practices often involve reverence for elements associated with Tiamat, such as fire, air, acid, poison, electricity, cold, corruption, darkness, and chaos. This reverence is reflected in art, architecture, and daily rituals.
Political Structures
Societies that venerate Tiamat often exhibit distinct political structures that reflect the goddess’s domains of wealth, greed, and vengeance. These structures shape governance, power dynamics, and social hierarchies based on wealth and power within Tiamat-worshipping cultures. Here are ten political structures commonly associated with societies that venerate Tiamat:
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Oligarchic Council: A ruling council composed of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals. Decisions are made based on wealth and influence, with each council member’s vote weighted according to their financial contributions and assets.
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Feudal Hierarchy: Society is structured in a strict feudal system, with lords and vassals. Power is concentrated in the hands of those who control the most land and wealth, with lower classes bound in service to their wealthy overlords.
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Meritocratic Aristocracy: A political elite formed through demonstrations of personal power, wealth accumulation, and cunning. Noble titles and positions of power are earned through displays of dominance and strategic acumen.
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Autocratic Tyranny: A single ruler with absolute power, often a high priest or warlord, who has demonstrated exceptional wealth and military prowess. This ruler enforces their will through a combination of fear, charisma, and strategic alliances.
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Merchant Guild Domination: Powerful merchant guilds control the economy and, by extension, the political landscape. Guild leaders, who are typically the wealthiest merchants, wield significant influence over laws and governance.
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Militaristic Dominion: A society ruled by a military elite, where generals and warlords hold political power. Wealth is often accumulated through conquest, and military leaders are revered as direct representatives of Tiamat’s strength.
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Theocratic Rule: A government led by religious leaders who claim direct guidance from Tiamat. These leaders use religious doctrine to justify their rule, demanding tribute and obedience from the populace.
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Corporate States: City-states or regions controlled by powerful corporations or trade companies. Corporate leaders, driven by profit and expansion, wield significant political power and often engage in cutthroat competition.
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Clan-based Governance: Political power is distributed among powerful clans, each led by a patriarch or matriarch with significant wealth and influence. Clans form alliances and rivalries, with political power shifting based on wealth and strategic marriages.
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Chromatic Dracocracy: A society where chromatic dragons hold the highest positions of power and influence. Dragon overlords rule over humanoid subjects, who serve as vassals and tribute-bearers. The power of dragons is seen as a direct reflection of Tiamat’s favor.
Elemental Affinities
| Elements |
|---|
| Fire |
| Air |
| Acid |
| Poison |
| Electricity |
| Cold |
| Corruption |
| Darkness |
| Chaos |
Home Plane
Tiamat currently lives in Avernus in The Nine Hells of Baator but she also controls a layer of The Abyss called Dragonrend Realm
Champions
Holidays
| Holidays |
|---|
Blessings
A follower of Tiamat can gain favor with the goddess by amassing wealth, seeking vengeance against their enemies, and embracing chaos and destruction. As they embody the principles of greed, power, and elemental fury, Tiamat may bestow the following blessings upon them:
Any spell-like abilities granted by these blessings use the character’s spellcasting ability, if the character does not have a spellcasting ability, they can use their highest ability score.
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Draconic Resilience: The follower gains resistance to a chosen elemental damage type (fire, acid, electricity, cold, or poison), the follower may change the resistance type after a long rest. They also gain advantage on saving throws against effects associated with that element. Tiamat’s blessing grants the follower the hardened scales of a dragon, offering protection against elemental attacks.
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Hoarding Aura: Once per day, the follower can activate an aura that gives a bonus of +2 to their their Charisma score and provides advantage on ability checks to intimidate or coerce others. The aura lasts for 10 minutes. The aura manifests as a shimmering, multicolored light, symbolizing Tiamat’s favor and influence over wealth and persuasion.
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Vengeful Strike: When the follower is struck by an attack, they can use their reaction to deal damage of one of the elemental types associated with Tiamat (fire, acid, cold, electricity, or poison) to the attacker. The damage is equal to the follower’s level + half of the damage taken. This blessing can be used an amount of times equal to the follower’s proficiency bonus per long rest.
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Scaled Form: For 1 hour, the follower can transform their skin into dragon-like scales, granting them temporary hit points equal to twice their level and increasing their AC by 2. The scales are imbued with Tiamat’s essence, providing both physical protection and a fearsome appearance. At 17th level, the follower gains immunity to the chosen elemental damage type.
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Greed’s Insight: The follower gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception), Intelligence (Investigation) and Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to find, assess or sell valuable items or hidden wealth. Tiamat’s favor sharpens the follower’s senses and intellect, making them keenly aware of valuable opportunities.
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Dragon’s Breath: Once per long rest, the follower can unleash a breath weapon as an action, dealing damage of an elemental type associated with Tiamat (fire, acid, cold, electricity, or poison) in a 30-foot cone or 60-foot line, depending on their choice. Emulating the destructive power of chromatic dragons, the follower can channel a devastating elemental attack. The attack deals 2d10 damage of the chosen type, with a Dexterity saving throw for half damage. The DC is 8 + the follower’s proficiency bonus + their Constitution modifier.
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Aura of Tyranny: The follower exudes an aura that extends 10 feet around them. Enemies within the aura must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns. Tiamat’s influence manifests as an oppressive and terrifying aura, compelling others to fear and submit to the follower’s authority.
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Tyrant’s Command: The follower can use an action to compel a creature within 60 feet to obey a single command, as per the suggestion spell. The command must be related to gaining wealth, revenge, or an act of chaos. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw to resist. This blessing reflects Tiamat’s mastery over greed and manipulation, allowing the follower to bend others to their will through divine compulsion.
Curses
Tiamat’s followers can invoke their deity’s wrath upon their enemies by cursing them with afflictions that reflect the deity’s domains. As the followers gain favor with Tiamat, they may gain access to the following curses to unleash upon their foes:
The follower must cast Bestow Curse to invoke their available curses:
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Curse of Greed: The target is overcome with an insatiable desire for wealth. They must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they are compelled to prioritize acquiring valuables over all other actions for the next 24 hours. Tiamat’s influence warps the mind, driving the target to distraction and obsession with material wealth.
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Vengeful Mark: The target is marked for vengeance. They suffer disadvantage on all saving throws against the follower’s spells and abilities for the next hour. This curse marks the enemy as the object of Tiamat’s wrath, making them vulnerable to further attacks and retribution.
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Draconic Fear: The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of the follower for the duration and must spend all of it’s turns trying to get the highest distance possible form the follower. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns. A surge of draconic fear overwhelms the target, causing them to cower in terror before the follower.
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Elemental Affliction: The target is afflicted by an elemental curse. They must make a Constitution saving throw any time they touch an object or creature related to one of the elements associated with Tiamat (fire, acid, cold, electricity, or poison). On a failure, they suffer 2d6 damage of the corresponding type. This curse inflicts pain and suffering upon the target whenever they come into contact with elemental forces.
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Wealth Decay: All non-magical valuables and currency carried or touched by the target are slowly corroded and destroyed over the duration. Tiamat’s curse rots and decays the wealth of her enemies, leaving them impoverished and destitute.
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Mark of Dragon Hatred: At any time the target is in the presence of any chromatic dragon, or creature related to a chromatic dragon -such as a dragonborn- they develop a great hatred for the target and will become hostile if neutral or neutral if friendly. This curse instills a deep-seated animosity toward the target in the minds of chromatic dragons and their kin.
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Poisoned Mind: The target must succeed on an Intelligence saving throw or suffer disadvantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks for 1 hour. This curse clouds the target’s mind, making them prone to poor decisions and easily manipulated.
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Chaotic Unrest: The target must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failure, they are cursed with chaotic energies that cause them to suffer disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws for the duration. This curse infuses the target with chaotic energies, disrupting their ability to fight effectively and defend themselves.
Myths
Creation of Solaurum
Creation
In the divine lore, the genesis of Solaurum is etched in the tale of Tiamat, the formidable deity revered as the Scaled Tyrant. During the tranquil embrace of the Calm Age, Tiamat, harbinger of wealth, greed, and vengeance, encountered the allure of gold among mortal realms. Witnessing its power to grant dominion and strength, an insatiable desire kindled within her to claim this precious metal as her own. With an unyielding will, she seized all the gold in the realms, burning those who had wielded it before, deeming them unworthy of its potency. The mortal progenitors who dared impart this knowledge were the first to succumb to her ravenous hunger.
Mighty and resolute, Tiamat amassed the coveted gold, secreting it amidst the celestial tapestry, distant from mortal grasp yet conspicuously visible to all, a testament to her indomitable prowess. Thus, Solaurum was born from the womb of her hoard, a world enshrined in the shimmering wealth she coveted.
Leaving a fragment of her treasured bounty within Aeloria, Tiamat instilled within her draconic progeny a covetous longing, a legacy of power and lust intertwined within the very essence of the glittering metal. As the dragons of Aeloria beheld this sacred residue, a flame of desire ignited within them, perpetuating the divine legacy and echoing the Scaled Tyrant’s insatiable quest for supremacy.
Link to original
The gift from Kord
Tormentia’s Creation
In the wake of the serpent’s treachery, Kord, fueled by anger and determination, returned to his divine craftsmanship. Recalling the insult inflicted by Zehir, the god of serpents, the Stormlord gazed upon the gift he had initially begun crafting for Tiamat. It was a realm of colorful skies, woven from the very palette Corellon, The Spellfather, and God of beauty, art, and magic, had used to paint the most enchanting landscapes in Aeloria.
With a seething resolve, Kord named Tiamat’s sky “Tormentia” and adorned it as a radiant gem above the Aelorian heavens. However, Zehir, consumed by jealousy, sought to corrupt this masterpiece as well. Using Belladonna, he crafted a poison that would turn the sky pitch black and shroud the clouds in a thick fog, attempting once again to unleash chaos.
This time, Kord was prepared. Transforming into a colorful lightning, he streaked through Tormentia. As Zehir’s poison touched the sky, the lightning traversed through it, paralyzing the snake god and stunning him with a burst of thunderous light.
Reverting to his godly form, Kord approached the paralyzed Zehir, waiting for the serpent to recover. The Stormlord believed in the honor of a fair fight over a cowardly ambush. Once Zehir regained his senses, Kord seized the moment, grabbing the cloaked serpent and delivering a powerful punch that resonated with thunder. The impact was so intense that the clouds of Tormentia were stripped away, scattering throughout the sky in an explosion of unimaginable color, and Tormentia fell from the heavens. The thunderous punch echoed across all realms, reaching the ears of gods and mortals alike.
The lightning’s potency burned Zehir’s scales until they resembled obsidian. In a cowardly retreat, Zehir transformed into thousands of snakes, vanishing into the shadows, swearing vengeance on the Stormlord.
Satisfied that justice was served, Kord summoned back the clouds of Tormentia and presented the restored gift to Tiamat. Once again, he placed it in the celestial expanse of Aeloria’s heavens, a gem of swirling colors, a testament to the Stormlord’s might and commitment to justice.
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Creating the Chromatic Dragons Along With Bahamut
The Birth of Dragons
In the midst of the uneasy truce that bridged the chasm between the ”Defiant Gods” and the ”Harmonious Deities”, a remarkable collaboration unfolded. Bahamut and Tiamat, two formidable True Gods with disparate motives, united their divine powers to mold the elemental forces and essences of reality give birth to a new order: the dragons. These majestic beings were bestowed with immense power and a profound purpose, becoming the guardians of cosmic harmony.
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Battle against Bahamut
Transclude of The-Great-War-(GW)#battle-between-the-dragon-gods-tiamat-goddess-of-wealth-greed-and-vengeance---the-scaled-tyrant-ce-tiamat-and-bahamut-god-of-justice-and-nobility---the-platinum-dragon-lg
Battle against the Elemental Lords along with Bane
Transclude of The-Great-War-(GW)#timat-and-bane-god-of-war-and-conquest---the-strife-emperor-le-bane-s-alliance-and-the-elemental-lords