More musings on my "default" D&D world.
Dragons, they live for millennia (if not immortal), mighty, and they are of great intelligence and magical power. In addition, they are portrayed as being in possession of massive amounts of wealth and magical items. So why are they not the major movers and shakers?
Well, many settings have played with this idea. Dragons are behind a lot of politics, banking, nations, etc. While I think those are interesting ideas and twists to play with as a DM; they don't reeeeeally fit into the default presentation in classic D&D and the media from which it is derived.
If we accept that as being the case, then what forces keep draconic power in check?
First; Dragons, while mighty, need a LOT of sleep. I think of them like cats in that respect. They will sleep for years and years if circumstances permit, especially when it comes time to move up an age category. This keeps them separated from the goings on of the lesser beings.
Second; Most other races are too short lived. Most cultures they may try to influence through direct means simply change too quickly from the point of view a dragon. You make a political or financial arrangement with a Human King, and the next time you visit, his grandson has no idea what you are talking about. Then out of frustration or vengeance, the dragon goes on a rampage; next thing you know, heroes are called in to deal with it.
Dwarves just lock themselves in a mountain until you go away. Elves, they suffer a lot of the same headaches trying to deal with the short lived races.
Its not much, but it is just enough to hang a lampshade on...
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