A request for help

[Vor'lore]

Good, now tell me a dragon type and what CR you're aming at, and I'll whip up a dragon that will make your players beg for mercy even if they have an average level equal to the dragons CR...

Also I suggest you purchase the Psionics Handbook. The Psionic rules are well balanced, the Psionic Template is pure evil, and the 3E Neothelid is a force to be reckoned with... Not to mention the Gem Dragons are in the Web Enhancement

Oh I forgot to mention that.. I always liked Shadow Dragons and I have the Psionic's Handbook, I just wasn't thinking of including the psionic rules..

 

[Ferret]

How about 3 or 4 lesser(Not liek goblins but trols and giants) with cool levels flanking fighters, grapling casters, tripping monks.

 

[Krishnath]

Ferret: Yes Giants and Trolls with levels are a challenge for high level PC's, but nothing brings fear into the heart of players like the good old dragon

Vor'lore: Ah, the shadowdragon, I always liked the 'Sibilant Shade' myself, but she's way out of the leauge of most PC's (CR above 40 ). Now we have a dragon type, now what CR are you aming at? 20? 25? 30? what?

 

[Magus Darkholme]

You want a powerful dragon? Check this bad mother out.
The Creeping Doom

 

[Vor'lore]

Ferret: Yes Giants and Trolls with levels are a challenge for high level PC's, but nothing brings fear into the heart of players like the good old dragon

Vor'lore: Ah, the shadowdragon, I always liked the 'Sibilant Shade' myself, but she's way out of the leauge of most PC's (CR above 40 ). Now we have a dragon type, now what CR are you aming at? 20? 25? 30? what?

I will probably have the dragon "play" with them for a while, causing some damage once in a while, but just for them to see that they are no match for him, and only later have them fight him, so I think the best would be a CR 30/33.

 

[Ferret]

They could fight some evil people, or some drow!! They will always be versatile, can take any class(almost), and you can vary there strengh.

 

[Krishnath]

Ferret: That is always a possibility.

Vor'lore: Let's see, Shadow Dragon, CR in the 30'ies... hmm...

How about this:

Vorelsaurivgix 'Nightwing'
Great Half-Fiend Shadow Wyrm Sor 3/Rog 5
CR: 33

Suggested Feats: Thoughness, Steelscale*, Spellfocus (Necromancy), Leadership.

suggested Spells: (6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6/6; DC = 21 plus spell level, 23 plus spell level for necromancy spells)
0-Level: (9) Resistance, Detect Magic, Read Magic, +6 others of choice.
1st-Level: Magic Missile, Bane, +3 others of choice.
2nd-Level: Cure Moderate Wounds, +4 others of choice.
3rd-Level: Animate Dead, Dispel Magic, +2 others of choice
4th-Level: Spell Immunity, Improved Invisibility, +2 others of Choice,
5th-Level: Circle of Doom, Flamestrike, +2 others of Choice
6th-Level: Create Undead, Heal, +1 other of choice
7th-Level: 3 of choice
8th-Level: Create Greater Undead, Horrid Wilting, +1 other of choice
9th-Level: Storm of Vengeance, Wish, +1 other of choice.

Minions:

Tundar (Dwarf Vampire CE Ftr 10/Master of Chains 10)
Vaecaesin (Drow Vampire LE Rog 10/Assassin 8)
Dozens of Shadows
Dozens of Skeletons
Dozens of Zombies
Other miscalaneous undead.

* Feat: Steelscale (Dragon)
The dragons natural armor is exceptionally hard.
Prerequisites: Dragon, Con 17+, Toughness
Effect: The dragons natural armor increases by +2. In addition, if the dragon has damage reduction, the amount of damage ignored is increased by +5 (For example a dragon with DR: 10/+1, is changed to DR: 15/+1 with this feat.)
Normal: The dragon has the AC and damage reduction, noted in it's age description.

You'll have to write up the exact stats yourself, but you get the idea

Later,

 

[Ferret]

Ferret: Yes Giants and Trolls with levels are a challenge for high level PC's, but nothing brings fear into the heart of players like the good old dragon

Vor'lore: Ah, the shadowdragon, I always liked the 'Sibilant Shade' myself, but she's way out of the leauge of most PC's (CR above 40 ). Now we have a dragon type, now what CR are you aming at? 20? 25? 30? what?

Thats why the won't underestimate it... but a Kobold with 20 lvls as a Sorcerer and rogue will look like a laugh...

 

[Krishnath]

Ferret: True, true. But if you want real 'Epic' fantasy villain, you really have to go one of four roads:

1. The Evil Lich (or vampire, or other greater undead.)
2. The Fiend (Yugoloth, Devil, or Demon. Demogorgon is my favourite of these.)
3. The Evil God. (Like Vecna, Nerull, or Cthulhu)
4. The Ancient Dragon. (Yuo know Smaug, Glaurung, Tiamat...)

Sometimes you can even combine one or more of these. (Half-Fiend Dracolich?)

Of course things such as Giants, Titans, and the Tarrasqu are good for variation. But it's still pretty much those four. And of those four, the one you can have most fun with as a DM or player is the dragon.

 

[Magus Darkholme]

I don't know, I've always been a bit partial to liches myself, but a dragon is also a good choice for a epic fantasy villian.
I do agree though, a half-feind shadow dracolich would be a doosy.