Help - Lord of the Iron Fortress - My players stay out

[mypetrock]

My question includes some spoilers from Lord of the Iron Fortress.



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My players (Pal15, Brd14, Sor14, Rngr14, Mnk14, Ftr14, Clr14) are going through the Lord of the Iron Fortress. they have just killed Papa Dragon and put Mama Dragon and Baby Dragon to flight. They settle down for a long winter's night in the Dragon cave. During the night and before morning, they are scried upon. The bad guys sent in Zalatian (Fallen Trumpet Archon Blackguard2, CR16) to deal with the party. He arrives, trumpets, and on a whim I ask the party to send out their champion. My Pal15 decides that he is the party's champion. He tries diplomacy (Check result 21) and says the equivalent of "Why would we fight you? You can kick our behinds." Zalatian is moved to indifferent and proposes a duel. The paladin asks if he can have until the morning to prepare. Z gives him the time but says that the two combatants can only enter with the magic they bring with them.

So my question is how can I prevent this from being a TPK?

Z by himself would be a challenge for the party, but The Big Bad Evil Guy will most likely send Akolys, some Steel Predators, and perhaps raise Papa Dragon if not others. All of a sudden the CR for this encounter is 18+++. At this point my thought is that one of the BBEG's team will interfere in the combat and cause Z to attack the BBEG's team with the party.

Thoughts? Help? Anyone want a mint?

mypetrock

 

[mypetrock]

My current plan is to send Akolys as Zalatian's second. Also in my campaign, Imperagon is working with a mercenary spellcaster named Nerius (NE Drow Wiz14). Imperagon doesn't want to risk anyone that he doesn't have to, so he'll send Nerius and his bodyguards (4x NE Drow Rog8) with his henchmen. I might throw in a steel predator or two.

I'm actually kind of looking forward to the duel itself. As set up I think it will be quite a challenge for the paladin. If they went toe to toe, I think the paladin would win, but the archon has the advantage in terms of mobility.

The biggest problem with the denizens of Acheron is that they are all lawful so no one is likely to interfere with the duel leaving the rest of the party on the sideline, which is really why I need the Drow. If the duel turns against the paladin, I can have one of the rogues attempt to backstab him when his back is turned. At that point all hell breaks loose where Zalatian starts attacking the drow for interfering, Akolys attacks the party, the party can enage anyone, and the predators open up on the group as a whole.

mypetrock

 

[Cartolis]

rock, thats exactly what I'd do.

though he may have fallen the archon will probally still cling to the honor he once knew. interfering in his duel will most likely make him very grumpy.

have him fight with the party until all the other bads are dead, and then do the " we will meet again" bit.

that way you can make the pc's nervous as to "when" he will return...