I *almost* feel guilty...

[Nightchilde-2]

Almost, but not quite...

I have an encounter planned for tonight with a very clever red dragon and my PCs. The dragon is going to ambush the party (okay, not specifically the party, he's going to lay waste to the nearby village, the party will just happen to be there hunting for him).

Before going in, he's going to throw up Mage Armor, Improved Invisibility and Protection from Elements (cold) (red dragon BTW). He has the Rapid Breath Weapon (I could be off on the name, don't have the statblock with me) from Savage Species, as well as Improved Fly-By Attack.

Now, the party knows they're going to hunt a red dragon, so they're somewhat prepared. But still, I fear that this dragon might be too much of a badass.

Sometimes, I love my job as DM....

 

[Vaxalon]

I wonder if the Frightful Presence works if an invisible dragon flies overhead?

 

[WayneLigon]

Shoot, pull out the stops and give him a couple-three Rogue levels *sneak sneak sneak... pad pad pad... BREATHE!*

 

[Airwolf]

Just wondering, what is the party make up (number, level, classes, etc.)

Also what catagory is the red dragon?

Dragons are supposed to be smart, so having spells in place before an attack is not out of the question. I am sure the members of B.A.D.D. will think you are doing an excellent job with your dragon.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

The Dragon doesnt know they are there but he is throwing all those buff spells on?

I can see the Mage Armor and Protection from Elements. Both would be common spells for any dragon to cast before leaving the lair.

But Improved Invis makes no sense. Village means a few hundred people. A dragon should revel in the terror of his attack knowing that no one in this village will be able to touch him. It should come as a shock when the party rolls out and starts smacking him hard when he was expecting nothing but dumb peasants and villagers.

It sounds to a degree like you are meta prepping the dragon. Drop the Improved Invis, no Red Dragon ego would allow it to go kill pathetic villagers while hidden invisibly.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

I wonder if the Frightful Presence works if an invisible dragon flies overhead?

You sick freak! I hadn't thought of that...<checks the SRD (since the MM is at home)>...

Well, it says it's triggered by the dragon's presence, but it doesn't specify that the dragon has to be seen.....hmmmm....

Things just got *more* interesting.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

It sounds to a degree like you are meta prepping the dragon. Drop the Improved Invis, no Red Dragon ego would allow it to go kill pathetic villagers while hidden invisibly.

The dragon knows that a dragon hunter (as well as the Lord's Alliance) of some renown is after his scaly hide, and that said dragon hunter is in the village (that's why he's attacking it in the first place).

 

[Nightchilde-2]

Just wondering, what is the party make up (number, level, classes, etc.)

Also what catagory is the red dragon?

Dragons are supposed to be smart, so having spells in place before an attack is not out of the question. I am sure the members of B.A.D.D. will think you are doing an excellent job with your dragon.

Party consists of...

Tiefling wizard 16/rogue 1
Wood elf ranger 18
Human cleric of Tempus 18
Human rogue 11/wizard 7
Half-elf fighter 4/sorceror 6/dragon disciple 8
Human monk 18
Human druid 18

Mature adult red dragon, so a bit below the party's average level.

 

[Bagpuss]

Plus you have 7 PC's instead of the usual 4, you might want to make the Dragon a little older. I don't like the Improved Invisibility, but it would help to give it a fighting chance.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

The dragon knows that a dragon hunter (as well as the Lord's Alliance) of some renown is after his scaly hide, and that said dragon hunter is in the village (that's why he's attacking it in the first place).

Ok, that makes more sense. In your initial post you gave the impression that he did not know anyone of importance was in the town.