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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BSF" data-source="post: 1375164" data-attributes="member: 13098">Oooh!  This sounds like so much fun.  The dragon just got a _huge_ leg up in the world.  The dragon knows that there is an assault being planned upon an avatar.  The dragon knows that one of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of one of the characters is a moonblade.The dragon knows that the party has a powerful artifact in their control, one that it probably doesn't want to see anyone else get their hands on.The dragon knows that the party has a need for the sword.So, the dragon pulls out all the stops by using all of this to it's advantage.  First thing is to get some sort of item into the party's care that will allow for tracking the party.  Second thing let's get something that will allow the dragon to neutralize the moonblade, should the need ever come up.  Third, how about something that will give the party a bit of an advantage in the battle with the avatar.  Maybe a gem that is supposed to be powerful enough to actually trap an avatar.    Sure, that seems a bit far-fetched, but why not try?  If the dragon plans correctly, it will be able to seize the gem once the party has used it.  After all, they will probably be severely weakened in such a battle and a nice, fresh dragon could waltz onto the scene and pluck it from their hands.  Even if it is their cold, dead hands.  What kind of power could you wield with a trapped avatar?  But, if the plan fails, there will be very little backlash to the dragon, the party will end up sucking that up.  Make this a huge powerplay where the dragon sends the party on a few quests and this time the party actually gets a little more of an even trade.  Not enough to make them suspicious, but enough to make them think they are moving up in the world.  Perhaps the dragon has Gauntlets of the Sun.  A powerful item that the dragon has little use for, but just so happens to be useful against the drow, and dang near useless against dragons.  A foolish adventurer lost them in a badly conceived assault a few centuries ago.  The dragon is willing to part with them if the party recovers something for the dragon.  If the party actually does some research on it, they might find that if the gauntlets are used by a wielder of a moonblade, then they act as Gauntlets of the Sun and Moon.  The gauntlets have a few extra powers.  (Maybe strength & dex bonuses to make it just a bit too tasty.)  Best of all, the dragon has had plenty of time to tamper with them.  On a certain command word (in Draconic) the gauntlets cause the wearer's hands to open.  It is hard to use a moonblade if you can't grasp it.  Oh, and the dragon can easily scry on them due to familiarity.Maybe the dragon also has an odd gem in it's hoard.  One the party didn't notice before.  It might have a carving of a spider in it.  Now, on one of the quests, the party happens to find the remains of a bard that had notes about a strange artifact made eons ago by the Elvish Gods.  It was designed to imprison Lolth.  Actually, the "notes" were conveniently planted by the dragon's minions before the dragon sent the party on this quest.  Oh, and the artifact was not created by any Elvish Gods.  Perhaps it was created by Tiamat when the dragon approached her with a cunning plan?  But, it hardly matters what the truth is, so long as the party believes it, right?This is a bit devious, but the party will certainly have it in their power to find the truth, if they look hard enough and deep enough.  But, they may just think they are finally getting the best of the dragon and prepping really well for their upcoming ambush.  Once they beat Lolth's avatar, they will be jubilant, until the dragon appears and with a word disarms the moonblade, then turns to the character with the gem and kindly asks for it back.</blockquote>

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