D&D 5E transporting a large, unwilling creature

[evilbob]

How would you transport, say, a large (young) dragon over several hundred miles? Assume it was captured and unwilling, and the party is only about level 5 or 6 (access to 3rd level spells). Some spells might be available to hire from a nearby city, but they might have restrictions as well. For example: teleport is probably out of the group's price range (and possibly out of the ability for anyone to hire, given you'd need to find a 13th level wizard). Teleport circle is technically possible, but there isn't really a friendly circle near where they want to go. Best I could come up with so far is to geas the thing, but it could easily survive the damage each day (although if they had it restrained, it would be more difficult for it to heal up overnight).

Creative ideas?

Edit: Problem has been solved, but thanks for all the suggestions! To see what the party did, skip to post 31.

 

[thalmin]

What's wrong with a cage on a wagon, like the old circus or prison wagons? Of course a strong muzzle would also be needed. Feeding time would be an adventure

 

[Voort]

Use Major Image to impersonate Tiamat/Bahamut & command the dragon to accompany these foolish humanoids.

 

[epithet]

Drugs.

Let your Assassin or (anyone proficient with the poisoner's kit) make a tranquilizer for the creature, or let the party buy one from an apothecary. Make the party roll (maybe int-investigation or wis-insight or medicine) to get the dosage right; too much gives the creature levels of exhaustion that can kill it if it gets too many, too little and the creature could break its puny cage, smash the waggon, and escape into the hills north of the road.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Kill him, keep the corpse fresh (with a spell), Raise Dead on the other end.

 

[Lalato]

Assuming the PCs fought the dragon, it might me be down enough hit points for a sleep spell to work.

 

[amerigoV]

How would you transport, say, a large (young) dragon over several hundred miles? Assume it was captured and unwilling, and the party is only about level 5 or 6 (access to 3rd level spells). Some spells might be available to hire from a nearby city, but they might have restrictions as well. For example: teleport is probably out of the group's price range (and possibly out of the ability for anyone to hire, given you'd need to find a 13th level wizard). Teleport circle is technically possible, but there isn't really a friendly circle near where they want to go. Best I could come up with so far is to geas the thing, but it could easily survive the damage each day (although if they had it restrained, it would be more difficult for it to heal up overnight).

Creative ideas?

Are you the GM or a Player?

If GM - it should be damn near impossible at that level. Think about going on safari to capture an elephant. You needed a good number of porters, handlers, and logistics. That is going to cost out the wazoo. What are they going to feed the thing? HOW are they going to feed the thing without it killing them, their horses, etc? I am sure there is not going to be any civilized area that it going to let them bring a hostile dragon through the area for fear of it breaking out.

Plus word will get out - someone who is powerful enough to handle the dragon might want it. Any allies might hear of it and attempt to free it. Or a bunch of tree-huggers will want to save the poor thing (flaky elves...).

In other words - let the players be creative and go hard-ass as a GM - it should be a fun adventure that many tales will be told.


If you are a player: Bribe the GM with pizza and beer.

 

[evilbob]

Use Major Image to impersonate Tiamat/Bahamut & command the dragon to accompany these foolish humanoids.

Not a bad idea! I like it, although it would take some serious role-playing and/or bluff checks and it's a bit all-or-nothing. Still, it's within their power range.

Drugs.

This is another good thought, and it would definitely require a bunch of skill checks as well, as you said. It's a little risky, though.

Kill him, keep the corpse fresh (with a spell), Raise Dead on the other end.

Raise dead requires a willing soul...

Assuming the PCs fought the dragon, it might me be down enough hit points for a sleep spell to work.

Sleep has a 1 minute duration, and this is a trip that will take weeks. Believe me: I've checked for spells that could incapacitate a creature for a while and there really just aren't any until 6th spell level and beyond (and even then it's pretty slim). Same with transport (other than teleport).

Are you the GM or a Player?

GM, and yes, it's my fault for getting them into this situation. I thought it'd be a fun way to test the creative powers of the group, but the more I think about it the more I feel like it's going to be a game-stopper, so I thought I'd have a few suggestions a friendly NPC could throw out if they are completely stumped and getting frustrated. I like the idea of the dragon drawing unwanted attention, although honestly "getting it there" wasn't really supposed to be the focus of the plot... But I supposed it could be.


I should also mention that I don't like the "just keep knocking them out over and over" idea that sometimes comes up; that's a little too meta for my tastes.

 

[amerigoV]

GM, and yes, it's my fault for getting them into this situation. I thought it'd be a fun way to test the creative powers of the group, but the more I think about it the more I feel like it's going to be a game-stopper, so I thought I'd have a few suggestions a friendly NPC could throw out if they are completely stumped and getting frustrated. I like the idea of the dragon drawing unwanted attention, although honestly "getting it there" wasn't really supposed to be the focus of the plot... But I supposed it could be.

What color is this dragon? A GM, it would be fun to subvert the PCs through smooth words from the dragon. Going off 3rd edition (handy SRD ) - an young Red has 12 Chr, so personable.

About 20 miles in the PCs are now working for the Dragon

 

[Scorpio616]

Raise dead requires a willing soul...

Revivify does not and works just as well with Gentle Repose.