Will this Lead to a TPK? [updated 3/16]

[moritheil]

This is the first time I've run a dragon and I totally skipped over spell casting. Thanks for the heads up!

Do not forget that the dragon can ruin their water supply, too - part of why blues rule the desert:

Create/Destroy Water (Sp)

A blue dragon of any age can use this ability three times per day. It works like the create water spell, except that the dragon can decide to destroy water instead of creating it, which automatically spoils unattended liquids containing water. Magic items (such as potions) and items in a creature’s possession must succeed on a Will save (DC equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence) or be ruined. This ability is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell.

You can certainly rule that some water is attended, but it should help them feel the squeeze. Also remember that the dragon has an ingenious way to harass them built in - by having them get lost repeatedly:

Illusion (Glamer)
Level: Brd 4, Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: One 30-ft. cube/level (S)
Duration: 2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will disbelief (if interacted with)
Spell Resistance: No

You make natural terrain look, sound, and smell like some other sort of natural terrain. Structures, equipment, and creatures within the area are not hidden or changed in appearance.

Your average PC party facing a blue in the desert is fatigued, exhausted, frustrated, and more than half-dead from thirst by the time the blue actually faces them.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

Unless i am mistaken, the dragon in question is at most an adult, not Old.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[green slime]

I agree with Shilsen, that the best course is flee or surrender.

Unfortunately, experience has taught me, that certain players will never, ever, surrender. And others never, ever flee from a fallen comrade. Sometimes, players just seem hellbent on self-destruction.

 

[bento]

Post-Game Report for March 14
Thanks everyone for your pre-game input. One item I looked into was the Destroy Water ability. Unfortunately the range is 25 ft. + 5 ft. per caster level. The dragon is 5th level, so he doesn't have enough range to activate this and create additional problems for the players. I also decided to not have him burrow in to get them - he's a very patient foe who when given the opportunity expects people to meet him on his playing field.

After a three week hiatus we had all players plus one showing up. The additional player selected a third level dwarven fighter NPC, and although he was four levels lower than everyone else, came in handy with his stonecunning checks!

While waiting for everyone to show, the present players slipped that they had been e-mailing each other for several weeks honing their tactics. I applaud their use of time between games and thinking things through. Once the game started, the players executed plan "Slip out the Back, Jack" by enlarging the second exit they found at the back of the cave. The hole was small enough for a person to snuggle through, but had to be enlarged for the camels and horses through. After several hours of noisy digging they came under arrow fire from local bandits. Blast! Now with their second exit cut off, they began discussing what to do with the dragon. As they were confering, the half-ogre decided to peek out front of the cave to see if the dragon was still there - and yes he was!

The dragon asked "do you have my two camels?" The fear-induced half-ogre ran back inside so the ranger and sorcerer decide to bring out two camels and talk. Tying the camels down, they begin talking. "Looks like you got caught while travelling through my lands. You know this isn't free passage. You'll have to come up with some cash and quick. How's about all your jewels and coin?"

The players and dragon parlay for a while (the two players made their Will saves vs. frightful presence). The dragon learns they are not mere caravan guards but adventurerers travelling through. The dragon mentions how he's disappointed that his sand giant lacky was killed and he'll need someone to replace him soon. He thinks about the half-orge but decides he's much too stupid.

The deal to take the party's riches was unattractive, so the dragon offered a second option. "I have another offer. I was flying around and noticed that the entrance of a cliff-side cavern has recently become uncovered. I'm too large to go into the cave and my bandits are much too crude to make it through all the traps or monsters that might be there. The party is going to go into the cave and bring back everything of value. To keep the group honest, one of my henchmen will travel with you. To keep you from taking too long, I will claim one camel for every hour it takes."

One of the players had a big problem with this and said so. The dragon says its the best offer they have and they should take it. The player (an elf) says the party chould elect to stay in cave and wait him out. The dragon says that's OK, because if there is anything in this world that a dragon has a lot of, is time.

The players agree and go off to the cave. I'm running them through a mini-adventure in Sandstorm, The Mummy's Tomb. So far they've made it through everything but the mummy (lord) itself. This should wrap up pretty quickly next Friday night and then they will have one more go with the dragon.

 

[Celtavian]

re

TPK unless you play the dragon like a gimp or give them overpowered magic items.

 

[doghead]

general - funky dragon encounter

This has been a really good read. Thanks for posting.

I generally agree with Shilsen. My only caveat would be, it has to be in the opponent's (in this case the dragon's) interest to spare the PC's. An intelligent adversary should consider the question; is the risk (that the PC's come back and bite me) worth the reward? In this case, the risk is compounded by the fact that the dragon has a wounded mate and some wormlings to protect. Both of which the PC's know about. This would be a powerful incentive for the dragon to be absolutely sure the PC's are not going to come back at him. There are ways to do this, but one simple way to be absolutely sure is to kill them).

... After several hours of noisy digging they came under arrow fire from local bandits. Blast! Now with their second exit cut off, they began discussing what to do with the dragon. ...

How did the players respond to this? My worry would be that it could come across as been a mechanism to force the PC's to deal with the dragon.

One more question, to anyone really. By what methods can the dragon determine the level of the characters? Observing the spells cast would give the dragon some idea. Detect magic will give the caster an idea as to the quantity of magic items owned, as well as a general indication of their power. This would be less precise, as levels don't always directly correlate to wealth of magical items. Any other methods, besides asking?

doghead
aka thotd

 

[moritheil]

One more question, to anyone really. By what methods can the dragon determine the level of the characters? Observing the spells cast would give the dragon some idea. Detect magic will give the caster an idea as to the quantity of magic items owned, as well as a general indication of their power. This would be less precise, as levels don't always directly correlate to wealth of magical items. Any other methods, besides asking?

doghead
aka thotd

Appraise.

 

[doghead]

Appraise.

Took me a moment to work out what you meant. Which is a bit sad really, because the appraise option had occurred to me earlier. I'm going to blame to heat.

doghead
aka thotd

 

[shilsen]

How did the players respond to this? My worry would be that it could come across as been a mechanism to force the PC's to deal with the dragon.

It may be a kneejerk reaction, but that's precisely the thought I had as soon as I read it.

 

[bento]

I know it felt like a railroad to me, but I also thought that this dragon would have all the angles covered. The bandits are expected to know the lay of the land in detail, and that means knowing about any large caves. The second exit was used to allow air flow for anyone staying there. As the dragon used the ruins site for his train-robbery act, then he knows where the emergency exits are, and has them sealed. Having the players sneak out with never having to deal with the dragon at all also seemed rather lame.

The biggest part of the deal that upset the players was not knowing where this cave was the dragon wanted them to explore, and that it might be very, very extensive. This would have chewed up so much time that they wouldn't return until after all the camels were eaten or gone.