Against the Dragon: An ECL 20 Mini-Adventure

[Toliudar]

"Actually, if you don't mind me trying the ball...I'd like to see what the woman who I followed to the tent is doing."

If Seto doesn't mind, Theda will focus on the woman and see if something can be pulled up using the ball.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

"Keep it in your pants. This is not the time for that sort of thing."

Seto hands the ball over to Theeda with a dirty look at him.

[Superglucose]

Theda's a chick.

[mostlyharmful]

1. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix sleep above ground?
2. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix sleep within 5 miles of Balkhash?
3. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix usually sleep east of Balkhash?
4. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix usually sleep south of Balkhash?
5. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix usually sleep west of Balkhash?
6. Who is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's favourite minion?
7. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's favourite offensive spell?
8. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's fvourite defensive spell?
9. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's lairs most powerful protection?
10. Who, other than Eolestrix, knows most about his tactics and protections?
11. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's most powerful spells known?
12. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix know we're hunting him?

Sounds expedient to myself, I shall procede to initiate a tete a tete with the divine wills that exist beyound our own palty frame of reference.


Ok Toliuder, I'm usually expectant of a little more flexibility from the answers than you it seems but we can slow things down if you like.

Torvin preps and casts with these questions please nice mr DM.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

Theda's a chick.

Did you miss the running gag?

[Superglucose]

Did you miss the running gag?

No, I'm just contributing my part: the one of us that points it out

[Toliudar]

Theda takes advantage of the continuing shapechange effect to assume the form of a satyr, and takes a moment to wiggle her priapus at the pretty boy sorcerer, before snapping into the backward handed form of a Rakshasa. Then she settles in to scry on the woman.

[mostlyharmful]

Oh good. Teenagers. Just how I like to spend several days cooped up in a confined space

[PhoenixRivers]

1. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix sleep above ground?
ANSWER: Rarely.
2. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix sleep within 5 miles of Balkhash?
ANSWER: Rarely.
3. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix usually sleep east of Balkhash?
ANSWER: No
4. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix usually sleep south of Balkhash?
Answer: No
5. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix usually sleep west of Balkhash?
Answer: No
6. Who is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's favourite minion?
Answer: Djinni
7. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's favourite offensive spell?
Answer: Wraithstrike
8. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's fvourite defensive spell?
Answer: Mind...
9. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's lairs most powerful protection?
Answer: Elementals
10. Who, other than Eolestrix, knows most about his tactics and protections?
Answer: Gods
11. What is the Brass Dragon Eolestrix's most powerful spells known?
Answer: Miracle
12. Does the Brass Dragon Eolestrix know we're hunting him?
Answer: Unknown

@ Woman scrying: She appears to be going about her business within the town. However periodically, her hand goes to a pocket on the inside of her jacket, as if she's feeling something, or verifying its there. Otherwise, it's a bit of tea, and various card games in the tavern.

EDIT: Wow, a veritable treasure trove of 88% accurate information, and no comments.

[Tehnar]

"Maybe we should go back and see what that woman has. I can teleport us to town and back if needed."

[Pharaoh's Fist]

"I can do that. Just give the word."

[Toliudar]

Theda takes Seto's hand, and Terry joins in. She and Terry become pixies.

"Right. Let's take the lady down."

Invisible as she is, it's hard to tell whether Theda is kidding.

[PhoenixRivers]

And poof, you're in the town. The scry location (accurate within 3 rounds) was enjoying iced tea in a chair at The Random Encounter.

Announce the spell you're using to Teleport, and the intended destination.

[Pharaoh's Fist]

I am going in under the cover of Superior Invisibility. Theeda can have it as well.

I'll use Teleport, the spell..

[PhoenixRivers]

Teleportation Roll (studied carefully, as it is somewhere you've been for an hour): (1d100)[44]

You are exactly where you wish to be, provided that is in the town.

[Toliudar]

Theda leans over and whispers in Seto's ear.

"Shall we just take hold of her and teleport out? Or do you want to try to lure her into a private space?"

[PhoenixRivers]

Theda leans over and whispers in Seto's ear.

"Shall we just take hold of her and teleport out? Or do you want to try to lure her into a private space?"

Theda, did you take the Superior Invisibility?

[Pharaoh's Fist]

I will cast it on her.
"We'll go in, you grab her and I'll teleport us out again. Just keep holding onto my hand. I'll squeeze you twice when I'm ready to cast the spell, and you grab her then."

[PhoenixRivers]

I will cast it on her.

The issue is, does she accept it?

[Toliudar]

Theda, did you take the Superior Invisibility?

[Why not? The pixie form should be giving her improved invisibility, but the spell will give her the option of changing forms.]

[Pharaoh's Fist]

"Well, there are advantages to being able to tell me when something's going on..."

[PhoenixRivers]

[Why not? The pixie form should be giving her improved invisibility, but the spell will give her the option of changing forms.]

Because when you have it on, nobody can detect you by any means short of true seeing and physical contact. No sight, no sound, nothing. Which would affect the delivery of the whispered message you attempted.

[Toliudar]

[Ah. Shows you how often I've used Superior Invisibility. Then Theda will decline the spell, and keep the whisper.]

[PhoenixRivers]

[Ah. Shows you how often I've used Superior Invisibility. Then Theda will decline the spell, and keep the whisper.]

Yeah, useful spell, but a bit lacking in the communications department. Please note: As your ally does have that spell, factor in that you can't see or hear him.

As I understand it, the basic plan is:

1) Stealth in.
2) Grab woman
3) Abduction via teleport

Is that the basics of it?

[mostlyharmful]

If you're discussing this in frount of him then Torvin points out that abducting random women for no good reason is both unethical and a bit of a waste of the abilities of such high level casters. Maybe you'd prefer to go contact some of the top bards in the world for more tales of this dragon since there are some but I don't remember them perfectly. Surely between us we know someone with a decent Bardic Knowledge check?

[Pharaoh's Fist]

If you're discussing this in frount of him then Torvin points out that abducting random women for no good reason is both unethical and a bit of a waste of the abilities of such high level casters. Maybe you'd prefer to go contact some of the top bards in the world for more tales of this dragon since there are some but I don't remember them perfectly. Surely between us we know someone with a decent Bardic Knowledge check?

"I have enough spell slots for information gathering and unethical behavior. That being said, once we abduct this woman, I guess the cat will be out of the bag and it'll be known that we're operating in this area with high spell capacity... and we'd reveal much about ourselves."

[mostlyharmful]

EDIT: Wow, a veritable treasure trove of 88% accurate information, and no comments.

I'm digesting it, and what do you mean a treasure trove? As you mention this stuff hasn't been confirmed through repeated usage and next time we prep dozens of them to work up to an actual treasure trove.

Torvin will also cast Discern Location on the outside-of-all-possibilities chance that this dragon doesn't go around with Mindblank on all day.

[PhoenixRivers]

I'm digesting it, and what do you mean a treasure trove? As you mention this stuff hasn't been confirmed through repeated usage and next time we prep dozens of them to work up to an actual treasure trove.

Torvin will also cast Discern Location on the outside-of-all-possibilities chance that this dragon doesn't go around with Mindblank on all day.

Discern Location = Error 404.

In reference to "dozens":

Spoiler

Show

Please note: I didn't give a specific timeline, as I was under the impression that reasonable attempts at preparation would be made. However, the Lich's power that will undo the world is a threat, and it does have a timetable.

In other words, at some point, if combat isn't sought out, it will be considered 'game over', world ends. If that much preparation is needed, it will essentially validate the original premise that dragons are highly dangerous foes that parties should be very hesitant to fight.

In other words? A few days of preparations is ok. If we're talking 2 weeks of Contact other plane? Then I'll start introducing CR-appropriate random encounters. At a rate of 4 per day.

[mostlyharmful]

Discern Location = Error 404.

In reference to "dozens":

Spoiler

Show

Please note: I didn't give a specific timeline, as I was under the impression that reasonable attempts at preparation would be made. However, the Lich's power that will undo the world is a threat, and it does have a timetable.

In other words, at some point, if combat isn't sought out, it will be considered 'game over', world ends. If that much preparation is needed, it will essentially validate the original premise that dragons are highly dangerous foes that parties should be very hesitant to fight.

In other words? A few days of preparations is ok. If we're talking 2 weeks of Contact other plane? Then I'll start introducing CR-appropriate random encounters. At a rate of 4 per day.

one wizards prep for a diving day should be enough. three 5th level slots, 6 6th 7th and 8th and three 9th.... if that's not enough the cleric can also throw div at the problem and we can hire outsiders to look into it. dozens doesn't have to take long.

[Toliudar]

"I have enough spell slots for information gathering and unethical behavior. That being said, once we abduct this woman, I guess the cat will be out of the bag and it'll be known that we're operating in this area with high spell capacity... and we'd reveal much about ourselves."

We've been seen in town asking around about the dragon. Cat is already out of the bag. However, if you want to back away from the abduction idea, I'm open to other suggestions. Squeeze Theda's hand once for yes, twice for no.