DM Fang Dragon’s Ruins of Adventure (Inactive)

Game Master FangDragon

Assuming Ishta already did her spell swapping...

The young Arcanist finishes her reading and casting quickly, then moves out of the danger zone.

As stated before, Resist Acid Communal on everyone but Azarra, then move far away from the tent.

Moved Ishta's token away from the tent, as she stated.

Ser Armithia takes aim. He waits until the dragon is 100' from eating him.
longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 191d8 ⇒ 2

He then tosses the useless thing; taking out his bastardsword, and shield.

Thx Azarra.

No Smiting Ser? OK! Carry on... Going to wait to see if Zane and Kardas have any actions.

Sometimes Ser's player forgets...yes he will Smite.

Helm has reminded me to vanquish this foe!

Swift Smite +3 attack +5 damage...and good bye DR.

Zane repositioned slightly, trying to get everyone he could in range before calling upon a familiar, powerful blessing for the group.

Cast Blessing of Fervor. It will affect everyone but Ishta.

Sticking to the man blessed with the favor of the divine, Kardas flanks Zane and fights his nerves. What spell should he cast? Won't the force and weight of a dragon simply overwhelm what weak magical shieldings he can weave and project? And are the stories of dragons piercing through illusions and deception with their superior senses just that, stories? Now is not the time to be a coward! Even the Thayan is standing tall! Ahhh!

Perhaps the swordmage's instinct to turn tail and run inspired the form he then assumes after finishing a hastily cast spell. "[b]The dragon will pay for forcing me to endure the indignity of this strength-enhancing spell![b/]"

Std action: cast 'Monstrous Physique 1' (Bugbear - +2 STR, +2 NA to AC, 60ft Darkvision & Scent for 8 minutes)
Swift action: enhance sword to be +4 (from +2 to +4) for 10 rounds[/ooc]
Use Blessing of Fervor for +2 to Reflex & AC. Kardas' current AC is 25.

Buffs keep on keeping on! Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.

AC 30

Cloaked by Azarra's protective magics, Ishta completes her spell causing a green aura to shimmer faintly around those she touched and with the warding complete she rushed to stand apart.

Ser Armithia had en epiphany, Helm was most displeased with the Dragon and he called The Vigilant one's stern judgement upon the Dragon, before stringing his bow and letting off a shot. It would have hit but the beast's great wings where thrashing through the air, kicking up great vortices of air and dust which deflected the arrow. It's AC is higher than 19+3.

An invisible Zane beseeched The Morninglord for aid and suddenly The Watches of Dawn where gripped with religious fervor!

Protected by her cloak of invisibility, Azarra watched with awe and apprehension as a true champion of the wild descended to battle. The she... Actually I'm not entirely sure what Azarra does, Zane had 4 rounds of prep so it's only fair that Azarra gets to make an action this round.

Ishta Khosiv

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Azarra <----- WE ARE HERE
Kardas Rasalas Action posted
Dragon

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 1 ----

Ishta Khosiv Invisibility, Resist Acid
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Resist Acid, Smite
Zane Levallis Invisibility, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (8 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Invisibility, Blessing of Fervor (8 rounds), Resist Acid
Kardas Rasalas Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (8 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (8 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid
---- Round 2 ----
Ishta Khosiv Invisibility, Resist Acid
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (8 rounds), Resist Acid, Smite
Zane Levallis Invisibility, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Invisibility, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid
Kardas Rasalas Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid

Azarra is up.

Azarra backs up a little farther into the darkness, trying to avoid the dragon's attention, but keeping her bow ready for the right moment.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 20 = 43

Is the dragon on the ground, or just swooping by?

Note about Blessing of Fervor. It has the following text, so only Azarra & Kardas can choose this round. "Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice)". Azarra didn't state a choice but I'm going to assume the most beneficial one for her.

Seeking to gain some room Azarra sneaks away silent as a ghost.

Kardas curses as he chants the words of a powerful spell. Suddenly he shifted as his form sembled into the form of a powerful bugbear!

The dragon swooped down into a hover and it spoke to you with a voice that was at once feline and terrifying, "Ah so here are the industrious art hating little insects... Time to DIE!"

Dragon: Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

As it spoke it regally surveyed the scene before sucking in a huge breath which it exhaled as a nightmare of ghastly green over Kardas, the invisible Zane next to him and over brave Ser Armithia. The noxious gasses from the dragon's breath ate away at the hero's clothes, skin, armor and weapons. Fluff, damaging gear is too complex to bother with.

Acid Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 6, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2) = 30
Kardas Reflex DC 20 with blessing of fervor & prot from evil: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 14 <--- FAIL Takes. 10 damage due to reduction of 20 from resist energy.
Ser DC 13 with prot from evil: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25 <--- PASS Takes no damage due to reduction of 20 from resist energy.
Zane DC 13 with prot from evil: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13 <--- FAIL Takes. 10 damage due to reduction of 20 from resist energy.
Cool down: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Dragon: Kn: Arcarna: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 <--- PASS

"Warded are you?" came the amused response, "How cute. I wonder how long that will last..."

Side note, I was originally planning for the dragon to cast Entangle as it's opener to limit your mobility. I think this was a good plan except for some reason a CR 11 creature is casting DC 13 spells. Luckily for you the dragon for some reason doesn't have fly-by attack. It is however a good 15' off the ground.

Ishta Khosiv <----- WE ARE HERE

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Azarra
Kardas Rasalas Action posted
Dragon

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 2 ----

Ishta Khosiv Invisibility, Resist Acid
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (8 rounds), Resist Acid, Smite
Zane Levallis Invisibility, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Invisibility, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid
Kardas Rasalas Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid
---- Round 3 ----
Ishta Khosiv Invisibility, Resist Acid
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid, Smite
Zane Levallis Invisibility, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Invisibility, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Resist Acid
Kardas Rasalas Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid

Ishta Khosiv, Ser Armithia-Seendren, Zane Levallis and Azarra are up. I've realised it's going to be important how long the resist energy lasts, could you please tell me how many rounds each person has.

BoF +2 AC and Saves

Ser Armithia concentrates Helm's Sight Move Action Detect Evil on the dragon.

With the dragon still being up in the sky, is it out of melee reach for those with their feet on the ground?

Yes unless you have 10' reach.

Sucking in a clear breath after the cloud had somewhat dissipated, Zane prayed fervently to the Morninglord for a new blessing he had discovered in his morning mantras. The Morninglord was far wiser than the priest, and had the foresight to offer assistance even before it was needed. Once finished, he reached out and touched Kardas's shoulder, whispering, "By Lathander's grace you have flight. Go bring battle to the beast before it knows what hit it."

Cast Air Walk on Kardas

Ishta, from her position, witnesses how the dragon stands hovering over the place. She thinks that might give the group a chance, and quickly brings out the materials for one of her favourite spells...

"FIREBALL SMASH!"

With the release, she can feel a tremendous power running through her veins, calling for unleashing. The Flumefire is strong in her!

CL vs SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Ishta will spend a Reservoir Point to increase DC by 2, and use her Book of Harms ritual to maximize damage, receiving 3d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) = 7 nonlethal damage in exchange.

Intensified Maximized Fireball, Ref save DC 24 for half of 84 damage.

After casting the fiery spell, Ishta seeks shelter behind a tree.

Altogether uncertain about Zane's advice to charge in headlong, Kardas calls upon primordial lightning and weaves it around his blade. Before he finishes the spell, an enormous blast, one that would wipe any ordinary man off the face of Toril, rocks the hilltop. With eyes as big as dwarfish beer mugs he stares at the fiery carnage, but immediately charges in after the fire ebbs away.

There's no time left to think and consider.

Std action: cast 'Shocking Grasp'
Move action: move 4 squares (with one square costing 10ft movement to move 5ft 'up' - I hope I'm doing this correctly. Might trigger an AoO.

Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Shocking Grasp: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 1, 1) = 15
Use Blessing of Fervor for +2 to Reflex & AC. Kardas' current AC is 25.

Seeing the battle begin in earnest, Azarra starts singing, and then shoots.

Move action to start inspire courage (which will affect Kardas since he goes after me). +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +2 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

Blessing of fervor, taking this one: "Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves."

Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 29 (inspire courage, blessing of fervor)
Damage: 2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 1 + 2 = 11 (inspire courage)

AC 22 for this round.

Ishata reaches within and finds a bottomless well of rage which turbocharges her signature spell into a brilliant cataract of fire, too bright to look at directly. Like a strange flower, the fireball enveloped the dragon which had somehow anticipated her attack and with a great beat of it's wings done a backflip. The gust of wind caused by it's manoeuvre whips up pebbles and twigs into a stinging hail! Yet despite it's incredible, it's scales one one side are terribly burnt looking more like a culinary disaster than a living being and it's scream of agony and rage echoed for miles around startling many distant roosting birds.

Reflex DC 24: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 <--- PASS

Ser Armithia tries to bargain with the dragon, but there was no bargaining with a beast in pain.

Zane called upon the graced of The Morning Lord and a mantle of power settled upon Kardas's invisible bearlike shoulders, enabling him to walk upon the very air!

Azarra takes full advantage of the dragon's momentary panic to land a very well judged shot which snuck past it's warding and landed in the meat of the great muscles in it's left flank. Azarra does that arrow count as magic? If so you did 5 more damage.

Empowered by Zane's spell, Kardas strode forwards and upwards as he snarled a Nar word of power which caused his blade to crawl with lightnings. He thrust at the dragon but the beast moved with an impossible grace, rolling to evade and also to attack with the same motion. It's AC is higher than 26. It's claws raked inwards towards the young Rasheman scything past his guards and through his clothing and flesh!
AOO, Claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12 <--- HIT

The Dragon's huge wings snapped down, whipping up yet more dust and debris as it shot upwards into the air like an arrow. One claw snaked out to strike at Kardas but the Dragon's upwards moment upwards was too violent and it shot past.
Claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 4) + 7 = 13 <--- MISS

The dragon has risen another 50' so it's currently 75' up.

Ishta Khosiv <----- WE ARE HERE

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Azarra
Kardas Rasalas
Dragon

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 3 ----

Ishta Khosiv Invisibility
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (7 rounds), Resist Acid, Smite
Zane Levallis Invisibility, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Resist Acid, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid
---- Round 4 ----
Ishta Khosiv Invisibility
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Resist Acid, Smite
Zane Levallis Invisibility, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Resist Acid, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid

Ishta Khosiv, Ser Armithia-Seendren, Zane Levallis, Azarra and Kardas Rasalas are up.

Ser Armithia looks on at the sudden (and quite violent) display of crackling and explosive energies enveloped the dragon. Hearing the riotous roar of rage bellow out from the disgruntled dragon, the knight calls out,
You want to concede?

The Paladin then looks at his sword and shield, calculates the distance of the dragon, subtracts 5'; stretching a bit onto his tippy toes, and smiles ineptly to Zane.
Got another of those?

BoF +2 AC and Saves

Things get serious when Kardas feels how the dragon spills first blood. What blood isn't extracted from him flows right to the Raumathar's eyes and paint his world crimson. "No! No, no, no! Don't you dare fly away!"

Defying gravity and common sense, Kardas climbs upwards at a frightening pace and then, with runes swirling around his wrists, bursts into what can only be described as a kaleidoscopic beam that fires right past the dragon. He reappears and roars, venting both his pain and his disappointment.

Move action: move 25ft up, using BoF's +30ft speed (50ft / 2 = 25ft)
Std action: Bladed Dash (move 30ft in any direction, make a single attack with a +3 bonus from Kardas' int)
Attack: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Shocking Grasp: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 6, 4) = 24
Diiiiice rooooooller!

Yes, arrows fired from a magic bow count as magic during the attack.

Azarra keeps singing (free action) and shoots again.

Don't forget to add inspire courage in. I believe that would have made Kardas' attack last round 2 higher.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 35 (inspire courage, blessing of fervor)
Damage: 2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 1 + 2 = 12 (inspire courage)

Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 28 (inspire courage, blessing of fervor)
Damage 2: 2d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 + 2 = 9 (inspire courage)

The priest shook his head at Ser Armithia before realizing the gold elf likely couldn't see him. Zane looked on in alarm as his Rashemi companion bravely gave chase to the massive, scorched beast after taking a nasty hit. Determined to give the dragon something else to think about, the cleric called upon the holy power of the sun, thanking Lathander as a hot, bright beam of light burst forth from his outstretched hand and toward the wyrm.

Searing Light (ranged touch) +2 from BoF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 25
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 4, 7, 4) = 21

Of course, Zane was now very visible on the hilltop along with everyone else, now. The cleric hoped his resourceful companions had plenty of fight left.

Taking +2 to attack and AC from BoF

Given that the fight is now rebalancing to lean on Kardas and Azarra, Ishta decides to change strategies for now and buff them too. Concentrating on the magical effect of her wondrous robes, she casts a spell directly from her book, allowing her to grant her allies a great burst of speed for a while.

Haste, not affecting herself.

Ser Armithia drops his sword and shield. He picks back up the bow. He fires.
longbow, smite, BoF, inspired: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 231d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 11

Really need to get Winged Boots...lol.

Ishta's spell grips the party like a jolt of pure adrenaline and suddenly she sees them moving in a frenzy after the dragon.

Ser Armithia's bow snaps as he looses, but the air whipped up by the beast's great wingbeats made the shot much harder than it looked and the arrow went wide. Ser you forget +8 dmg from smite.

Zane: SR Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 <--- FAIL
Zane's spell completed momentarily bathing the darkness in a false dawn as rose colored light stabbed into the air but winked out as it struck the Dragon's side.

Azarra drew an arrow, pulled the string to her cheek, released and before she had a chance to blink the second arrow was already drawn and in the air. Both arrows snapped home and vanished up to the fletchings in the Dragon's hide, adding to the beast's misery.

Empowered by Zane's magic, Kardas shot upwards after the wounded Dragon, blade crackling with lightning, he thrust but the Dragon was just out of reach.

The Dragon's wings snap together and it shoots forwards putting on a huge burst of speed. It's double moved away which is 400'

Ishta Khosiv <----- WE ARE HERE

Ser Armithia-Seendren
Zane Levallis
Azarra
Kardas Rasalas
Dragon

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 4 ----

Ishta Khosiv
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (6 rounds), Haste (8 rounds), Smite
Zane Levallis Haste (8 rounds), Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Resist Acid, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Haste (8 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Haste (8 rounds), Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid, Haste (8 rounds)
---- Round 5 ----
Ishta Khosiv
Ser Armithia-Seendren Resist acid, Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (5 rounds), Haste (7 rounds), Smite
Zane Levallis Haste (7 rounds), Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (4 rounds), Resist Acid
Azarra Resist Acid, Blessing of Fervor (4 rounds), Haste (7 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Haste (7 rounds), Protection from Evil, Blessing of Fervor (4 rounds), Resist Acid, Monstrous physique
Dragon Blessing of Fervor (4 rounds), Protection from Evil, Resist Acid, Haste (7 rounds)

Ishta Khosiv, Ser Armithia-Seendren, Zane Levallis, Azarra and Kardas Rasalas are up. Kardas you have an AOO.

Wait, what? The dragon has a fly speed of 200 feet?

Smite +3 attack +5 damage until next level because of Sentinel.

Most likely young adult so yes Fly 200'

Wow. Well, I could still shoot, but it would be several distance penalties, so it would probably require a 20 to hit. I don't have true strike on this character.

Frustrated at his divine power's failure to penetrate the dragon's defenses, Zane sighed as the dragon soared up into the air, wondering what the beast intended.

Not having much he could do at that range, the cleric called upon another generously given blessing, providing a bit of Lathander's power to his mace arm.

Cast Divine Power

Use Blessing of Fervor to extend level 1-2 and spells
Std action: cast 'Shield' (16 minutes)
Move action: move 'down' 10 feet'

"The beast will fall back and prey upon us until our spells run out. We need to feign weakness, Zane, and lure it to strike now rather than later." How to do, Kardas does not suggest. In fact, he doesn't know.

Kardas... DM said you had an AOO. You should take it. :)

Azarra attempts to shoot at the fleeing dragon.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 - 8 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 + 2 - 8 = 21 (inspire courage, blessing of fervor, 4 range penalties)

Mostly pointless, but I guess I'll take a shot every round, hoping for a 20.

Ishta lets her arms down. "I could still hit it from here, but he won't die and would then fly further away. I agree with Kardas, we should pretend we lost him and hope he seeks revenge soon."

Ser Armithia immediately stores the bow. He picks up his sword and shield.
Perhaps, we find a position only suited for ground combat?

He will begin looking for a cave; or similar position.

I completely read over that. Thank you.
AoO: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Shocking Grasp: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 1, 3, 4) = 15
The dice roller is giving me the finger.

Azarra's arrow streaks towards the fleeing Dragon but with each wingbeat the beast had put on more and more speed and the arrow fell well short of its intended target.

Combat is effectively over.

Azarra waits till everyone gets back to the tent, then dismisses the Light spell so they can get back to sleep.

Ishta laments the spoiling of this great chance. "I should have waited to hit it with the fireball until it was overconfident enough to let its defenses down. Bah!."

Hey, we're not dead. I think that is a win.

If the group decides to continue camp here, Ser Armithia raises an eyebrow; but he remains on watch.

What do you suggest? We still have to sleep... we just expended like every spell we have.

Once Kardas gets his feet back on the ground he joins the conversation. There's an edge to his voice, one his companions rarely hear. Is it how he expresses worry and concern? "We ought to move. It may not have been mortally wounded, but we surely damaged its pride. The ramifications of that implication ... suffice to say, it will return for us, surely."

Okay... so are you going to find us a new campsite in the dark then?

Unfazed by the sass thrown his way, Kardas continues to listen to his gut and gives voice to his fears and considerations. "We can huddle up under a copse of trees. If we stay here ... I've heard stories as a kid of how dragons can swoop on by and lift a grown warrior right off his saddle, and carry him away and across the plains before you even get time to react."

He looks at Ishta, knowing well who the dragon would come swooping down for if it is to come back and hunt them down.

If the dragon is coming back, we shouldn't huddle up at all, actually. Breath attack could kill us all. So, if we're moving, help me take down the pavillion.

Ser Armithia smiles at his friends.
I do suppose it unlikely that it will return before it nurtures its wounds. We should track it back to it's lair, before it is able.
He yawns.
Rest up; dragon hunting in the morning.
The Paladin returns to his watch.

OK it sounds like you're packing up and leaving. Which direction will you travel? You could try the dubious sanctuary of the Quivering Forest. You could push on north or retreat south along the Stojanow way. With great care you could cross the river although the endless grasslands don't afford much in the way of cover.

Tired, but thinking it prudent to at least make the beast look for them should it happen to return, Zane helped the others take down the pavilion and pack their things. While the priest agreed with Ser Armithia that the creature likely wouldn't return, they might not be so lucky next time if it decided to.

Travel a mile or so north and then cross fingers and camp?

Not the river in the dark. Other than that, no opinion. We have no resources. That was the best place there was to camp... but maybe under the trees we'll get attacked by something we can handle instead of a dragon?