Mechanic_ape's page

I agree with everyone who says you should have the dragon give aid to the party. However, how did the deal exactly go down?

The party has two very strong diplomacy characters. A Bard and a Diplomacy focused Swashbuckler - supported by the perfume from the Lotus Dragon Lair their Diplomacy rolls were into the 40's. I took these massive rolls into account during the negotiations and cut them a little slack. They attempted to get the dragon onside by arguing that the pirates would attack her. The dragon saw through this, explained she knew about Crimson Fleet and that they did not bother her. She then asked what they would give in return for her help. They eventually coughed up 50k in loot (metamagic wands, +4 breatstplate goodies like that). This is a substantial boost to her hoard. She agreed to help defend Farshore but did not negotiate specifics as she cut short negotiations. She had the heroes fearful for their lives throughout. I played her as demanding, commanding and haughty.

So no specific promises beyond when the time comes she will be there to help defend farshore.

hmm, how about I have Lavinia warn them about dealing with a dragon.

During the war council Lord Meravanchi would seek out Big Green and make an offer that would see the Dragon strike at Lavinia and her flunky PC's once the Crimson fleet had been defeated.

Lord Meravanchi would once again be in charge of Farshore though now he would owe a considerable debt to Big Green. Big Green gets the PC's gear, the pirates treasure and a subservient Mayor on his borders.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. You've really got me thinking about the mindset and agenda of Huge Green.

Here's my thoughts:

War council - Huge Green arrives at Farshore early and attend a war council. A few unobtrusive charms / bluff / diplomacy later he will have a fairly accurate lay of the land.

Warning - I'll have Lord Mervanchi pull the characters aside and make sure they know exactly what they are getting themselves into with the following tirade... What in 9 hells do you think you are doing. Have you never heard the expression 'never cut a deal with a dragon' What did you offer it? Will it be content with that, what gaurantees do you have that it will not ask for more? What if it sees farshore as a threat? Had you considered such things before recruiting such a dangerous ally. What if it betrays us, evil is the intent of chromatic dragons, whose to say it doesn't help stop the pirates then raise Farshore.
I cannot believe you made such descions without approval from Farshores council. Your rash descions has endangered us all.

Agenda revealed - After helping (by sinking a few ships and watching the PC's battle their foe) the dragon will act according to his own agenda.
"I have kept my side of the bargain. Now hear me mortals, know that the Isle of Dread belongs to me. It has been mine for centuries. Your Farshore is problematic. A growing town on the borders of my island is a threat. Your incursions to the mainland I see as an affront to my sovereignty. You and your town are a threat that must be dealt with. Leave with the promise to never return to my Isle and I shall let you live." To which Lavinia responds in the negative as Farshore is her parents dream. Net result battle with dragon. I'll have the dragon injured / debuffed so this doesn't wind up a TPK.

How does that sound? Anything I can do to improve it? Am I being to soft having the Dragon give the players the option to leave?

The party was on a push to secure as many allies as they could. Not happy with recruiting natives and Phanatons they seized on the knowledge that a Huge Green Dragon lived on the Isle.

After a mini quest they encounter the dragon. Being LE I played out the negotiations and agreed to assist the players if they were willing to give up their most valuable treasure. So the Dragon winds up with 50k worth of treasure and the party end up with the promise of aid.

What sort of aid should it offer?

I was considering have it sink 2 boats? Trading the parties 50k in tribute for 200 VP. Should it do more? I also considered it making a counter deal with the Crimson Fleet? Would this be in line with it's LE alignment?

Any suggestions?