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In the fight with Sabina and Zarmangarof, it seems like this dragon is going to be a real pushover. I'll have 4-5 PCs level 13 (PFRPG) *and* Sabina beating on it, and it's only CR 11. Not to mention one of the PCs is a paladin, so they'll rip through its HP in no time.
I'm thinking about increasing the age category of the dragon so that it poses an actual threat to my party, probably to Old or Very Old. Before I do that, I wanted to know why the CR was so low to begin with. This scene is more about Sabina than the dragon, but as-is, they'll probably kill the dragon and Sabina before she even has a chance to surrender.
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I was just looking at this and I agree. I was trying to figure out how to build the CR. I don't want to add more creatures since it seems somewhat against the storyline, but I might be able to add something (but what?) that is fighting for the queen, and hence, for the dragon.
Leveling up the dragon will make it a stiffer fight, but given the disparity in the number of attacks it receives vs. my party of 5 + Sabina and it'll go down in two or three rounds. Once Sabina jumps off, I expect it would simply up and leave the combat to report back on Sabina's actions...
Yeah, I am a bit nervous about that, too... I saw the encounter and went "WTF, how is that supposed to be a challenge". I, too, share the fear that they will kill Sabina before she gets to talk to them.
Maybe adding a few Gray Maidens (who used to be Sable Company marines) on Griffonback would even up the odds a little bit? Griffons are CR4 and Gray Maiden commanders are CR8.
Ok, let me do some math. My 5 PCs are level 13, plus Sabina, a level 14 warrior. APL 14. A challenging fight is CR 15. If we take a Mature Adult Black Dragon with the advanced template (so he stays Large and Sabina can fast dismount) he is CR 13. That leaves an XP budget of 25,600, which is about 5-6 CR 8 creatures. If I tweak the Gray Maiden commanders a bit so they're good at riding griffons, then advance the griffons to CR8, that will give me 3 extra "combo" monsters.
Once the dragon figures out Sabina's ruse, he'll go after her, but since the Gray Maidens don't share a language with him either, they could spend a round confused before resuming their attack on the PCs, giving them a breather in the middle of the fight if they need it.
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Yeah, I had thought about G.M.s but I had NOT thought about putting them on griffons. That would let a trio of GMs be patrolling in the sky over Korvosa and see the dragon, perhaps even as it leaves the castle. Curious, they follow it (at a safe distance of course!) and watch when it lands. Even they would be suspicious when the dragon doesn't use its breath weapon and lands on the ground instead...
Knowing this in advance, I can let the players know that their PCs can see griffons patrolling over Korvosa so they won't be quite so surprised when they swoop in.
That just leaves the griffons need to fly carrying a light load, which I don't the GMs would qualify for in the plate mail. :(
In the past I've modified the weight limits for flying creatures by bumping their limits up to the next level for a light load. So most creatures can only fly with a light load at 300 lbs, but I use the medium load limit (600 lbs) instead and then give them a -2 or -4 penalty on Fly checks (depending on the check being made).
In the fight with Sabina and Zarmangarof, it seems like this dragon is going to be a real pushover. I'll have 4-5 PCs level 13 (PFRPG) *and* Sabina beating on it, and it's only CR 11. Not to mention one of the PCs is a paladin, so they'll rip through its HP in no time.
I'm thinking about increasing the age category of the dragon so that it poses an actual threat to my party, probably to Old or Very Old. Before I do that, I wanted to know why the CR was so low to begin with. This scene is more about Sabina than the dragon, but as-is, they'll probably kill the dragon and Sabina before she even has a chance to surrender.
As it is described in the encounter, Sabina is using her Ride skill to hamper the dragon's efforts. If you're worried about her being killed, just allow your PCs to make skill checks (Sense Motive, or perhaps a Ride skill check for those versed in mounted combat) that will clue them in on the fact that she is deliberately impeding the dragon. That should clue them in to the fact that Sabina isn't necessarily their foe.
Here's the lineup:
Black Dragon, Mature Adult + Advanced Template
3x Gray Maiden Rangers (Ranger 6/Fighter 3)
3x Advancedx2 Griffon
I'll let you know how the scenario plays out.
I'm thinking of changing Ileosa's class from Bard to Witch. Does anyone have experience with high level witches?
I'm thinking of changing Ileosa's class from Bard to Witch. Does anyone have experience with high level witches?
Negatory. I know that classes are supposed to be equally good, but let's face it, making her a witch ( with 6 clones running around ), will lay much more hurt on the party than if she is a bard. Is your party that powerful that Ileosa needs the extra punch?