Dragon Turtle ~ Just For Fun

[Krallek]

Hello all. I am loving the switch from 4th Ed to Pathfinder very much.

I am not sure if this is the correct forum to post this so I apologize if this is not correct. at a recent session our DM rolled a double zero on a random encounter table and we ended up facing a Dragon Turtle at level 4.

In a straight up fight I give our group at most 2 rounds before someone dies and maybe 5 or 6 rounds before a TPK. The DM agrees but he said that he would let us fight the turtle without serious consequences if we wanted to try ... Just for fun.

Our party consists of the following:

barbarian 4
ranger fighter 2/2
Monk 4
sorcerer 4
Mage 4
Rogue Mage 2/2

So my question is, how would you go about taking down this foe? I believe that we should take advantage of the fact that we are on land and the turtle has a land speed of 20. Also, it's melée ac is formidable at 23 but it's touch ac of only 8. My thinking is that we need to stay out of range of the breath attack shooting bow till the ranger can set up a trap. Once it is down to half health then we can charge in and melée.

Any suggestions?

[Lynore]

Only thing i can think of is to use touch of idoicy on it with the sorc and the mage, if they have it.

[MundinIronHand]

remember, bows use normal ac, not touch attack. Spell casters would be your only chance to use touch attack.

As for the random encounter table. Sometimes escaping alive is the best bet and yeilds some xp as would using handle animal perhaps to make it non hostile to you.

[Glod]

Glitterdust to blind the turtle and anything you can throw at it without saves or that hinder it, swarms etc.

[Krallek]

Yeah, the bows would be against the 23 AC and we would only use those to stay out of range of that nasty steam breath attack. I believe our best shot is to shoot it with ranged attacks (spells, bow, or ranged traps) to weaken it and to get it to attack us. At that time we try to draw it into some kind of pit trap, snare trap, or other trap that will hamper its movement. Then we move in for the attack once it is trapped.

As for running away, we did that already last session and at that time it was the smart thing to do. But the DM emailed us and said that if we wanted to try to take it out just for fun he would take some of the risk out by not TPKing the party.

I like the idea of blinding it with something. Handle animal might work too but probably the DC on a dragon would be insurmountable for a lowly level 4.

Keep the ideas flowing folks!

8)

[Chuck Mount]

Handle animal wouldn't work because it's intelligent (INT 10 or 12, I think).

You could, however, try to reason with it. Apologize profusely for intruding on it's exploration of the land and offer to find it some food... or help it back to the water if it's lost.

I doubt you could blind it with a spell, since it's saves are probably pretty high. Maybe everyone could try to get on it's back before it can kill them. Then, the group is safe... until it finds some way to scrape them off.

But, I think talking is your best way to live through that encounter.

And, I have no problem with a bunch of lvl 4's meeting something that can eat them in a few rounds as long as that something can be reasoned with, escaped from or the party finds something special that will defeat it.

[Chuck Mount]

If all else fails, a bunch of rays of enfeeblement. It'll make its saves for 1/2, so prep a LOT. :)

[Dragonborn3]

Intimidate Checks: I'll fill my belly with dragon turtle soup tonight!

If you have any illusion spells, they might come in handy for diverting attacks(silent image to make it look like there are two parties, and one looks like a much easier target...)

[deinol]

Land and distance will be your best bets. If you do manage to kill it, my party highly recommends this recipe:

Blasco Siculo's Finest Dragon Turtle Soup

Hang the dragon turtle up by its fins. Cut off its head and reserve for stock. Hang for 3 days; smoke for flavour if preferred. Eviscerate. Reserve green fat and bones. Cut the dragon turtle's flesh into pieces. Simmer bones and flesh until tender (large pans will be required). Remove the meat and reserve. Make a rich stock with the other meats, vegetables and spices. Sweat the herbs in the butter. Add flour to make a roux. Add 90 gallons of stock and simmer. Pass through a tammie. Add turtle meat and green fat. Season with Taldorian wine and lemon juice. Will feed a small village.

[Krallek]

Wish me luck ... Geek night is tonight!