I've got a game tonight, and when rolling the random encounter we got "Wyvern". I'm the DM, so I was looking for suggestions as to how to level the playing field for them so it's not a tpk.
Right now, the party consist of (all third level) a Dwarven Cleric, a Human Wolf Shifter (like a barbarian), an Elven Magus, and a Dhampir Synthesist Summoner. I had described the area they are entering into as "open, stony plains", and they would be just exiting the forest.
I'm hoping to add something environmental or cool roleplay-wise (like a magic weapon sticking out of it's back or something) that would help even out the encounter, but I would rather not just remove some of the Wyvern's abilities or ability scores.
Thoughts?
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Just exiting a forest, you say? The terrain might help them. If they're smart, they'll head right back into the forest and the wyvern can have fun trying to not crash into trees. This might not be a complete solution on its own, but it could help.
Edit: Also, if you're really worried the Wyvern might wipe them out and it would be just due to a random encounter dice (thus, nothing the PCs should be punished for on account of stupid choices on their part)... you could add in an ally. Perhaps a Good-aligned forest dwelling creature could show up to help them out, becoming a new ally and plot hook ("Remember the time I aided you? Now it is I who needs assistance...").
Just exiting a forest, you say? The terrain might help them. If they're smart, they'll head right back into the forest and the wyvern can have fun trying to not crash into trees. This might not be a complete solution on its own, but it could help.
I thought about that. I also thought about putting rocky outcroppings where they could take cover, jump from, and use for positioning.
Am I correct in thinking that they are most likely waaay outclassed here?
rocky outcropping, trap door, slide drop into a cave where the wyvern is sleeping. Cave ceiling is low, so wyvern can't just fly. Now you got a close and brutal fight, that a 3rd level party should survive, if they fight smart.
well this could certainly lead to a tpk. with its +10 attack bonus to both its bite and tail sting attack make this beast dangerous. not to mention its poison. if they have some tanglefoot bags that could help them. they are going to want to immobilize the wyvern and try to use range to bring it down.
for lv 3 characters 73 hp is alot to take down, and spending more than a round or two at a time in melee with this thing will shread probably any character in the party.
throw lots of alchemist fire at it. Touch attacks + multiple rounds add up. Flaming oil and a scorching ray or fire arrow to set it off would work as well.
But yes, staying undercover so it can't snipe from the sky will be key. That poison is brutal.
But 73 hit points doesn't last long once it's the focus of multiple adventurers. Also remember that as it takes damage, it becomes extremely hard to fly, and could even fall out of the sky.
==Aelryinth
on second thought, have the party come upon the wyvern after it was attacked and badly damaged. have its wings be mangled and non functioning for flight or combat. have its tail stinger also damaged so that it functions as a secondary weapon. and reduce its hit points by like 1/3 or something.
that leaves it with a slow ground speed, a +10 bite at 2d6+4 and a +5 tail sting at 1d6+2+ poison, and around 45-50 hps. and i would make its cr be 4 or 5 probably.
alot less likely to tpk and still should be a nasty fight but more survivable.
These a great suggestions guys, thanks! I'm thinking of doing some variation of all of them. XD I'm concerned about damaging the wyvern too much, or having someone else pop in, as I really want them to feel like heroes...
If the players are unaware simply reroll the encounter.
Unfortunately they are already aware of their impending doom.
Give the wyvern the young template.
well good luck with the encounter. i would love to hear back what you decided to do and the outcome.
Don't make it a combat encounter.
They find a wyvern eating the remains of its last meal.
They can try to make it a friend (if appropriate rolls or spells) or they can try to fight it (i.e. kill themselves) or they can sneak away again.
It tells them the world exists outside of their CR level and gives them the chance to sneak off and not attack something that really isn't bothering them anyway.
-S
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Don't make it a combat encounter.
They find a wyvern eating the remains of its last meal.
They can try to make it a friend (if appropriate rolls or spells) or they can try to fight it (i.e. kill themselves) or they can sneak away again.
It tells them the world exists outside of their CR level and gives them the chance to sneak off and not attack something that really isn't bothering them anyway.
-S
Either this or make it flying overhead, not noticing them in the undergrowth or whatever. Not every encounter should be a combat encounter.
Run away!
Make it stormy weather. The Wyvern has only Poor maneuverability, put it in conditions hard enough to make it fail fly checks every so often, particulalry if the party members help.
Have the Wyvern say or ask something in Draconic. Then have the Wyvern grab and fly off with the first character to respond. The Wyvern needs the character for some task and will negotiate with the character while flying to the destination. However, don't let on that the Wyvern is doing anything other than flying off with a tasty snack, leaving the rest of the group in the position of deciding to cut their losses or to save their comrade by following the wyvern.