Tracking Flying Creature

[Splendor]

Are there any special rules for tracking flying creatures?
PC are trying to track a dragon back to its lair.

Do you just say the creature can't be tracked?

[Bob Bob Bob]

As written the base Survival DC is based on the surface with tracks on it. All of them use the word "ground" so likely a flying creature cannot be tracked unless it lands regularly.

[wraithstrike]

They can not be tracked.

They may have to resort to divination spells if nobody nearby knows where its lair is.

[Pizza Lord]

Or use Scent, though I would rule the tracking creature would have to be able to maintain a consistent way of keeping within 30 feet of the flying creature's path (although a favorable wind could extend this), such as a dog tracking a dragon which flew 50 feet above the ground but there is a favorable draft extending the scent range.

[Gogolski]

If the PCs can communicate with (fairly intelligent) creatures who might have seen the dragon, they could ask around. The information gained might be not be very specific, but it could set them on track. Most dragons have a hard time hiding in plain air...

[aaron Ellis]

The rules permit using perception checks to find evidence of a creature's passage. This includes, but is not limited to physical tracks or impressions on the ground.

So, how do you track a flying dragon back to its lair? You follow the bits of cow carcass that dropped from its maw as it flew past. You notice the glint of sunlight off of the coins and gems that fell free from its scales. A broken tree limb here, a splash of acid there.

Sure, the DCs will be high, but the younger the dragon, the more careless it will be.

Obligatory quote:

There's no greater hunter than Prince Humperdinck. He could track a falcon on a cloudy day.
- Princess Buttercup

[wraithstrike]

Perception is not survival.

[DmRrostarr]

Your best bet in this case is to rely on knowledge-local if there are towns near by that know of rumors/legends of the dragon in the area or spells like speak with animals, plants, etc.

[LeesusFreak]

Divination, unless the dragon has obviously done something to the environment like a blazing trail of destruction. And since dragons tend to not be stupid, you're stuck with Divination.

[aaron Ellis]

Wraithstrike,

PRD wrote:

Follow Tracks: To find tracks or to follow them for 1 mile requires a successful Survival check. You must make another Survival check every time the tracks become difficult to follow. If you are not trained in this skill, you can make untrained checks to find tracks, but you can follow them only if the DC for the task is 10 or lower. Alternatively, you can use the Perception skill to find a footprint or similar sign of a creature's passage using the same DCs, but you can't use Perception to follow tracks, even if someone else has already found them.

[aaron Ellis]

Chart known dragon attacks or missing farm animals on an area map. Draw a big circle connecting them. Locate a suitably large ruin or mountain somewhere near the center of the circle.

It works in the cop shows, why can't it work in a game. As for relevant rules for such an approach . . .

Perception (yes, see previous rules quote)
Diplomacy / Gather information
Knowledge: Geography
Knowledge: Arcana
Knowledge: History

Why do we feel that we must depend solely on magic to solve problems?

What would Batman (from the comics) do?

[Claxon]

I have always wondered in a semi related question, can you track a creature in water? I'm playing a Ranger in Skull and Shackles. It hasn't come up, but I just want to hear some opinions on it.