The caster gains 1d4+1 rounds of time. Time stop specifically mentions that you can summon allies which usually takes a full round to do. That is a pretty good indication that the breath weapon would continue to charge. Time Stop is a 9th level spell which puts it as the same level as a wish.
So next game I have a party of level 19s going to go up against a Great Wyrm Red Dragon and I'm preparing some tactics ahead of the game for the big beasty so it actually makes an impact and doesn't die in an undramatic fashion.
my question is: If the dragon were to Breath Weapon and roll an unfavorable amount on the d4 to recharge the weapon, would those round continue to tick down if it used Time Stop on it's following turn?
Yes that's correct. Although kind of a weak option if that's all it's doing. Switch out Greater Shout on it's spell list for Wall of Lava and spam Walls of Force and Lava to separate the party. Then when the fighting starts up again it can use it's Manipulate Flames ability to reshape the Walls of Lava on the go.
don't forget a lot of kobold mooks (our beloved master\we love you!). they are tons of fun and can actually do some nasty things even against high levels.
(5 of them with scrolls of i'll omen can really mess with the party's 1st saving throws, umd or witchs. or a few well placed packs of dust of sneezing & chocking)
yes.
Advice:
1) if it has a hoard go through that and see what the beastie can use AND USE IT. Don't forget scrolls and expendable magic items. An Arrow Magnet with a Fortifying Stone can be quite effective.2) Add some flunkies to the gang that won't affect the CR. Primary is a disciple or three, some azer sorcerers or nagas, a couple of magma or electrical elder elementals, or magma dragon, or stone golems, or even a dozen caryatid columns should be fun (don't stick with FIRE!). This expands the critters abilities and provides more than ONE target. That automatically makes it a more challenging encounter IF the flunkies can actually threaten the invaders (PCs).
Is no one guarding this lair???3) plan on a tactical withdrawal. No powerful creature expects to win every battle, especially the first skirmish. So have a path to retreat if things are going poorly. Yes... it's frustrating, but the players need to shut this down before the foe uses it.
These tactics are a bit counterintuitive to how dragons normally operate…
1) it is called a hoard for a reason… dragons are greedy and will often put the value of their hoard above their own life. Using a magic item from their hoard is something a dragon would only ever do as a last resort.
2) any “flunkies” are normally operating under their own accord, and just as likely to be a target of the dragon as well. Dragons tend to see the creatures that worship them as pests, though they will often put up with them so long as they stay out of the way and prove themselves to be a benefit, usually by bringing back valuable items for their hoard. For the most part you will encounter these creatures before you reach the dragon, any who show up in a dragon encounter are open targets for the dragon any time they get in the way, the dragon should make no exerted efforts to spare them.
3) a dragon withdrawing… in its own home… never going to happen. Dragons are prideful creatures. If you dare to threaten one in its own home, it will be a fight to the death. Unless you manage to negotiate with the dragon while it is trying to kill you, the only way that encounter can end is with either your death or the dragons. Now if the encounter is outside on the otherhand… or if the dragon is somewhere it does not want to be (such as trapped within a labyrinth) then it will attempt to retreat if things go south. But inside its own cave, that ain’t happening. You are trespassing in its home and it wants you gone. To abandon its hoard is a fate worse than death to most dragons… and if that dragon has a clutch off eggs in there… it is even less likely that the dragon will choose to save its own life.
Re 3, the only time I have seen a dragon flee its hoard was in Crimson Throne book 5, where the dragon is literally trapped in someone else's castle while it was hunting for spoils to bring back to its actual lair, and has made a temporary hoard for until it can escape. It only offers its temporary hoard when it tries to make a deal with the party to free it from the castle.
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Iron golem as a guardian, healed by the dragon breath weapon.
I disagree with the idea that it will choose to die instead of abandoning its treasure. It can stay too long and die, but you don't become a great wyrm by fighting hopeless battles. A hoard can be recovered, your life can't.
An intelligent dragon will use its treasure, if appropriate. Art objects are made to be displayed, weapons are made to be wielded (if they have the right size and shape), rings are meant to be worn. Additionally, if you wear some of your treasure and you have to flee, that part of the treasure comes with you.