DnD: Disciples of the Forgotten

[The GrandMage]

Well, he says go to the North Tower to find out where she is, so I guess theoretically you could end up going in a circle.

 

[cats]

As cool as it would be in two places at once thats beyond the character for now.

The rough lay out is to head for Senega Spire (called the north tower, which is the northern territory of the guild,) once there your character will be given the location of the Librarian which is where GM's character is.

Its a round about and confusing procedure but perhaps I can work in extras this way.

 

[thewhiteone]

So should I go and meet the ex-librarian while he preps the spell, or would that take too long?

 

[cats]

Its easier to keep you guys in one place.

I mentioned the time for preparation to explain why Darkclaw is ahead of you.

 

[thewhiteone]

How long should it be before I catch up with Darkclaw?

 

[cats]

Up to you, you may of had better luck finding the place, or perhaps the gate was to a slightly different location.

 

[cats]

This is very strange thing to say but I wish to keep it as simple as possible.

I don't want to run Dungeons and Dragons at the moment, but I do want to see this plot unfold.

So I am asking if you'd be willing to disregard the mechanics, that way combat can be simplified and it won't matter how many are in the party. In general things will go much smoother. This would give you freedom to create as many characters as you want and not require you place them all in one location.

(I came to this epiphany when I found myself pushing back the first combat encounter 3 difrent days now.)

 

[thewhiteone]

That's ok. I have to admit, I've been slacking off on the dragon so this works for me. I'll get around to his bio later today.

 

[cats]

If we can avoid the mechanics we can focus on plot and character development. That being said, I should probably still count exp, incase you wish to level.

 

[thewhiteone]

Sounds fine to me, saves me work.

Computer's been screwy. I'll have to redo the dragon's bio.

 

[cats]

Its always a downer when you have to write the same thing twice.

 

[thewhiteone]

It most certainly is.

 

[cats]

The benefits of good cheap items are always under stated.

 

[thewhiteone]

Do you want anything like SR, AC, HP, etc... for the dragon?

 

[cats]

Well mostly out of curiosity, but since we are heading down the literary path and not the mechanical one they are not necessary.

 

[thewhiteone]

Vargachgix
Male Adult Fang Dragon
Eyes: orange
Alignment: CN
Sorcerer 2 (caster 5)
Size: large
Speed: 60ft, 120ft fly (average)
Str: 32 Dex: 16 (12) Con: 25 Int: 14 Wis: 21 Cha: 18
Hp: 264
AC: 29 Flat-footed: 26 Touch: 12
Fort: 18 Ref: 16 Will: 19
SR: 20
Feats: Ability Focus (Ability Drain), Multiattack, Improved Natural Attack (Claw, bite, tail), Hover, Improved Maneuverability

Bio:
Vargachgix is a somewhat unusual dragon. Instead of garnering a massive hoard, he keeps only enough to make a comfortable sleeping place, the rest is spent on magic items. He is fond of battle, and his magic items reflect this fondness. He also enjoys interacting with the “little people”, intrigued by their hustle and bustle. Since his acquisition of a Gem of Polymorph (magically embedded into his hide under a scale), he has spent much time among them, usually appearing as either a young handsome well built human sorcerer or as rough half-human/half-fang dragon. About 70 years ago, he adopted a tribe of barbarians, who now guard his lair. Vargachgix has a large number of half-human offspring, particularly in the Horned Hide Clan, as the tribe now calls itself. Recently, he has begun improving his natural sorcerous talents, aiming mostly for spells that will enhance his combat prowess.

Currently, he is bored, and roving around looking for a challenge.


Special Qualities:
Ability Drain (Su): Bite, 1d6 Con drain, Fort DC 27 negates
Increased Damage (Ex): natural attacks are considered one size category larger than they really are.
Trip (Ex): When hits with claw or tail, may attempt a trip as a free action. Opponents may not react to a failed trip attempt.
Sound Imitation (Ex): May mimic any sound or voice it has ever heard, any time he likes. Will DC 20 to detect the ruse.
Frightful Presence (Ex): 180ft radius, Will DC 23 negates


Spell-Like Abilities:
At Will: Detect Magic, Read Magic. 2/day: Shield. 1/day: Dispel Magic, Spell Turning.

Spells:
0-level: Resistance, Light, Dancing Lights, Mending,
1-level: True Strike, Mage Armor, Balbu Slime
2-level: Haste, Wings of Air

Magic Items:
Gem of Polymorph (Embedded)
Gem of Greater Magic Fang +4 (All natural attacks, Embedded)
Gem of Razorfang (All natural attacks, Embedded)
Gem of Moderate Fortification (Embedded)
Ring of Dexterity +4
Ring of Holding IV (Acts like bag of holding)

 

[cats]

I started a reply to this some time ago, and then Tumble called me after a car accident. (See ORP Anouncments)

The fang dragon has a level adjustment of five by the young stage. (Memory pending, I looked it up on last saturday.) That being said the level adjustment matters less if we are skiping mechanics.

I'll try and find a spot for the dragon but it'll likely be after the current quest, unless the dragon has reason to be on the plain of fire.

 

[thewhiteone]

Hope she's ok.

Older dragons apparently don't have a level adjustment, or if they do, I can't find it.

He has no reason to be on the plane of fire.

 

[cats]

Its one of the dumb wizard quirks Level adjustment - = not player appropriate. I call that a load of bull because a full grown dragon is simply an epic level character in my mind.

 

[thewhiteone]

Touche.

 

[cats]

I have taken dislike to LA from the start. Thats why 4.0s no level adjustment ever seems fine to me.

 

[thewhiteone]

Personally I like them. It only makes sense that some creatures are more powerful than others with the same hit dice. 10 HD dragon vs 10 HD human. 10HD vampire vs 10HD human.

 

[cats]

Answer this for me then. Why does a 15 hd Moutain troll of a ECL of 20 and CR 10 when a 12 HD war troll has an ECL of 18 and a CR of 12. For that matter why is a 12 level fighter a CR 12?

I agree fully that some things are harder to beat then others but take your dragon as an example it has a level adjustment over seven an more hitdice then a PC in the case of a great wyrm gold dragon we are talking about a level adjustment of 12 or more added to 41 HD making it limited to a 53rd level or higher character, and yet it has a CR of 26! The dragon has no epic feats and fewer feats then other pcs, its spell casting is lower; its armor class, its to hit, its damage, every last aspect is inferior to the PCs. (53 character levels spent for something 4 level 26 characters can beat!)

The Level adjustment system in use is so badly done I'd rather not deal with it, because other then templates and a few level adjustment 1 and 2 creatures there is very little point.

 

[thewhiteone]

Yeah, we never like the fact that dragons were weaker, and poorer than a similar HD character. One of my DMs gave dragons +1 to Str, Con, natural AC, and breath weapon DC per age category to help even things out. Sadly, the campaign died before we got to fight the dragon.

 

[cats]

The trick with dragons is clever spell use. Keep in mind any treasure they have witch is 4 times the norm can be used by the dragon. Being natural spell casters they can use all arcane scrolls and wands.

In particular antimagic field can be very useful because they can be brutal brutes. Many dragons can also use the heal spell, since they have access to cleric spells.