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View Full Version : D&D 3.x Other Dragon Attack! [3.5 encounter, PEACH]



Jormengand
2016-02-04, 04:30 PM
Dragon Attack! (CR varies, see text).

A Dragon Attack involves a huge or larger red or gold dragon. Generally, the dragon will be red, as gold dragons would not attack a city unless it was irrevocably evil. Those called upon to fight the dragon are inside the city when the dragon makes its scene. The CR of the Dragon Attack is the dragon's own CR.

A Dragon Attack can be used for creatures other than dragons, but the creature should have some kind of fire attack or other attack similarly capable of damaging a structure over time.

To prepare the Dragon Attack, divide the city into quadrants, unless the city is too large for the dragon to encircle reasonably in two minutes, in which case divide the city into districts, and then each district into quadrants (the dragon attempts to destroy the city a district at a time, so don't worry too much about dividing districts up except for the one the dragon is attacking first). Either way, each quadrant should then be subdivided into sectors. In general, a sector should be made up of a few streets at most. If you can't, combat with the dragon should be resolved normally.

Each dragon attack is divided into minutes, and always begins with the dragon using its breath weapon to burn a random sector in a random quadrant in a random district. The heroes will then have one minute to attempt to deal with the fire (or at least reach the dragon) before the dragon chooses its next move apparently at random. Meanwhile, the city reacts essentially at random, which may hinder or help the heroes against the dragon.

To decide on the dragon's actions after the first minute, roll on the following table, and remember that the dragon doesn't move districts unless an entire district is destroyed:

1d10Dragon Knows Heroes' LocationDragon Doesn't Know Heroes' Location1Burn random non-burning sector in random quadrantBurn random non-burning sector in quadrant opposite heroes2Burn random non-burning sector in random quadrantBurn heroes' sector*3Attack random non-destroyed sector in random quadrantAttack random non-destroyed sector in quadrant opposite heroes4Attack random non-destroyed sector in random quadrantAttack heroes' sector*5Burn random non-burning sector in random quadrantBurn random non-burning sector in random quadrant6Attack random non-destroyed sector in random quadrantAttack random non-destroyed sector in random quadrant7Burn weakest non-burning non-destroyed sectorBurn weakest non-burning non-destroyed sector in quadrant opposite heroes.8Attack weakest non-destroyed sectorAttack weakest non-destroyed sector in quadrant opposite heroes9Burn strongest non-burning sectorBurn heroes' sector*10Attack strongest sectorAttack heroes' sector

*If there are many sectors with heroes in, choose the one with the most heroes in. Randomise if tied.

If the dragon would try to burn a burning or destroyed sector, it instead always attacks that sector instead. If it's destroyed, it attacks a random other sector in the same quadrant. If the entire quadrant is destroyed, it attacks a random quadrant. If all quadrants are destroyed, it either attacks the heroes (if there are no other surviving districts) or moves to a random adjacent district if there is one.

If you roll a tactic which is for some reason obviously stupid to the point that the dragon has no reason to try it, roll again.

A sector has a defense rating which usually starts between 4 and 10 - 4 for normal houses, 10 for fortifications. Each minute a sector is burning its defence is reduced by 1. If a dragon is allowed to attack a sector for 2 rounds its defence also drops by 1 (The dragon only attacks for 6 of the 10 rounds in the minute) and the dragon leaves the sector burning.

Of course, the city isn't going to stand idly by as a dragon attacks. The city will respond to events as follows:

Dragon burns sector:
1d8Effect1-2City tries to put out fire and fail; roll 1d4 on this table each minute to see effect.3City puts out fire.4City fails to put out fire and stop trying, roll 1d4+4 on this table to see what they do.5-6City evacuates sector6City start shooting dragon if it's there, 1d6 arrows per defence of the sector at +1, 1d8 damage *3 critical. If it's not there or after arrows resolved, panic as below.7-8Sector panics, people run through the streets possibly impeding movement.

Dragon attacks sector:
1d8Effect11d6 level 1 warriors per defence of the sector try to attack dragon with longbows or longswords and light shields.2-4City evacuates sector.5-6City panics, people run through the streets possibly impeding movement.7-8City hides.

Sector destroyed by fire:
1d8Effect1-3City stays in sector.4-8City evacuates sector.

Sector destroyed by dragon:
1d8Effect1-3City slaughtered by dragon.4-8City evacuates sector.

When a dragon burns a sector, it closes in on the second round of the minute, then burns the city and starts retreating on the third. When it attacks the sector, it lands during the second round, fights for six rounds, and leaves on the ninth. This allows quick-witted heroes to land attacks on the dragon, possibly with the aid of the city's resistance.

The Dragon Attack is over when either the dragon is defeated, or the city destroyed and the heroes slain.