Behold_the_Void
2008-11-21, 03:53 AM
All right, here's the basic setup of the encounter I'm planning. It's just here for context, you can skip it if you wish.
The setting is post-apocalyptic mortals have retreated to walled cities and huddle in fear from the monsters of the wilderness. They have been called by a coalition of the gods, granted some divine abilities, and are being guided against a as-of-yet unnamed source of evil. Pretty standard stuff.
What isn't quite as standard is the fact that the enemy is resurrecting ancient war machines. Known as Gigants, these are modeled after the colossi of "Shadow of the Colossus" in that they're enormous creatures the PCs must climb on and attack at strategic points in order to defeat.
Recently, a Dragonborn cult has invaded the continent the PCs are active on with an army of 100 fully trained soldiers, which is more or less unprecedented in the current setting. They also have cannons which can break down most of the fortifications in the area.
The PCs attempted some diversionary tactics against the army before they could start down the river, but weren't successful and tipped the Dragonborn off to the involvement of the dwarves (the continent being Eladrin-dominated and the Dragonborn having just assured the PCs, working as ambassadors for the dwarves, that their only intention was to destroy every last Eladrin city and would leave the dwarves untouched. The PCs didn't believe them).
The PCs rushed back to the Dwarf city, which is barricading itself inside and sent them to aid a nearby Eladrin settlement. They were asked to gain the aid of the griffins nearby and attempt to wear down the Dragonborn forces with hit-and-run tactics while the Dragonborn make their way up the river to launch their attack.
Having just secured the griffin aid, the PCs are on their way to meet the army. They will soon find that the army hasn't broken camp, having sent word back to the mainland to bring in a stronger weapon to annihilate the dwarves.
That weapon is a powerful airborn dragon-shaped Gigant created by the Dragonborn of old. The PCs must bring it down before it can destroy the dwarven fortress.
Now for the crunchier bits.
The PCs will be fighting an airborne battle against the Gigant and a group of primarily dragonborn forces that are protecting it. The Gigant itself is about 50 feet long, and it's wingspan is probably going to be around 100 feet. The encounter itself is planned to last the entire session, and the PCs will gain a divinely-inspired recharge rate on their encounter abilities and second winds in order to keep them strong enough.
The current party is as follows, all level 5:
Warforged tactical Warlord
Shifter Rogue
Dwarven melee Cleric
Dragonborn Barbarian
Human Paladin
They are also mounted on griffins, which will serve more giving them increased mobility than combat aid.
The Gigant is not the primary encounter, it's more the batlefield with some added trap-like effects. The primary defenses take the form of Dragonborn Riders, as well as some other Dragonborn forces who are on or operating the Gigant. I'm looking for some flying creatures that can be modded to be appropriately draconic but won't overpower the party. They will have riders, and generally taking out the mount will get both, but they have added damage (I used a hippogriff/human berserker combo for the first Gigant which worked out pretty well). In addition, there will be ways to knock the defenses based on the Gigant itself off, so not all of these enemies will have to be strictly dropped to 0 or less hp in order to be defeated.
The problem I'm hitting is I'm not sure what kind of creature I should use. Dragons and wyverns are obviously out of the question, as are drakes. I'm thinking of modding some griffins to be a bit more drake-like, but I'm wondering if there is a more suitable monster out there or if I should just homebrew my own level-appropriate drake for the situation.
Are there any creatures that are particularly good for this kind of thing?
I'm also, in a more general way, open to some suggestions for possible creatures to mod into Dragonborn so they can fill a number of roles and make the encounter dynamic. Suggestions there are also appreciated.
The setting is post-apocalyptic mortals have retreated to walled cities and huddle in fear from the monsters of the wilderness. They have been called by a coalition of the gods, granted some divine abilities, and are being guided against a as-of-yet unnamed source of evil. Pretty standard stuff.
What isn't quite as standard is the fact that the enemy is resurrecting ancient war machines. Known as Gigants, these are modeled after the colossi of "Shadow of the Colossus" in that they're enormous creatures the PCs must climb on and attack at strategic points in order to defeat.
Recently, a Dragonborn cult has invaded the continent the PCs are active on with an army of 100 fully trained soldiers, which is more or less unprecedented in the current setting. They also have cannons which can break down most of the fortifications in the area.
The PCs attempted some diversionary tactics against the army before they could start down the river, but weren't successful and tipped the Dragonborn off to the involvement of the dwarves (the continent being Eladrin-dominated and the Dragonborn having just assured the PCs, working as ambassadors for the dwarves, that their only intention was to destroy every last Eladrin city and would leave the dwarves untouched. The PCs didn't believe them).
The PCs rushed back to the Dwarf city, which is barricading itself inside and sent them to aid a nearby Eladrin settlement. They were asked to gain the aid of the griffins nearby and attempt to wear down the Dragonborn forces with hit-and-run tactics while the Dragonborn make their way up the river to launch their attack.
Having just secured the griffin aid, the PCs are on their way to meet the army. They will soon find that the army hasn't broken camp, having sent word back to the mainland to bring in a stronger weapon to annihilate the dwarves.
That weapon is a powerful airborn dragon-shaped Gigant created by the Dragonborn of old. The PCs must bring it down before it can destroy the dwarven fortress.
Now for the crunchier bits.
The PCs will be fighting an airborne battle against the Gigant and a group of primarily dragonborn forces that are protecting it. The Gigant itself is about 50 feet long, and it's wingspan is probably going to be around 100 feet. The encounter itself is planned to last the entire session, and the PCs will gain a divinely-inspired recharge rate on their encounter abilities and second winds in order to keep them strong enough.
The current party is as follows, all level 5:
Warforged tactical Warlord
Shifter Rogue
Dwarven melee Cleric
Dragonborn Barbarian
Human Paladin
They are also mounted on griffins, which will serve more giving them increased mobility than combat aid.
The Gigant is not the primary encounter, it's more the batlefield with some added trap-like effects. The primary defenses take the form of Dragonborn Riders, as well as some other Dragonborn forces who are on or operating the Gigant. I'm looking for some flying creatures that can be modded to be appropriately draconic but won't overpower the party. They will have riders, and generally taking out the mount will get both, but they have added damage (I used a hippogriff/human berserker combo for the first Gigant which worked out pretty well). In addition, there will be ways to knock the defenses based on the Gigant itself off, so not all of these enemies will have to be strictly dropped to 0 or less hp in order to be defeated.
The problem I'm hitting is I'm not sure what kind of creature I should use. Dragons and wyverns are obviously out of the question, as are drakes. I'm thinking of modding some griffins to be a bit more drake-like, but I'm wondering if there is a more suitable monster out there or if I should just homebrew my own level-appropriate drake for the situation.
Are there any creatures that are particularly good for this kind of thing?
I'm also, in a more general way, open to some suggestions for possible creatures to mod into Dragonborn so they can fill a number of roles and make the encounter dynamic. Suggestions there are also appreciated.