zeraser
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 184
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Post by zeraser on Jul 26, 2013 21:52:41 GMT -6
Dig, if you will, a picture: A bunch of people come to you and are like, "I understand there's a game where you can enter dungeons and kill dragons. Can you help us play this game? In particular, we want to kill dragons."
Dragons are part of the name of the game, so it's understandable that they'd want to kill some, and quick (as in, during the first session if possible). How would you handle this situation - bump everyone's level up and start them in a dragon's lair? Begin them at first level with a small army of hirelings? Make weaker dragons (hatchlings, etc.) that they can entertain themselves with until they're strong enough to tackle a full-grown dragon?
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Post by mgtremaine on Jul 26, 2013 22:38:11 GMT -6
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Post by scalydemon on Jul 26, 2013 22:51:31 GMT -6
I've had a taste of this in B5
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bexley
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 104
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Post by bexley on Jul 26, 2013 23:52:53 GMT -6
Excuse my ignorance but I haven't actually read Carcosa. I would do a take on the alternative HP system from Carcosa. At the beginning of a combat encounter, each player rolls 1d6. 1.1d4, 2.1d6 etc up to 5-6 1d12. Fighters would get +1 on this roll because they are super-bad and HP is their main resource. I would limit monster hit dice to the number of players seated at the table. 4 players, 4 hit dice.
This would give each combat encounter different tactical options and who knows, a dragon could roll a 1 which would make it easier to kill.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jul 27, 2013 4:20:27 GMT -6
Thanks Mike, I'm glad you enjoyed it. This thread specifically contains the dragon encounter: odd74.proboards.com/thread/7886/003-mothers-lairYou may also want to read this final post: odd74.proboards.com/post/106804 to learn what became of Maleveque  O'course, Delving Deeper dragons don't get fixed hp per HD as in the original; but their numbers of HD can produce hp very close to the original. E.g., the dragon above was a 3+2 HD young black dragon with 11 hit points, whereas according to M&T it might have instead been a 6 HD young black dragon with 12 hit points. |
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Post by Finarvyn on Jul 27, 2013 5:23:42 GMT -6
First, I'd make sure to mention to them that dragons are supposed to be feared and that low-level characters typically aren't ready to take them on. However, you would run a "by request" adventure where the dragon isn't so tough so they can get the feel of it. The problem with high-level characters for a group of newbies is that they won't understand what everything does and may feel overwhelmed. I typically run low-level campaigns, and every time I run something really amped up my sister complains because she doesn't know what the spells do, and so on. If you're not careful, you might chase them away after a single adventure because the game would seem too hard. I'd go with low-level characters (perhaps level 3) and a weaker dragon and see how it goes. That way they don't have to master too much of the game at once. If they like it, then they can attempt a regular dungeon crawl adventure without dragons.  |
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jul 27, 2013 5:42:35 GMT -6
First, I'd make sure to mention to them that dragons are supposed to be feared and that low-level characters typically aren't ready to take them on. That is true of mature dragons, certainly, but less so for the youngest ones. Dragons are exciting, and why should we always save the best stuff for another day? They players might get beaten, sure, but the same is true of any encounter with Goblins. At least being beaten by a dragon is a tale worth telling! And that might be all the encouragement the players need to roll up new PCs and try again. It's also worth noting that the hatchling white, black and green dragons have only 5-7, 6-8, and 7-9 hit points, respectively. Moreover, they are 60%, 50% and 40% likely to be sleeping! Not only that, all dragons have to roll a 7+ on 2d6 to use their breath weapon, so the youngest/smallest sorts really are quite beatable by 1st level PCs if they play their cards right. |
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Post by strangebrew on Jul 27, 2013 7:21:04 GMT -6
Dig, if you will, a picture With that introduction, in my head your entire post took on the voice of this guy:  |
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zeraser
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 184
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Post by zeraser on Jul 27, 2013 8:32:32 GMT -6
Good answers, everybody. I like the idea of splitting the difference - maybe everybody starts at level 2d4 and they crack the lair of a youngish dragon.
Of course this is the canonical way to play the game - but if you buy a can of beans and it turns out to be full of bean sprouts, you might be a bit disappointed! I think it's reasonable for newcomers to demand dragons when they sit down to play a game that puts dragons right there on the label.
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