Is a Dragon Appropriate for 3-4th lvl Adventurers?

[Jyrdan Fairblade]

So, the gaming group I thought all but dissolved may be coming back together. In honor of this, I'd like to put together a really intense adventure.

Immediately, my mind thinks "put a dragon at the end!" I have literally not used a real dragon in almost ten years (I pretty much OD'ed on Dragons during 2e, when the one high-level campaign was drawing to a close).

Now, the catch is that the group ranges from 3rd to 4th level. And I wonder, is that too early for a dragon? Going by the old red box basic set, which had stats for young dragons (which is what I'd have to use), the answer is no.

So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Any memorable stories of low level groups going up against dragons out there?

[Omote]

In my C&C campaign I put the PCs up against a AGE 3, white dragon. There were 7 characters in the party, and they were awestruck by the dragon, but survived with not a single casualty. The PCs were all 2nd level. It was mighty chilly within the ruins of Castle Castagin Lyr, and the PCs had to figure out why local livestock were missing on the periphery of the village, near the haunted ruins. Old-fashioned, dragon fun!

............................................Omote

FPQ
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[gideon_thorne]

Absolutely. Might take some creativity on the part of the players, but its winnable. Good strategy always involves preparing the battleground in ones own favor.
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Peter Bradley

[pineappleleader]

Yes I think a Young Dragon would be fair at this level. It seems that everybody uses evil dragons. (I played D&D for almost a year before I even knew that all dragons were not evil ). Also everybody seems to make that first encounter with a Red or White Dragon. It is traditional.

Depending upon your group, you could surprise them with one of the lesser known Dragons. What kind of trouble would they be in if they killed a non-evil Dragon? This could be used as a plot hook for further adventures.
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[Maliki]

Sure a dragon is fine, just be sure if they are meant to fight it that is of an age catagory they have a chance against. (Great Wyrm would be a bad idea )
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[gideon_thorne]

pineappleleader wrote:
Depending upon your group, you could surprise them with one of the lesser known Dragons. What kind of trouble would they be in if they killed a non-evil Dragon? This could be used as a plot hook for further adventures.

Now thats thinking out of the box. Nice.
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Peter Bradley

[Gnostic Gnoll]

Yeah, so many people use evil dragons. It's more of a challenge, really. The good dragons, they're pushovers. They're so trusting, and let you in their lairs, and show you their stuff, and offer to get you some cookies--then you have your thief sneak attack with her +3 axe of dragon slaying and it's dragon steaks and dragon armor all around!

As long as the dragon's breath weapon is not a practically guaranteed one-hit party killer, things should be fine. It should be challenging, but if the PCs are all dead in the first round, well, there are challenges, and there are slaughters.

Otherwise, your PCs should be smart. They can always surrender themselves to the dragon's mercy. Hmm...

[StealthSuitStanley]

Well your question was "is it fair?" So I voted no. It isn't fair.

But it would be fun! In fact, if you give them enough clues that they have the opportunity to prepare for a combat, they may have a chance.

My thing is that if dragons are so powerful, and live for such long periods, why is it possible for a low level party to destroy one? A good CK would play a dragon with such foresight that even a young dragon would be difficult for a 10th level party to kill.

Now, you could basically give them the dragon. Think of Wulfgar and Drizzt against Icingdeath in The Crystal Shard by R.A. Salvatore, in which the (white) dragon had been asleep for so long that it had been completely frozen in ice and couldn't move for the first few rounds. Something similar can be used with a red dragon stuck in solidified lava. Just keep in mind that treasure should be adjusted appropriately!

I also like pineappleleader's idea of using an unknown or lesser known dragon type. I've always liked the brown dragon. There is also the dragon turtle (very young), or dragon variants such as drakes, fire lizards, or wyverns. All can be very useful.

Or just make up your own variant!

Good luck!
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later

SSS

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"Size matters not."

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[johns]

What if you put a tough dragon at the beginning of the adventure (when nobody is low on resources), and then make the PC's escape its lair while its young (and other beasties) try to pick off the survivors.

[Lurker]

Here is my 2, 2 cents. First I played a game where we bumped into an OLD dragon hunter. We listened to all his tricks and it helped us plan ahead some good role playing there & actually planning the caper...

Second. Dragons are very smart, even young ones & they can fly... If they are going to die they try & run away. You can always hunt down the party later kill them & get your loot back..... This is also great for role playing hooks down the road. I'd still give the xp for the fight (they did defeat the dragon) and the loot, but now they have a mad dragon looking for them for a long long time.

Quote:
Depending upon your group, you could surprise them with one of the lesser known Dragons. What kind of trouble would they be in if they killed a non-evil Dragon? This could be used as a plot hook for further adventures.

Good one. Back in the AD&D days, I've also thrown "norse" dragons at players before.

[/quote]Otherwise, your PCs should be smart. They can always surrender themselves to the dragon's mercy. Hmm...

THat is good role playing!
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