Spelljamming

<<<
For years at a time? Even wizards aren't that paranoid--and that's two
spell slots blown every day (assuming he does some kind of hunting in
between) he goes out. But I'll grant you this. Perhaps he knows I'm on
his
tail, or perhaps he really is supra-paranoid.
>>>

Or a ring of invisibility.  But yes, dragons tend to be *very* paranoid.

<<<
Besides, as a high-level creature with good intelligence, the wizard
will
spot the dragon eventually anyway. If he's got enough patience.
Admittedly, the wizard I'm describing seems to be rather monomaniacal
about killing this dragon, but that's one of the reasons I'll grant your
dragon paranoia. With one maniac, why not another?>>>

He'd have to have some reason to go to the lair so obviously he has at
least a general indication of the area it occupies.

<<<
The problem with this viewpoint is that AD&D is designed so that even a
strong creature has a chance of dying--even through sheer bad
luck--against a weaker creature. Sure, a 9th level mage charging in
(without even Invisibilty--much good may it do him in the lair--or
Armor)
to Dominate the dragon probably will fry. But he could get lucky.
"Well-played" dragons simply increase their odds of survival, much as a
"well-played" attacker decreases it.
>>>

So why shouldn't I play my dragon's well?

<<<
(Also keep in mind that you stack the odds in favor of the dragon in
your
house campaign by changing the rules. I'm not criticizing that--I also
feel that dragons should probably have better magic than vanilla gives
them--but remember that you're not playing vanilla.)
>>>

Well actually if I play FR I have the Draconomicon to tell me dragons
can convert human spells as I mentioned and I have the Cult of the
Dragon to feed my dragon even more magic.

<<<
> Just asking.  I thought you did have to know the destination at least.
>  Still, you now have to aim right to find the dragon's true lair.

Well, if we want to be crafty, we could try Clairaudience or
Clairvoyance
to random spots within the mountain. Most of the time we'll just get
solid stone in all directions, but once in a while your spell will fail.
>>>

Actually you have to be familiar with the area in some way to cast
either clair spell (at least under 1st edition which I play, I haven't
bothered to look at 2nd edition alterations here).

<<<There lies the dragon lair. (Probably. Would you have thought to cast
anti-scrying spells anywhere besides the lair if I hadn't pointed this
out?)>>>

Well I might simply cover the entire mountain but I wasn't really
worried about it.  I just covered the area of the mountain the dragon
had any interest in.

<<<
> > That's one reason I wouldn't try this in my own body. I don't think
> he'd
> > actually kill me, but it doesn't hurt to be paranoid.
>
> I'd kill you.

I rather doubt it. For one thing, how are you going to find me? Let's
say
I'm reduced to 1/10 of an inch tall, and spying from behind a rock to
see
who shows up to check out the Rock-to-Mudded entrance. That's the most
immediate obstacle to overcome.
>>>

Rock to mud left the repulsion intact and reduce woun't get you to
1/10th of an inch but rather 1/10th your normal height.  I equate
dragon eyesite to eagle eyesight since they seem to hunt in similar
ways and are supposed to have superior senses otherwise.  Now your
toast mr pixie/sprite/quickling.

<<< I may not even be within a quarter of a
mile, since a dragon is visible from quite a ways away. Even if you do
spot me, I can just teleport out. Or let's try a Project Image.
>>>

You forgot my invisibility.  And teleporting out doesn't help alot
when my first blow lands from complete surprise.

<<<
> But then I'm not as merciful as an angry red of 1000+
> years (as you were assuming this dragon must be).  Incidentally it's
> not hurting the dragon to be paranoid either.

Admittedly, no. Especially not after I alert him with the little
Rock-to-Mud stunt. Before that, the attacker does have a bit of an
advantage.
>>>

Always.  Until my defenses confound you into giving yourself away.
You didn't know I used my clerical speak with animals and charm person
or mammal spells to gather the local field mice to my service?  Poor
you.

<<<
> OK mister worm.  When the big spell using fish with flame breath comes
> for you with all the lesser fish that serve him, after he's magically
> scouted you out,

Eh? You make me fight over this issue, but the dragon gets to handwave
it
away? How, precisely, is he going to locate me?
>>>

By any of the methods I just mentioned plus magic mouths, alarms,
wardmists, magic mirrors, reflecting pools, crystal balls, and mirrors
of mental prowess (plus a nice portal to breath through on that last
one--ouch!).

<<<
> exactly what hook were you going to use to catch him
> and how were you going to reel him in?  Oh, and don't forget he's also
> taken the time to tell all your enemies exactly where you are too.

Oh, how convenient for him. I suppose all my enemies just happen to be
good bowling-buddies of his, just as he conveniently happens to know
my identity and who all my enemies *are*.
>>>

See he researched your enemies as soon as he discovered who you are
through scrying.  Then he sends anonymous notes to the neogi,
illithids and a certain beholder clan he heard a group matching your
description pissed off or he just let word out of where your group is
in case you have enemies who're paying attention.  You can do this to
him if you want (word of a dragon lair tends to attract attention) but
then you risk losing his hoard to some other group.  He has no such
compunctions.  Survival is all he's interested in.

<<<
If a horde of fire-breathing dragons and dragonlings, the Red Wizards of
Thay and the Chainmen all converge on my location, I'll concede defeat
and
depart for sunnier climes. But if that happens, we're already at the
worst-case scenario and the game is over. Why not be specific?
>>>

You pissed all those people off?  I hope you found somebody along the
way that likes you.

<<<
Your Great Wyrm red dragon living on a mountain peak returns from
hunting
one day to find his false entrance turned to mud and in shambles. Maybe
a
Magic Mouth adds insult to injury, depending upon just how cautious (or
perhaps how crafty) the attacker has decided to be. What's his move?
>>>

Magic mouth never goes off due to his being invisible.  Now he cast
those speak with plants, stone tell, and speak with animals spells and
calls his local servants/spies to find out who's in the area that
might have done it.  Pretty soon he'll have enough to get you pegged
(especially if he's got a commune with nature available).  Scrying
gives him whatever else he needs before he starts blabbing to everyone
about your location (notoreity's always a pain in my campaigns, at
least when you make powerful foes that actually have the interest and
resources to expend on your demise).

<<<
Not that I actually want to duel out the entire scenario, but you have
to start somewhere. My point is that you can't simply *assume* that the
dragon will know anything at all, except that someone is on his tail.
>>>

As long as he reacts accordingly at least he wasn't a pushover (in the
end you're supposed to win but such an intelligent, ancient, powerful,
hunted for foe is going to pull out all the stops while you try to get
there).  BTW--I think your ignore the entrance route was the best, you
know, find a way through the mountainside.  And that's all that
applies to this simple but nasty trap which was all I was trying to
share with list members.
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