I am planning to run and upcoming campaign, and I've been tinkering with ideas for the most powerful (known) NPCs in the setting.
I wanted to use an older good dragon -- in this case an Ancient Copper Dragon -- to have some sway in the world.
I wanted him to be especially cautious. In the setting's history, many dragons have been killed by internecine wars against one another, which also led to dragons teaching humans (or other races) the best way to kill their own dragon enemies. That backfired and led to dragonslayers that would eventually target all dragons.
So this ancient dragon now operates very cautiously. It -- typically -- will only leave its lair when it's hungry or some other vaulted reason. Normally it will just use the Project Image spell to explore the world in this current age.
Here are my initial notes on the concept:
Lagashenzenden -- Ancient Copper Dragon (p. 111 MM) -- Steward of the Dragonstaff of Ahghairon + innate spellcaster. (Age: ~1000).
Knows three 1st-7th level spells, which can each be cast once per day. Likely spells include: Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum, Project Image, and Prismatic Spray. He also knows these cantrips: Mending, Minor Illusion, and Prestidigitation.
Also, while he is in his lair, he can also cast a Sequester spell on one creature. He can only have one such spell operating at one time. The spell persists even if the ancient dragon leaves his lair.
Also, while he is in his lair, he can cast a Programmed Illusion spell. He can only have one such spell operating at one time. The spell persists even if the ancient dragon leaves his lair.
His main alter-ego includes a half-elf archmage that uses his own name; the dragon rarely let others know his full name during his long lifetime. Thusly, the name Lagashenezden is tied to his half-elf alter-ego and not his own. His half-elf alter-ego is known to have been 'alive' for at least the past 200 years.
So -- I know that by RAW, an ancient dragon shouldn't receive cantrips or the extra Sequester and Programmed Illusion spells. Those are for flavor and plot device.
Anyway, my main reason for posting is that I wanted to determine if the illusory image that is created by Project Image is able to incorporate humanoid forms resulting from the dragon's Change Shape ability. For instance, let's say he wanted to project an image of his half-elf archmage alter-ego ....... , he's already polymorphed in to that form and then casts Project Image. So Pwould Project Image incorporate the current polymorphed forms?
(BTW -- I am pretty sure I can't spells through the project illusion. The wording of the spell would not support that. Just wanted to get that out of the way, since most threads about Project Image are regarding casting spells through the projection).
Hope that made sense. I would appreciate any feedback about the different concepts, as well as the specific uses of Project Image + Change Shape.
Hello,
I am planning to run and upcoming campaign, and I've been tinkering with ideas for the most powerful (known) NPCs in the setting.
I wanted to use an older good dragon -- in this case an Ancient Copper Dragon -- to have some sway in the world.
I wanted him to be especially cautious. In the setting's history, many dragons have been killed by internecine wars against one another, which also led to dragons teaching humans (or other races) the best way to kill their own dragon enemies. That backfired and led to dragonslayers that would eventually target all dragons.
So this ancient dragon now operates very cautiously. It -- typically -- will only leave its lair when it's hungry or some other vaulted reason. Normally it will just use the Project Image spell to explore the world in this current age.
Here are my initial notes on the concept:
So -- I know that by RAW, an ancient dragon shouldn't receive cantrips or the extra Sequester and Programmed Illusion spells. Those are for flavor and plot device.
Anyway, my main reason for posting is that I wanted to determine if the illusory image that is created by Project Image is able to incorporate humanoid forms resulting from the dragon's Change Shape ability. For instance, let's say he wanted to project an image of his half-elf archmage alter-ego ....... , he's already polymorphed in to that form and then casts Project Image. So Pwould Project Image incorporate the current polymorphed forms?
(BTW -- I am pretty sure I can't spells through the project illusion. The wording of the spell would not support that. Just wanted to get that out of the way, since most threads about Project Image are regarding casting spells through the projection).
Hope that made sense. I would appreciate any feedback about the different concepts, as well as the specific uses of Project Image + Change Shape.
Thanks,
IT