I just got randomly challenged by the Immortal Dragon, and he completely stomped my 25,000+ damage crew. Is this some new event?

I've noticed Elderage has been appearing in chapters 8+ since they were added. Defeating it gives 100 exp and 10k pence, and there has been nothing to persuade either of the 4 times I've defeated it so far.

._.hidden message ._.

Which pirates are you guys using? I've defeated Elderage 5 times with a team of water bearer livonah, the legionaire Elsa, drifting sorceror ebony assist and two pixies, which totals to ~24k attack. However, I have lost when scurvy activates on Elsa, along with Elderage's mysterious ability Gunwale.