Dragons of Stormwreck Isle 5

September 20, 2024 ◇ 11 min read

dnd
campaign
actual play
ironsworn
Runara showing her true form

In Chapter 4, the myconids' troubles at Seagrow Caves were successfully resolved. Tarak can once again harvest his mushrooms.

Resources (purchasing items using the links below is a great way to help me maintain this blog):

Preparing for the Chapter

Besker Duskwinter
Insightful, Skilled, Stubborn human Paladin
Assets: Empowered, Loyalist, Shield-bearer (2)
Edge: 1, Heart: 3, Iron: 2, Shadow: 1, Wits: 2
Health: 3, Spirit: 5, Momentum: 8

Nellandra Dalarandar
Powerful, Dependent, Selfish elf Wizard
Assets: Improviser, Slinger (2), Invoke
Edge: 2, Heart: 2, Iron: 1, Shadow: 1, Wits: 3
Health: 3, Spirit: 4, Momentum: 6, Essence: 4

Shared supply: 4

Once back in Dragon's Rest, the residents of the sanctuary heard the story of what had occurred in Seagrow Caves. Tarak will be able to craft his healing potions again. After that, it was time to heal their wounds and resupply. Their mission was not yet done, and Nellandra still hadn't found any hints of the knowledge mentioned in the letter sent by her friend.

Sojourn (Besker)
Strong hit: 2 + 3 (heart) + 1 (bond) = 6 vs 1, 3.
Besker: Recuperate, +2 health. Provision: Take +2 supply. Take a quest, add +1 to Swear an Iron Vow.
Nellandra: Recuperate, +2 health. Consort, +2 spirit. Provisions, +2 supply.

Early in the morning, after a well-deserved rest, Elder Runara approached both of them and asked them to follow her up to the Temple of Bahamut.

"I have something to show you," she says. There's a flash like a silent stroke of lightning, and the human woman is gone. In her place is an enormous dragon with bronze-colored scales. "Now you see me as I truly am," she says, tilting her head with an expression that might be a smile on her scaled face.
"As you have discovered, this island has many old wounds. And I'm afraid the cycle of violence is starting again. I have one more favor to ask you."

A few months ago, a bronze dragon wyrmling named Aidron came to the island and studied with her at Dragon's Rest. Five days before their arrival, he had argued with her and stormed away from the cloister, rejecting her teachings of peace. She fears he went to the ancient observatory on the southeast side of the island, a location she dares not go herself, lest her presence reopen old wounds. Each site they have visited so far is linked to the death of a dragon, and the observatory is another dragon's final resting place. Each site like this is a source of volatile magic.

She suspects some evil has arisen at the observatory and asks them to find Aidron and bring him back. She gives them a moonstone key, a 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide hexagonal prism made from moonstone, with a dragon's head engraved on one end, and explains that they'll need it to access the observatory.

Another dragon settled within that observatory not long ago in pursuit of lost knowledge. His name is Sparkrender, and they should watch out for him.

Sparkrender sounds more like an alias than a draconic name. If you'd like to give him a dragon name, you can roll one using the Dragon name generator. Let's do that, just for fun: Tyraxtril the Sparkrender!

Is Nellandra annoyed with Runara for being a passive observer?
Ask the Oracle (50%): 79, Yes.

Is Besker dissapointed with Runara's inaction?
Ask the Oracle (50%): 100, Yes.

They both took the news with mixed feelings. It turned out that the residents of Dragon's Rest were not as helpless as they had seemed. The troubles with zombies could have been dealt with a long time ago. Runara saw their mixed reactions and told them a story from long ago, when she clashed with and defeated another dragon on the shores of the Stormwreck Isles. While victorious, it didn’t stop the cycle of violence, it only prolonged it. Since then, she has become a pacifist and dedicated her life to studies in her library.

Why won't she act anyway if the situation is dire?
Action: Take.
Theme: Portent.

She is convinced that a disastrous event will take place if she gets involved, so she is using kobolds and adventurers to indirectly influence everything on the island.

Their goal is near. With the keystone and the observatory's location, they can finally uncover the secrets mentioned in the letter and maybe find out what happened to the sender.

Runara showing her true form

Swear an Iron Vow (Besker)
Vow: Find the Lost Wyrmling (dangerous).
Weak hit: 4 + 3 (heart) + 1 = 8 vs 10, 7. +1 momentum.

Possible milestones for Find the Lost Wyrmling quest:

  • Journey to the Clifftop Observatory
  • Find Aidron
  • Find out what's happening at the Observatory
  • Resolve conflict with Sparkrender

Journey to Clifftop Observatory

This will be a direct overland journey. There are still two unused encounters in case something goes wrong along the way.

Undertake a Journey (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 6 + 3 (wits) = 9 vs 2, 7. You make good use of your resources: Mark progress.
Waypoint: Shadowy, Ancient Fen
Overland waypoint: Weather (Fair Weather for several hours)
Overland details: The scorched path of a large meteorite is carved into the terrain
Progress 6/10

Let's change this waypoint into an old battlefield of dragons, with a permanently scorched path from a dragon's breath. This could be just one place where the fight took place, maybe it is where Runara fought that other dragon.

Undertake a Journey (Nellandra)
Weak hit: 6 + 3 (wits) = 9 vs 9, 5. -1 supply.
Waypoint: Desolate, Flooded Bay/Fjord
Overland waypoint: Overland Region: Shore
Region landmark: Watery sea cave
Overland details: A recent landslide, collapse, or rockfall scars the landscape
Descriptor focus: Guarded Debris
Progress 9/10

Reach Your Destination (Nellandra)
Journey to Clifftop Observatory resolved. Weak hit: 9 vs 10, 8.
Action + theme: Coordinate Language.
Reach a Milestone: Find the Lost Wyrmling. Milestone: Journey to the Clifftop Observatory.
Progress 2/10

A recent collapse and guarded debris on the shore fit perfectly. A weak hit on Reach Your Destination means a complication, and that would be the Kobold Renegades encounter.

Face Danger (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 1 + 3 (wits) = 4 vs 2, 3.

Nearing the shore, they spotted a group of kobolds waiting in ambush. The party changed their path and approached the kobolds from a direction they weren't prepared for.

A yipping sound erupts around you as angry kobolds emerge from their hiding places and attack!

Compel (Besker)
Weak hit: 1 + 3 (heart) = 4 vs 2, 10. +1 momentum.

The confused kobolds broke their ambush, some ready to attack, others unsure what to do. Before the situation escalated, the party signaled they were not interested in fighting, they just wanted to be on their way to the observatory. The kobolds eyed them, chattering among themselves, and after a moment, while keeping their weapons at the ready, demanded food in exchange for safe passage.

Gather Information (Besker)
Strong hit: 6 + 2 (wits) + 1 = 9 vs 3, 4. +2 momentum.

When asked about the dragon, the kobolds replied that there were two, one blue and one bronze, and that they had been fighting. Then, there was only one: a blue dragon flying around the observatory nearby. In their eyes, both are bad masters.

Reach a Milestone: Find the Lost Wyrmling. Milestone: Get information about Clifftop Observatory and Aidron.
Progress 4/10

Clambering over the rocky ground of Stormwreck Isle, you spot strange, twisted protrusions of glassy crystal jutting from the earth. The vegetation in this area bears reddish branching scars that form similar shapes. Suddenly, you hear a screeching roar and notice a winged, glittering blue shape swooping overhead.

The blue dragon flew high above them, partially hidden by the vegetation. There is a chance they were not spotted. All around, the ground bears the marks of a recent fight.

Do they pay attention to the signs of battle?
Ask the Oracle (50%): 17, No.

Exploring Clifftop Observatory

Clifftop Observatory has six areas and a clearly defined goal. It could be run perfectly fine narratively, just like I dealt with Seagrow Caves, or as a Delve. Since there's a bit more going on than in Seagrow Caves, I decided to use Delve and picked the Ancient theme and Ruin domain. It's a small site, so a dangerous rank is enough.

Discover a Site
Delve Clifftop Observatory
Theme: Ancient
Domain: Ruin
Rank: Dangerous
Aspect focus: Ensnaring Passage

Delve the Depths
Weak hit: 2 + 3 (wits) = 5 vs 1, 8.
Mark progress and Reveal a Danger
Delve progress: 2/10
Area #1
Feature: Crumbling corridors and chambers
Danger: Ancient trap
Aspect focus: Trapped History

A broken and overgrown path winds to the edge of the cliff. The overlook is marked by two marble statues veined with gold, each carved in the shape of a dragon with its mouth open in a silent roar.

Ensnaring Passage and Trapped History are both great aspect + focus rolls. At the base of each statue is a small indentation in the shape of the key that Runara gave them. There's a twist, however: it is also trapped or secured by a ward against those without proper knowledge. A simple riddle, align the key incorrectly and face the consequences.

Face Danger (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 4 + 3 (wits) = 7 vs 3, 3. Match event: Arrive Time. +1 momentum.

Without much issue, the key was inserted correctly, and the bridge materialized before them. But for the bridge to stay, the key must remain inside the statue.

Delve the Depths
Weak hit: 1 + 3 (wits) = 4 vs 2, 7.
Mark progress
Delve progress: 4/10
Area #2
Feature: Inscrutable relics
Aspect focus: Mysterious Threshold

Broken stone lines this plaza—fragments of elegant statues, once-magnificent pillars, and shining marble walls. At the center, a tall sculpture of rusted planets and gilded stars spins idly in a jerky mimicry of celestial motion.
A gargled screech suddenly rises from across the plaza. A half-dozen batlike creatures are swarming around two winged kobolds with blue paint smeared across their long snouts. The kobolds are fighting fiercely, but they seem close to being overwhelmed.

Observing from behind one of the statues, Nellandra signaled for Besker to remain hidden. It is clearly the blue dragon's territory, and those kobolds are his servants. This is not their battle.

Face Danger (Nellandra)
Miss: 3 + 1 (shadow) = 4 vs 7, 8.

They tried to sneak around unnoticed, passing from one statue to another, but the attempt was unsuccessful, and the kobolds spotted them. Clearly overwhelmed by the swarm of stirges, the kobolds ran toward the party with the intent to change the stirges' target and disengage. The stirges switched to more juicy prey, and the battle was unavoidable.

Battle (Besker)
Strong hit: 5 + 3 (heart) = 8 vs 3, 2.

Luckily, the stirges were no match for them. After clearing the area of monsters, Besker tried to convince the kobolds that they were not there to cause any trouble (at least not yet), and there was absolutely no reason to bother or annoy Sparkrender.

Compel (Besker)
Weak hit: 4 + 3 (heart) = 7 vs 10, 4.
Action: Transform.
Theme: Decay.

A bit skeptical, the kobolds agreed, with one condition. The stirges had interrupted a crucial task given to them by their master: building effigies for the upcoming ritual. If the party helped finish building the effigies, they could go about their business.

Gather Information (Nellandra)
Weak hit: 2 + 3 (wits) + 1 = 6 vs 7, 4. +1 momentum.
Reach a Milestone: Find the Lost Wyrmling. Milestone: Obtained new information about the ritual.
Progress 6/10

Once the task was done, they asked the kobolds about the ritual and what Sparkrender was preparing for. The kobolds, excited all of a sudden, started talking about how the dragon comet would infuse their master with the power of the effigies and their prisoner, another dragon caught in a recent battle. After a closer look, each effigy bore a unique name and represented a different dragon. If the comet was near and the ritual was about to start, they did not have much time. It was time to move on.

Delve the Depths (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 3 + 3 (wits) = 6 vs 2, 3.
Delve progress: 6/10
Area #3
Feature: Archive or library
Find an Opportunity
Opportunity: A clue offers insight or direction. Take action now.
Aspect focus: Blocked Opening

South of the plaza, near the place where the bridge was, there was a lone tower jutting up from the rocks. Another set of dragon statues stood on the edge, indicating that this was where another bridge should be, but this time, they did not have the key. Going back and retrieving it might be more troublesome than coming up with another solution.

Check Your Gear (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 5 + 3 (wits, improviser) + 1 (opportunity) = 9 vs 2, 3. +3 momentum.

Face Danger (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 3 + 3 (wits) = 6 vs 3, 5.

With a short incantation, a spell that enhances jumping ability was cast on both of them. With much lighter bodies and stronger legs, it should be possible to reach the other side with enough time to return.

The rhythm of the waves below echoes throughout this cramped tower. Part of the floor has crumbled away, dropping off into a chamber below. Amid the rubble, collapsed bookcases jut out at odd angles, and moldering books are strewn across the floor.

The scene did not look promising, but perhaps there was still some useful knowledge stowed here that had survived the harsh environment. Nellandra started searching, looking for anything valuable while watching the crumbling floor.

Nellandra searching the crumbling tower

One book piqued her interest, a small black journal in surprisingly good condition. She noticed a faint magical aura. There was a ward placed on the book.

Face Danger (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 6 + 3 (wits) = 9 vs 7, 5.

The rune engraved on the cover was both a trap and a sealing magic, preserving the book in its great condition. She was able to disarm it successfully. Inside, the journal contained star maps, notes, and experiments, all of which might be linked to the ritual Sparkrender was preparing to perform. One passage reads:

To ye four scholars: point your eyes toward the Dragon's light, for it guides your descent into knowledge.

While already useful, there was definitely more to be found elsewhere.

Found any tresure?
Ask the Oracle (50%): 40, No.

Delve the Depths (Nellandra)
Weak hit: 1 + 3 (wits) = 4 vs 1, 4.
Mark progress and Reveal a Danger.
Delve progress: 8/10
Area #4
Feature: Collapsed architecture
Danger: You encounter a hostile denizen
Aspect focus: Fragile Nature

Rays of light dance across the remains of this tower's stained glass dome, making iridescent colors shimmer across the crumbled marble walls. Gilded lines and jeweled inlays form a detailed star map spanning the dusty floor. Four alabaster statues of scholars stand around the perimeter of the room, their expressions worn with time. Each ten-foot-tall statue is pointing or gesturing in a different direction.
Curled in the northeast corner of the tower is a lithe blue dragon. Lightning arcs around his horns and snout as he slumbers amid a scattered collection of coins and glittering jewels.

Here is Sparkrender with his hoard. Aidron is nowhere to be seen. Can they handle him? He is no mere kobold. Negotiate, maybe? But they are in no position to negotiate anything. It is better to disable him for now. Since he is already sleeping, they should make sure he does not wake up.

Invoke: Face Danger (Nellandra)
Weak hit: 3 + 4 (essence) = 7 vs 10, 1. -1 supply.

For the price of some spell components, and with a few quick gestures, Nellandra cast a dome of silence over the area. This should hold long enough for them to investigate this floor.

Gather Information (Nellandra)
Strong hit: 4 + 3 (wits) = 7 vs 6, 2. +2 momentum.

They checked the four statues and the map on the floor. This scene reminded them of the passage from the journal: the four scholars could be the four statues, and the Dragon's light is surely a constellation on the floor map. Each statue also had worn grooves at its base. Nellandra gestured for Besker to try rotating them toward the direction she was standing, above the map’s constellation.

Face Danger (Besker)
Weak hit: 4 + 2 (wits) = 6 vs 5, 9. -1 momentum.

It took some time to align the statues by feel and visual cues alone, as there was no sound indicating the correct position, but eventually they got it right. At that point, a section of the floor descended, forming stairs.

Is this the place of knowledge written about in the letter? A place where Aidron is held prisoner? Or both, perhaps?