Structure
Exposition
A wounded dragon has escaped the confines of a rogue general and is flailing towards the city of Crochide.
Conflict
Desert Encounter
Level 7
It will take 2 hours for the dragon to reach Crochide. While it has a big headstart, PCs might deal with 1-2 desert encounters before reaching the city.
By the time the party arrives, the dragon is destroying whatever area of the PCs most enjoyed.
Rising Action
Through the City
Level 8
The party first sees the dragon from a distance crashing through houses as it jumps/slides on the ground; seemingly try to become aloft. Even when the character initally attack the dragon, it remains indifferent to them. Then, as it takes damage, it will periodically try to get away from its attackers; inevitably destroying more and more of the town.
As the town fights, the dragon will lose more and more of its feathers that act as its armour irregardless as to whether an attack hits or not.Falling Action
Recovery
Level 9
Once the dragon is dead, all the surviving authorities and important people will gather to profusely thank the PCs for their help.
Amist the reconstruction, a zomalli elder approaches the party to offer anything that they want or need to know to may direct them to the next leg of their journey.Components
Goals
The goal is to chase down the rampaging dragon and confront it as it destroying a settlement and save as many people as possible in the aftermath.
Cruel Tricks
Opportunistic Looting
Even during a dragon attack, there are elements within society that would take advantage of the situation.Any target, with an INT of 4 or more, within 300ft of the dragon must succeed on a DC 16 WIS saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. The target fixates on another person or object and must, on each of their turns, move as close as they can to that target and use their action to make a melee attack against it that simulates looting. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns. On a success, they become immune for the next 24 hours.
Relations
Allies
Helpful NPC
If the PCs ever need saving, the GM can have an NPC:Adversaries
Cocollo
Feather Dragons appear as mightily robust creatures soaring miles above the tallest mountain top. Their feathers being so tough and lightweight that a misconception of their invulnerability has permeated throughout the entirety of the valley cultures. In fact, they can be surprisingly fragile. It is known that once ground, they cannot survive for long and will never rise to the sky again. No one knows why this is; and it is equally perplexing as to how the gardeners, in their underground lair, were able to keep one alive for so long.
HP: 147 ( 14d12+56 ) Speed: 90 ft Saving Throws: STR +11, CON +8 Proficiency Bonus: +4 Abilities: |
Backdrops
Threats
Sandstorm
For three rounds, anything within the area (100-ft radius, 100-ft tall):Encounters
1-3 Building Collapse
4-6 Deranged Prisoner
7-9 Hidden Infiltrator
10-14 Ne'er-do-wells
15-16 Thieves
17-18 Trapped Beast
19-20 Walking Wounded
d4+1 people arer trapped in a collaspsed building; half of which are dying at 0 hp and the other half have 1 hp each. PCs can attempt a DC14 STR (Athletics) check to pull them from the rubble.
A large man escaped from his jail cell and fights to the death while shouting loudly.
A previously unknown informant for an outside faction emerges to kill a member of the party; using the choas as cover.
d4+2 residents have started looting the shops and homes of the destroyed parts of the town. They carry a d6 handaxe, but can realize the error of their ways on a d6 6 at the end of each of their turns.
Two thugs are muggling an old woman with 1 hp remaining for her food. The PCs can persuade them to flee on a successful DC 12 CHA (Intimidation) check. They also flee if they take any damage.
Any domesticated animal is tied to a post, whereby a successful DC 11 WIS check can calm it enough to cut the rope. If they cut the rope without calming the animal, it will immediately bolt on its next turn.
GM decides on one of two outcomes d2 :
- A local militia with 1 hp remaining is seeking a replacement weapon. If givening one he will joining any party confronting the dragon.
- A local militia smeared with blood asks to be taken to safety. A successful DC 10 WIS check reveals the apparent injuries to be a fabrication. He does not want to fight anyone and being forced to face the dragon may cause him to breaking down weeping.
Chaos in the Streets
On a d20 , PCs must contend with an urgent develop in the face of the dragon's rampage.
Parent Plot
Related Locations
| Lootable Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Clay Pots | Broken and intact pottery, likely used for storing food, water or ceremonial purposes. |
| Worn Sandals | Simple sandals made of woven plant fibers or leather, likely worn by the locals. |
| Rotted Tapestries | Fragments of woven cloth depicting religious scenes, worn by time and the elements. |
| Stone Tools | Crude knives, axes, and grinding stones used for everyday tasks like food prep and crafting. |
| Broken Spears | Old, splintered spears - once used for hunting or defense, now scavenged for their metal tips. |
| Earthenware Figurines | Small, chipped statues of gods, animals or ancestors; often used for worship or as offerings. |
| Leather Pouches | Small bags made of animal hides, some containing dried herbs or remnants of food. |
| Faded Headdresses | Formerly bright coloured feathers and woven cloth now decayed and discoloured from exposure to the desert sun. |
| Charred Remains of Food | Burnt remains of crops like corn and squash, possibly remnants of ritual offerings or simple meals. |
| Rusted Iron Nails | Scattered around, once part of the building framework but now only useful for scrap. |
| Dried Gourds | Empty, cracked gourds used as containers or drinking vessels. |
| Slings | Frayed and torn, these were once used for hunting or warfare. |
| Weathered Scrolls | Paper or bark scrolls, mostly unreadable due to the passage of time, some may contain old rituals or knowledge. |
| Damaged Wooden Masks | Carved wooden masks, once used in religious ceremonies, now damaged by the rioters. |
| Rusty Farming Tools | Old hoes, spades, and other agricultural tools used for cultivating the arid desert soil. |
| Hammocks | Worn-out woven cloth hammocks used for resting in the heat of the day. |
| Broken Pottery Shards | Bits of decorated pottery, fragments from ancient vessels scattered around the ruins. |
| Animal Skulls | The remnants of hunted creatures, perhaps offerings to gods or simply left to rot after being scavenged. |
| Worn Leather Armor | Dried, cracked leather armour, pieces of protection once worn by guards or warriors. |
| Tattered Blankets | Once warm, these blankets are now frayed and unraveling. |
| Empty Water Containers | Clay or woven containers that once held precious water, now dry and cracked under the desert heat. |
| Wooden Chests | Wooden storage boxes, some broken open, containing old clothes or basic personal items. |
| Chipped Stone Mirrors | Small, polished stone mirrors used by the people for vanity or ceremonial purposes. |
| Torn Herbal Bundles | Bundles of dried desert herbs, some scattered and trampled by rioters, others still in usable condition. |
| Coconut Shell Cups | Hollowed-out coconut shells used for drinking, many cracked or shattered in the looting frenzy. |
| Small Bags of Seeds | Pouches filled with seeds, perhaps for agricultural purposes or for future harvests. |
| Broken Amulets | Pieces of worn-out amulets and charms once worn by the townsfolk for protection or luck. |
| Woven Baskets | Frayed baskets made of desert plant fibers, used for gathering food or carrying supplies. |
| Dried Meat | Clumps of dried jerky, once a vital food source, now mostly inedible but still scavenged by looters. |
| Old Leather Scroll Tubes | Scroll tubes once used to protect important documents, now left scattered in the ruins. |
| Cracked Clay Tiles | Tiles that once decorated homes or temples, now discarded and trampled on by the rioters. |
| Ceremonial Rattles | Small rattles made from gourds or shells, used in rituals but now discarded or stolen. |
| Broken Ceremonial Knives | Ritual knives used in ceremonies, now shattered and looted for their metal parts. |
Comments
Author's Notes
The longest journey - Chapter four