(S094) Black Dragon Down

Storming the black dragon's lair, the party slays Irgish in a brutal aquatic clash, uncovers Vorn's Earth-born identity, and destroys the dragon's unhatched brood.

📝 Session Summary

The Wild Cards were called The Menagerie by some until they came up with the name The Wild Cards.

• Barlo: A grizzled tabaxi barbarian who has been doing some work for a network that one should be wary of.
• Bastion: An orphan human who spent his life studying magic and blades, even though his elder pushed him away from the sword. He replaced Reginald.
• Calliope: This bardic faun joined the party late when she needed to find help to save her homeland.
• Reginald: A leonin cleric who was off to show his family's royal background and would later find out there were secrets leading to him becoming a king.
• Sas: A tortle hermit was given an item of power and a quest.
• Shadow in the Snow: This tabaxi got a coin, and her curiosity set her on a path.

🎬 Scenes

• Scene 1: Barlo's Backstory — From The Bronze Canyon in Kampos. Gave up Tabaxi name, "Smiles". Help move people. On way to Eushia to help Black Road with a client. Currently on ship near Carrune.
• Scene 2: Bastion's Backstory — When Bastion Bladesinger was very young he lost both of his parents to a plague. He took care of himself as he taught himself how to use the rapier his father once wore. He lived in Dyrt and watched all of the great knights. He also had an interest in the ways of magic and he wished he could do both – use swords and excel in magic – like many elves he had heard about.
• Scene 3: Calliope's Backstory — Calliope was born into the nestled highlands of the Oraniad Mountains. The Skola Vale, wild and free, blessed by the gods and inhabited by whimsical Satyr and Faun. Deep within it among the lush valley, reside the Dawngreets, a long generational line of storytellers and lore keepers.
• Scene 4: Reginald's Backstory — He was born at home, a modest-sized mansion where his family lived a modest means – even though his father could never stop talking about how they were royalty and yet this was the only lands they currently possess. His childhood was generally a happy one full of several friends. He was an only child.
• Scene 5: Sas' Backstory — Sas was born on the continent of Oth'Mar – a content mostly inhabited by Tortles and is far to the south of the Carrune Isles.
• Scene 6: Shadow's Backstory — Deep in the snowy mountains high in the north, there lived a large group of Tabaxi, The Blinding Wild Clan.

📜 Missions & Quests

• Completed:
  • Established individual party origins and initial connections to the world of Dierde.
• Active / Discovered Threads:
  • Barlo's ties to the smuggling rings and the Black Road.
  • Bastion's mysterious past and fallout with Grognard.
  • Calliope's quest to save the Skola Vale.
  • Reginald's pursuit of his family's royal mint commission and claim in Neyer.
  • Sas's vision of the Cat Goddess Bast and journey to find her lost lands.
  • Shadow's golden coin and mystical calling from her clan shaman.

NPCs

S094: Black Dragon Down

Date: 2025-11-08

Short

The party confronted the black dragon in its acidic lair after Vorn Daggerhand the tiefling rogue stole its protective orb, though his attempt to teleport away failed. In the ensuing battle across the treacherous cavern, Shadow's poisoned arrows and elemental spirit bloodied the dragon while Barlo climbed the central obelisk to attack from above, only to be knocked down sixty-five feet by a devastating wing strike. The dragon declared its alliance with Ursa ended before diving into the acidic waters, then emerged to unleash a breath weapon that severely burned Bastion, Sas, and the Zenthis. Bastion's prepared curse weakened the dragon's defenses at the crucial moment, and Sas's barrage of magical beams struck the killing blow, sending the creature crashing dead into the murky water as a pulse of blackened magic emanated from its corpse.

After the battle, Vorn Daggerhand revealed his shocking truth to the Aarakocra: he was actually a being from Earth inhabiting this realm's body, and he and his friend Pradam Estorich (known to the party as Pradam Estorich) were using the orb to power a device that could send them home. Vorn Daggerhand warned that Ursa would likely pursue the party before turning invisible and departing. The party explored the dragon's vast hoard aboard the half-sunken ship, discovering thousands of coins, gems, magical items including invisible bagpipes and a self-refilling quiver, and an unconscious tortured satyr. The Aarakocra brought them two black dragon eggs, which the party decided to destroy by dropping them from great height onto stone. The mystical cat Voltar appeared to retrieve his dice cubes from the treasure and used them to unlock Sas's Lost Library of Cagliostro, extracting a seed and scroll before offering to transport the party through the mist back to their ship The Audacity, where they began identifying their new magical items and preparing to rest.

Summary

The party stood in the black dragon's lair, a vast cavern filled with acidic water and shrouded in green mist. At its center rose a towering black obelisk, ancient and imposing, while a half-sunken ship rested in the corner, housing the dragon's protective orb within a strange apparatus of metal and crystals. Vorn Daggerhand, the tiefling rogue, had just picked the lock and stolen the orb, attempting to teleport away with a scroll, but the magic failed spectacularly, the parchment turning to ash in his hands. The dragon, now vulnerable without its magical shield, circled above while the party scrambled to engage it from their scattered positions across the treacherous terrain.

Calliope found herself stranded at the entrance, unable to see the battle through the thick mist and smoke. Desperate to signal her allies, she conjured a magical flare that burst into the air with a sharp sound, hoping someone would come to her aid. Meanwhile, Shadow's elemental spirit flew toward the dragon, striking it with powerful blows that connected solidly with its scaled hide. Shadow herself drank a healing potion before drawing a poison arrow and firing it with deadly precision, the projectile piercing the dragon's flesh and releasing a swarm that tore into the creature, leaving it bloodied and weakening. The dragon retaliated with a vicious swipe at the elemental spirit, its legendary reflexes allowing it to strike back even as it took damage.

Barlo climbed the massive pillar at the cavern's center, reaching the dragon's height and landing a hit that slowed its movement. But the dragon responded with a devastating wing attack, the force of the blow knocking Barlo from his perch and sending him plummeting sixty-five feet to the ground below. He crashed hard, the impact leaving him prone and battered. The dragon delivered a monologue, acknowledging the party's efforts and declaring that its alliance with Ursa had ended, before diving dramatically into the acidic waters and disappearing beneath the surface. Archers hidden in the caverns above fired arrows at the party, but their accuracy had diminished significantly, their magical advantage seemingly broken.

The Zenthis healed himself and confronted Vorn Daggerhand, demanding answers about his betrayal. Vorn Daggerhand explained that he had to take the orb for personal reasons but reaffirmed his commitment to fighting the dragon if he couldn't escape. He slid down the ship's mast with theatrical flair and took a hidden stance at the bottom, dagger ready. Sas attempted to strike the submerged dragon by firing beams of magical energy into the murky water, one of which successfully found its mark. Bastion prepared a curse to unleash the moment the dragon emerged, while the dragon's lair responded with a swarm of biting insects that filled the air around the ship, choking and stinging those caught within.

Calliope made a daring leap across the acidic water, using her bardic magic to extend her jump, though she still splashed into the corrosive liquid briefly before scrambling to safety. Shadow fired arrows into the water from above, striking the submerged dragon twice and causing movement in the depths. Barlo, from his vantage point atop the pillar, attempted to use a spectral hand to retrieve glimmers of treasure from the acidic depths, but the items were too far away, so he resorted to shouting taunts at the hidden dragon. Suddenly, the dragon burst from the water in a spray of acid, unleashing a devastating breath weapon in a sixty-foot line that melted parts of the ship's mast and severely burned Bastion, Sas, and the Aarakocra. Bastion's defensive magic flared, reducing the damage he took, while Sas bore the full brunt of the attack.

As the dragon emerged, Bastion's prepared curse took hold, weakening its defenses. Vorn Daggerhand struck with his dagger, and the Aarakocra flew out of the insect cloud, attempting to force the dragon into single combat with a divine challenge before slashing at it with his greatsword. Vorn Daggerhand threw a healing potion to Bastion and attempted to blast the dragon with fire, though his attacks missed. Sas moved to gain a clear line of sight and unleashed a barrage of magical beams, three of which struck the dragon with devastating force. Her final beam pierced the creature's hide, and the black dragon fell dead into the murky, acidic water. As it died, the swarming insects dissipated, and a pulse of magic emanated from the water, interacting with the party's silver flame essence and taking on a blackened hue. The cultists in the caverns above reacted to their master's death, some fleeing in fear while others debated attacking the party for their treasures.

After the battle, the Aarakocra helped transport party members across the acidic water to the ship. He confronted Vorn Daggerhand again, and the rogue revealed his true identity, a being from Earth inhabiting a body in this realm. He explained that he and his friend Pradam Estorich, whom the party knew as Pradam Estorich, were trying to return home using the orb to power a device Pradam Estorich had created. Vorn Daggerhand clarified that he didn't care for the realm's conflicts or treasures and warned the party that Ursa would likely come after them before casting a spell to turn invisible and departing to meet Pradam Estorich. Calliope used her healing magic to restore the party's vitality over several minutes, mending their wounds after the brutal fight.

The party then explored the dragon's hoard on the ship, discovering a vast amount of treasure including thousands of coins, numerous gems, art objects, and magical items. Among the horde, they found an unconscious satyr they had encountered before, who had been tortured by the dragon. They also discovered a room with a large creature's head on a slab, connected by metal pods and crystals to an unsettling jade-like rock. The treasure included potions, a magical pouch, dice cubes, enchanted bagpipes that turned invisible when played, a steel box containing a book on crafting and a sphere that could summon beasts, a quiver that refilled arrows, and many other wondrous items. The Aarakocra returned carrying two large black dragon eggs, warning the party of their danger and advising their destruction. The party decided to destroy the eggs, and the Aarakocra transformed into a giant eagle, carrying them high into the air before dropping them onto a stone pillar, where they shattered and released acidic remains.

The mystical starry cat, Voltar, appeared when Shadow called for the cats, asking if the party had found his cubes. He used his telekinetic powers to retrieve specific dice from the treasure and requested access to the Lost Library of Cagliostro, a book Sas carried. Voltar used the dice as keys to unlock the book and extract a seed and a scroll, which disappeared as they floated toward him. He explained his arrangement with Paradox and offered to transport the party back to their ship through the mist, warning their new companions to stay on the path. The party traveled through the mist and emerged on the main deck of their ship, The Audacity. Vorn Daggerhand expressed his relief and intent to meet Pradam Estorich, declining any treasure before departing invisibly. Barnaby 'Blink' Binkle and the Zenthis also left after a brief exchange. Back on their ship, the party began identifying their newly acquired items, learning about their magical properties and planning for the future as they prepared to rest and grow stronger from their harrowing experience.

Memorable Moments:

• Barlo's 65-foot fall from the pillar after a dragon's wing attack.
• Sas dealing the final blow to the black dragon with magical beams.
• Vorn Daggerhand revealing his true identity as a being from Earth.
• The Aarakocra destroying the dragon eggs by dropping them as a giant eagle.

Scenes

Dragon's Lair Confrontation

The party, joined by new allies, confronts a black dragon in its cavern lair, which features acidic water, a black obelisk, and a half-sunken ship. The dragon is protected by a magical orb, which a rogue ally attempts to steal, leading to a chaotic battle.

• The party faces a black dragon in a large cavern with acidic water covering the floor, a black obelisk in the center, and a half-sunken ship in the corner.
• The dragon is protected by a magical orb housed in an apparatus on the ship, which reduces damage taken and provides healing.
• A tiefling rogue ally picks the lock of the apparatus, removes the orb, and attempts to use a teleportation scroll to escape, but the spell fails and the scroll turns to ash.
• Calliope, positioned far from the main fight at the entrance, casts Prestidigitation to create a flare, signaling her location and need for assistance.
• Shadow's elemental spirit flies towards the dragon and strikes it multiple times with bludgeoning attacks.
• Shadow consumes a healing potion to recover from previous injuries.
• Shadow fires a poison arrow at the dragon, which pierces its scales and inflicts potent poison, causing the dragon to bleed profusely and become bloodied.
• The dragon retaliates with a legendary action, swiping at Shadow's elemental spirit and dealing damage.
• Barlo climbs a massive pillar in the cavern, attempting to reach the high-flying dragon and landing a hit that reduces its movement speed.
• The dragon uses a powerful wing attack, knocking Barlo off the pillar and sending him plummeting sixty-five feet to the ground, where he takes significant bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone.
• The black dragon delivers a monologue, acknowledging the party's efforts to remove its protective orb and declaring an end to its alliance with Ursa.
• The dragon dives dramatically into the acidic waters below, submerging itself.
• Archers hidden in the caverns above fire arrows at the party, but their accuracy is diminished, suggesting their magical advantage in seeing through the mist is gone.
• The Arakocra Paladin heals himself with a potion.
• The Arakocra confronts the tiefling rogue, questioning his loyalty and actions.
• The rogue explains his failed teleportation attempt and his need to leave for personal reasons, but reaffirms his commitment to fighting the dragon if he cannot escape, then slides down the ship's mast with a dagger and takes a hidden stance at the bottom.
• Sas attempts to hit the submerged dragon with Eldritch Blast, firing multiple beams into the murky water, with one beam successfully striking the hidden dragon.
• Bastion prepares to cast Hex, readying the spell for when the dragon emerges from the water.
• The black dragon unleashes a lair action, causing a cloud of swarming insects to erupt around the ship, lightly obscuring the area and affecting Sas, Bastion, and Shadow with biting and choking bugs.
• Calliope attempts a daring Mirthful Leap across the acidic water, using her bardic inspiration to extend her jump, but still takes acid damage upon landing before moving to safety.
• Shadow, now with a clearer shot, fires her longbow into the water, striking the submerged dragon twice and causing movement in the water.
• Barlo, from atop a pillar, attempts to use Mage Hand to retrieve glimmers of treasure from the acidic depths, but the hand cannot reach the distant items, so he shouts taunts at the dragon.
• The dragon bursts from the acidic water, unleashing a devastating acidic breath in a sixty-foot line towards Bastion, Sas, and the Aarakocra, melting parts of the ship's mast.
• Bastion, with the aid of silver flame healing triggered by his defensive abilities, partially evades the acid breath and takes reduced damage.
• Sas takes the full force of the acid breath, suffering fifty-eight points of damage.
• Bastion's Hex spell activates as the dragon emerges, cursing it with disadvantage on wisdom saves.
• Vorn Daggerhand, the tiefling rogue, having been ready with a held action, strikes the dragon with a dagger as it emerges.
• The Zenthis flies out of the insect cloud, uses Compelled Duel to attempt to force the dragon into a one-on-one engagement, then slashes at it with his greatsword but misses.
• Vorn Daggerhand throws a healing potion to Bastion and attempts to cast fire blasts, which miss, then flies out of the insect cloud.
• Sas moves to gain a clear line of sight and unleashes a barrage of Eldritch Blasts, with three of them striking the dragon.
• The final Eldritch Blast from Sas hits the black dragon, dealing the killing blow and causing it to fall dead into the murky, acidic water.
• As the dragon dies, the swarming insects dissipate, and a pulse of magic emanates from the water, interacting with the party's silver flame essence and taking on a blackened hue.
• The party hears the dragon's cultists in the caverns above reacting to its death, some considering attacking the party, others fleeing in fear.

Rogue's Revelation and True Identity

After the dragon's defeat, the Tiefling Rogue reveals his true identity as Vorn Daggerhand, a person from Earth who is sharing a body and is trying to get back home with his friend Pradam Estorich using the orb he acquired.

• The Zenthis helps transport party members across the acidic water to the ship.
• The Aarakocra confronts the tiefling rogue, demanding an explanation for his actions during the fight.
• The tiefling rogue confesses that his real name is Vorn Daggerhand, not the name of the body he inhabits, and that he is not from this realm but from Earth, specifically Hawkins, Indiana.
• Vorn Daggerhand explains he has been working with Ursa to acquire orbs, specifically to power a device created by his friend Pradam Estorich, known to the party as Pradam Estorich, to return to their home world.
• Vorn Daggerhand describes Earth and mentions a 'theme park' which was actually a portal, and explains that Pradam Estorich was transported to this realm after an incident there.
• Vorn Daggerhand clarifies that the orb he possesses is crucial for their return and that teleportation spells do not work reliably in this realm, which is why his scroll failed.
• He states that he doesn't care for the treasure and that his only goal is to get himself and Pradam Estorich home.
• Vorn Daggerhand mentions that Pradam Estorich escaped from Ursa and is in hiding, and they communicate through different means, and he is supposed to meet Pradam Estorich when he gets to the house.
• Barlo shouts questions across the water about what Vorn Daggerhand is talking about.

Healing and Hoard Discovery

The party heals their wounds and begins to explore the dragon's hoard on the ship, discovering a vast amount of treasure, an unconscious satyr, and mysterious items.

• Calliope uses Aura of Vitality to heal herself and her companions over multiple rounds, including Shadow, Bastion, and herself multiple times.
• Shadow and Calliope investigate the ship and surrounding area, discovering a large dragon horde.
• Among the horde, they find a pile of dead bodies with an unconscious satyr on top, previously encountered by the party, who was a follower of Clavizdan and had been tortured by the dragon.
• The party discovers a room with a large creature's head on a slab, connected by metal pods and crystals to a jade-like rock with an unsettling appearance.
• They find numerous items including two potions of acid resistance, a pouch of holding, various dice cubes (solid green residuum, blue with purple side, brown with cat faces, and wooden), a bagpipe with arcane symbols, and a steel box.
• The steel box contains 'The Artificer's Primer' and an Imprint Sphere (a 'Pokeball') with a riding horse imprint.
• Additional items include a hunter's quiver, two supreme healing potions, a Cape of the Mountebank, a broom, an Ioun stone of protection, a mantle of spell resistance, winged boots, a grasping whip, a ring of invisibility, a carpet of flying, a magic vial that produces honey, and a paper fan.
• The party finds a massive amount of coins: nine thousand two hundred copper, five thousand eight hundred silver, twenty-seven thousand gold, and three thousand nine hundred platinum.
• They also find numerous gems, art objects, and mundane items including a scroll praising the dragon, a hog's head cask with drinking water, a stuffed owlbear, a brass censor, an idol of Rexxar, and rations.

Dragon Eggs and Mysterious Revelations

The Aarakocra ally brings two black dragon eggs, prompting a discussion about their fate, while the Cosmic Cat Guide appears, revealing its true purpose and connection to Paradox and the party's quest.

• The Aarakocra returns, carrying two large black dragon eggs in his hands, suggesting the dragon had offspring, and mentions finding a third egg that was already cracked open.
• The party discusses the illegality and danger of the dragon eggs, with the Aarakocra advising their destruction.
• Calliope attempts to play the bagpipes, which unexpectedly turn invisible upon being played, producing sound without a visible instrument, causing amusement and confusion.
• Shadow asks about contacting the cats, and the Cosmic Cat Guide, Voltar, appears on the edge of the ship.
• Voltar asks if the party found his cubes and identifies specific dice from the treasure hoard.
• Voltar uses telekinesis to retrieve the brown dice cube with cat faces and the wooden dice cube from the party's pouch, which fade as they get close to him.
• Voltar reveals his arrangement with Paradox and his need for a specific book, 'The Lost Library of Cagliostro', which Sas possesses.
• Sas provides the book, and Voltar uses the cat-faced dice as a key to open it, revealing a concealed book inside.
• Voltar extracts a simple seed from the concealed book, which floats towards him and disappears.
• Voltar then uses the wooden dice to reopen the book, from which a scroll flies out, floats towards him, and also disappears.
• Voltar collects the dice, which also disappear, stating that he has everything he needed from the book.
• Voltar confirms he does not need to keep the book and will trust the party with it, as Paradox trusts them.
• Voltar offers to transport the party and their allies back to their ship using the mist.

Destroying the Eggs and Departure

The party decides to destroy the black dragon eggs, then uses the Cosmic Cat Guide's mist to return to their ship, where their temporary allies reveal their true intentions and depart.

• The party decides to destroy the black dragon eggs.
• Barlo attacks one of the dragon eggs with his claws, causing damage but not destroying it.
• The Aarakocra polymorphs into a giant eagle, takes both eggs high into the air (about two hundred feet), and drops them onto a central stone pillar.
• The eggs shatter upon impact, releasing acidic contents and revealing embryonic remains, confirming their destruction.
• The party conducts a final search of the cavern, noting the pervasive metal veins throughout and the obelisk's ancient placement, with stonework built around it.
• The party notices glimmers of treasure deep in the acidic water, far beyond reach.
• Voltar warns the new companions to stay on the path and not wander far as he leads them into the mist.
• The party travels through the mist and emerges on the main deck of their ship, The Audacity.
• Vorn Daggerhand, the tiefling rogue, expresses relief at being on the ship and his intent to meet Pradam Estorich.
• Barnaby 'Blink' Binkle, the gnome wizard, is seen with a Tenser's Floating Disk carrying treasure he had collected separately.
• The Zenthis offers to give Vorn Daggerhand a metal bar, but Vorn Daggerhand declines, saying he doesn't need any treasure as he's going home.
• Vorn Daggerhand warns the party that Ursa will probably come after them if she finds them.
• Vorn Daggerhand casts an invisibility spell and departs to meet Pradam Estorich.
• Barnaby 'Blink' Binkle asks if the party was curious about anything, and after a brief exchange, he and the Zenthis also leave the ship.

Item Identification and Future Plans

Back on their ship, the party begins to identify the numerous items they recovered from the dragon's hoard, learning about their magical properties and potential uses, and the session concludes with hints of future developments.

• Bastion attempts to back Artie into his just kicking it over there, and the saddlebags are allowed to go with Artie.
• The party discusses what to do with all the treasure and items, planning to use the portable hole and bags of holding to transport everything.
• The Dungeon Master identifies the two potions as acid resistance potions.
• A small pouch is identified as a Pouch of Holding, capable of holding thirty cubic feet or two hundred pounds with a five-inch opening.
• Two remaining dice cubes are identified: one solid green (residuum, a rare arcane material) and one blue with a purplish side.
• The bagpipes are identified as Bagpipes of Invisibility, which turn invisible when played.
• A steel box contains 'The Artificer's Primer', a fragile book that allows faster crafting for attuned spellcasters with proficiency, and includes recipes for various items.
• A black and red sphere is identified as an Imprint Sphere, a 'Pokeball' capable of summoning a beast (currently a riding horse), with the recipe for more found in the crafting book.
• A quiver is identified as a Hunter's Quiver, which can refill arrows by consuming five gold pieces.
• Other identified items include a Cape of the Mountebank, a Broom of Flying (humorously called a Broom of Cleaning), an Ioun Stone of Protection, a Mantle of Spell Resistance, Winged Boots, a Grasping Whip, a Ring of Invisibility, a Carpet of Flying (five feet by seven feet), a magic vial that produces one pound of honey per hour (maximum one pound per day), and a paper fan that extinguishes non-magical fires.
• The Dungeon Master notes the high quantity of items was due to a successful investigation roll and mentions feeling the party was due for good loot after several sessions without significant rewards.
• The party discusses their encumbrance and how to transport all the treasure, mentioning the portable hole and various bags.
• The Dungeon Master mentions that some party members will receive prophetic dreams before leveling up.
• The session concludes with the party back on their ship, having acquired significant treasure, and the DM announces that the party will level up, as promised by the power Bast had granted them.

Memorable Moments

Barlo is knocked 65 feet from a massive pillar by the black dragon's devastating wing attack

During the intense battle in the dragon's lair

Sas unleashes a barrage of magical beams, piercing the black dragon's hide and dealing the final killing blow

Ending the grueling battle against the black dragon

Vorn Daggerhand reveals he is actually a being from Earth inhabiting a body in this realm, trying to return home

Explaining his betrayal and theft of the orb to the party after the battle

The Aarakocra transforms into a giant eagle and drops two black dragon eggs onto a stone pillar to destroy them

Preventing the dangerous eggs from hatching after discovering them in the dragon's hoard

NPCs

Irgish the Illustrious

A formidable adult black dragon, the primary antagonist of the encounter. Cunning and aware of his enemies' tactics, he was protected by a magical orb that reduced incoming damage and healed him. He is capable of flight, powerful melee attacks, wing attacks, acidic breath weapons, and lair actions involving swarming insects. He acknowledged the party's efforts to remove his protective orb and declared an end to his alliance with Ursa before diving into acidic water for cover. He was ultimately defeated and fell into the acidic water, releasing a pulse of magic upon his death that interacted with the party's silver flame essence.

Vorn Daggerhand (Tiefling Rogue)

Initially appearing as a tiefling rogue working for Ursa, he is revealed to be a being from Earth (Hawkins, Indiana) inhabiting a body in this realm to find his friend Pradam Estorich, also known as Pradam Estorich. He is skilled at lock-picking and attempted to steal the dragon's protective orb to power a device for his escape, but his teleportation spell failed. He is pragmatic and focused on his personal mission, not caring for the realm's conflicts or treasures. He assisted in combat by striking the dragon with a dagger and throwing a healing potion to Bastion. After the dragon's defeat, he warned the party about Ursa and departed by casting an invisibility spell to meet Pradam Estorich.

Zenthis

An ally working for Ursa, sent to assist in confronting the dragon. He is a paladin who actively participates in combat, using his greatsword and attempting to compel the dragon into a duel with Compelled Duel. He heals himself with potions, confronts Vorn Daggerhand about his loyalty and actions, and helps transport party members across the acidic water. After the dragon's defeat, he retrieves two black dragon eggs and advises their destruction. He later polymorphs into a giant eagle to destroy the eggs and departs with the gnome wizard.

Barnaby 'Blink' Binkle (Gnome Wizard)

An ally working for Ursa, sent to assist in confronting the dragon. He is a wizard who casts spells to aid in the fight and is present during combat and subsequent revelations. He finds additional coins in the hoard and uses Tenser's Floating Disk to carry treasure. He departs with the Zenthis after the dragon's defeat.

Archers

Cultists loyal to the black dragon, firing arrows from hidden positions in the caverns above. Their accuracy diminished significantly after the dragon was heavily injured, suggesting their magical advantage in seeing through the mist was broken or their morale was shattered. After the dragon's death, some considered attacking the party for their treasures, while others fled in fear.

Satyr

A familiar figure from the party's past, previously encountered in the portal room where he jumped off a bridge. He is found unconscious among a pile of dead bodies in the dragon's hoard, revealed to have been a follower of Clavizdan and the last victim tortured by the dragon.

Cosmic Cat Guide (Voltar)

A mystical, starry-looking cat who appears when Shadow asks about contacting the cats. He communicates telepathically, uses telekinesis to retrieve items, and is involved in an arrangement with Paradox. He needed specific dice cubes and items from The Lost Library of Cagliostro (a seed and a scroll) to fulfill his purpose. He advises the party on the dragon eggs, warning they lead to nothing good, and transports the party back to their ship through the mist, warning newcomers to stay on the path.

Pradam Estorich (Pradam Estorich)

Vorn Daggerhand's friend from Earth who was transported to this realm after an incident at a 'theme park' (portal). He worked with Ursa to understand the local magic and the power of the orbs, then escaped and is now in hiding, planning to meet Vorn Daggerhand to return home using the device he created.

Locations

Black Dragon's Cavern

A vast, dangerous cavern characterized by a floor of acidic water, a towering black obelisk at its center, and a large, half-sunken ship in the corner. The air is thick with the dragon's presence, the acrid smell of acid, and green mist that obscures vision. Metal veins run throughout the cavern walls, and the stonework appears to have been built around the ancient obelisk. During combat, the dragon's lair actions filled the area with clouds of swarming insects.

Half-Sunken Ship

A large vessel partially submerged in the acidic waters of the dragon's cavern. It served as the location where a protective orb shielded the dragon, housed in an apparatus made of strange metal and crystals. Its mast provides a vantage point and was used by the rogue to slide down dramatically. The ship contains the dragon's vast treasure hoard and has a hole in the back, with the rogue positioned on the lower deck.

The Audacity

The party's ship, currently docked in Thornwinds,, to which they are transported by the Cosmic Cat Guide after the dragon's defeat and treasure collection. It serves as a safe haven where the party regroups, their temporary allies depart, and they begin identifying their newly acquired items.

Items

Ruled Orb

A magical orb housed in an apparatus made of strange metal and crystals on the half-sunken ship. It was used by the black dragon to protect itself, reducing damage taken and providing healing. The tiefling rogue picked the lock, removed it, and kept it to power a device to return to his home world, Earth.

Obsidian Dragon Skull Pins

Pins found on dead lizardmen that were necessary to access the tunnels leading to the dragon's lair.

Teleportation Scroll

A magical scroll used by the tiefling rogue in an attempt to teleport away with the stolen orb. The spell failed, turning the scroll to ash and leaving the rogue stranded, demonstrating that teleportation spells do not work reliably in this realm.

Healing Potion

Magical concoctions used by Shadow, the Zenthis, and thrown by the tiefling rogue to Bastion to restore vitality during combat. A minor healing potion restores two d4 plus two hit points, while a regular healing potion restores four d4 plus four hit points.

Poison Arrow

An arrow imbued with potent poison, used by Shadow to attack the black dragon. It inflicted significant damage, released a swarm that further injured the creature, and caused the dragon to become bloodied.

Dragon Horde

A vast collection of treasure found within the black dragon's lair on the ship, including nine thousand two hundred copper pieces, five thousand eight hundred silver pieces, twenty-seven thousand gold pieces, and three thousand nine hundred platinum pieces, along with numerous gems, art objects, and various magical and mundane items. Much of it was submerged in acidic water at unreachable depths.

Jade-like Rock (Creepy No Thank You Rock)

A peculiar rock found on a small table next to a large creature's head on a slab, described as having folds and other gemstone-like inclusions, giving it an unsettling appearance. It was connected to the creature's head by metal pods and crystals.

Potions of Acid Resistance

Two potions found within the dragon's horde that grant resistance to acid damage.

Pouch of Holding

A magical pouch with a five-inch by five-inch opening that can hold up to thirty cubic feet of material or two hundred pounds.

Dice Cubes

A collection of four dice cubes found in a pouch: one solid green (residuum, a rare arcane material used for crafting and replacing material components), one blue with a purplish side, one brown with cat faces on all six sides (taken by Voltar), and one wooden cube (taken by Voltar). The cat-faced and wooden dice were used by Voltar as keys to unlock The Lost Library of Cagliostro.

Bagpipes of Invisibility

A musical instrument with arcane symbols that turns invisible when played, allowing the sound to be heard without the instrument being seen, creating a humorous and perplexing situation.

Steel Box

A protective container found in the horde, holding The Artificer's Primer and an Imprint Sphere.

The Artificer's Primer

A fragile book found within the steel box that allows a spellcaster with proficiency in their skill to craft items faster if they attune to it. It contains recipes for various items, including Imprint Spheres.

Imprint Sphere

A black and red sphere, separated by a thin white wall, found in the steel box. It functions like a 'Pokeball', allowing an adventurer to imprint and summon beast spirits. This particular sphere currently contains the imprint of a riding horse. The recipe for making more of these spheres is found in The Artificer's Primer. It can be used once per day to summon the imprinted beast, which has a telepathic bond with the user within one hundred feet.

Hunter's Quiver

A quiver that holds twenty arrows with a side pocket. If five gold pieces are placed in the pocket, it refills any empty arrow slots, though this is more expensive than purchasing arrows normally.

Supreme Healing Potions

Two powerful healing potions found in the dragon's horde.

Cape of the Mountebank

A mystical-looking cape found in the horde, a traditional magic item.

Broom of Flying

A special-looking broom found in the horde that is capable of flight, humorously referred to as a Broom of Cleaning.

Ioun Stone of Protection

A small blue stone that fits in one's hand, found in the horde, providing protection.

Mantle of Spell Resistance

A small cape-like mantle found in the horde that provides resistance to spells.

Winged Boots

A fancy pair of black boots found in the horde that grant the wearer the ability to fly.

Grasping Whip

A curious whip found in the horde with special properties, likely related to grappling or restraining targets.

Ring of Invisibility

A simple golden ring found in the horde that grants invisibility to the wearer.

Carpet of Flying

A cool-looking carpet, five feet by seven feet in size, found in the horde, capable of flight.

Magic Vial

A vial found in the horde that produces one pound of honey per hour, up to a maximum of one pound per day, regardless of whether it is corked.

Paper Fan

A cool paper fan found in the horde that, when used, produces no breeze but can extinguish any non-magical fire.

Black Dragon Eggs

Two large, oblong orbs, each about three feet tall and weighing one hundred fifty pounds, discovered by the Zenthis. They are identified as black dragon eggs, considered illegal and dangerous. The party destroys them by dropping them from a great height, causing them to shatter and release acidic embryonic remains. A third egg was found already cracked open, with the hatchling's whereabouts unknown.

The Lost Library of Cagliostro

A special book that Sas carries, which Vecna desires. The Cosmic Cat Guide uses it with specific dice cubes as keys to extract a simple seed and a scroll from hidden compartments within concealed books inside it. The book is entrusted to the party by Paradox.

Simple Seed

An item extracted by Voltar from a concealed book within The Lost Library of Cagliostro, which floats towards him and disappears upon contact.

Scroll (from The Lost Library)

An item extracted by Voltar from The Lost Library of Cagliostro using the wooden dice as a key, which floats towards him and disappears upon contact.

Saddlebags

Saddlebags that were attached to Artie, which are allowed to go with him when he is baked into his just kicking it over there state.

Mundane Items

Various mundane items found in the hoard including a scroll with a long epic poem in praise of the dragon, a hog's head (a large cask) containing sixty-five gallons of clean drinking water, a stuffed owlbear, a hunting trophy, a brass censor, an idol of Rexxar, and a bunch of rations.

Gems and Art Objects

Numerous gems and art objects found in the hoard, including a necklace, an abstract spiral sculpture, a little bronze crown, an ivory drinking horn, and a brass mug.

Spells

Fly

A spell that grants the ability of flight. Calliope previously had it active but lost concentration. She later considered casting it on herself using her pan flute, but realized she had already used the flute for a different spell that day.

Prestidigitation

A minor magical effect cast by Calliope to create a flare in the sky with a sound component, signaling her position and calling for help from her distant location in the cavern.

Polymorph

A powerful transformation spell considered by Calliope to turn into a T-Rex for combat, but she hesitated due to its high spell slot cost and her current distance from the dragon. Later used by the Zenthis to transform into a giant eagle to carry and destroy the black dragon eggs from a great height.

Eldritch Blast

A magical attack spell cast by Sas, firing beams of force energy. It was used to target the submerged black dragon through the acidic water and obscured conditions, with multiple beams successfully striking it. The final Eldritch Blast delivered the killing blow to the dragon.

Hex

A spell prepared and readied by Bastion to be cast on the black dragon as soon as it reappeared from the water. It was successfully activated when the dragon emerged, cursing it with disadvantage on wisdom saving throws.

Mirthful Leap

A bardic ability used by Calliope to make a long jump across the acidic water, using her movement and bardic inspiration to extend the distance, though she still took acid damage upon landing before moving to safety.

Mage Hand

A spectral hand conjured by Barlo to attempt to retrieve glimmers of treasure from the acidic water, but it was unable to reach the distant items as they were beyond its thirty-foot range.

Acid Breath

A devastating attack unleashed by the black dragon, exhaling a sixty-foot line of corrosive acid that melted parts of the ship's mast and severely damaged party members, dealing fifty-eight to fifty-nine points of damage to those who failed their saving throws.

Compelled Duel

A spell cast by the Zenthis as a bonus action, attempting to force the black dragon into a one-on-one combat engagement by making it fail a wisdom saving throw.

Fire Blasts

Magical attacks attempted by the tiefling rogue from his hands, which missed their target, indicating either a lack of skill or the challenging combat conditions.

Haste

A spell effect that Sas still benefits from during combat, granting her increased speed (doubled movement) and an additional action on each turn, which she uses to unleash more Eldritch Blasts.

Shield of Faith

A protective spell effect that the Zenthis had previously cast on Sas, providing a plus two AC bonus. He drops this spell concentration to use other abilities.

Feather Fall

A reaction spell mentioned as potentially usable to slow a fall, though it was noted that it only works on creatures, not objects like the dragon's corpse.

Aura of Vitality

Cast by Calliope, this spell creates a thirty-foot radius aura of healing energy around her that moves with her. It requires concentration for up to one minute and allows her to use a bonus action to heal one creature in the aura (including herself) for two d6 hit points. She used it ten times to heal multiple party members and allies after the battle.

Tenser's Floating Disk

A spell cast by the gnome wizard Barnaby 'Blink' Binkle to create an invisible disc that floats and carries treasure, aiding in the transportation of the hoard.

Invisibility

A spell cast by Vorn Daggerhand, the tiefling rogue, as he departs the ship, making him invisible and allowing him to leave unnoticed to meet Pradam Estorich.

Dragon's Breath

A spell previously given to Barlo, though its specific use in this session is not detailed beyond its mention.

Classic

Last we left off, our adventurers found themselves deep within the black dragon's lair, a treacherous cavern of acidic waters and choking mist. Vorn Daggerhand, the tiefling rogue, had just stolen the dragon's protective orb from its crystalline apparatus, but his escape scroll failed catastrophically, leaving the party to face the now-vulnerable beast. What followed was a brutal battle across the hazardous terrain—Shadow's poisoned arrows tore into the dragon's hide, Barlo was sent plummeting from the central obelisk by a devastating wing attack, and the creature dove beneath the acidic depths only to emerge with a breath weapon that nearly incinerated half the party. Through coordinated strikes and Bastion's weakening curse, Sas delivered the killing blow with a barrage of magical beams, sending the black dragon to its final rest in the murky waters below.

In the aftermath, Vorn Daggerhand revealed a shocking truth to the Zenthis—he was not of this realm at all, but a being from Earth inhabiting this body, desperately seeking to return home with his friend Pradam Estorich, whom the party knew as Pradam Estorich. The orb was meant to power their escape device, and Vorn Daggerhand made it clear he cared nothing for this world's conflicts before vanishing invisibly to reunite with his companion. The party then explored the dragon's vast hoard aboard the half-sunken ship, discovering thousands in coin, powerful magical items including invisible bagpipes and a self-refilling quiver, and even two black dragon eggs that the Aarakocra insisted be destroyed. After shattering the eggs and encountering the mystical cat Voltar—who retrieved his dice cubes and extracted mysterious items from Sas's Lost Library—the party was transported through the mist back to their ship, The Audacity.

Now, with their new treasures identified and their temporary allies departed into the night, the party stands aboard their vessel, forever changed by what they've learned and what they've gained, as new questions about Vorn Daggerhand, Pradam Estorich, and the forces gathering against them loom on the horizon...

Snarky

Our intrepid adventurers faced off against a black dragon in its acidic lair, and honestly, things went about as smoothly as you'd expect when your rogue steals the dragon's protective orb and then immediately fails to teleport away—because apparently Vorn Daggerhand's escape plan was "hope this random scroll works" and the universe said "absolutely not." The party proceeded to absolutely demolish this dragon through a combination of poison swarms, magical beams, and Barlo literally falling 65 feet off a pillar (which somehow wasn't even the worst thing that happened to him). The dragon gave a dramatic villain monologue about breaking ties with Ursa before diving into its own acidic pool like some kind of scaly drama queen, only to emerge moments later and get absolutely wrecked by Sas's magic beams until it died in the same toxic water it called home.

BUT WAIT—in the aftermath, Vorn Daggerhand revealed he's actually a person from EARTH who's been body-snatching his way through this fantasy realm with his buddy Pradam Estorich (aka Pradam Estorich), and they just want to use the dragon orb to power their interdimensional Uber home, which means this entire dragon heist was basically just two homesick dudes trying to hotwire a portal. The party then looted an absolutely ridiculous dragon hoard, destroyed two dragon eggs by having a giant eagle drop them like the world's most dangerous omelet, and got a visit from Voltar the mystical cat who used magic dice as keys to unlock a book and steal a seed, because apparently this campaign needed MORE inexplicable plot threads. They all teleported back to their ship through mysterious mist, and Vorn Daggerhand peaced out invisibly to meet his Earth buddy, leaving everyone else to sort through their magical loot and contemplate how their lives got this weird.

Middle English

Harken well, ye gentlefolk brave,
Of heroes bold who did engage
A dragon black within its cave,
Where acid pooled and mists did rage!
Vorn Daggerhand the rogue did steal the orb so bright,
But magick failed him in his plight.

The dragon fell from Shadow's arrow keen,
With poison'd swarm that tore its hide,
Whilst Barlo climbed the pillar's sheen,
Then tumbled down from wing-strike wide.
The beast did dive beneath the brine,
And archers' aim no longer fine.

From acidic depths it rose again,
With breath that melted mast and bone,
Yet Bastion's curse did bring it pain,
And Sas's beams did strike it down.
The dragon perished in the flood,
Its essence mixed with silver'd blood.

Vorn Daggerhand revealed his earthly soul,
With friend called Pradam Estorich sought to flee,
The orb would make their passage whole,
From this realm to cross the sea.
The party claimed the dragon's hoard,
With gems and magicks for reward.

The starry cat Voltar appeared,
To claim his cubes of mystic might,
He oped the book the party feared,
And took his seed into the night.
Through mists they traveled to their ship,
Thus endeth this most perilous trip!

Limerick

Vorn Daggerhand picked the lock with great care,
But his teleport scroll failed in the air.
The dragon they fought,
Its orb had been caught,
And Shadow's swarm left it threadbare!

The dragon struck Barlo with might,
Sent him tumbling from pillar's great height.
It dove in the pool,
Then rose, breathing cruel,
'Til Sas's beams ended the fight!

Vorn Daggerhand revealed he was not of this place,
From Earth he had come to this space.
With Pradam Estorich he'd flee,
The orb was the key,
Then vanished without leaving trace!

The hoard held such treasures galore,
Gems, potions, and magical lore.
Dragon eggs black as night,
The eagle took flight,
And smashed them on stone evermore!

Then Voltar the cat did appear,
His dice cubes he wanted quite near.
He unlocked the book,
A seed and scroll took,
And sent them through mist without fear!

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16