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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gradine" data-source="post: 7312561" data-attributes="member: 57112">Dreams in the CloudsA 5e Eberron adventure for mid-level explorersHarbingerCrude MapConvergence of CloudsFatal FlawCompromised PositionFairy TaleLoaded DiceHookA mysterious traveler carries a map for sale, claiming it leads to a motherlode of dragonshards. However, he has been refusing to sell the map directly to House Tharashk’s prospectors, only offering it to groups of experienced adventurers and explorers. The PCs might purchase the map on their own, or a Tharashk representative might hire the PCs to buy the map and scout out the location themselves, offering them the seed money for the map and a cut of any potential profits.The traveler is an eladrin agent of the Prince of Sweet Dreams, disguised as an Aereni Elf. He insists that those who claim the map will reap a great reward of dragonshards, and this is the truth. The map is well-detailed, but does not lead directly to any motherlode. Adventurers who follow the path described find themselves unwittingly passing through the barrier to the fey plane of Thelanis, in the Expanse of Reveries.Expanse of ReveriesThe Expanse is a realm of eternal dusk, inhabited primarily by woodland animals and Eladrin. Stars twinkle brightly in the fair skies, and almost seem to move and shine to form various shapes and constellations. Thirteen moons shine through night sky. All creatures, even elves, can sleep and dream within the Expanse.The map changes within the Expanse. Gone are the well-detailed elevations, replaced instead with what appears to be a child’s drawing of trees, hills, and rivers. The name “The Expanse of Reveries” is written at the top in a flourished, if somewhat crude, font. Three other features stand out: a trio of massive soaring redwoods (which can be spotted in the distance) labeled the Slumber Spires; beyond that a crystalline palace labeled the Somnolent Citadel, and a dark cloud (which can also be spotted far in the distance) labeled Gathering Storm. Faint thunder can be heard from that cloud, and as time passes it grows larger and closer to the Spires and Citadel, changes which also reflect on the map.The Expanse operates under dream logic. The gorgeous landscape looks like a painting, and in fact close examination of plants or flowers reveals what look like brush strokes. Locations may change suddenly, making retracing one’s steps impossible. One can arrive at a destination simply by wishing it, so travel is (or at least feels) quite short. Slumber SpiresThe Slumber Spires are home to mostly eladrin, but other fey creatures as well. The vast majority of them are asleep, drifting slowly through the air around the spires. Some appear to be having a fitful rest, and there is concern among the awake regarding the dark cloud in the distance. These fey pay homage to the Prince of Sweet Dreams and the Lady of Fantasy, who reside within the Somnolent Citadel. Somnolent CitadelThe Citadel is home to the Prince of Sweet Dreams and the Lady of Fantasy, archfey and the rulers of this realm. The Lady always sleeps, and the Prince is always awake, providing sweet dreams to the sleepers of this land (any creature who completes a Long Rest and sleeps has wonderful dreams, and awakes with Inspiration). The Prince has been seeking adventurers to explore the approaching dark cloud, which he fears will bring a terrible storm. The distant thunder is already causing the Lady to stir in her slumber. The Prince explains that this realm is a creation of the Lady, who has dreamed the Expanse and most of its inhabitants into existence. If the storm reaches the Citadel, the Lady will awaken, the dream will end, and the Expanse and everyone within it will cease to exist. The Prince promises a great reward, as well as safe passage back to Eberron, to any adventurers who offer to help save the Expanse.Gathering StormMore dark clouds roll in from the distance, merging with the Gathering Storm as the storm itself continues to grow in intensity, the rain growing heavier, the lightning and thunder more frequent. In fact, one can hear thunder without lightning, and what almost sounds like loud, deep laughter from high above. Adventurers who desire to find a means to explore the clouds above will find a herd of tame griffons grazing nearby, willing and able to fly them above. A herd of manticores attack any riders who approach the cloud.Crystal KeepAtop the cloud is a massive floating fortress known as the Crystal Keep. While the keep itself is made of stone, it is adorned on every wall and tower with gleaming crystals the PCs should recognize as dragonshards of every type. The Keep is home to Duke Goffroc, the leader of a community of cloud giants who have been trapped in Thelanis since before the fall of the Giants of Xen’Drik. The giants have not aged, and have not even really noted the passage of time. As far as they are aware, they are still in Xen’Drik, at the height of their empire. They will refuse to believe anything otherwise.Goffroc has called a gathering of other cloud giants, who have been arriving one-by-one on solid cloud transports. The gathering is a festival of sorts, with feasting and song and dancing (quite loudly), but the highlight for these giants are games of chance. In particular, the Duke himself has been engaged in a game of dice with Baron Zeckran, and the pot has grown quite large, large enough to either ruin Zeckran with a loss, or potentially challenge Goffroc for leadership with a win. In particular, Zeckran is angling for Goffroc’s Eye of Dragons, a Syberis dragonshard roughly the size of a halfling child, embedded in Goffroc’s golden, gem-studded mask. It is the symbol of his wealth and claim to leadership. The shard itself would be worth a small fortune back in Eberron, to say nothing of the mask itself.The giants are accustomed to ignoring smallfolk, and the Drow servants are extremely flustered with all of the activity, and may be willing to refuse to raise an alarm if the PCs promise to help with a few mundane tasks. If the giants notice the PCs they will demand tribute, in the form of gems, jewelry, precious metals or dragonshards, but will not be hostile unless tribute is refused, or they are caught stealing.  Goffroc and Zeckran have been playing a game of dragondice (constructed from the bodies of modrons) that has gone on for three days. Zeckran’s dice are loaded, weighted so that he always rolls high. Goffroc has been playing fair and square, but the nature of the Expanse of Reveries has meant that he has always rolled exactly what he’s needed when he’s needed it. They alternate between play and rest every hour.Both giants seek to enlist the aid of the PCs in private once they become aware of them, and both will offer a horde of dragonshards and a promise to leave the Expanse in exchange for such help. Goffroc is convinced Zeckran is cheating; Zeckran wants help beating Goffroc, or failing that, stealing the Eye for him. As long as the game continues, however, the storm continues to grow and approach the Citadel.ResolutionThere are numerous ways to resolve the giants’ game:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Revealing that Zeckran has been cheating will cause him to forfeit the game and his share of the stash, and earn him the scorn of his comrades (moreso for getting caught than for cheating).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Zeckran has also been sleeping with Goffroc’s wife Aughra, and can be caught in the act. Revealing to Goffroc that Aughra is cheating on him will cause him to grow despondent, and lose the dice game on his next throw. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Revealing that it is Zeckran who has been sleeping with her will cause Goffric to fly into a rage and attack him, killing him easily without interference. Goffroc will then kick everyone out and float away in his keep, causing the storm to disperse.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">PCs who attempt to steal the Eye of Dragons will note that it contains a large gash on its back where it had been inset into Goffroc’s mask. This imperfection in Goffroc’s crown jewel will cause a major scandal (so much so that Zeckran will insist the PCs return the Eye so he can reveal it himself); the crystal’s perfection is the symbol of Goffroc’s power. If revealed, the festival will descend into chaos as the giants fight over leadership. Goffroc will likely be the first to fall. Those giants who survive the melee will flee to gather strength and allies, and the newly liberated Drow will promise to steer the Keep far away from where anyone will find it.</li> </ul>The Prince will grant each adventurer his Boon of Sweet Dreams (for 30 days, gain Inspiration from every long rest) and puts the party to sleep. They awake back in Eberron. The map changes again; it’s now a gorgeous drawing of the Expanse; a keep on the clouds overlooking a crystalline citadel and three tall feyspires.</blockquote>

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