Let's Play #2 Goodman Games DCC53
Sellswords of Punjar (Level 1)
Sellswords of Punjar (Level 1)
Session 3.
Encounter #13 The Shadow Dragon.
[sblock=The Map]
[/sblock]
Onto the roof of the now unstable tower, the adventurers scatter as the entire structure lurches hard left, which leaves a great ragged rent in the center of the fortification. The guys are above the roofs of the slums, and before them- facing away from them, is the recently birthed Shadow Dragon (or Umbra Drake), trying desperately to take to the air. The ferocious creature is being prevented from fleeing by an incredibly thin filament of shadow which leads all the way down to the Beggar King who holds tight with his deathgrip.
[sblock=The Shadow Dragon]
[/sblock]
The Bad Guys... 750 XP Level 4 Encounter.
Shadow Dragon Level 3 Solo Lurker
[sblock=The Monster Manual]
[/sblock]
Erais stops muttering his prayers and begins yelling them- each of the adventurers is briefly encased in a glowing shimmering force field, the Sunlord’s Shield of Faith.
Tira’s Eldritch Blast and Riardon’s Twin Strike all target the shadow dragon; alas only one of the ranger’s arrows manages to find the mark- the creature turns to see…
Kathra charges, leaping the rift in the center of the tower, and attempts to smash her warhammer in to the dragon; the shadowy menace alas proves to be a dextrous beast and avoids the dwarf’s blow.
Erais hits the thing with her Divine Glow, burning a small portion of the shadow away, the Sunlord follows up with his Lance of Faith (after an Action Point)- but again the dragon dodges aside.
Tira is all action but no menace- the tiefling Curses and then launches her Witchfire followed by Blazing Starfall (Action Point)- neither of her powers make a mark on the umbral beast.
Tira, whisper this, is dice-cursed.
The large drake lurches around, its tail lashing out and sending Kathra spinning, the dwarf is knocked prone, she looks up to see the dark dragon’s head- jaws wide, the creature bites down, at the last moment Kathra rolls aside.
Riardon scurries back- keeping his distance from the beast, the eladrin fires twice again, his Twin Strike- both arrows hit with devastating effects, punching great holes in the beast.
Riardon rolls max damage on his first hit and a Critical hit for his second arrow.
Kathra leaps to her feet Unstoppable, and slams her warhmmer… but no, she misses again, the dwarf growls her anger and hatred.
Erais’ Lance of Faith shoots well wide while Tira at last smashes the dragon with her Cursed Eldritch Blast- the tiefling teleports away from the creature with her Ethereal Stride.
But not far enough away.
Kathra and Tira are suddenly engulfed in a shadowy mist as the umbral drake breathes down on the pair- the dwarf is unaffected but Tira is left blinded and staggering. The dragon’s tail sweeps around but Kathra leaps just in time, she likewise avoids a second bite attack (Dragon with an Action Point).
Riardon fires again- another hit.
Kathra fights back at last- smashes her warhammer in to the shadowy creature, her Tide of Iron also pushes the creature back- away from her friends. The dragon emits a piercing scream, furious and bloodied.
Erais fails again with his Lance of Faith, the blind Tira continues to take necrotic damage- her Eldritch Blast is way off target also- the tiefling cannot lift the veil of shadow which fogs her vision.
The dragon comes again, and breathes again- the same pair are caught in her gasp, but again it’s only the tiefling that is affected. The foul creature rages, Kathra jumps over another Tail Swipe and dodges the dragon’s Bite.
That was the second Action Point for the Shadow Dragon- one hit on Tira, and of the other three dice rolls the highest was a ‘3’.
Riardon fires two arrows again- the eladrin’s missiles rip through the shadow creature.
Riardon again manages to roll maximum damage on his first attack, and then maximum damage on his Critical hit second attack.
Kathra smashes the dragon again, the creature staggers, shudders and mewls like a kitten.
Erais’ Lance of Faith (if at first you do not succeed etc.) shreds one of the creature’s wings, the Sunlord waves his holy symbol in Tira’s direction and suddenly the tiefling can see again.
Just in time… the Cursed dragon is engulfed by her Eldritch Blast, it staggers.
But is not yet done… the shadowy breath comes again and this time its Kathra that is hurt, and floundering- blind; Tira escapes the blast.
Riardon’s arrows flash wide.
The dragon growls and makes ready to launch its attack.
Kathra blindly swipes and smashes the beast; the dwarf shakes her head and the mist clears- she can see again.
Erais and Tira fire their magic in to the fracas, and again their aim is off.
The umbral drake tries again with its Tail Slap and Bite attacks, both aimed at Kathra, but somehow, the dwarf is too quick for the beast.
How can that be? Aaaaarrrghhh!
Riardon aims, and fires- one moment the great drake is there, the next moment the shadow, patterned with a myriad rents and gashes, is gone.
The shadow dragon is destroyed- a loud moan echoes up from below the last mote of life leaves the creature that was the Beggar King.
750 XP Level 4 Encounter.
Shadow Dragon Level 3 Solo Lurker
Comment: That was slim pickings... And felt a little cheap in the way of a climax, however (and serious now), it didn't detract too much from what was an excellent scenario. Also it could have proved to be an excellent denouement if it wasn't for the fact that no-one (with perhaps the exception of Riardon) seemed to be able to connect with the dragon.
That said, if I was going to play this scenario again I'd beef up the Shadow Dragon a little, or else have a few versions to hand- depending on how the PCs were situated Power and HP wise.
Last edited: