TOPIC: Odyssey of the Dragonlords

Shipwreck Survivors
Four people were found floating at sea, clinging to wooden wreckage – all that was left of their ship following a storm. The four were outsiders to Thylea – Dengran (ship’s captain), Quinn (condescending and demanding nobleman), Heliope (female with a thirst for knowledge) and Rutger (a silent, brooding dwarf).

Too Many Captains
As Ezrael strutted the deck of the Ultros giving his orders, Dengran followed behind repeating each order and adding his own little extras. Ryu (also a ship’s captain, but currently devoid of a ship) looked on with interest. The captains became annoyed with each other, and an argument ensued which only ended when Ryu wounded Dengran with his sword.

Quinn Gets his Wish
Even more annoying was the rescued noble, Quinn; whose incessant demands became unbearable. He demanded to be immediately taken to the nearest land mass. Castor ensured that Quinn got his wish – and the crew of the Ultros abandoned Quinn on a small rock in the middle of the Forgotten Sea.

The Island of the Dragon
Six days after leaving the Golden Heart, the Ultros sailed into a lagoon off the shore of the Island of the Dragon. This is known to be the lair of Hexia, the green dragon who stole Ophea (Castor’s mother) away from Pythor many years ago. The island is thick with a jungle of trees and undergrowth.

The Elves
Elves (feral in look and nature) surprise the heroes in the jungle but become quite excited when they come to believe that the heroes have been sent by the gods. Their saviours have come! The night is partied away in the heroes’ honour, with roasted game, homebrewed grog and naked drunken dancing around the campfire. Ezrael makes friends with two female elves who show him a good time.

The Morning After the Night Before
As day breaks, the heroes slowly open their eyes, bad heads and stomachs don’t stop the elves from proclaiming the new day to be the day of their deliverance. They proclaim that the heroes are here to slay the dragon!! Hooray!! They didn't bother to consult the heroes about this first. It seems the dragon, Hexia, who lairs on a mountain ledge at the island’s centre, delights in making the elves very existence a misery. The elves are trapped on the island and their loved ones are regularly eaten.

To the Dragon’s Lair
The heroes are swept along the path to Hexia’s lair by the jubilant elves. Jubilation soon turns to despair when the dragon swoops down and blasts many of them with its poisonous breath. Many elves die – and so does Bidderus. The dragon swoops away. The heroes must recover quickly and continue alone. Bidderus is resurrected (strike one) and follows along.

A bit more to come later… ….

Hexia
Hexia’s lair is on a plateau part way up a mountain. Her captive, Ophea is here. The heroes are near death when Pythor intervenes, bristling with muscles and lightning energy. Pythor and Hexia have history. He sends the heroes away with Ophea so he and the dragon can address some unfinished business. The Ultros departs the Island of the Dragon to the sounds of partying elves.

The Garden of Helios
Four days sail to the island known as the Garden of Helios. The heroes find a mist-shrouded world populated by Cyclopes who attend their elephant herds. The heroes are invited to dine with Helios. The handsome god shines with an aura of golden light. He asks the heroes to regale him with their heroic deeds, but soon tires of Castor’s boasting.

An Unexpected Turn
Helios has finished his meal and now announces that the heroes are to be his dessert; at which point he transforms into an enormous gold dragon. After a short combat, and just as some of the heroes are feeling doomed, he transforms again. He brings Bidderus back from the point of death (twice) and laughs heartily. Congratulations, you are brave and worthy. He bestows a blessing*

*Everyone has advantage on their first action made against, or in reaction to, a titan. Ajax weapon has damage dice permanently raised to 2d6. And everyone is raised to Level 8.

Happy Birthday
On board ship, Duane’s dragon egg has hatched. Ajax binds himself to the new-born copper dragon – who has no name yet.

The Roc
Back at sea, and a day’s sail from the Garden of Helios, a gargantuan bird swoops on the Ultros and plucks a crewman from his rower’s post. The bird carries away a screaming crewman toward a craggy island on the near horizon. The Ultros sails on.

The Storm
Another day at sea and dark clouds roll in. The blue sea turns grey and the swell rolls the Ultros to and fro on the growing waves. Soon the wind is full storm strength, the Ultros is lifted high on the crest of a succession of crashing waves and the crew struggle to avoid being swept overboard. Kyrah tells the heroes that this passing hurricane is Goloron, a living storm and son of Sydon. For four hours the crew hold on desperately as the Ultros is tossed about on the violent sea. When the storm has passed everyone is safe but the ship will require repairs to hull and mast and new oars to replace those that that have been lost.

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I'm really not a fan at all of GMing a game in the bar area.

Last time we did, we had people playing pool right next to us, with the occasional need for us to stop and move so somebody could play their shot. Couldn't get into gaming at all because of it.

Sorry to disappoint but I'm calling it off this week.

Our usual room is available now following a change of plan at the coronation club

No happy couple then?

Game back on.

FIRE ISLAND

Lizardfolk Rivalry
An audience with Queen Vytha. The heroes, including Penny, Ajax’ newly bonded copper dragon, have (sort of) agreed to take on Vytha’s rivals – the Firewalker tribe. The Firewalkers have become corrupted, no longer offering sacrifices to the unnamed god of the volcano, they have turned to the worship of Sydon.

Vytha has one of her sons slaughtered to be cooked for the evening’s celebratory feast (much to her son’s surprise) in honour of the guests. Don’t worry – it wasn’t here favourite son, and she has a few more if the food starts to run short.

Hail Hydra
Next day the heroes set of to ascend the mountain. The Firewalker stronghold is constructed at its peak, around the caldera of the volcano itself. On the way the heroes have to defeat a five-headed hydra. After bringing it down, with no fire to stop it regenerating, they move on quickly.

The Fortress
The entrance to the Firewalker fortress is reached via a tunnel/bridge made out of the skeletal carcass of some gargantuan worm-like thing. The battle with its guardians is fierce.

King Whathisname
On reaching the king’s chamber (made from a hollowed-out shell of some enormous sea creature) the heroes confront King Jani—, er, King Jay–, no King Jinn something – ah sod it, they had forgotten the king’s name, but nevermind – death to the king!

Literally, a battle royal ensues against the king, his lizardfolk guards, a fire-like serpent creature (I never mentioned the word salamander), and a tricky spell-casting royal advisor. The battle was a hard slog, nobody got away without death or serious injury. The evil Sydon-worshipping king is slain. Hopefully the Firewalkers will revert to throwing sacrificial offerings into the volcano to their original unnamed god once more – like normal lizardfolk should.

The Demise of Ryu
Sadly for the heroes, during the battle, the gallant Ryu was mortally wounded (and ballsed-up his death saving rolls). I’m sure Ezrael will mourn the loss of his rival captain with his rival captain’s hat. Rest in peace Ryu.