Dark Continent Redux: The Dragon Boneyard

Dark Continent Redux

A Fantasy Core Adventure

© Jerry Harris 2016

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Playtest Rules.)

Dark Continent Index

Interior Index

The Dragon Boneyard

The native guides bring the group up into the mountains after three days of travel.  (If you want to stick some random encounters in here, go ahead.)  The party will be told not to bother mapping, as there is an enchantment which hides their destination.  Doctor Sane (I’m sure this isn’t a completely out-of-place Starblazers reference) holds a glowing talisman in front of him.  He breaks the trail for the group, chanting the whole time, with his eyes closed. 

Finally, in a secluded, hidden valley, a glittering white field of giant bones can be seen.  This is the Dragon Boneyard, the secret graveyard of the dragons.  The Characters will be warned not to take any of the bones, as it will invoke the wrath of the guardian dragon, Hellion.  They are also advised that they have been brought here to gain an ally, not slay a dragon.  Seeker and Sane will make camp and wait for them outside.

The dragon sleeps in a raised platform temple with an excellent view of the whole valley.  He will appear to be sleeping until the Characters come near.  He will say he remembers them without actually opening his eyes (assuming they spoke before or at least fought).  “Did you come here for unfinished business, or just to talk?”  He’ll ask if they know rules of this place, namely don’t take the bones.  He’s quite amused by the company and wants to know how they got there and why.  (The Players may be wondering about this as well.)  The Characters need only mention being sent by Satha for help against Kurtz, and he will understand.  He has some backhanded respect for Satha, but thinks he’s a bit full of himself (and that coming from a dragon).    

Hellion will give a highly biased version of his backstory with Kurtz.  As far as he’s concerned, his alliance with the wizard is over.  He will mention the Forbidden City, Kurtz’s seat of power.  However, Hellion has never been able to find him there.  He suspects Kurtz has tapped some powerful enchantment to hide himself.  If it were dispersed, or an opening made, Hellion could enter and “discuss” his differences with Kurtz.  Moreover, there’s something “dark evil” there.  “It’s not called the ‘Forbidden City’ for nothing.”  The natives know where it is and should be able to lead them there, though they only know where it is so that they can avoid it.   

Hellion will continue to feign friendship with Kurtz without actually helping him.  “In fact, he’s even put bounty on you lot,” (the Characters may already be aware of that) Hellion leers at the group, “But, not enough to convince me to keep risking my life for his crazy schemes.”  Assuming the group is intent on going to the Forbidden City, Hellion will be keeping an eye on the area, waiting for an opportunity to strike.  “You need to open a window for me, because I’m not getting my ass killed breaking in for you losers either.” 

Someone may point out that he’s supposedly immortal.  Why would he be worried about death?  “My form reincarnates.  My personality doesn’t.  ‘Hellion’ is a title, not a name.  Another spirit from the Boneyard will inhabit this body and takeover its memories.  Somebody else might decide throw in with Kurtz.”  

Hellion looks the group over and shakes his head.  He is doubtful of the group’s success.  They’re capable enough against Kurtz’s little minions, but the Forbidden City is something else entirely.  Offhandedly, he mentions he is leaving for next two hours.  Guarding the bones is his sacred duty, but he needs to collect his usual sacrifices from the natives and have a good meal.  He would hunt down anyone stealing his bones, though he also guards another graveyard which lies beneath this one, the so-called “Well of Heroes.”  He’s not so sentimental about what’s in there, since it involves humans.  With that, he gets up, revealing a capstone in the floor, which he casually pops open.  “If you’re still here when I get back, you’re dead,” he nods at the Well, “Either they get you, or I’ll get you, or you get in and out quick.”  And then he takes off.   

[Small aside here.  You might be wondering about the relationship between Hellion and Satha.  Two giant monsters in the vicinity, you know what usually happens.  You’ve seen the movies.  In this case, these two powerful creatures more or less tolerate each other.  Hellion’s duties do not include any territorial ambitions in Satha’s lands, though he regularly demands human sacrifice from the natives.  Satha cannot teleport directly into the enchanted Dragon Boneyard (any overland travel there would leave him unacceptably vulnerable), and he knows that Hellion reincarnates if killed.  However, Satha has any number of native allies and is just as powerful as Hellion himself.  The unspoken agreement allows Hellion some tribute, so long as he doesn’t destroy any villages or stake any claims.  For his part, Satha has declared the Dragon Boneyard area taboo and warned his followers to stay away from it.]