Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

Golden Sculpture

The sculpture in the center of the rotunda is an astronomical model used for research in centuries past. The sculpture depicts the planet of Toril (the world of the Forgotten Realms), its moon (called Selûne), the sun, and seven other planets, as well as one comet with a very eccentric orbit. A character who studies the sculpture can puzzle out its importance with a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check: its current position suggests the comet will soon pass very close to Toril.

Sparkrender plans to hold his ritual when the comet is at its closest point. He believes the comet, called the King-Killer Star, controls the destiny of dragons and will allow him to claim the power of the dragons who fell on Stormwreck Isle.

Dragon Effigies

The stirge attack interrupted the kobolds from their assigned task of preparing this site for Sparkrender's ritual. With the wyrmling's help, they have crudely sculpted five chunks of rubble into vaguely draconic shapes and splashed each one with paint, and the kobolds were in the process of arranging them around the metal sculpture. Each effigy has the name of the dragon it represents etched into it. These are the names and colors of the five dragons:

If the characters ask the kobolds about these dragon effigies, Mek and Minn swell with pride and explain that they crafted them according to Sparkrender's instructions. The kobolds know the effigies have some part to play in Sparkrender's plans.

Energy Bridge Anchors

A pair of dragon statues like the ones in area D1 stands on the west side of the rotunda, and another pair stands on the southwest side. If the moonstone key is inserted in one of these statues, the western pair creates a bridge back to the overlook (area D1), and the southwestern pair creates a bridge to a crumbled and isolated tower (area D4).

Scholar's Journal

Though most of the books have fallen apart, one tome—a small black journal with an ornate lock—remains intact. A character who examines the book and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check notices a small arcane rune engraved above the keyhole on the journal's lock. A character who casts the detect magic spell also sees a faint aura around the keyhole.

This rune is a magical trap that triggers if the journal is opened without the use of its original key, which is long lost. A character who makes a successful DC 11 Intelligence (Arcana) check can determine how to disarm the trap: by carefully scratching over the rune with a dagger, a sharp piece of wire, or a similar implement. Once this is done, the journal can safely be opened either by picking the lock with thieves' tools and making a successful DC 10 Dexterity check, or by breaking the lock with a successful DC 12 Strength check. If the lock is opened without first disarming the trap, the magic trap spews out noxious green gas, and the character who opened the lock takes 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Inside, the journal contains star maps and notes on experiments with magic. One passage is underlined near the start of the journal. It reads, in an archaic dialect of Common, "To ye four scholars: point your eyes toward the Dragon's light, for it guides your descent into knowledge." This passage is a clue to unlocking the hidden entrance in the observatory tower (area D5).

Treasure

A character who searches the tower and succeeds on a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check finds a loose brick in the northwest wall. Pulling the brick out reveals a hidden compartment containing a potion of resistance (lightning) (described in appendix A) and a pouch holding 10 gp.

Sneaking Around

If the characters move quietly around the area, they can avoid waking Sparkrender as long as at least half of them succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity (Stealth) check.

If the characters try to turn the statues (see "x" below) without waking Sparkrender, have the characters turning the north and east statues (nearest the sleeping dragon) each make a DC 14 Dexterity (Stealth) check. On a failed check, the noise of a turning statue wakes the dragon.

Waking the Dragon

If awakened, Sparkrender is hostile toward the characters, growling and barking threats in Draconic. Characters who speak Draconic (the paladin and the wizard) can try to convince the dragon not to attack by making a DC 12 Charisma check and applying the Deception, Intimidation, or Persuasion skill as appropriate. A character who succeeds on the check stops Sparkrender from attacking immediately, and he instead takes the opportunity to boast about his grand ambitions. If no character successfully intervenes, or if a character mentions Aidron or Runara, Sparkrender snarls and attacks.

Despite his youth, Sparkrender is a fearsome foe and a loathsome villain. He uses Breath Weapon on his first turn and every round it is available thereafter. (Clever characters can try to use the statues for cover from the dragon's breath; see "Cover" in the Basic Rules.) Consider having the wyrmling deliver short lines of dialogue on each of his turns, inspired by the following examples:

• "You pests will not stand in my way! I will claim the might of my ancestors!"
• "Get out of here before I tire of this game and end you all!"
• "Chromatic dragons are the rightful rulers of this world. Bow down to the children of Tiamat!"
• "Enough of this! This work is too important to be hindered by the likes of you!"

The dragon fights until reduced to 10 or fewer hit points, at which point he swears vengeance against the characters and attempts to flee the island starting on his next turn. (He might say something like this as he takes the Disengage action and flies away: "I swear by Eldenemir the Raging Storm and the five heads of Tiamat, you will pay for this insult!")

If the characters flee, Sparkrender does not pursue them, but he taunts them as they run away. (He might say something like, "Yes! Flee before my might, as all will flee when I claim my inheritance!")

If the characters defeat Sparkrender, they hear growling and yelping coming from below them (area D6).

Hidden Entrance

Each of the four statues can be rotated on its base. To unlock the hidden entrance to the observatory's secret archive, each statue must be rotated so it points at the constellation called the Dragon of Dawn on the floor's star map.

If the characters found the clue in the isolated study (area D4) exhorting "four scholars" to "point your eyes toward the Dragon's light," they might search the star map for a constellation that looks like a dragon. A character who searches the floor and succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check finds a constellation resembling a dragon in the southeast quadrant of the floor.

In lieu of that information, a character who searches the room for clues and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check notices worn grooves in the base of each statue, suggesting the statues can turn on their bases. While turning a statue, a character can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check; if the check succeeds, the character notices the statue settles slightly when it is pointing toward the southeast quadrant of the room and requires extra effort to nudge out of that position.

Once each statue is in its correct position, a semicircular section at the center of the floor begins to glow before descending into the library (area D6). It forms a spiral staircase leading down to the floor of the library. When any statue is rotated out of its position, the staircase rises back up, sealing the library shut once more. (A character on the staircase when this happens is lifted up to this area on the rising stairs.)

Treasure

With Sparkrender no longer defending his fledgling hoard, characters can gather it up. It includes large piles of coins: 4,500 cp, 2,200 sp, and 130 gp. There are also ten gems: five pale blue quartz crystals worth 10 gp each and five blue jasper stones worth 50 gp each. A waterproof leather case holds a blue silk fan painted with powdered blue gems, worth 25 gp. There are also a few ordinary items Sparkrender enjoyed, including a crude flute with a pleasing sound, an hourglass filled with sparkling sand, and a set of seven candlesticks.

Treasure

This library was once a repository of magical knowledge and items of power, though most of its contents are too weathered to read. However, a character who searches through the room and succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check finds a +1 battleaxe or a spell scroll of hold person (+1 weapons and spell scrolls are both described in appendix A). A detect magic spell reveals the location of both of these items without requiring an ability check. Aidron has also cataloged the contents of the room and can direct the characters to these valuable items.

Dragon Spirits

At the end of each round of combat (on initiative count 0, after everyone else has acted), a random magical effect occurs, caused by the magical lights that swirl around the rotunda. These lights are manifestations of the dragon spirits Sparkrender is trying to bind to himself, but their effects are unpredictable. Roll a d10 and consult the Dragon Spirits table to see what happens.

Freeing Aidron

Aidron is bound by three heavy chains that keep him restrained. He can still take actions, such as biting or clawing an enemy that comes within his reach, but he knows Sparkrender is unaffected by his lightning Breath Weapon, so he doesn't bother using it. He might use his Repulsion Breath if he can see a good use for it.

Large clasps attach the chains to iron rings embedded in the ground. A character can use an action to undo one clasp. Once all three clasps are undone, Aidron is no longer restrained, though the chains reduce his speed by 10 feet. Removing the chains from Aidron takes 10 minutes.

Disrupting the Ritual

The most straightforward way to prevent Sparkrender from completing his ritual and obtaining the power he craves is to kill him. But characters can also use their actions in combat to interfere with the process and hinder Sparkrender in magical ways. Let the players try whatever they can imagine, using these ideas as examples:

• Manipulate the Effigies. A character might use an action to lift an effigy closer to the central sculpture, breathe a prayer to the dragon it represents, or otherwise coax magic from it. Doing so immediately triggers the corresponding effect from the Dragon Spirits Table.
• Destroy the Effigies. A character might break an effigy or throw it over the crumbling wall and into the ocean below. This ensures the corresponding effect does not occur again. (Reroll if you get that result on the Dragon Spirits table.)
• Manipulate the Sculpture. Characters might try to manipulate the golden sculpture as a way of disrupting the ritual. The sculpture is large and sturdy, though, so a single action has no noticeable effect on the sculpture or the magic. (The sculpture has AC 20, 27 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage.) However, disturbing the sculpture does distract Sparkrender. The first time a character uses an action to attack or otherwise try to disturb the sculpture, the distracted blue dragon has disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of his next turn. Once he sees the character's meddling isn't very effective, he can't be distracted in this way again.