Introduction

Player Backstories
Campaign Overview

Greed of Dragons

Power of Dragons

Chapter 20: Crimson Skies

This is War
Armies of Tiamat
The Cult’s Strategies
Side Missions

Chapter 21: Metallic Dragons, Arise

Metallic Dragons
Metallic Council
Trial of Brass
Trial of Copper
Trial of Bronze
Trial of Silver
Trial of Gold
Draconic Support

Chapter 22: Dangerous Dealings

What is Victory Worth?
Jarant, the Serpent King
Hekaton, the Storm King
Zariel, Lord of the First
Szass Tam, Absolute Ruler of Thay
Imvaernarhro, Inferno of the Star Mounts
The Old Cult of the Dragon

Chapter 23: Tiamat’s Return

Forces of Good
Forces of Evil
The Approach
The Well of Dragons
The Queen of Dragons Returns
Resolution

Chapter 23: Northwestern Faerûn

The Sword Coast
Savage Frontier
The Frozenfar
Silver Marches
High Forest
Backlands
Najara
Elturgard
Sunset Vale
The Northdark

Chapter 24: Factions of the Land

Emerald Enclave
Harpers
Lords’ Alliance
Order of the Gauntlet
Zhentarim
Other Factions

Chapter 25: The Cult of the Dragon

History
Beliefs
Mission
Hierarchy
The Obsidian Talon
The Ivory Talon
The Jade Talon
The Cobalt Talon
The Crimson Talon
The Old Cult

Chapter 26: Dragonkind

Draconic Nature
Dragon Biology
Draconic Magic
Dragon Harvesting
Dragon Hoards
Black Dragons
Blue Dragons
Green Dragons
Red Dragons
White Dragons
Metallic Dragons
Miscellaneous Dragons

Appendix A: Player Options

Appendix B: New Spells

Appendix C: Magic Items

Appendix D: Statblocks

Appendix E: Handouts

Appendix F: Miscellaneous Tables

Player Backstories

The party will start at 3rd level. All character creation options in NyteShark's Character Creation document are available, except for Fey creature type races.

Every player must create a backstory for their character. Specific connections need to be incorporated into the character's backstory, and each backstory should be at least 1 page. In-depth backstories allow the DM to weave your character into major aspects of the campaign's story.

Greed of Dragons

The first arc is quite linear. The party begins in Daggerford when it is raided and looted, and must follow the trail of the cult through the Lizard Marsh, Waterdeep, the Mere of Dead Men, and through a teleportation circle to Zaratan Castle. There, they face off with the Black Wyrmspeaker and a young black dragon for a hoard worth a million gold pieces.

The party starts at 2nd level, and should reach 6th level after Chapter 4.

Power of Dragons

The second arc is a sandbox. It consists of one setup Chapter followed by fourteen mission Chapters, with each mission associated with one of the five Talons of the Cult of the Dragon. Though each chapter has a suggested character level for the party to begin at, they can be shuffled around or adjusted as needed.

The order of the missions is not fixed, and elements of one Chapter might take place between or during other Chapters, such as Chapters 5 and 12. The order of the following Chapters can be shuffled with each other: Chapters 6, 7, and 8; Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13; Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17; and Chapters 18 and 19.

Each mission should provide the party with enough experience points to advance one level. After Chapter 19, they should each be 20th level.

Terror of Dragons

The endgame of Tyranny of Dragons, the third arc wraps up loose ends while solidifying the Cult of the Dragon's power. The party must defend the Sword Coast and forge dangerous alliances before mounting a final assault on the Well of Dragons. There, they face off with Tiamat, the Queen of Dragons.

The party will no longer be receiving experience, but will be given legendary allies, boons, and magic items instead.

Knowledge of Dragons

Not an arc of the story, these Chapters provide critical information about cities, landmarks, NPCs, politics, the Cult of the Dragon, and dragonkind itself. Every other Chapter in the book will reference information from here.

Included are six Appendixes that are referenced throughout the book.

The Cult of the Dragon's Goal

The Cult of the Dragon's overall goal is the summoning of Tiamat into Faerûn. To do so, they need the ritual power of a sect of the Red Wizards of Thay as well as hoard worthy of the Queen of Dragons and a multitude of people to sacrifice by the day the ritual begins: the Day of Ruin.

The Party's Role

The party gets wrapped up in the first major raid of the Cult of the Dragon. Once they follow the initial mission to its end, they are approached by the Council of Waterdeep and asked to help against the cult's machinations. As their missions grow more and more dangerous, the party grows more and more powerful. At the climax of the adventure, they must rush to the Well of Dragons and stop the cult from summoning Tiamat, the Queen of Dragons.

Chapter 1: Dragon at Daggerford

The Wearer of Purple conducting this raid is a human woman named Frulam Mondath. She has enlisted the help of a black dragon from the Lizard Marsh to assist her attack on Daggerford, and plans to use suprise and overwhelming force to seize every treasure within the town.

The party begins in a tavern here in Daggerford, and is present when the attack begins. They must do what they can to protect the town and survive the night, but even they will be robbed of their Starting Treasures.

The cult is successful, and most of Daggerford's treasure is taken away. With Waterdeep unable to lend aid, the Duchess of Daggerford calls upon the party to pursue the raiders and retrieve what was lost.

Chapter 2: Follow the Cult

Rezmir has taken steps to ensure the secrecy of the cult's activities, but not everyone in the cult has been so careful.

With a bit of searching, the party is able to follow the cult's tracks to the Lizard Marsh, onto a sailing vessel named the Slippery Mermaid, through Waterdeep, and to the Mere of Dead Men.

The party is assumed to have stolen away on the Slippery Mermaid before it departs from the Lizard Marsh. When they arrive, it is raining and mildly stormy, concealing the vessel's detour into Skullport. Here, the spoils of many of Rezmir's smaller raids are combined with this loot, and the Zhentarim help the cult move it all up to Waterdeep, where it is transfered onto carts and smuggled out of the city through the north gate.

Chapter 3: Secrets of the Mere

The carts stop at the Carnath Roadhouse along the edge of the Mere of Dead Men. Here, the loot is smuggled through a tunnel to lizardfolk who take the treasure to Castle Naetyr. At the Castle, Rezmir commands multiple cells of the cult in the machinations of her plan.

While the party is traveling through the Mere, they are stopped a most peculiar of creatures: Voaraghamanthar, the Black Death. Here, he asks the party to fetch him an object from the castle, promising a painful death if they refuse. The object is the first of the Twin Crowns of Myrmoran, the Twinned Crown of Yarlith. The Cult of the Dragon has promised to hand it over if Voaraghamanthar allows the cult passage through their mere, but the dragon is suspicious, and sees the party as a means to cheat the crown from the cult.

Additionally, the bullywugs the cult has enslaved desire to rise up and rebel, and hopes the party will help them fight back.

Whatever actions the party takes, they can pursue Rezmir through a secret teleportation circle beneath the castle to where the hoard is gathered.

Chapter 4: The Black Wyrmspeaker

When the party arrives at the Lonely Moor, they find a hunting lodge that the Cult of the Dragon has just departed from. Inside are answers, a traitorous Wearer of Purple, and a four-armed troll.

Once that is dealt with and they depart from the moor, they must rush to climb aboard the back of a massive zaratan elemental, upon which a castle has been built. The zaratan, guided by a stone giant, begins traveling before the party arrives. To board it, they must quickly tame mounts

Rezmir the Black awaits within the top floors of the castle, satisfied that her plots are nearing their end. Here the party must face her. While she has many of the answers the party desires, she will protect the cult's secrets until her dying breath.

The hoard itself is worth about 1 million gold pieces, and is protected by a young black dragon named Aswidorg. He will fiercely protect his hoard to the death.

Zaratan Castle itself is watched over a stone giant named Valgusk who is not loyal to the Cult of the Dragon. He shares a connection to the zaratan and guides its path, and serves the cult not out of wealth, of fear, or of obligation, but rather out of boredom. Valgusk does not know the cult's plans or even where his final destination is.

When this arc reaches its resolution, the party will have the opportunity to return with the hoard and possibly even the Black Dragon Mask.

Chapter 1: Dragon at Daggerford

Kaga Delimbiyr

The same family has owned the River Shining Tavern for decades----the Delimbiyr family. The current owner is named Kaga (neutral good male human commoner). He also serves as the establisment's head chef during busier times, such as this night.

Lady Belinda Anteos

The most wealthy woman in Daggerford, aside from the Duchess, is a member of the Waterdhavian Anteos family, a noble family of prominent traders and money changers. Lady Belinda Anteos (lawful neutral female human noble) is over 50 years old and tonight has 1,000 gp worth of coins in her purse and wears another 2,500 gp worth of fine jewelry and accessories.

Her husband Lord Willon Anteos (lawful neutral male human noble) is also present, and can be found by his wife's side.

Sir Darfin Floshin

One of of the retired adventurers that has settled here in Daggerford, Sir Darfin Floshin is a wizard that helps protect Daggerford when in danger. However, his abilities have dwindled in his old age. For centuries, Darfin had acted together with his father as advisor to the dukes of Daggerford. When his father died, Darfin was freed from his duties, yet chose to remain in Daggerford.

Sir Darfin Floshin is a lawful good male sun elf mage with the earthbind and slow spells prepared in place of the fly and ice storm spells.

Sir Isteval

Once a powerful adventurer, Sir Isteval is a famed paladin of Lathander that has retired his oath, being well past his prime. He now serves as a noble-hearted mentor to those who seek him out. Two decades ago, Isteval lost his leg in a battle with a green dragon. Now, he uses one of that dragon's bones as a walking stick.

Sir Isteval is a lawful good male human knight with a walking speed of 20 ft. and is equipped with a +1 greatsword and +1 plate armor.

D2. Fairfortune Hall

Located along the the northern perimeter of the drill field, Fairfortune Hall is a shrine of Tymora. It is tended to by a halfling named Curran Corvalin, who is currently present.

Duchess Morwen Daggerford

Morwen Daggerford was the sister of the duke of Daggerford around 1485 DR and became Duchess herself the following year. She is a member of the Lords' Alliance. On the surface Morwen is not an amiable person, but in truth she has a noble heart. She worships Tempus, and having trained with the militia, she is adept with the sword. A few years ago, she was captured and replaced by a succubus, but returned to power after the succubus was slain by a group of heroes.

Lady Morwen Daggerford is a lawful good female human noble with a Strength score of 14, 27 hit points, a silvered +1 dagger (a symbol of Daggerford) and is CR 1/2.

D5a. Cisterns

A collection of connected cisterns lie beneath the hill Ducal Castle was built on. They collect and store rainwater for the town's use. The current water level in each cistern is 10 feet deep, and the bottom of the tunnels that connect them is 6 inches below the surface of the water, making them traversable.

Within the cisterns, a panel in the wall can be opened by pulling a level, revealing a tunnel. The lever is hidden and requires a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check to find. The Duchess is the only person who knows of its existence.

The tunnel used to be a part of an ancient structure, but the connections to the rest of the catacombs have become impassable rubble. The current tunnel continues and eventually connects to the surface half of a mile north. Unknown to the Duchess, the majority of this tunnel has collapsed after 100 feet from the cisterns, rendering it impassable as well. Before this rubble, 2 gray oozes wait.

Daggerford Militia

Members of the militia (lawful good guards, AC 13) were issued a suit of studded leather armor and given a spear. They dressed in colors of green and grey.

There are 100 total members of the militia, with 50 on duty at any given moment. The western gate is guarded by 6 members, while the northern and southern gates have 2 each. Another 4 patrol the outer walls. Within the town, 8 moderate the Marketplace, 2 protect the Sword Coast Trader's Bank, 10 train at the Drill Field, 6 patrol the streets of the town, and the rest on duty patrol the lands beyond the outer walls.

Commander Sherlan Miller

The commander and of the Daggerford Militia and constable to the Duchess, Sherlan Miller is the great-great-great-grandchild of the famous and powerful Commander Sherlan Spearslayer. Sherlan Miller preferred her role as commander, feeling she did not suit the diplomatic role of a constable. She spends her time in the Drill Field training with the militia.

Sherlan Miller is a lawful neutral female human veteran who has inherited Sherlan Spearslayer's +2 spear.

Cultist Forces

The morning before the raid, the majority of the cult's forces override the Western Farmlands while preventing anyone from fleeing to Daggerford to warn them. During the day, they make their final preparations.

Willow Wishing Well

The loot dropped down the well lands in a small cave, and is then gathered up by 20 lizardfolk who have been waiting here all night by order of the cult. The lizardfolk are from the Lizard Marsh, and swam up a secret underwater tunnel to this cave. They pack up everything into waterproof barrels and sacks and guide it all back down the tunnel to the cultist's underground camp.

The Dragon Roars

When marauders seize the gates and the dragon appears in the western night sky, the few townsfolk who bear witness begin to panic. Before this panic has a moment to spread, the dragon roars, shaking the earth and air around Daggerford (see Attack Plan - Step 2a). This subjects every creature within the city not allied with the cult to the dragon's Frightening Presence action. This roar is what plunges the entire town into chaos.

Townsfolk rush around the streets in a frenzy while trying to make their way to the protection of Castle Ducal. This chaos prevents the town militia from martialling as fast as they could, giving the outside raiders time to enter Daggerford.

Moments after the dragon roars, he puts down two large wooden carts filled with marauders and a half-dragon in front of the River Shining Tavern before taking off back to the skies.

Retreat to the Keep

Now that the raid has begun, the town has fallen into chaos. Many civilians have already fled to the walls of Ducal Castle, and now the party must guide the patrons of the River Shining Tavern there as well.

Even though the dragon roars above and will occasionally land on a building, he does not end up facing the party or the civilians following them.

Roving Raiders

On the way to the Hall, the party encounters a roving band of raiders: 4 marauders and 5 kobolds. They carry four partially filled sacks, each with 100 gp worth of coins and treasures.

The party can either sneak past them (DC 13 Dexterity (Stealth) group check) or engage them in combat. If 5 or more raiders are killed, the rest flee into the town with what loot they can carry.

To The Hall

Fairfortune hall faces south towards the Drill Field, and is surrounded by a 3-foot wide alleyway on its other three sides. The building's only set of doors in a front set of double doors, but it does have two windows on each side (half of which are broken). All of these possible entrances are currently blocked with wooden furniture on the inside. A Small bell tower that doubles as a chimney rises from the room at the back of the building, and a Small creature can squeeze down the chimney into the Hall.

Raiders have gathered bundles of wood and straw around each of the windows, and a wood plank has been placed over the chimney. The straw was lit with a torch and is burning; this is what has created the pillars of smoke rising from the building. Those raiders are currently in the Drill Field (6 marauders, 10 kobolds, 4 dragon cultists, and 1 dragonclaw) and are arguing about what to do next while gathering more wood and straw. Sneaking past the front of the building requires a DC 13 Dexterity (Stealth) check to avoid being spotted.

Shoving open the front door and the furniture behind it requires a DC 17 Strength check. The furniture blocking the windows and door, as well as the front doors itself, are Large objects made of wood. If destroyed, the way becomes passable for any Medium or smaller creature.

Fairfortune Hall has two rooms: the first is a chapel with a dozen wooden pews (which have been moved to block the windows and front doors); the second is a preparation room in which only the priest is typically allowed. In the chapel, 50 commoners quietly huddle together, terrified to make a sound. The resident priest, Curran Corvalin, is the most level-headed person present, and if he learns the party is trying to enter, he will move furniture to allow them to enter through a window or door. He then replaces the furniture.

Once inside, Curran Corvalin tells them the raiders will be back to break into the Hall very soon. He'll use his magic to assist the party when they come.

Hidden Tunnel

Instead of joining the strike, the Duchess asks the party to check an old secret passageway hidden in the cisterns. She tells them the location of the level in the cistern that will open the way, and asks them to follow the tunnel to see if it is still traversable.

The lever is hidden, and normally requires a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check to find. However, since the Duchess informed them of its location, the party can locate it after one minute of searching.

Within the tunnel, 2 gray oozes lie in wait 20 feet from its entrance. Once they are dealt with, the party will discover that the tunnel has caved in after 100 feet.

A Bitter Victory

After the party returns, they can choose to view the battle between the veterans and Thoss Fyurnen from the walls of the keep. If they do, they will witness the battle taking place 300 feet north of Daggerford.

A moment later, everyone will see the dragon take to the sky, wounded, and traveling west. Thoss Fyurnen has retreated.

About ten minutes later, a single survivor returns to the keep: Sir Isteval. The others had all perished during the fight, except for Curran Corvalin, who was abducted. The dragon also took the +2 spear Commander Sherlin Miller wielded. Sir Isteval had survived, but was reduced to 10 hit points.

The knight tells everyone that they can mourn once the night is over, but for now there is still work to do.

Funeral for the Fallen

As the sun rises, Sir Isetval goes to the place he and his allies fought against Thoss Fyurnen. There, he offers a mournful prayer to Lathander. If he encounters the party, he will inform them that this evening he will be holding a funeral for all who died tonight, and asks if they will join him. He also asks the party to look for Curran Corvalin if they ever go after Thoss Fyurnen.

The funeral is held at dusk at the Eastern Farmlands graveyard. Most of Daggerford's populace attend. As it concludes, Sir Isteval offers these final words: "Remember the fallen, but do not look back. We cannot change what has happened, but we can change the future."

Griffon Riders of Waterdeep

In the morning, 6 griffons, 5 griffon calvary riders, and 1 griffon calvary knight named Savra Belabranta (neutral good human female) arrive with six crates of supplies, food, water, and essentials. Savra Belabranta worships Tyr and is a member of the Order of the Gauntlet.

Savra informs the Duchess that their group will continue to ferry supplies to Daggerford, but that they do not have the forces to pursue the raiders as of now.

Duchess's Request

Once the Duchess learns the Griffon Riders won't follow the raiders, she finds the party. She calls upon them to follow the thieves and retrieve the stolen gold and treasure, promising them 10% of whatever they can return. Duchess Morwen also asks the party to find out where they're taking the money and why.

Daggerford can only currently offer to replenish whatever basic supplies, weapons, or armor that the party lost during the night. Until the party departs, they can rest free of charge at the River Shining Tavern.

Mission

The Cult of the Dragon's final goal is the summoning of Tiamat into Faerûn. To do so, they need the ritual power of a sect of the Wizards of Thay as well as hoard worthy of the Queen of Dragons and a multitude of sacrificed souls by the day the ritual begins: the Day of Ruin.

During the course of the adventure, the cult is working to gather and protect a number of components: treasure, sacrifices, support, and the Dragon Masks.

Hierarchy

The Cult of the Dragon is split into five large factions that work with (an sometimes against) each other to further the cult's objective. Each of these five factions are associated with one of the primary five types of chromatic dragons.

The leader and most powerful member of each Talon of the cult is called a Wyrmspeaker. The next in line are the Wearers of Purple, individuals in charge of leading the smaller cells of each Talon under the Wyrmpeakers directive. Below them, the ranking of cultist is as follows, from most powerful to least powerful: dragonsoul, dragonfang, dragonwing, dragonclaw, and dragon initiate (called dragon cultist).

When a cultist is first initiated into the Cult of the Dragon's ranks, they are given a special tattoo called a dragonblood tattoo. They can only ascend the ranks if promoted by a Wearer of Purple, but not beyond the rank of dragonsoul. A cultist, usually a dragonsoul, can only be promoted to a Wearer of Purple by the Wyrmspeaker of that Talon. If a Wyrmspeaker falls, then Severin the Red must select which Wearer of Purple will rise to take their place.

Draconic Bolt

cantrip evocation

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

You hurl a bolt of draconic energy at a target in range. Make a ranged spell attack. On a hit, the target takes damage equal to 1d6 + your spellcasting modifier of a type associated with a dragon you choose when you learn this spell: blue, bronze (lightning); black, copper (acid); green (poison); brass, gold, red (fire); silver, white (cold).

At Higher Levels. This spell's damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

Marauder

Dragon Cultist

Dragonclaw

Frulam Mondath

Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil (she/her)

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• Armor Class 15 (draconic resilience)
• Hit Points 41 (5d8 + 15)
• Speed 30 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	13 (+1)	16 (+3)

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• Saving Throws Con +5, Cha +6
• Skills Arcana +5, Deception +6, Perception +4, Persuasion +6, Religion +5, Stealth +5
• Damage Resistances acid
• Senses passive Perception 14
• Languages Common, Draconic, DRSL
• Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

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Draconic Devotion. Frulam has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened. While she can see a dragon or higher-ranking Cult of the Dragon cultist friendly to it, she ignores the effects of being charmed or frightened.

Draconic Resilience. While not wearing armor, Frulam's AC is equal to 10 + her Dexterity modifier + her Charisma Modifier.

Spellcasting. Frulam is a 5th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks) and she has 17 Sorcery Points (SP). She has the following sorcerer spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): acid splash, dancing lights, message, shape water, thaumaturgy
1st level (costs 2 SP): absorb elements, caustic brew, command, featherfall, shield
2nd level (costs 3 SP): acid arrow, darkvision, dragon's breath, suggestion
3rd level (costs 5 SP): fear, fly, sending

Actions

Multiattack. Frulam makes two attacks.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) acid damage.

Draconic Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) acid damage.

Dragon's Breath (Recharge 6). Frulam exhales destructive energy in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.