TALIS

ADD ON FOR TYRANNY OF DRAGONS

OR STANDALONE ADVENTURE

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Talis the White

ToD-TB-001-2022 by Bryan Syme
 TALIS

Cult of the Dragon

by WotC, Tryanny of Dragons

Use in the Tyranny of Dragons campaign or as a Standalone Adventure.

Recommended for APL8.

Credits Timing in the Tyranny Campaign

Written by: Terry Bonds

This is down to DM discretion but there is a chance at the

Maps by: Terry Bonds

end of this supplementary adventure to gain posession of an

Created with: Homebrewery

Artwork used by: Bryan Syme, WotC, Darin Walsh, Lim
Taeyeob, hamaterasu25, Concept-Art-House,
Conceptopolis, Crexik, Hinchel Or
Homebrewery guides used: CSS filters, Formatting on
the Homebrewery, Full Page Watercolour Stains,
Timelines
WotC Resources: Unearthed Arcana: Of Ships and Sea
airship which will aid in the various journeys the party will
need to make.
Any campaign planned events can still happen but with
the bonus addition of them happening potentially in the air
or nearer the various quest locations detailed in Rise of
Tiamat.
It is suggested to use the arrival of the messenger at the

Internet Resources: Roll for Fantasy, Renown &

beginning of the Rise of Tiamat campaign to bring the party

Relationships, Imgur, Artificer NPCs, S.C.U.L.L.Y., to Waterdeep, and then begin this adventure. The sounding
Forgottenrealms WIKI, Adventure a Week, Scriptalizer, of the Draakhorn can easily happen after the completion of
Dragon Cap font - Bill Roach, CSS Dividers this quest.
External tools: Dungeondraft (Krager’s Shadow Pack,
Forgotten Adventures Free Pack, 2-Minute Tabletop Please note only the Tyranny of Dragons part of this
Mansion Pack.) adventure has been playtested, feel free to adjust any
Inspired by: The horde of the dragon queen campaign
and the NPCs created by Kobold Press, Tom Cartos, part of this document as you see fit.
WotC’s Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide and
Player’s Handbook.
Playtesters: My D&D group, <3.

2 CREDITS
 Contents
Introduction 4 Chapter III: The Rescue 14
Overview 4 Airship 15
4 Captain Svankazask 15
Background A. Main Deck 16
Plot Hooks 4 B. Captain’s Room 16
Friend of the Family 4 C. The Poop Deck 17
Shocking Discovery 4 D. The Berth Deck 17
Not connected to Tyranny of E. The Engine Room 17
Dragons 4 F. The Brig 17
G. The Hold 17
Prologue: Reunion in Finishing Up 18
Waterdeep 5 Clues to Work out Current
6 Location 18
Neverwinter Safe House Investigating the Flying Squid 18
Chapter I: Breaking and
Getting Help 18
Keeping the Airship 18
Entering 7
Ending the Adventure 19
Setting the Scene 7
Helping Talis 7 Summary 19
Helping the Villagers of Evergreen 7
The Estate & Grounds 8 Tweaks 19
8 Expanding Chapter One 19
Sneaking to the Manor
Cult members in the manor 19
To the Manor Born 8 The doppelgangers (variant rule) 19
Talis’ Suspicion Levels 8 Experience 19
Chapter II: Uninvited Guests 9 Creature List 19
Ground Floor 9 Treasure List 19
A. Entrance Hall 9
B. Kitchen 10 Appendix A - Handouts 20
C. Music Room 10 20
D. Dining Room 10 Tiamat Scripture
E. Servant Quarters 10 Chapter header from the Book 20
F. Library 10
G. Games Room 11 Appendix B - Faction Renown 22
H. Hidden Stairs 11
Hidden Prison 11 Appendix C - Stat Blocks 23
I. Hanging Cage 11 Artificer Specialist 23
First Floor 12
J. Office 12 Appendix D - Maps 24
K. Guest Bedrooms 12 24
L. Master Bedroom 12 Kesterel / Evergreen Manor
24
Puzzle Cypher 13 Hidden Prison
24
Book Chapters 13 Ground Floor
25
Solution 13 First Floor
25
M. Hidden Pasage 13 Attic
N. Guest Bathroom 13 The Flying Squid 26
O. Master Bathroom 13
Attic 13 Appendix E - Plot Hook
changes 27

CONTENTS 3
 Introduction
Overview
This add-on adventure expands Rise of Tiamat, allowing
the party to secure Talis’ loyalty to the fight against the
cult if she survived Horde of the Dragon Queen (HotDQ)
that is. Events below happen after the end of the HotDQ
and before the first council meeting proper (DM
discretion of course).
Over the course of this adventure the party will
become re-acquainted with Talis. They will travel to her
family mansion in Neverwinter to escort her parents
back to Waterdeep, in chains if necessary.
In the process they will realise the cult have already
arrived and her parents have been replaced. Now they
need to fight through the manor, discover the
whereabouts of her real parents before attempting a
daring rescue aboard an airship captained by a pirate
mind flayer and his crew of grimlocks.
Background
Talis’ family have been a funding powerhouse behind
the cult of dragons for some time, funding the operation
in Parnast. With Rezmir deciding to get rid of Talis but
wanting to keep her family’s money she sends a missive
to Severin suggesting they should replace her parents
with doppelgangers to maintain funding.
Talis could find out about this if she was with the
party on Skyreach, or via still loyal contacts in the Cult.
She reaches her home before the cult but her family
refuses to believe a word she says, going as far as
banishing her from the mansion for damaging their
family’s standing with the cult.
Left with little choice Talis tracks down the council,
making contact with a Harper agent in Waterdeep she
requests an audience in hopes to get back in contact
with the party. Met with suspicion and a refusal by the
council, Leosin and Ontharr agree to talk to her off the
books.
They believe her and she gains enough trust that she
is granted an audience, she asks the council to help to
secure her family before the cult replace them. This
would cut off important funding, and Talis would
provide additional intel.
The council don’t have the manpower to spare, but
this is where the party come in after returning to
Waterdeep following their expolits on Skyreach Castle.
Running the Adventure
To run this adventure it’s advisable you have the
following D&D 5th edition core rulebooks to hand; the
Player’s Handbook (PHB), the Dungeon Master’s Guide
(DMG), and the Monster Manual (MM). This is in
addition to the campaign book, if running as an add-on
for Tryanny of Dragons.
4 INTRODUCTION
The Monster Manual and Campaign book contain the
stat blocks for many of the creatures encountered in this
adventure.
Spells and equipment in this adventure are described
in the Player’s Handbook. Magic items are described in
the Dungeon Master’s Guide, though flavor descriptions
may be included here.
Any passage of text that looks like can this be read out or
paraphased to the party. They will contain detail about what
the party can see or what is happening at that moment in
time.
If running with a small party size, adjust the combat
encounters accordingly.
Plot Hooks
If you’ve played Hoard of the Dragon Queen and the
party managed to befriend Talis, or she survived.
Friend of the Family
One of the party knew Talis from when they were little
children playing in the wealthy neighbour hoods of
Neverwinter, whether the party member snuck in or
their family was well to do matters not. What did matter
was that party member managed to talk Talis round to
work with them. Sharing the same enemy but maybe
not the same goals was enough for a truce. Now it’s
time to fully convince Talis to change her ways.
Shocking Discovery
Did Rezmir plan to kill off Talis or get the party to do
her dirty work? Were plans to swap Talis’ parents for
doppelgangers to keep their funds flowing into the cult’s
coffers uncovered? Has a once member of the cult come
to the council in Waterdeep to plead clemency and get
help? Can the party really trust Talis the White?
Not connected to Tyranny of Dragons
This adventure can be played without a connection to
Talis or the Tyranny of Dragons campaign. Keep in
mind there will be cult of dragons references in some of
the puzzles and documents the party may find around
the mansion. If using this plot hook skip the prologue,
also in each chapter there will be notes what to change.
To help out this is all summarised in Appendix E.
No-one has heard from the Lord and Lady of
Evergreen Manor in some time, a week or so ago the
guards at the gate said no one was to enter as the
Evergreens had caught a mysterious illness. The village
doctor hadn’t been called, instead some sort of
specialist attended the pair. The people of the village
have started to worry their village is doomed, maybe
cursed. Could a wandering party of adventurers be
persuaded to go investigate what has happened? The
local tavern is the place to find out more.
Argument in the Council
by Concept-Art-House
Prologue: Reunion in Waterdeep
he party return to Waterdeep after being
T
summoned by Leosin and Ontharr, a
messenger (Figurine of Wondrous Power)
delivers a summons and a teleportation
scroll right to Skyreach Castle. The scroll
teleports them directly to the newly
established council chambers, where their
two colleagues await them.
As you emerge from the teleportation circle you see two
familiar faces waiting for you Leosin of the Harpers and
Ontharr of the Order of the Gauntlet. Both look serious but
smile as you appear. Ontharr strides forward holding out his
hand.
“Ah, good to see our little messenger found you. We have
as much to tell you, as I am sure you have to tell us. There
will be time for a debrief when the first council meeting
happens. It isn’t a small resitance any more, quite a number
have now joined the cause.” Ontharr pauses for throught, “I
only wish it was because of a happier reason… no matter we
have things to discuss. Come.”
They lead the party into a side room where sitting at a
table trying to appear calm and failing is Talis the
White, ex-cult of the dragon member.
Depending if the party contains a childhood friend,
she will stand as the group enters and go to grab her
friend round the shoulders and ask for their help.
Otherwise she will remain seated.
The party will learn about needing to bring her
parents into what amounts to protective custody. They
refused to leave and have banished Talis from the family
home. Things that will be learnt from this meeting:
Family are aware Talis has failed to gain a powerful
position in the Cult (wyrmspeaker) and are very
displeased,
Family are still funding Parnast operation and see no
reason to stop,
Don’t believe they are targets of the Cult,
Everything was fine when she left she tasked a
trustworthy friend (one of the maids) with a sending
stone to alert her if anything happens, no message
has been sent.
PROLOGUE 5
 If the party need more reasons why they should risk
their neck for some cultist sympathisers then the
following might help:
Talis’ family fund the Parnast operation, if the money
stops it will interrupt the supply line of stolen goods,
Talis has agreed to provide as much intel as she can
about cultist operations in various towns and cities,
Talis will join as an ally and fight against the Cult.
The manor in question is in the Blacklake District of
Neverwinter, where the majority of Neverwinter’s
wealthy citizens live. Getting there won’t be an issue as
Talis knows the way (and Talis will be accompanying
the party).
The mission is simple; get in, extract Talis’ parents
and get back to Waterdeep to be taken into custody. At a
later date council teams under the authority of Lord
Neverember will seize the manor and all assets.
Leosin rubs his hands together as plans are finalised. “We
can teleport you to one of our safe houses in Neverwinter,
we’ll leave the rest up to you. Good luck and oh, yes… can
you give this satchel to the Harper agent manning the safe
house? He can be a bit grumpy so… err, well just stay on his
good side.”
Neverwinter Safe House
The safe house is located in the River District, the agent
keeping the safe house ready is an old 3 and a half foot
grumpy rock gnome called Mad Dog.
He prefers a quiet life after his experiences on the
front lines of numerous wars, but
can just about put up with visitors
as long as they don't outstay
their welcome.
Gnome (Forgotten Realms Concept)
by Conceptopolis
6 PROLOGUE
Mad Dog
Small Rock Gnome Barbarian (Retired), Grumpy
“Bet they expect me to clean up after ‘em… bah, got no shame
these young’uns.”
Armor Class 17 (half plate)
Hit Points 48 (8d6 + 16)
Speed 25ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 11 (+3) 11 (+0)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Gnome
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Gnome Cunning Mad Dog has advantage on all Intelligence,
Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
Actions
Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., one target.
Hit 10 (1d10 + 4)
The safe house itself is a rather unassuming two storey
wooden structure, doesn’t stand out and doesn’t blend
in. Sitting on a side road just off a main thoroughfare, it
offers a good location to travel to other parts of
Neverwinter. The teleport circle is in the cellar, the
entrance to which is normally concealed by numerous
rugs and barrels in a storage cupboard. These are
moved aside currently. Mad Dog does have a few
teleport scrolls left to send the party back but is grateful
for the extra brought through by the party.
“Oh goodie, more people come to make a mess of the safe
house. I do so love guests.” the rather small gnarled gnome
standing in front of you mumbles. “Planning to stay long are
we?”
His mood improves dramatically if the party mention
they are just passing through, even willing to give
directions if needed - anything to expedite the party
leaving his company.
He snatches the bag of scrolls from the party whether
they are offered or not. From here the party can plan
their next moves or simply make their way to the
manor.
Speed is of the essence here, Talis wants to get to the
manor before the cult do.
Stepping out of the safe house, you can see the sun is still
quite high in the sky. The street here is relatively quiet but not
too far away looks like a busy thoroughfare for this part of the
city. Mad Dog closes the door behind you, and surprising for
his grumpy demeanour offers up two words, “good luck.”
 Untitled
by Lim Taeyeob
Chapter I: Breaking and Entering
Setting the Scene
Depending on how you run this adventure the following
information should help fill in the gaps between the
party learning about the adventure and infiltrating the
manor.
Helping Talis
If this adventure is being used during the Tryanny of
Dragons campaign:
Neverwinter during the Tryanny of Dragons
campaign
Neverwinter at this time (around 1489DR) is in the middle
of expensive and near bankrupting repairs under the
stewardship of Lord Neverember. After the eruption of
Mount Hotenow a chasm ripped apart the south eastern
district and the surrounding area allowing fiends and demon
hordes to flood into the city. The chasm was magically
sealed in 1484DR but the area still hasn’t been fully claimed,
much of the outer city wall remains damaged. Bandits and
monsters still prowl the streets.
The manor is a gated property set off one of the more
influencial streets in Blacklake District without any
surrouding grounds, skip the Estate’s Grounds section
and run To The Manor Born.
Helping the Villagers of Evergreen
The village of Evergreen was once a happy quaint place,
but has since fallen into sullen sadness. The Lord and
Lady’s manor has been closed off for weeks, and the
family and friends working there as maids and butlers
haven’t been heard from since.
The guards at the main gates say a mysterious illness
has befallen the household and no-one is allowed in.
Even the guards themselves have not returned home,
their task of keeping the curious out keeping them very
busy. A specialist was called in, and the message is that
everyone should stay at home until further news is sent.
CHAPTER ONE 7
 Lord Evergreen a master illusionist would often put on
shows for the villagers, the manor frequently open for
parties and feasts. The manor guards would patrol the
village streets and help where they could… but no more.
Now villages keep their doors locked and the streets at
night are empty bar rats and neer-do-wells, the guards
no longer leaving the estate’s grounds.
The locals at the tavern tell tales of curses and
whisper that someone should sneak in and find out
what is going on, but none are brave enough.
Run The Estate’s Grounds and skip To The Manor
Born.
The Estate’s Grounds
If the party approach the estate by the main gates they
will find guards (behind the gate) talking to a lady from
the vilage.
“Mary you need to stay away, I’ve already told you everything
I know - the estate is closed, a mystery illness has spread
throughout the family and staff and no one is allowed to
enter or leave. Look, trust me that we will let the village know
when it is safe. Please, go back.”
As the woman pleads pointlessly with the guard you look
around, tall walls topped with iron spikes enclose this rather
large estate. The main gates look strong and are barred from
the inside.
Any insight check (DC12) will show that the guards
(Guard MM p.347) are being as truthful as they can be,
it’s what they’ve been told has happened and so are not
deceiving the party.
If the guards can be sweet talked you find out
some/all of the following. They have their own barracks,
and don’t normally enter the manor. They take their
instruction from a captain (Veteran MM p.350). They
changed recently when the illness hit, the previous
captain caught the illness and died before the “medical
specialist” could save him. Guards don’t know who
specialist is, and under no circumstances will they let
the party in.
Sneaking to the Manor
There are frequent guard patrols that the party will need
to avoid. There isn’t any need for combat, the guards are
only trying to keep curious people out and will quickly
escort them out. They really believe there is a deadly
illness.
There are various clumps of trees, bushes, and
buildings that the party can use as cover. If you need
them, some interesting stealth mechanics can be found
here.
To the Manor Born
The streets of Blacklake district are heavily patrolled by
the city watch, the affluent citizens of Neverwinter
expect to be kept safe. Talis will advise the party to not
make a scene. If the party can’t talk their way in through
8 CHAPTER ONE
the front door, they will need to break into the property
away from prying eyes.
Talis walks along the street towards her family residence with
ease and determination, acknowledging the city watch
patrols with curt nods. Soon enough a high gate and short
walled walkway to the front door stands in front of you.
The cult has already arrived at the manor. The staff are
either dead or in a comatose state, and her friend was
one of the first to die. There is a small garrison of
cultists stationed in the house but any staff that the
party do encounter are likley to be one or both of the
doppelgangers trying to keep the facade going.
The entry points open to the party are (note that there
isn’t a map for the sewer):
Via the sewers is an escape route Talis knows about
that will gain entry to the kitchen ground floor,
location B in the larder. Can they get into the sewer
without being seen?
If the party stealth around to the back of the house
they can try and gain entry through any door or
window on either the ground of first floor (some
climbing required). Unless stated door unlocking
starts at DC18 and window unlatching at DC15
increasing with each failed attempt.
If they knock, a butler will come to see who it is (one
of the doppelgangers), after a curt rebuttal they will
close the door. Picking the lock starts at DC20, but
the party run the risk of being spotted by patrols or
neighbours. Talis will need to try and talk the party
out of trouble.
Talis’ Suspicion Levels
If Talis is around to witness the following events, her
suspicion levels will grow. She hasn’t heard from her friend,
she won’t immediately think that there is something wrong.
Suspicion Level Modifiers
Event Location Modifier
Unopened letters A +1
Lack of Staff Ground Floor +2
Translation of book J +3
Parent’s speech patterns L +4
Finding the hidden stairs H +5
Finding her friend’s body Hidden Prison +10*
* See special rules in the hidden prison description.
At your discretion roll a D20, when Talis rolls under the
current suspicion level then she will believe the worst of her
fears has happened and she will be more likely to spot
suspicious things in the house. If it is helpful to keep the
mystery going start rolling when the suspicion level gets to a
certain level, i.e. 10 or 12, etc.

Chapter II: Uninvited Guests
he house is eeirly quiet due to the entire
T
staff being dead or comatose in the hidden
prison, also some minor changes have been
made to the structure or furnishings in the
house. If situations like this arise there will
be a special note to explain what has
changed and if Talis would realise if
present.
As mentioned before, any staff encountered in the
house are one or both of the doppelgangers trying to
keep up the pretence but more importantly trying to
keep / get the party out of the house.
There is a small contingent of cultists stationed on
the first floor which the doppelgangers will call on if
needed.
Ground Floor
The largest floor of the mansion, and also the quietest.
Apart from the butler who answers the front door if the
party knock, who then won’t be found again, there is no-
one else to be encountered here. In the Games Room
there have been some alterations made to hide the
stairs down to the hidden prison. There is also an
Prison
by hamaterasu25
addition to the library, the statue that stands there
wasn’t in the house a few weeks ago.
A. Entrance Hall
Entry into the entrance hall through the main doors is
flanked by two statues (non-magical), the main focal
point here is a statue to the diety Leira.
The Lady of Deception or The Lady of the Mists, was the
goddess of deception and illusions and patroness of
illusionists and liars. (source)
Flanking the main staircase are two doorways with
closed doors and to each side of the hall are two open
doorways covered with thick luxurious drapes.
If anyone wants to check out the two statues they are
full plate armour with an inner wooden structure with
no real distinctive markings or anything to depict what
or who they are.
If anyone wants to examine the statue there is a
plaque on the base with a few words, religion check
(DC15) if they want to identify the statue regardless.
CHAPTER TWO 9

“Leira - our lady of the mists.”
Along the sides of the stairs are two tables, both with a
candle on - if the party need them to light their way they
have full candles on. One of the tables has a collection
of unopened letters.
The letters are invitations to upcoming events,
nothing important to the current adventure. They are
post dated from several days ago though.
If Talis is present, she tells the party the statue of Leira was
her parent’s idea of a joke. A diety of deception, taking pride
of place while they lived here in Neverwinter part of the elite
while working in the shadows helping the cult of the dragon
bring about the return of Tiamat. All a big joke, ha ha ha.
Some joke now that the exact same cult is trying to kill them
and they won’t even listen.
B. Kitchen
A well stocked but empty kitchen, of cooks and kitchen
staff that is. It is obvious from the food left around that
someone has been in here cooking fairly recently and
they’re not being very tidy or careful.
One of the large cooking pots (empty but remnants of
some stew) is sitting above a still going fire. The larder
is still well stocked with various dry ingredients and
root vegetables.
Various aromas hit your nostrils as you enter the kitchen, it is
obvious someone has been cooking in here and recently.
There are ingredients spread around the various work
surfaces. A fire is still lit under one of the large cooking pots
and the nearby larder looks well stocked.
There exits here are a pair of swing doors to the north
and the draped entrance back to the entrance hall.
C. Music Room
A grand piano sits off to the side of this room, a thick
rug with a couple of fancy chairs sit in front of an open
fire which is nearly burnt out.
A selection of fiction and fantasy books can be found
in the book case along the wall. There is a closed door
in the far corner.
Should your party be like moths to a flame when it
comes to bookcases, then I’ve got something that will
help, a nice long list of book names. This will also be
useful for the library.
D. Dining Room
The largest room in the manor, it serves two purposes.
The carpeted area with two stocked bars entertain diner
guests with drinks and nibbles while they wait for the
main courses to be delivered to the curved wall area
with multiple windows giving a nice view of the gardens.
10 CHAPTER TWO
A chandelier hangs from the ceiling here. There are
exits to the east and west, both look like swing doors.
Also the two doors flanking the main staircase back to
the entrance hall.
An impressively large room opens up and ends in a curved
wall with numerous windows giving views of the Manor’s
gardens. A carpeted area bookended by two bars, and a large
dining table take up the majority of the space.
Along both sides are a row of statues, with the east side
have an open fire to heat the room, which is out and cold to
the touch.
Above your heads hangs a large chandelier.
There is food on the table, it is cold but has been partly
eaten. It’s not easy to tell how long the food has been
sitting here but it hasn’t started to spoil yet.
E. Servant Quarters
Several comfortable but basic rooms can be found in
this part of the manor, most of them look like they’ve
been lived in but are messy with bedsheets tossed aside
and a few dirty cups and plates with dried on food in the
common room. The rooms contain a few personal
trinkets and clothing but nothing valuable.
A side passage has some chests with extra pillows
and blankets, and a bath and toilets are the only other
rooms in this section.
Several basic rooms make up this part of the manor, you can
see these were living the quarters probably for the staff.
Some contain personal trinkets and clothing matching
maids, cooks, and butlers.
Two doors lead out into the gardens to the north and
west but both are locked and difficult to pick (DC25),
the window next to the west door however has not been
closed properly and can be lifted off its latch (DC15).
F. Library
This area has seen a lot of traffic recently, what with the
hasty building work in the games room and the
installation of the new statue. None of the workmen
deemed it necessary to repair the damage to the floor.
If Talis is present, there are a few odd things about the
Library that Talis might spot. Firstly the floor is showing wear
and tear which Talis would know her parents would not put
up with. This isn’t going to cause her suspicions to grow but
she will find it odd. Secondly the statue against the northern
wall is new and wasn’t here during her last visit.
On the statue is a button which open the bookcase in
the games room revealing the hidden staircase behind
it. On a concentrated period of time spent investigating
the statue, the well concealed button can be uncovered
(DC18).

A modest library with numerous full bookcases line the walls
and the middle of the floor. Other than the book cases, there
is a statue, a reading area by an open fire with a discarded
book, a chest of drawers with a globe and some papers, and
finally a table with a candle sitting on it casting dim light
across the room.
Exits from this room is the door south leading to the
music room, the swing doors to the west leading to the
dining room and to the east a drape covering a toilet
area.
If the button on the statue is found and pressed.
You hear a low rumbling sound coming from the south.
G. Games Room
A comfortable room that still has the lingered smell of
cigar smoke. A now abandoned card game is being
played out on the table here and a dresser has a chess
board and a drinks selection on it. The southern wall
has a row of bookcases that reach the ceiling. The only
exit is the door the party entered through to ge here.
A cosy room for folks to play chess and cards, and from the
look of the selection of bottles on display also sample fine
wines and whiskeys.
If Talis is present, she may notice that the room seem
smaller than usual. She is sure there was more room in here,
but she can’t be 100%. It looks the same, but something
feels off.
The bookcase can’t be opened from this room, unless
the party litereally take all the books of the shelves and
start hacking away at the back of the bookcase. This
might alert the cultists on the floor above.
A character with a fairly high passive peception gets a
feeling that something isn’t quite right with this room,
like it feels too cramped. If they have been in the kitchen
/ servants quarters give advantage on a perception
check (DC18), on success they get a feeling the
proportions of the room just aren’t right.
If the button on the statue has been pressed.
There is a passage way next to the bookcases, a dimly lit
corridor can be seen through it.
H. Hidden Stairs
Behind the bookcase is a hidden passageway leading to
some stairs down to the hidden prison. The lever here
opens / closes the bookcase. A near burnt out candle
barely luminates the corridor here.
The stairs look new and untreated, it fact the wood
used to build these stairs came from the chopped down
trees from the front of the manor.
Hidden Prison
A horribly scene, this is where the staff of the Manor
can be found. Mostly dead with some almost comatose
hanging on to the last threads of life. The mindflayer
has had his fill of them and extracted all the information
he could to help the two doppelgangers maintain the
ruse.
Horrible scenes assault your eyes, and awful stenches
assault your nose. Multiple bodies slumped over in cages
and prison cells left to fester can be seen here. There is a
hanging cage suspended from the ceiling by the cell doors.
One of the butlers and two of the maids remain alive
and can be stabilised temporarily, but they are too far
gone to recover completely.
I. Hanging Cage
This cage contains the body of one of the house’s maids,
her throat has been cut and thankfully by all accounts
her death was mercifully quick.
Inside the hanging cage is the dead body of a maid.
She can’t be brought back from the other side.
If Talis is present, she will recognise the maid in the hanging
cage as her friend that she entrusted the sending stone to
and will be extremely upset. If using the Talis suspicion table
add the ten to the current total and roll, on a success she
knows her worst fears have come true and will angrily urge
the party on to find her parents and on a failure she goes
into shock unable to deal with current events until the party
are able to help her come around.
Eventually Talis will inform the city guard, they will be on
strict instructions to not go upstairs as she will deal with
whatever is going on up there. Clerics and guards will enter
the Manor and try to deal with the prison as best they can.
No valuables or any intel is
found on any of
the bodies.
Mind Flayer
by Hinchel Or
CHAPTER TWO 11
 First Floor
The staircase leads to a wide open space, well lit with
numerous places to sit. There are various potted plants
here and corridors lead off to the east and west.
Opposite the top of the stairs are a pair of double doors.
J. Office
A well lit office with a desk and chair to one side, a
globe and bookcase along the far wall, and a table with
a laid out map of the sword coast on the otherside.
If Talis is present, this is her father’s office. Nothing is
remiss here, it looks like it always does. Althought she
doesn’t remember seeing the leather bound book with the
dragon head motiff on the desk before.
If asked about the book, she will say nothing about it
seems suspicious. It references a time in the cult’s past
when they more interested in dracolichs than resurrecting
Tiamat. Talis’ parents are more supportive of those times.
If asked about the loose piece of paper, she says she finds
it strange that the translation talks about heretical writing.
Her father wouldn’t write something like that, nor would he
need to translate it. The piece of paper must have some
other purpose.
This book has a loose piece of paper in it, both that and
the book itself are required to solve the puzzle in the
master bedroom (location L). If anyone picks up the
book to examine it, and opens it.
As you flick through the book a loose piece of paper falls out
and lands on the floor, the book itself seems to be written in
a different language to common. The dragon head on the
front over is coloured with every shade of chromatic dragons.
The order of the colours are the same as the order of
the chapters (see book chapters table in the descrption
for location L).
K. Guest Bedrooms
The three rooms are identical, dimly lit and are
currently occupied by cult members who are making
sure the manor stays under cult control, they will assist
the two doppelgangers if summoned.
If Talis is present, she can tell anyone who is interested
before they enter the rooms that this used to be one room,
her room. That was until she moved out and her parents
split them into three for guests.
The appearance of the cultists here will immediately set
off Talis’ suspicions. No need to roll in this case.
The occupants of the rooms are always combat ready,
12 CHAPTER TWO
split them across any of the guest rooms as you see fit.
Increase or decrease numbers depending on your party.
This isn’t an easy fight, this is a important location for
the cult.
Tyranny of Dragons Standalone
2x Dragonsouls (ToD p.183) 2x Cambions (MM p.36)
4x Dragonfangs (ToD p.182) 5x Veterans (MM p.350)
2x Mages (MM p.347) 1x Mage (MM p.347)
If one room is alerted the others will join the battle after
1 full round. As soon as the doppelgangers in the
master bedroom (location L) ring the attendance cord, it
will take the occupants 2 to 3 fulls rounds of combat to
arrive, unless the doppelgangers can do a good enough
job of delaying the party until they arrive.
The doorways and corridors provide a means to
control the flow of the battle for both sides. One of the
defeated cultists has a crumpled piece of paper in their
pocket that reads “Shiver me timbers.”
L. Master Bedroom
The lord and lady of the manor (doppelgangers MM p.
82) are by the fire, both looking perfectly fine and happy
until the party walk in that is.
They will be calm initially, and will ask them to leave.
One of them will go for the attendance cord near the
fireplace to call the cultists in the guest bedrooms and
will attempt to delay any fighting. They won’t answer
any questions about the illness or why they don’t appear
to be ill. If left alone with one party member they will
attack.
If Talis is present and isn’t suspicious, she will immediately
start asking questions. Where are the staff? Has anyone
visited since she was last here? The mind flayer which has
been extracting information for the doppelgangers started
with long term memory. They have no recollection of
banning Talis from the house or her recent visit. They won’t
answer any questions in any detail saying the staff have the
night off, no visitors, everything is fine, and will offer a tea
for her and her friends by pulling on the attendance cord (a
sign for the cultists in the guest rooms to come). They will
delay the party hoping to avoid any fighting until support
arrives.
If Talis is already suspicious she might be completely
confused at the dopelganger’s appearance, the doppel-
gangers will try to deflect and get to the attendance cord.
They will try to delay the party long enough for the other
cultists to arrive.
After the battle has ended the party are free to
investigate the room, apart from various pieces of
expensive furniture there isn’t anything of interest The colours of the dragon head on the front of the
except for the fireplace. In the mantlepiece are five slots book match the colours of the dragon’s talked about
each containing a letter, each letter can be spun to in the five chapters of the book,
reveal other letters of the alphabet. This is a magical The translated passage talks about the 5 heads of
effect and will come back after a while if dispelled. The Tiamat, which are the same colour as the chromatic
five spinnable letters across the fireplace’s mantle piece dragons talked about in the book.
currently spell out SSDVG. The scripture translation is wrong in one place,
The piece of paper and book from the office hold the anyone who knows draconic and wants to double
key to solving this puzzle. The piece of paper contains a check the translation spots that an endless in the
translation of the book’s preface, these clues create the first passage should have been translated to a
following cypher. corrosive.
There are specific mentions of first, second, third, etc
Puzzle Cypher in the translated sentences.
Order of sentence Element Dragon Colour Looking at each chapter in the book, the first letter is
First Acid Green in the shape of a dragon.
Second Ice White
M. Hidden Passage
Third Fire Red
A short passage ends with a ladder leading up to the
Fourth
Fifth
Poison / Gas
Lightning
Black
Blue attic space above.
Order of the sentence corresponds to the letters on A faint blue-ish glow can be seen eminating from the attic
the mantle piece from left to right, what that letter is will space above.
depend on the first letter of the chapter corresponding
to that colour of the dragon.
Each chapter starts with a letter in the shape of a If Talis is present, she has no knowledge of the hidden
dragon, an example for each chapter can be found in pasage or the attic space.
Appendix A for use as player handouts.

Book Chapters N. Guest Bathroom

Chapter Dragon Colour First Letter A spacious bathroom with facilities to heat bath water,
spare towels for guests and several individual toilets for
First
Second
Blue
Red
A
G the guests. Nothing of any value is found here.
Third Black M
Fourth White O If Talis is present, she bemoans the fact she hasn’t had the
Fifth Green D pleasure of a good hot bath in a very long time.

Mapping the cypher to the first letter in each book

chapter will then result in the solution. O. Master Bathroom
A grand bathroom with water features, facilites to heat
Solution bath water and a special his and hers toilet.
1 > Green > D
2 > White > O
3 > Red > G If Talis is present she has no comment about the his and
4 > Black > M hers toilets.
5 > Blue > A

The answer is DOGMA, setting these letters opens up the Attic

wall leading to location M.
If the puzzle is causing the session to drag accept an
alternative answer that sounds reasonable, or allow
some magical means to bypass the lock.
However if other clues or hints might help the party
arrive at the correct answer the following could help:
The letters on the fireplace are pulsing in various
colours which match the dragon head on the book,
A large active teleportation circle sits in the corner of
this cramped attic space. An altar sits in the other
corner, but there is nothing of interest apart from a
candle and an empty bowl.
The teleportation circle doesn’t need a command
word, you just need to step on it and wait a few seconds.
This teleports whoever is standing on the circle
underneath The Flying Squid.
If any of the party use the phrase “Shiver me timbers”
to try and activate the teleportation circle, it doesn’t
seem to do anything obvious.
CHAPTER TWO 13

Chapter III: The Rescue
fter appearing on the other side of the
A
hidden teleportation circle, the party are
met with an odd sight. they appear to be in a
run down wooden shack with a door
hanging off it’s hinges.
Walking outside the shack, only sand can be
seen in all directions. This is of course an
illusion cast by the captain of the airship above the
party’s heads. If the party look around it isn’t long
before a few dead bodies of human males are found.
Further investigation will identify the remains as dock
workes, although it isn’t clear what city they are from.
There isn’t any water, nor buildings, no ships of any
shape, nothing which would explain the presence of the
dead bodies. If the party roll a high medicine roll (DC
15), they will work out the bodies died from a heavy
14 CHAPTER THREE
Air Ship
by Darin Walsh
impact. A follow up investigation roll (DC 15) will
uncover the bodies fell from a great height and also they
are dock workers. Look up maybe?
If they fail the rolls, the one big remaining clue would
be if the party simply look up. There is an airship
floating above their heads. There is no ladder or visible
sign of how to get onto the ship, someone with a flying
pet / minion or someone with the fly spell will need to
go up there and find something the rest of the party can
use to climb aboard the airship known as The Flying
Squid.
On flying up there is a rope ladder (that can easily be
found and released) which will allow the party to climb
on board and attempt the rescue.

Airship
Using unearthed arcana ships and sea playtest rules
(link can be found in credits section).
The Flying Squid (Airship)
Gargantuan vehicle (80 ft. by 20 ft.)
Captain Svankazask
Clothed in traditional pirate garb, he has a sabre slung
by his side which is only used for show when the need
arises. Modelling himself on N’ghathrod after hearing
tales of his deeds as a child, meant to warn him from
straying from the path, but instead led to the high seas
and the clouds…

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 300
Creature Capacity 20 crew, 10 passengers
Cargo Capacity 1 ton
Travel Pace 9 miles per hour (216 miles per day)
Speed See “Movement: Elemental Engine”

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

14 (+2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 0 0 0

Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion,

frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned,
prone, stunned, unconscious
Damage Immunities poison, psychic

Control: Helm Armor Class 16, Hit Points 50. Move up to the
speed of its elemental engine, with one 90-degree turn. If the
helm is destroyed, the airship can’t turn.
Movement: Elemental Engine Armor Class 18, Hit Points 100 (–
20 ft. speed per 25 damage taken). Locomotion (air)
elemental power, speed 80 ft. If the engine is destroyed, the
ship immediately crashes.
Weapons: Ballistas (4) Armor Class 15 ,Hit Points 50 each.
Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 120/480 ft., one
target. Hit: 16 (3d10) piercing damage.
Actions
On its turn, the airship can use its helm to move using its
elemental engine. It can also fire its ballistas. If it has half its
crew or fewer, it can fire only two of the ballistas.

The Flying Squid is captained by a Mindflayer Artificer

(MM p.222), who goes by the moniker of Captain
Svankazask. Svankazask is being employed to suck the
memories out of his prisoner’s brains and pass on what
he finds. A job he is rather enjoying.
Svankazask uses Hallucinatory Terrain to hide the
location of the teleportation circle and the area around
the airship, the airship is crewed by a group of 13 (2d6 +
5) Grimlock’s (MM p.175) that Svankazask brought with
him from the underdark. There were more, but he has
snacked on a few during leaner times. Also he has no
problem targetting them with his attacks.
Actual Location
The flying squid is currently moored above a disused
warehouse in Waterdeep, the hut and barren lands seen
by the party are a party of the illusion and is merely the
warehouse’s flat roof. In fact if they walk too far into the Villain Concept (Fantasy)
Illithid Pirate
illusion they will fall off the roof! by Jason C.

CHAPTER THREE 15

A. Main Deck
As the party make their way onto the main deck,
everything seems relatively quiet. Wait until the party
are on deck (or if some of the first up start to move
about too much) then read the following:
As you survey the main deck of the airship you start to hear
an unhinged cackling in your heads. Looking up you see
striding to the railing of the poop deck a mind flayer in pirate
garb.
“You land lubbers think you can just board my ship? I’ll
have you swabbing the decks, yargghhhh!” his voice booms
in your heads.
He draws his scimitar and waves it around his head in a
overly dramatic style, humanoid figures with pale gaunt skin
start appearing out of stairwells and doorways.
Svankazask was waiting for this dramatic entrance, he
knew the moment the party came through the teleport
circle something was wrong. The person that normally
comes through shouts out “shiver me timbers”.
The mind flayer and his crew might not pose too
much a threat, if the showdown needs a bit more spice
feel free to make use of the following lair actions.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 Svankazask can use a lair action, he
screams the action name into the party’s minds accompanied
by more unhinged cackling.
If a lair action is still in effect, no more lair actions can be
used in future rounds until its effects have ended.
“Unleash the… mini… krakens!” Summons three giant octupus
(MM p.326). Variant rules: swim speed changes to fly speed, the
ink is an attack (same “+ to hit” as tentacle attack) which
blinds if it hits otherwise it misses the eyes (action to clear it
out of eyes). Lair action ends when all octupus are defeated.
NOTE: Svankazask will command them to grapple trouble-
some foes. They act immediately after summoning and act on
initiative count 20.
“Batten down the hatches!” Out of nowhere a rope with a heavy
counterweight zooms across the main deck from one side to
the next (straight line), any one within 5 foot of it’s path needs
to make a DC15 dex saving throw, only on a fail taking 3d8
bludgeoning damage and knocked prone. Lair action ends.
“Walk the plank!” Single target; a plank (5 ft. long) materialises
out the side of the airship and Svankazask points at someone.
They need to make a charisma saving throw (DC15), if they fail
they are compelled to walk (on their turn) towards the plank
and walk off. The affected person can attempt a charisma save
at the end of their turn up until the point they fall off the plank
and the lair action ends.
NOTE: Fall damage (PHB p.183) for 40 foot is sustained if the
player falls off and hits the floor (warehouse roof) below.
16 CHAPTER THREE
When setting up the fight it might be an idea to make
use of some of the grimlocks to block the stairs up to
the poop deck, meaning the party will need to work a bit
harder to get to Svankazask. Maybe also mention
fire(ball) + airship = bad.
B. Captain’s Room
Svankazask’s room is typical captain fare, a stout desk
and chair covered in papers and books. Under the
windows looking out the back of the airhip sits a bed
with a small guitar shaped instrument propped up
against the bulk head. There are, adorning the walls,
many trophies of his exploits; it is clear this particular
mindflayer likes to visit orphanages as a few of these
trophies are battered signs with various orphanage
names.
Amongst the papers and books on the desk are
navigation charts and what look like numerous books of
pirate story, but one book stands out.
One of the books on the desk says journal on the front cover,
flipping it open you see raised shapes on the paper in what
look like four-line stanzas.
If anyone can cast a spell to translate the book then read
the following.
Written on one of the pages in Qualith is the following
record…
“Today was great, flew over a farm and dropped down for a
snack. Farm hand put up a great fight and his brain was extra
tasty after all that effort, getting back on the ship I bumped
into Boblin. I said to him, you should have seen him struggle
and then I laughed. Boblin doesn’t have any eyes, how could
he have seen? I was still peckish so finished off Boblin there
and then.
Ahh the open skies, what a glorious life. I hope we find
another orphanage tomorrow, the screams of terror always
make happy.”
One of the draws on the desk is locked, it can be
smashed open (AC15 10HP) or picked (DC15).
Treasures
Strewn across the desk are 12 (2d10) gold pieces, and in the
locked draw spread out are the following:
6 pieces of intricate jewelry made from precious metals
worth around 25GP each.
One pearl of power (DMG p.184)
One ring of water walking (DMG p.193)
In addition to these items the instrument resting on the
bed is a cittern but more than that it is an Instrument of the
Bards; the Mac-Fuirmidh Cittern (DMG p.176). If anyone
tries to strum the instrument without attuning follow the
item’s description in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

C. The Poop Deck
On the poop deck there are a few things to check out,
firstly there is the helm which controls the movement of
the airship. Secondly towards the back there is some
sort of furnace connected to the gasbag above
everyone’s heads. Thirdly, some of the airship’s
defences can be found here - two ballistas (two more
can be found at the front of the ship on the main deck).
If the party want to check out the helm:
A beautifully decorated wooden wheel with nautical and
squid motifs stands proudly at the front of the poop deck,
differing slightly from a normal ship there are other controls
here for speed and altitude. An ornate compass connected to
the pedestal finishes off the look.
The wheel can be turned in either direction, and the
speed and altitude controls moved but the airship
doesn’t react in any way (this is because the engine in
the hold below has run out of “fuel”).
If the party check out the furnace:
The furnace is connected to the gasbag above everyone’s
heads. A strong fire currently burns fueled by coal, which you
can see in sacks scattered around the deck.
This is a secondary device used to maintain altitude
when the airship is stationary to save the engine’s
power source. The furnace can also be powered by
magic which produces constant heat, i.e. bonfire.
D. The Berth Deck
If there were any Grimlocks unused in the battle on the
main deck they will be found down here, either asleep
on hammocks or moving around boxes and crates.
The majority of the space down here is taken up with
hammocks, barrels and crates. Light filters in from the two
main hatches above.
From the stairs you can see a pair of large double doors to
the back of the ship and a smaller portcullis style door to the
front of the ship behind numerous hammocks.
Nothing of any worth is found amongst the hammocks
and containers, it smells pretty bad but its like the smell
is coming from somewhere else (the hold below).
E. The Engine Room
The two wooden doors leading to the engine room are
closed, neither are trapped or locked but thick and are
heavy to move. The internal walls here look reinforced.
This is a very cramped room, filling it from wall to wall is a
device of unfathomable design. In a recess at the back of the
machine is what looks like a large chunk of some sort of
crystaline stone. In the middle of the floor is a short metal
rod. Whatever this machine is, it is currently dormant.
This is the airships elemental engine, not powered by a
trapped elemental but powered by draining chunks of
precious stone (preferably garnets). The metal rod is the
control rod, without it the engine doesn’t work.
Normally an artificer is required to keep things running
ship shape and bristol fashion. That would have been
Captain Svankazask.
The Crystaline Stone
On an investigation / arcana check (DC 15) the stone can be
identified as a precious stone, not sure what type as the
colour has been all but drained away from it and numerous
cracks run across its surface.
The chunk of stone that used to be a cluster of garnet
has been completely drained, the airship is effectively
marooned in this spot. Captain Svankazask was
expecting another delivery of precious stone from the
cult as payment for his current job.
F. The Brig
At the front of the berth deck is a walled off area with a
closed portcullis, not locked or trapped but requires
pulling the nearby chain to open.
You can see a dim light filter through the portcullis here,
looking through you can see two people slumped in the
corner. Without even entering the room proper you recoil at
the stench of faeces and urine.
The mindflayer’s prisoners can be found in the ship’s
brig. They are in a pretty bad way and have been left to
sit in their own mess. They’ve had minimal sustenance
to keep them alive - alive enough for Svankazask to pick
their minds for new intel. If they are rescued and receive
help quickly, they will make an eventual recovery. Their
memories might be patchy but they will be alive.
G. The Hold
Nothing is stored down here, any of the containers
found down here are long empty. But that isn’t what the
hold has been used for. It’s been the crew’s toilet for
quite some time now.
You recoil at the stench as you walk down the stairs to the
ship’s hold, its enough to make you vomit. You can see this
area is empty apart from some containers and piles of
stinking mess and a urine stained floor.
Maybe this should have been called the poop deck? If
anyone is wants to investigate they don’t find anything
valuable, but they will need to make constitution checks
DC10 to prevent themselves vomiting up their last meal.
If they fail two consecutive checks they need to leave
otherwise they will start taking 4 (1d6) poison damage
for each subsequent failed check (timing at your
discretion). A success will reset the failed check count.
CHAPTER THREE 17

Finishing Up
With the captain and his crew defeated the party now
have the run of the ship, the captain’s room holds some
goodies and the prisoners can be found in the brig
located on the berth deck.
If they check out everything they can they will know
the following:
The ship is currently out of power and floating here
thanks to the furnace & gasbag
There is an illusion that will last for a number of
hours (see below) that is hiding their current location
(see Actual Location p. 15)
The captain’s prisoners are in a bad way and need
medical care, any healing spells will stabilise them
for now.
Clues to Work out Current Location
Any magical method to contact people will work
through this illusion; send message, sending stones,
figurine of wonderful power, etc. If the party has some
magical means of working out their location then all
good, otherwise the following might be useful to know:
If the party have spent any time in Waterdeep’s
docks in the past they may be able to recognise the
style of clothing worn by the dead dock hands, but
that should be investigation DC18 at a disadvantage.
They can walk through the illusion which would
involve falling off the roof of the warehouse (if they’re
not careful), or finding the edge of the roof and
climbing down and out of the illusion. If they fall it is
standard rules for 10’ fall damage (PHB p.183).
They can simply wait out the hallucinatory terrain
spell, but this may not work out well for the now
freed prisoners. For each 5 hours wait the prisoners
need to make a DC10 constitution save or succumb
to lack of sustinence and their mental wounds.
Hallucinatory terrain
The spell will run out in 10 to 15 hours, unless the party have
a magical means to dispel it.
Investigating the Flying Squid
If the party want to investigate the ship, engine, gasbag,
etc. then an investigation check of DC18 will show up
the cracks and dodgy workmanship. Advantage for
anyone with a nautical background and DC drops to 15.
Seems this was a plain old sailing vessel jerry-rigged to
take to the skies.
The engine is a mystery even if anyone rolls a nat 20
on arcana, it’s not a design anyone would have seen
before. They can work out that the engine takes chunks
of precious stone, extracts whatever is in it and turns
that into a power used to levitate and fly the ship. The
process and how it works is a mystery.
18 CHAPTER THREE
The gasbag material seems to be enchanted with a
mend spell to prevent tears and leaks, useful as its the
only thing keeping the ship aloft in the sky right now.
The furnace needs to be kept going to inflate the bag.
Will the original owners of the engine ever come
looking for it? Did Svankazask jerry-rig this ship into an
airship or did he steal it from someone? Maybe these
are some interesting leads to follow up on.
Getting Help
Waterdeep’s city guard has flying units, mounted on
griffins. Also even though the Flying Squid is above an
abandoned warehouse, there will still be dock hands in
the nearby area that will be surprised at the sight of an
airship appearing out of nowhere who will raise the
alarm.
The party won’t need to spin a yarn or explain much,
there is a dead mindflayer wearing pirate clothing in
plain sight after all. The crew of grimlocks, who
normally live in the underdark, are a bit of a giveaway to
who the good guys and the bad guys are here.
The mounted guards will be able to get the
mindflayer’s prisoners to a medical center for help,
Talis will go with them if she is present otherwise the
party will need to let the guards know where the Manor
they telelported from is located.
The Griffon Cavalry
This was the air cavalry of the city of Waterdeep in the 13th,
14th and 15th centuries DR. Part of the City Guard, it was a
militia organization made up of soldiers responsible for
defending and patrolling the great city. (source)
Keeping the Airship
This might be interesting, the city will probably
impound the airship and investigate why and how it got
here without anyone being aware of a mindflayer and
grimlock crew being in the area. Especially why none of
the dead dock hands had been reported to the
authorities (they hadn’t).
The party may need to petition the lord’s court and
plead their case to own the airship. Or maybe it will be
involved in an auction? Such a jerry-rigged setup might
be a bit cheaper than your normal airship, or will
someone interested in the unique engine be ready to
spend big?
If the party are working with Talis and the council
then getting use of the airship will be much easier.
Ownership might not come straight away but the
council will be able to provide the means to power it and
the initially the crew to keep it in the skies.
See Appendix B for some ideas on how the party can
use faction membership and reknown to acquire
specialists they can post on the airship, might be useful
for when / if they do become the official owners of the
Flying Squid.
Summary
ith all that excitment done with, what

W
Experience
comes next?
If run as part of Tyranny of Dragons then The following table gives some ideas for awarding
the first council meeting can start, and talk experience for progress through the adventure (based
about the airship can come after. There on tables and guides on DMG p. 82 & DMG p. 261).
needs to be some period of time to
investigate the engine, work out the power
supply and to put together a crew. Also… to clean up a Event XP
certain deck. Sneak into the Manor undetected 450
If run as a standalone, the party is now in Waterdeep. Uncover the Hidden Prison 900
It’s an interesting city with plenty of adventures to be Solve the fireplace puzzle 1400
found. The Yawning Portal might be worth checking Find the Teleportation circle 450
out? The party probably want to kick back with an ale. Liberate the Airship
Free the prisoners
1400
450
Tweaks
Expanding Chapter One
The stealth mission (running as standalone) to get into Creature List
the Manor is supposed to be brief, but can be expanded List of adversaries and where you can find their CR, stat
as you see fit. Does the party want to infiltrate the guard blocks and experience given for a kill.
and try and find out what the captain is up to? He has
cult ties, what does he know? He knows enough about
the kidnap plot but no specific details about where the Monster XP (each)
prisoners are or any answers to puzzles.
If the guards are won over by the party they will Cambion MM p.36

secure the manor and patrols will return to the village, Doppelganger MM p.82

still wary about the illness they’ll only enter if the coast Grimlock MM p.175

is clear. If the party don’t find the hidden prison, the Mindflayer Artificer MM p.222

guards eventually will so there will be closure for the Guard MM p.347

village. Mage
Veteran
MM p.347
MM p.350
Dragonsoul ToD p.183
Cult members in the manor
If captured alive and interrogated, and the rolls are Dragonfang ToD p.182

really good then the party might be able to get what

“Shiver me timbers” means out of them. If they know to
call this out when going through the teleporter, then Treasures List
they don’t face off against the crew immediately upon
boarding The Flying Squid. In that case there are K = key item / T = treasure / M = magic item
Grimlocks on deck and the Captain is in his room
plucking away at his musical instrument. The grimlocks
have blindsight (PHB p. 183), so smells, vibrations and Treasure / Items Location Description
noises will alert them to any intruders presence rather Cult of the Dragon book Manor / Office n/a
than sight. (K)
If the party can get surprise on the mindflayer it will Loose Coins (T) Airship / Captain’s n/a
make the fight a lot easier, but the mindflayer will be Room
able to use the musical weapon in it’s hands. Trinkets (T) Airship / Captain’s
Room
n/a

The doppelgangers (variant rule) Pearl of Power (M) Airship / Captain’s DMG p.
If you want, you can have the doppelgangers leave Room 184
through the teleporter circle and pre-warn the mind Ring of Water Walking Airship / Captain’s DMG p.
flayer if the party start fighting the other cultists first. (M) Room 193
The noise of the fighting will be loud enough to warn Mac-Fuirmidh Cittern Airship / Captain’s DMG p.
them something has gone wrong, they know the phrase (M) Room 176
to say after telelporting. It is up to you if you want to
leave the wall open or have the fireplace puzzle reset.

SUMMARY 19
 Appendix A - Handouts

Translation of the Book’s Preface

Chapter headers from the Book

Black dragons

Blue dragons

Green dragons

20 APPENDIX
Red dragons

White dragons

APPENDIX 21
 Rank Names
Appendix B - Faction Renown
See "Dungeon Master's Guide p.22" for
Renown Points faction specific rank names, for this
faction system you gain the renown 1 rank
This is meant to be supplementary faction name immediately upon joining. Rank 1 to
information for the Tyranny of Dragons 4 in the table below corresponds to the
campaign, but feel free to use it in any rank names for renown levels 3, 10, 25
way you see fit. and 50.

Renown is gained by various means,

completing quests for a faction by
levelling up or some other act that
benefits the faction as a whole.
Completing a quest or faction objective
will add an additional one to the
character's renown, certain special
occassions will see the renown increase
by more - stopping an assassination of a
promintent faction member for example.
Rewards
The rewards detailed below are just
guidelines and can be tweaked to fit
whatever campaign is being run, the idea
being the specialists can be used to fill
certain important positions on the
airship; an artificer, cleric, etc.
Certain factions can be used to supply
specific specialists only, if you want
your party to spread their wings.
Intended to be one time only rewards.

Ranks & Reward

Reward Duration Details
Rank 1 (3+ renown)
Living Costs Per stay Costs paid for
Follower Per quest CR 1/4
Spell casting* 1d4 a day Level 1&2
Rank 2 (10+ renown)
Safe Houses Per stay Base of operation
Specialist Per quest Faction specific
Spell casting* 1d6 a day Level 1 to 3
Rank 3 (25+ renown)
Stronghold Per stay Locally
Specialist Permenant** Faction specific
Spell casting* 1d8 a day Level 1 to 5
Rank 4 (50+ renown)
Stronghold Permenant *** Regional
Specialist (x2) Permenant** Faction specific
Spell casting* 3d8 a day Level 1 to 7

Notes
* Spell casting services are provided locally and should be for more utility based spells; healing, mending, resurrection, etc. not
abused to smite the cult forces from afar.
** Permenant specialists can be posted in various roles, whether at a stronghold or a mode of transport. They are not part of the
party and won’t take part in combat.
*** Permenant strongholds are secure bases of operations that will always have a bed and facilities for the party to use. They are
not 100% owned and controlled by the party, but specialists can be posted there.***

** Faction Specialists
Use NPC stat blocks unless stated (MM. p342 to 350), for expanded options check out Volo’s Guide to Monsters
(VGTM. p209 to 220) or for homebrew options check out Drew’s Guide to Henchmen and Hirelings on GM Binder.
Harper Order of Gauntlet Emerald Enclave Lord’s Alliance Zhentarim
Captain (use Bandit Captain) Artificer (see Appendix C) Druid Veteran Thug
Scout Knight Zealot (use Cult Fanatic) Gladiator Assassin (Rank 4)
Mage Priest Berserker Noble Spy

22 APPENDIX
Appendix C - Stat Blocks
Artificer Specialist

Alchemist
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment

Armor Class 16 (chain shirt, infusions)

Hit Points Hit Points
Speed 30ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)

Saving Throws Con +3, Int +6

Skills Investigation +6, Medicine +6, Nature +6
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common, and one other
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Alchemist Savant. When the alchemist casts a spell, it can add 4

to one roll of damage dealt or hit points healed by that spell.

Infusions. The alchemist has two items infused with magical

properties: its chain shirt which provides a +1 bonus to its
armor class (included), and a jug which functions as an
alchemy jug. If the alchemist dies, these magical properties
end 4 days later.

Spellcasting. The alchemist is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its

spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit
with spell attacks). The alchemist has the following artificer
spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): acid splash (see “Actions” below), spare
the dying
1st Level (4 slots): cure wounds, false life, grease, healing
word (see “Actions” below), purify food and drink, ray of
sickness
2nd Level (2 slots): flaming sphere, lesser restoration, Melf’s
acid arrow, web
Actions
Acid Splash (Cantrip). The alchemist flings acid at up to two
creatures within 60 feet that are within 5 feet of each other.
Each target must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or
take 11 (2d6 + 4) acid damage.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., or

range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit 4 (1d4 + 2)

Healing Word (1st Level Spell). As a bonus action, the alchemist

heals a creature it can see within 60 feet that isn’t a construct
or undead. The creature regains 10 (1d4+8) hit points, or 13
(2d4+8) hit points if the alchemist uses a 2nd level spell slot.

APPENDIX 23
 Talis the White
by Bryan Syme

Appendix D - Maps
Kesterel / Evergreen Manor

Hidden Prison

Ground Floor

E D F
G
C H
B A

* This map might look familiar, inspiration behind the manor map comes from Tom Cartos, I needed a lot of help with
the shape and structure to get me started. Tom’s Essenheim Manor was perfect, so many thanks.

24 APPENDIX
First Floor

K J L M
N O

Attic

APPENDIX 25
 Squid Pirate
by Crexik

The Flying Squid

Main Deck and Poop Deck

B A
Berth Deck

E D F
Hold

G
26 APPENDIX
Appendix E - Plot Hook changes
If using this adventure as an add on for the Tryanny of Dragons (ToD) campaign use the right hand side of the timeline,
if running as a standalone (S) use the left hand side of the timeline.
Start

Arriving at Evergreen
NOTE: An adventure awaits at the tavern, what is
going on in Evergreen? The party heard this place
was quaint and friendly.
Prologue
NOTE: Run as is, no changes required.
Chapter 1
The Estate & Grounds
NOTE: Skip To The Manor Born
Chapter 1
To The Manor Born
NOTE: Skip The Estate & Grounds
Chapter 2
Evergreen Manor is located where you decide,
statue of Leira is the patron of Lord Evergreen an
accomplished illusionist, and people in the hidden
prison are the missing friends and family members
from the village.
Chapter 2
Kesterel Manor is located in Neverwinter, Talis’
knowledge of the manor will be useful, statue of
Leira shows her parent’s have a sick sense of
humour, and girl in the hanging cage in the hidden
prison is Talis’ good friend that had the other
sending stone.
Chapter 3
Prisoners are Lord and Lady Evergreen, party will
need to inform Waterdeep guard of where they’ve
come from.
Chapter 3
Prisoners are Talis’ parents. Leosin, Ontharr and
the rest of the council will help from here.

Heroes saved the day?

APPENDIX 27
 Untitled
by Lim Taeyeob

Race against
time to save
the day
What would lead a high ranking
member of the cult of dragons to go
against her own? A deadly threat to
her parent’s lives? A memory of
childhood bliss and happier times?
Can Talis actually be trusted?
Add-on adventure for the Tryanny of
Dragons campaign.

A once quaint and happy village, now

talk of curses and incurable illnesses.
The manor with it’s closed doors,
friends and families that work there
trapped for weeks with no word. Can
anyone find out what is going on in
Evergreen Manor?
Standalone adventure for D&D 5e.

Recommended for APL8

by T.Bonds
2022

Back Cover thingy

by Terry Bonds