Rescue the Tidewarden: The Warforged Siege

Save the captured dragon turtle before time runs out!

Players must rescue Tidewarden, an ancient dragon turtle, imprisoned by warforged pirates. Navigating through treacherous coastal waters and a submerged magical cave, they face steampunk-like devices and magical traps in a high-stakes battle against time. With the sea itself beginning to rage, the players must overcome technological and magical challenges to save Tidewarden, whose warden-presence stabilizes local marine ecosystems.

The World

Context

In this coastal realm, magic fuels medieval societies, infusing even simple nautical tools with eldritch energies. The Warforged, remnants from an ancient civilization, have reactivated, disturbing the balance of magic and nature. These beings defy natural life with mechanical magic artistry, using oceanside caves as secretive bases for their operations.

Concept

Warforged constructs using forgotten primal magic in a medieval coastal setting.

Impact

Communities must balance medieval lifestyles with incursions from Warforged, leading to magical innovations to protect homes.

The Plot

Summary

Tidewarden, a revered dragon turtle whose existence maintains oceanic balance, is being held captive by a crew of warforged deep in a mystical underwater cave. The realm's enchanted waters grow turbulent, threatening coastal communities reliant on sea trade and fishing. Players must infiltrate the cave within three days, when a lunar cycle will permanently bind Tidewarden's magic to the warforged network. They will navigate magical currents, engage with enchanted marine fauna, and face mechanical guardians. Upon reaching the core chamber where Tidewarden is held, they'll confront the warforged leader trying to harness Tidewarden's immense magical power, leading to a climatic battle intertwined with strategy, magic, and willpower.

Complication

Warforged leader reveals intentions to awaken an army.

Hook

Tidewarden's capture destabilizes coastal waters.

World stakes

Entire coastal magic will disrupt, affecting trade and harvests.

Personal stakes

Cursed if Tidewarden's magic ritual is completed.

The Acts

Act 1

Summary:

The adventure begins in the coastal village of Sandshard, where turbulent tides threaten to wash away homes and docks. Players meet the village elder who requests their help to rescue Tidewarden. They first gather critical information from a hidden archive protected by magical wards and puzzles, which describes the location of the sealing cave and its defenses. Along the way, they learn of the warforged's revival and previous conflicts with the sea turtle guardians, heightening the urgency.

Location:

Sandshard Village featuring an enigmatic, warded archive.

Challenge:

Puzzle to bypass magical archive defenses.

Objective:

Learn the location and defense mechanisms of the cave.

Set Back:

Library wards trigger a temporary, debilitating curse.

Revelation:

Warforged seek to bind Tidewarden's magic.

GM's Guide:

Set a tense atmosphere by emphasizing the stormy seas damaging the village, prompting immediate action. Encourage players to explore, ask questions, and bond with the villagers to inspire future heroics. Use NPC interactions to subtly introduce the mechanics and history of the warforged for foreshadowing. Keep the pace brisk; this is the setup for the high-stakes rescue mission.

GM's Move:

A magical storm threatens the village's immediate safety.

Act 2

Summary:

Armed with knowledge, players sail to the submerged cave, avoiding warforged patrols and navigating magical water currents that protect the entrance. Along the way, they battle enchanted sea creatures bound to defend the warforged's new domain. During the journey, they receive a cryptic message from Tidewarden through dreams, hinting at a hidden ally beneath the waves. Close to the cave entrance, players encounter a malfunctioning warforged, providing insights about the cave’s layout and guardians.

Location:

Choppy coastal waters with unpredictable magical currents.

Challenge:

Navigate psychic currents and sea creature attacks.

Objective:

Reach the cave entrance unnoticed by warforged patrols.

Set Back:

Sea creature attacks strain resources and energy.

Revelation:

Tidewarden communicates secret ally's presence.

GM's Guide:

Build suspense through environmental storytelling as players face divine magical resistance from the currents and creatures. Create tension by limiting visibility and adding unpredictability with haunted dreams. Use the malfunctioning warforged for light exposition and provide clues to outsmart the warforged's defenses.

GM's Move:

Encounter with magical currents increases tension.

Act 3

Summary:

Players infiltrate the warforged cave, dodging traps and magical wards, aiming to reach the central chamber where Tidewarden is held. The final confrontation with the warforged leader reveals their plan to take control of the oceans and unleash an ancient army. Players must harness their knowledge, creativity, and resilience to outsmart the leader and dismantle the ritual. The climactic battle involves freeing Tidewarden, who will then turn the tide against the warforged with a tremendous surge of magical power.

Location:

Underwater cave filled with magical traps and automation.

Challenge:

Battle against the warforged leader and disabling a ritual.

Objective:

Rescue Tidewarden and stop the ritual.

Set Back:

Tidewarden's magical chains prove difficult to break.

Revelation:

Warforged aim to control entire coastal regions with magic.

GM's Guide:

Ramp up tension by featuring unseen obstacles and technical wonders of the warforged constructs, blending technology with threatening magical overtones. Encourage the players to utilize discovered clues and forge allies, potentially negotiating with captured warforged for aid. Balance combat and problem-solving to keep dynamic as players unravel the leader's schemes.

GM's Move:

Confrontation with the warforged leader intensifies.

Climax:

Players rescue Tidewarden, who helps destroy the warforged.