Dragons in the Dark Forge

Reclaim the enchanted forge and uncover its dragon secrets.

A band of adventurers must infiltrate a stolen magic forge deep under a mountain, now home to rogue dwarves and mythical dragons. Tasked with reclaiming the forge before a cosmic alignment enables a cataclysmic event, the adventurers must solve ancient puzzles, negotiate with dragons, and combat diabolical dwarves. Their journey takes them through dragon-guarded halls and traps laced with eldritch power, leading to a final confrontation where the fate of the forge—and perhaps their own—hangs by a thread.

The World

Context

In this world, powerful magic fused with medieval technology shapes society. Mountainous terrains conceal magical forges, crucial to civilizations. Massive dragon-built structures interspersed with natural elements are common. Magic is a daily tool and source of tension, especially when tapped into by wrong hands.

Concept

Mountain-forged artifacts powered by imprisoned dragon magic.

Impact

Artisans and warriors vie for magical forges; dragons ward secrets, causing racial tension.

The Plot

Summary

The adventurers are hired to retrieve an enchanted forge stolen by the nefarious Molten Hoard, a group of evil dwarves who have taken control under the serene Peaksbrim Mountain. The forge's magic, derived from trapped dragon souls, is at risk of falling into the wrong hands when a cosmic alignment amplifies its power. The adventurers must navigate through dangers, from draconic guardians testing their worth, to cunning dwarven machinists setting fiery traps. They uncover the forge's true purpose: a hidden gate to a lost dragon sanctuary. Just as the Molten Hoard moves to exploit it, the adventurers must decide between sealing this power or redirecting it to restore balance, all while dealing with the fallout of their decisions upon the mountain's inhabitants and their own destinies.

Complication

The forge is also a temporal gate meant for dragons, not mortals.

Hook

The stolen forge offers riches and powerful artifacts.

World stakes

The wrong use of the forge could unleash trapped dragons, changing everything.

Personal stakes

The adventurers' lives are at risk with every wrong move.

The Acts

Act 1

Summary:

The adventurers enter Peaksbrim Mountain, greeted by trapped hallways mixing dwarven craftsmanship with ancient enchantments. They must decode and bypass these to reach deeper into the stronghold. Along the way, they meet a conflicted dwarf engineer who reveals the Molten Hoard's plan to harness the coming cosmic alignment for power.

Location:

Maze-like enchanted tunnels with shifting walls.

Challenge:

Deciphering and disarming magical traps woven into the stones.

Objective:

Navigate the enchanted corridors to find the forge.

Set Back:

A critical trap seals one passage, forcing detour and time loss.

Revelation:

Molten Hoard plans to use cosmic alignment soon.

GM's Guide:

Maintain a sense of claustrophobia and tension. Highlight the ingenuity of the traps and the mix of magic and machine. Allow the engineer to become either a reluctant ally or a foil, depending on players' approach.

GM's Move:

Discovery of dwarven plans for the cosmic alignment increases urgency.

Act 2

Summary:

Reaching the forge chamber, the adventurers encounter both mechanical defenders and dragon-essences woven into their very foundations. Here, their worthiness is tested by both the dwarves and guardians from a hidden dragon alliance, challenging their intentions and abilities.

Location:

Forge chamber, glittering with draconic motifs, hum with arcane energy.

Challenge:

Resolving mechanical versus magical guardian conflicts.

Objective:

Prove their worth and intentions to the forge’s guardians.

Set Back:

One character incurs a debt to a dragon spirit for aid.

Revelation:

The forge is a gate to a dragon sanctuary.

GM's Guide:

Focus on the dual nature of challenges—both mechanical and draconic. Creatively present 'tests' that assess more than combat skills, like empathy or intelligence, to honor dragon qualities.

GM's Move:

Dwarves start preparing the forge against cosmic threat.

Act 3

Summary:

With the forge's true nature revealed, the adventurers face the Molten Hoard in a tense standoff as the cosmic alignment peaks. They can seal the gate, negotiate with controller dragons, or find a third path to balance power. Unexpectedly, a sylvan dragon arrives, offering ancient wisdom.

Location:

Forge's heart, charged with cosmic energy and dragon lore.

Challenge:

Battling both time and the Molten Hoard to avert disaster.

Objective:

Decide the forge's fate and avert disaster.

Set Back:

Sylvan dragon's arrival complicates alliances.

Revelation:

Hidden dragon ally offers ancient insights.

GM's Guide:

Tie emotional threads and past conflicts into a climactic resolution. Allow players’ choices to meaningfully influence outcomes. Use the alignment peak as a countdown to increase urgency and tension.

GM's Move:

The cosmic alignment's power starts to distort reality.

Climax:

Adventurers decide the forge’s destiny, influencing dragon-kind and dwarf relations thereafter.