d20 Expeditious Retreat Press 1 on 1 Adventures 07 - Eyes of the Dragon.pdf - Expeditious Retreat Press - R5700

1 on 1 Adventures #7

Eyes of the Dragon

By Matthew Carson

1 on 1 Adventures #7: Eyes of the Dragon

The sacred treasures of the monastery have been stolen! While simple greed could explain the theft

of the eyes of the dragon , the Grandmaster of the Dragon Path has sensed a more sinister motivation

for the theft that has come to pass. Far beyond the walls of the remote monetary, you must journey

into foreign lands and battle the will of an ancient foe to recover the eyes of the dragon .

An adventure designed for 1 GM and

1 player (Level 7-9 monk)

Requires the use of Dungeons & Dragons, Third Edition Core Books, published by

Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

WWW.XRPSHOP.CITYMAX.COM

This module includes 20 adventure-packed pages, complete with locations and maps,

forming a ready-made adventure. It has been crafted for one player and one GM so even

the smallest gaming group has adventures suitable to their needs with minimal preparation

time. With some minor scaling, Eyes of the Dragon is suitable for use with a traditional four-

player party.

If you enjoy this module, look for future releases in the One on One Adventures line from

Expeditious Retreat Press

One on One Adventures #7

Eyes of the Dragon

By Matthew Carson

An Adventure for one Monk Level 7-9

Front Cover Artist: David Esbri

Back Cover Artist: Joan Guardiet

Internal Artist: Claudio Pozas

Credits

Author: Matthew Carson

Additional Writing, Editing, and Layout: Suzi Yee

Table of Contents

Adventure Background.................................................2

Adventure Overview.....................................................2

Adapting This Adventure.............................................2

Scene 1: The Adventure Begins....................................3

Scene 2: The Chosen One..............................................4

Scene 3: The Winding Road..........................................5

Scene 4: The Port of Darmane......................................5

Tracking Down Aedon...................................5

Location 1: The Lonesome Mermaid Tavern......6

What Kayla Knows..........................................7

Location 2: Market District....................................7

Location 3: The Government House....................8

Location 4: The Library of Amara........................9

The Scroll of the Dragon Saga........................9

The Book of Zaaz...........................................10

Location 5: The Docks..........................................11

Scene 5: Journey into the Burning Plains..................11

Scene 6: Shadow on the Dunes...................................11

Scene 7: The Warlord’s Encampment.......................12

Scene 8: The Temple of Xyrix.....................................13

Room 1: The Gallery ............................................14

Room 2: The Mausoleum.....................................14

Room 3: Empty Mausoleum................................14

Room 4: The Antechamber..................................14

Room 5: The Sanctuary........................................15

Scene 9: Face of the Ancient Enemy..........................16

Concluding the Adventure.........................................18

Sample PC.....................................................................18

Maps ..........................................................................18

Sanctuary of the Enlightened..............................18

Port of Darmane....................................................19

Temple of Xyrix.....................................................19

Legal Section.................................................................20

Adventure Background

Long ago, the Netherworld Prince Xyrix found a way into the

world from the hellish planes beyond, seeking to dominate the

mortal realm. He brought pain, suffering and no small amount

of death with him, reveling in the tears and souls he caused to

fall like rain.

Little could be done under his tortuous yoke, until one day

a magnii cent celestial gold dragon came from heaven with

the i rst rays of the dawn. He made war against the minions

of Xyrix and none could withstand his holy wrath. He pressed

the dark followers until the dread tyrant himself arrived to

contest the righteous might of Zan-rei, the Ascendant Dragon.

The two fought like angry titans, laying waste to the land

around the demon lord’s largest temple. At length, Zan-

rei was able to defeat Xyrix, but the cost was terribly high.

For Zan-rei, the ultimate cost was the greater part of his life

essence. Even then, Xyrix was not fully destroyed but merely

banished from the plane of men and locked in a dimensional

prison. What remained of the Ascendant Dragon on this plane

was far diminished and soon to fade into nothingness. He

cried to the heavens for succor in his i nal hours.

And then the Ascendant Dragon’s siblings, Celestial Crane

and Perfect Tiger, arrived to help their wounded brother. They

committed the remainder of his life force into two emeralds

that would keep what remained of him preserved for eternity.

In time, they founded a monastery upon a lonely peak where

mortal monks could learn of their wise brother’s teachings.

They also added their own philosophies so that each monk

could choose to follow the Path of Dragon, Crane or Tiger.

Then they departed back to the heavens, entrusting the Eyes of

The Dragon to the care of their followers.

Ages passed and the stories became legendary. The

monks of Greenspire mountain, known as the Monks of the

Enlightened Way, protected the treasured artifacts, but after a

great i re that consumed much of their archives, the reasons

why became unclear with the passing of years. The three

i gures of Dragon, Crane and Tiger became more and more

abstract. While their respective Paths endured, they came to be

believed less as actual beings and more as philosophical icons.

What the monks could not have known was that Xyrix

was still watchful of the outside world from the coni nes of his

prison. He could still affect the dreams of mortals, i lling them

with fear, anger or delusions of grandeur. The keys to his release

were the very emeralds that held the life force of his binder.

Unfortunately, their protectors now believed that the true story

bordered more on myth and faerie tale. There in solitude, Xyrix

waits until the day he can once again bring i re and havoc down

upon the mortal realm. That day is close is hand…

Adventure Overview

Sacred relics of the monastery, the eyes of the dragon , are stolen

from their rightful place in the eyes of the Ascendant Dragon

statue. The elders choose one from among their ranks to go and

retrieve these two, i st-sized emeralds and bring them home.

The visions of the elders direct the PC to the nearby pirate

port of Darmane. After an eye-opening and uncomfortable

urban experience in the seedy port, the PC i nally catches the

scent of the thief. He catches up to Aedon the Serpent, the foul

culprit of the theft.

Unfortunately, the thief has already handed the eyes over

to his employer. The employer in question turns out to be

none other than a warlord that is looking to expand his own

personal power through the use of the eyes .

Things become even more serious, however, when a trip

to a musty library leads to a discovery that the eyes are actually

a key of sorts, able to free a powerful demon from his age-long

prison. The warlord wishes to bind this demon to his will,

forcing it to grant him enormous power. While this is a fool’s

errand, the warlord is dead set on carrying it through.

The PC must procure passage across the sea to the Desert

of Rakhan and then journey to a forgotten ruin where the

dark ritual is to take place. Once there, the PC deals with the

warlord personally. With any luck, the PC will get there in

time to stop the dark ritual. If the dark ritual is completed, the

Prince of the Netherworld will emerge, and the PC must face

the i endish foe before he can return the eyes of the dragon to

their rightful home.

Adapting This Adventure

This adventure can be easily modii ed to i t into an existing

campaign or game setting. The Monks of the Enlightened

Way keep to themselves and are pretty self-sufi cient, so there

is little need for them to leave the monastery proper. Thus,

they can be placed in just about any mountain chain that’s not

terribly far away from the sea. Similarly the action that takes

place in Darmane can be set in any seedy port. The desert of

Rakhan can be changed to any desert or desolate area that’s

off the beaten path. If the PC is not from the monastery, or

does not have strong ties to them, the GM should have the eyes

place a powerful geas spell upon him (after borrowing their

strength in the i nal battle) to ensure their safe return. We are

talking about two, i st-sized emeralds after all…

This adventure can accommodate other martial types of

characters other than a monk. If such is the case, The Monks

of the Enlightened way can be modii ed where they are not

martial but meditative in nature. The PC may have been

invited to visit the monastery while on his way to someplace

else, or the PC can merely be passing by. When the eyes are

stolen, the monks turn to the PC for help. The GM should

modify the opening encounter sequence where appropriate.

Staring down at you is a i gure dressed in swirling dark

robes that seems poised and ready to strike like a cobra.

He wears a hideous red and white mask made in the

likeness of a snarling demonic lion, whose mouth looks

frozen in a perpetual scream.

If the PC proves resilient against the crossbow, Aedon will

enter into melee range and use his formidable unarmed skills,

which are made more dangerous with is possession of one eye

of the dragon . If Aedon engages in unarmed combat, allow the

PC a Wisdom Check (DC 10) to recognize that the mysterious

attacker is trained to i ght in the Black Serpent way, a style

that emphasizes the use of deceit, deadly strikes and poison,

and ancient rivals of his Order. Aedon will seek to stun or

incapacitate the PC so that he can procure the second eye and

teleport away using his mask. If Aedon already possesses both

gems, then he will engage the PC for a few rounds for sport,

but will teleport away if things start to get rough. If the PC is

Scene 1: The Adventure Begins

It is night, and the PC’s sleep is restless as visions of i re and

torment cascade through his mind in a seemingly endless

dreamscape of nightmare. A successful DC 15 Listen Check

will awaken the PC. The PC will recognize the monastery’s

alarm, realizing there is an intruder on the temple grounds!

If the PC fails his Listen check, a DC 12 Spot check

awakens the PC as the glow of many paper lanterns l itting

back and forth like i rel ies across his window as the monks

search for their unwelcome visitor.

As the PC is looking around outside, everything is quiet

except for the quiet gurgle of the traditional watercourse and

the distant voices of the other monks. Allow a Spot check (DC

15) to notice that the beautifully carved wooden doors of the

sanctuary stand slightly ajar. If the PC misses the check or

ignores the information, then Aedon may appear on the roof

of the sanctuary (an opposed roll between the PC’s Spot and

Aedon’s Hide skill). If the PC is alone, Adeon cannot resist

taking a shot with his favorite light crossbow and poisoned

barbed bolt. However, Aedon already has both eyes in his

possession and will use his mask to teleport away if other monks

teleport

starting to get the better of Aedon, he will immediately use the

telekinesis power to call the other eye , and then teleport away.

teleport

After 1d6+1 rounds of combat, the other monks will

arrive on the scene. One round before the monks actually

enter, allow Aedon a Listen check DC 10 to hear their hurried

footsteps outside the door and make his escape without being

seen by the more monks. If Aedon is still engaged in combat

when the monks arrive, he will secure the second gem using

the telekinesis power of the i rst and teleport away.

teleport away.

teleport

Once Aedon has left with both gems, the monks will

question the PC on what has transpired and see to any

wounds or ailments the PC might have incurred as a result

of the i ght. The PC is encouraged to rest and contemplate the

evening’s events.

Creatures: Aedon the Serpent (with one eye of the dragon ),

male human, monk 3, rogue 3; CR 6; Medium Humanoid

(human); HD 3d8 +3 plus 3d6 + 3; hp 30; Init +8; Spd 40 ft.; AC

22, touch 20, l at-footed 16; Base Atk +4; Grp +6; Atk or Full

Atk: unarmed +9 melee (1d6 + 2/x2) or l urry of blows +7/+7

melee (1d6+2/x2), or masterwork light crossbow +11 (1d8/19-

20 x2); SA Stunning Fist (x3 a day), poison (DC 16); SQ Cast

augury x 1 day, critical reduction 25%, evasion, fast healing 1,

i re & electricity resistance 5, l urry of blows, immune to stun,

sneak attack + 2d6, still mind, trapi nding, trap sense + 1; AL

LE; SV Fort + 5, Ref +12, Will +6; Str 14, Dex 22, Con 12, Int 10,

Wis 14, Cha 11.

Skills and Feats : Appraise +1, Balance +11, Bluff +5,

Climb +5, Diplomacy +2, Disable Device +8, Disguise +3 (+5

to act in character), Escape Artist +9, Hide +11, Intimidate + 2,

Jump +4, Listen +5, Move Silently +11, Open Lock +14, Search

+6, Sense Motive +2, Sleight of Hand +10, Spot +7, Tumble

+12; Combat Rel exes, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Improved

Unarmed Strike B , Quickdraw, Stunning Fist, Weapon Focus

(unarmed strike)

Languages: Common

Magic Possessions: Bracers of armor + 2, dust of

disappearance , potion of neutralize poison, potion of cure moderate

wounds (x3)

Mundane Possessions : Backpack, bedroll, black serpent

venom (x4), black serpent venom anti-toxin, 20 barbed bolts,

grappling hook, 2 masterwork daggers, masterwork light

crossbow, masterwork thief’s tools, 50ft rope (silk), 1 gem

(50gp), 390gp.

Poison: 1d4 Dex damage both as a primary and secondary;

DC 16 Fort Save.

teleport

arrive, seeking to remain unseen by most of the monastery.

If the PC investigates the sanctuary, either from a

successful Spot check or an instinct to protect the sacred

places of the monastery, he interrupts Aedon as he is stealing

the eyes . The thief will only have time to pry one loose before

the PC enters the room. If Aedon makes a successful DC 15

Listen Check, he will hear the PC make his approach over the

alarm and have 1 round to hide. Read the following.

As you enter the ancient sanctuary, feathery wisps of

incense spoke swirl ghostlike around the room. The statues

of the three patrons of the monastery stand before you. To

your left is the graceful i gure of Celestial Crane, to your

right is the fearsome image of Perfect Tiger. Directly in

front of you is the serpentine form of Ascendant Dragon.

A successful DC 17 Spot Check will reveal to the PC that

one of the eyes of the Ascendant Dragon is missing, and a

successful opposed Spot check vs. Aedon’s Hide check will

reveal Aedon’s presence. Aedon will wait a moment to see

what the PC does. Normally, it would be difi cult to pry one of

the Eyes from its stony socket (DC 19 Strength Check). As he

has monk levels, Aedon can use the telekinesis ability, freeing

the second eye from the stone i ttings effortlessly. However,

he wants to remain unseen and will not use that ability in

the sight of the PC if avoidable. If the PC comes near the

Ascendant Dragon Statue, Aedon will attack. Regardless of

how the PC meets him, Aedon’s opening gambit will be with

his poisoned barbed crossbow bolt. Once the PC is aware of

Aedon’s presence, read the following.

keen eyes taking in every wicked barb and l etching. “I

have meditated through the night on the intruder, seeking

why the eyes were stolen. Though the greed and vice of

the outside world do not i nd a home within these walls,

we know it drives the hearts of many men. And yet, I

feel that the true purpose behind this act of desecration

transcends mere avarice.” His eyes look suddenly distant

for a moment, until they focus again on you.

“The Eyes of the Dragon have been in our keeping since

the founding of the order many centuries ago. We know

these sacred relics contain great magical power, but the

nature of that power remains unknown. Seven generations

ago a great i re in the monastery destroyed many of our

ancient scrolls, and sadly, much knowledge of the elder

days was lost to us. Our legends of Ascendant Dragon,

Celestial Crane and Perfect Tiger are but remnants of

what once was.” A deep sense of sadness is apparent in

his voice.

“During my contemplation, I was gifted with a vision

from the Ascendant Dragon. I beheld a distant place, older

than most realize, which I believe is the port of Darmane.

It is there the intruder has l ed with his prize. In this

vision, I was i lled with the knowledge that forgotten lore

of the eyes could be found there as well. In this I sense the

hand of destiny in these events.

“We three Grandmasters have spoken, and we agree

that one must be charged with bringing the Eyes of Dragon

safely home where they belong. We believe this Chosen

One should be you.”

You glance over his shoulder towards the vacant

statue of Ascendant Dragon, and your purpose becomes

crystal clear. Without you having to say a word,

Grandfather Dragon breaks into a rare smile. “I knew you

would accept.” He says proudly. “You will bring great

honor to your ancestors and name.”

Eyes of the Dragon

The

The Eyes of the Dragon contain the last vestiges of the

contain the last vestiges of the

Ascendant Dragon’s soul. They are both l awlessly cut

emeralds the size of a human i st. They radiate strong

magic i elds and merely having them on your person or

possession is enough to give the wielder a measure of

power if they possess knowledge of the monk ways (i.e.

monk levels). However, only those that follow the true

path of Zan-rei (monk AL LG) can achieve the benei ts of

having both eyes.

Possession of one eye (Must have monk levels):

• + 2 enlightened bonus to AC

• Constant cat’s grace

• Fast healing 1

• Fire & Electricity resistance 5

• Critical reduction 25%

• Cast augury x 1 day

• Wielder is immune to Stun

• As a move equivalent action, the Wielder can call

the other Eye of the Dragon (assuming it’s within eye sight)

to him via telekinesis.

Possession of both eyes (Must have monk levels and

alignment Lawful Good):

• Frightful Presence (DC is 10 + 2 wielder’s level +

Cha Modii er)

• Constant owl’s wisdom

• Constant freedom of movement

• Fast healing 2

• Critical Negation 50%

• Cast divination x 3 day

Lion Mask: Lent to Aedon by the warlord Kharzon,

Aedon can teleport away once he has both eyes .

Eye of the Dragon: If Aedon has one of the eyes , Aedon

can call the other eye to him via telekinesis.

Notes: Aedon got his start in the Disciples of the Black

Serpent, an underground order of evil monks that specialize

in deception, treachery and misdirection. Aedon became very

adept at their ways, but was never as serious about the art as his

brothers and sisters. Thus, he left their ranks and found a whole

world of vice and self-indulgence that his previous masters had

strenuously kept from him. Greed i lled the vacuum, made all

the worse when he found that he could make a lucrative career

as a thief and enforcer. He’s been “the serpent” for hire ever

since…with a long list of victims in his wake.

Before the PC leaves, Grandfather Dragon will remove an

ornate emerald amulet from around his neck and give it to

the PC along with a bag of 300gp to offset traveling expenses.

Upon putting it on, the PC will immediately know all of

its powers (see sidebox). Grandfather Dragon explains the

powers of the amulet, particularly that the emerald will

glow in the proximity of the eyes . He will also give the PC the

wickedly barbed bolt from Aedon’s crossbow in hopes such an

item will help in tracking the thief.

Talisman of the Dragon Guide

This amulet is made to resemble a golden sunburst. In

the center of the sun is a realistically carved dragon’s

face shown in proi le. In the eye of this image is a faceted,

thumb-nailed sized emerald. This talisman is traditionally

kept by the Grandmaster of the Dragon Path, known as

Grandfather Dragon. It grants certain bonuses and abilities

to the wearer. When the PC dons the amulet he gains the

following:

• The wearer can sense the presence of the Eyes of the

Dragon within 2 miles.

• +2 enlightened bonus to the wearer’s Wisdom score

• Cast divination x 1 day as the spell. Use the PC’s level

as the caster level.

• + 2 misc. bonus to Sense Motive, Balance &

Knowledge: Religion checks

Scene 2: The Chosen One

Shortly before dawn the next day, the PC receives a summons

to the main sanctuary to speak to the three Grand Masters of

the order. Read the following aloud.

As you enter the main sanctuary, the three Grand Masters

are assembled, waiting for you. Beneath the statue of the

Ascendant Dragon sits the venerable and wise form of

Grandfather Dragon who strokes his long silver mustache

in contemplation. To his left is Grandfather Crane, who

sits placid and unmoving. Opposite him is Grandmother

Tiger whose alert eyes seize you as you take your place

before them. Grandfather Dragon reaches into his robe

and produces the bolt that the attacker shot at you, his

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