Aulicus Reborn - Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Chapter 80

 

Aella, Alot, Craig, and Corvid stop atop the battlements of the citadel at Seaton, prepared for the imminent attack of the resurrected black dragon, Aulicus. 

Craig noticed a swelling of the ocean in the harbor far below. A mass of water rose up, washing onto the harbor jetty a hundred feet below. The water receded, revealing a swarming mass of crab! 

The crab ranged in size from normal to jumbo. They seemed to be led by a crab the size of a human - it was Bess! Bess was leading an army of crab to help defend the city of Seaton.

Then, to Craig's amazement, he saw Bess turn and address a humanoid with a lute strung over his shoulder - it was Cai'luin the sea-elf bard. 

Cai'luin had returned!

 

CHAPTER 80

"AULICUS REBORN"

The Crew of the Sea Ghost:

• Alot Aname - Neutral Good Warforged Fighter, ancient sentinel of a wizard's fortress, spent several decades deactivated underwater, Captain of the Sea Ghost.
• Avastana "Aella" Kádár - Neutral, Half-Elf Outlander and Storm Sorceress from Ket, daughter of the king of the sea elves, deck sorceress and first mate of the Sea Ghost.
• Patriarch Craig "Blunderbuss" Oxworth - Lawful Good Dwarven Priest of St. Ogden (Cleric), sailor and shipwright, bosun of the Sea Ghost.
• Cai'luin Manaan - Chaotic Good Sea-Elf Bard, member of the royal family of the tribe of Manaan. Cook of the Sea Ghost.
• Corvid Ravenson - Neutral Good Fallen Aasimar Paladin of Vengeance and Divine Soul Sorcerer, sent to Oerth to avenge those who wronged his angelic "brother", Auric Ravenson. Second mate of the Sea Ghost.

DM- This is it! This is the final chapter in our Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign.

Cai'luin Returns

Patriarch Craig said a short prayer and his voice became miraculously amplified, "Cai'luin! Up here!"

Cai'luin dashed up the stairs through the warehouse district towards the gate house of the citadel. In a moment he had rejoined his friends atop the battlements. 

"Where have you been?" asked the dwarf.

"Oh, just rescuing my people's sacred coral polyp, convincing them to help defend the coast from the Brotherhood ships, and rallying all the crabs of the Azure Sea to battle. That's all."

"We're glad you're back."

Final Preparations

A warm breeze picked up. The fires of sea battles were visible out at sea. The invasion was underway. Somewhere in the night sky was a black dragon ridden by a crazed dragon cultist bent on destroying the citadel of Seaton. 

The team had three scrolls bearing a spell of Flight between them and three people capable of casting them - Aella, Corvid, and Cai'luin.

Patriarch Craig, who had for several weeks been suffering under a curse from the magical Deck of Many Things, prayed to his god Tristin, the Raven King, for assistance. "Oh Mighty Raven King. Hear my prayer. Remove this magical curse placed upon me so that I might mete out divine vengeance upon this foul dragon that defies you will."

DM- Patriarch Craig used his Divine Intervention cleric ability to ask his god to remove the Medusa card's curse that gave him -2 on all saving throws. Only a god or the magic of The Fates card can end this curse, so Divine Intervention was his only option.  He had an 11 percent chance of success. It was a long shot. 

There was much cheering and laughing at the table! It couldn't have come at a more opportune time!

Patriarch Craig thought he heard a voice from far away. It said, "Huh? What? Who is this? Whatever. Sure. Go for it!" He felt reinvigorated! He was free from his curse!

The others mapped out their scroll strategy. As soon as they saw the dragon, Corvid would use a scroll on himself, Cai'luin would use a scroll on Alot,  and Aella would use a scroll on Patriarch Craig. Using this strategy, the close fighters could go toe-to-toe with the dragon in mid-air while those with ranged attacks remained on the battlement. 

Corvid said a prayer to Tristin and a majestic steed miraculously appeared. Corvid mounted the noble beast and prepared for battle.

Attack on the Tower

Everyone was on high alert, scanning the night sky for any hint of the dragon. Suddenly, one of the guards on one of the towers screamed in pain. The hapless fellow melted from a stream of acid that emerged from the darkness! Cries of fright and alarm issued from the other guards in the tower as they abandoned their posts in fear.

Corvid read the spell on the scroll, casting flight upon his steed. He took to the air, galloping towards the tower. He caught a glimpse of something large moving in the night. He sent forth a bolt of holy fire that struck the dark shape, briefly illuminating it and revealing it to be the black dragon, Aulicus, and his rider the evil priest Orgmond!

Aella immediately read the spell on her scroll, granting flight upon Alot. 

Alot immediately shot into the night sky towards the dragon.

Craig, expecting Aella to cast the spell on himself, leaped into the sky with no effect. He sent a stern glare at Aella. "You were supposed to cast flight on me! You know, like IN THE PLAN!"

The sorceress shrugged, "Sorry, I got caught up in the moment!"

Cai'luin said, "Don't worry! I got you covered!" The sea-elf bard read the spell off the final scroll, granting Craig the power of flight. 

The dragon Aulicus flapped its wings to reposition. A stream of acid shot forth from its mouth. The acid sprayed upon Alot and Corvid. Alot was able to hold up his magic shield and deflect the acid but Corvid took the brunt. 

DM- Corvid failed his save and took 44 points of acid damage. Alot made his save for half and used his Warforged ability to reduce that to zero.

The dragon's rider pointed his hands at Alot and uttered a prayer to Tiamat. Aella pointed the magic Trident of Manaan at the priest and the prayer was disrupted! 

DM- I was trying to cast Guiding Bolt. Aella interrupted. It was the first time she had used the Counterspell feature of the trident! Fun!

Alot shot towards the dragon and began repeatedly stabbing the rider, the priest Orgmond, with his magic javelin. Alot shoved Orgmond with his shield, knocking the rider out of his saddle. Orgmond was stuck in an awkward position and unable to move. Alot seized the advantage and continued stabbing the rider over and over and over until he lay slumped, strapped limply into his saddle, dead. 

Aella hurled a bolt of magical lightning at Aulicus. The dragon writhed as electricity arced off his armored hide!

Aulicus saw Aella cast the lightning bolt. He became incensed! "You! I remember you! You are the one who slew me! I will feast upon your bones!" He tried to evade the others in an attempt to fly towards Aella but his way was blocked by Alot. 

Father Craig followed up with a bolt of fire from the heavens! 

Cai'luin cast a bardic spell to create a sphere of psychic static around the dragon. The haphazard placement of the attack caught Alot within its area of effect. The static had a minor effect on Aulicus but Alot was left shaken and addled. 

The dragon bore down on Alot, being the only target within arm's reach. Aulicus bit into Alot and tore at him with his claws, rending parts of the automaton sentinel's nigh impervious armor. 

DM- Tail hit for 10, Claw critical for 24, Claw hit for 26! 

Corvid charged through the air atop his holy steed. He slashed and stabbed at the dragon with his magical sword Faith Keeper! 

DM- 31 damage, then 30 damage!

Aella followed through with a sorcerous Chaos Bolt!

The dragon flailed its tail around in an attempt to strike Alot but to no avail. 

Alot stabbed the dragon over and over with his magical javelin

Patriarch Craig prayed for a guiding bolt to strike the dragon, illuminating the dragon in radiant light! 

Cai'luin cast another bardic spell of synaptic static, this time paying attention to the position of his colleagues. Aulicus fought against the attack but it was too much. The dragon lost consciousness and plummeted towards the river 120 feet below!

Corvid dove down towards the river. There he found the dragon, barely alive. He stabbed the dragon through the heart. There, bobbing in the river in the dark, he cut out the dragon's heart. He returned it to his colleagues so that Patriarch Craig could burn the heart in holy fire, ensuring that the dragon could not be resurrected again. 

Epilogue

DM- After the battle, I gave my players some broad strokes of what happened at Niole Dra, Saltmarsh, Manaan, Monmurg, etc. but I left the details up to them. I would ask them questions like "So, what happens to Baron Solmor - does he live or was he assassinated? Now that the royal family and the courtiers are dead, does the Duke of Seaton take a greater role in running the kingdom?" That kind of thing. 

In the weeks and months that followed, it became known that the entire royal family, along with many courtiers, visiting dignitaries, and other nobles and merchants, had died from poison during the celebration of the solstice in Niole Dra. Baron Solmor, having been kept from the festivities by his servant Skerrin, survived. The hapless baron was ushered away from the capital and taken back to Saltmarsh. 

When they returned, they found a town in revolt. Aella finally placated her rival Eda Oweland with news that the sea elves would assist the fishermen of Saltmarsh by filling their nets. This alliance allowed Aella and Eda to foment rebellion among the commoners of Saltmarsh, overthrowing the town guard and temporarily arresting Commander Fireborn and Manistrad Copperlocks. Baron Solmor returned to find his home ransacked, his treasury emptied and shared among the townspeople. Aella told the baron that his title meant nothing without a mandate from the people. 

Skerrin had disappeared and could not be found.

A new town council was created - one elected by the residents. The position of Mayor was created to replace the authority once held by the baron. The mayor would be elected by the townspeople. 

Cai'luin oversaw the rebuilding of Manaan with the reestablishment of the sacred coral within the druid's grove. He did his best to bring together the survivors of the attack to rebuild the kingdom. Prince Aegon and Princess Nyx could not be found.

Craig and Alot left Saltmarsh to spread the knowledge of the Raven King, Guardian of the Gates of Death, throughout the land. 

And thus ends the story of the Ghosts of Saltmarsh - for now. 

The End

The Calm Before the Storm - Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Chapter 79

Aella, Alot, Corvid, and Craig disembarked from the Sea Ghost on the evening of their arrival in Seaton. Cai'luin had disappeared - he had left to go help his friend Oceanus rescue the sacred polyp from the koalinth. 

The rest hired a carriage - one suitable for a wealthy merchant or visiting noble - to take them to the citadel. The guards at the gate waited for a herald to announce their arrival but no herald emerged from the carriage. Aella looked towards Corvid. Corvid grimaced and shook his head. She looked to Craig. The dwarf scratched his beard and spat. Aella shook her head. Aella looked towards Alot. The cold lenses of the armored automaton's emotionless visual sensors stared back at her. She sighed and exited the carriage herself.

"Please tell Duke Feldren and his daughter Lemundo that Aella, presumptive queen of Manaan, has arrived and seeks an audience."

 

CHAPTER 79

"THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM"

The Crew of the Sea Ghost:

• Alot Aname - Neutral Good Warforged Fighter, ancient sentinel of a wizard's fortress, spent several decades deactivated underwater, Captain of the Sea Ghost.
• Avastana "Aella" Kádár - Neutral, Half-Elf Outlander and Storm Sorceress from Ket, daughter of the king of the sea elves, deck sorceress and first mate of the Sea Ghost.
• Patriarch Craig "Blunderbuss" Oxworth - Lawful Good Dwarven Priest of St. Ogden (Cleric), sailor and shipwright, bosun of the Sea Ghost.
• Cai'luin Manaan - Chaotic Good Sea-Elf Bard, member of the royal family of the tribe of Manaan. Cook of the Sea Ghost.
• Corvid Ravenson - Neutral Good Fallen Aasimar Paladin of Vengeance and Divine Soul Sorcerer, sent to Oerth to avenge those who wronged his angelic "brother", Auric Ravenson. Second mate of the Sea Ghost.

DM- I had originally planned for this session to be the climax but two things got in my way - Cai'luin's player was absent and I didn't really know how to get the story towards the climax I wanted. The player characters were at point A. The climax was at point B. I was at a loss for how to connect those dots. So we spent this week role-playing, planning, researching, and otherwise preparing for the final battle to come. In so doing I was better able to move from that point A to point B in a more logical way that still allowed the players some agency in their own story. 

The Citadel of Seaton

Aella and her entourage were escorted into the duke's manor house but were met at the entrance by Lady Lemundo, daughter of Duke Obertus Feldren, Lord Marshall of the citadel of Seaton. 

Lady Lemundo was ecstatic to see her old friend Aella. Lemundo escorted Aella into the mail hall where the duke's advisors were sitting to share a meal. Lemundo introduced Aella and Alot to those present but relied upon Aella to introduce the rest for she had not yet met Patriarch Craig or Corvid.

In attendance were the military commanders of the king's navy and army stationed in Seaton as well as the priests and patriarchs of the local temples of Heironeous, Saint Cuthbert, and Procan. 

Aella told Lemundo that she and her crew had come to speak to the duke about a very important matter.

"What matter is this?" inquired the bold and commanding voice of the duke as he descended the stairs from the upper floors of the manor house.

Aella and Alot told the duke of the impending surprise attack by forces amassed by the Scarlet Brotherhood, about the planned assassination of the king, and of the resurrection of the dragon Aulicus in order to attack the citadel. All of these events were scheduled to transpire on the night of the Solstice  when the tides were highest and the townsfolk would be distracted with celebrations - eleven days hence.

Duke Feldren shook the hands of Aella and Alot and was introduced to Craig and Corvid. He acknowledged that he had received a messenger from Commander Fireborn in Saltmarsh informing him of this news. "These are bold claims. Do you have evidence to support this?"

Alot produced the coded correspondence between the Scarlet Brotherhood and the Serpent's Tooth. The duke nodded and said that this confirms his own suspicions. His own military intelligence told him that the Scarlet Brotherhood had been importing ship-loads of slaves from Hepmonaland into the city of Monmurg over the past several months.  It was now clear that these so-called slaves were, in fact, soldiers being covertly transported across the Azure Sea and that the Brotherhood was preparing for a major attack along the southwest coast of Keoland.

The dinner became transformed into a planning session as tables were cleared and large maps were produced. Alot suggested the redeployment of the king's navy to protect the towns of Saltmarsh, Angleburg,  and Redshore.

DM- There was a lot of great non-important role-playing that happened here as Corvid and Craig were introduced to the other priests and talked dogma and ritual. Lots of friendly conversation with the duke and his daughter. 

 

Searching for Scrolls

The next eleven days were spent preparing for the battle to come. Aella and Corvid returned to Saltmarsh to visit Angela and Rosalee's Herbs, Potions, Teas, etc. in the hope of acquiring some magical potions that would allow them to fly. They needed some way to meet the dragon in the air. Unfortunately, that was not a concoction that the shop offered. The pair considered seeking the aid of the wizard Keledek but dismissed the option.

DM- The players asked about any wizards in the area. I suggested Keledek - the only wizard in the region as magic is supposed to be rare and unpopular in Greyhawk. 

Alot's player asked, "Wait, isn't he evil?"

I replied, "I mean, you guys labeled him as evil but I'm not sure why. He has an agenda that was different than yours and, so far, anyone with a different agenda than you tends to be immediately labelled ad 'evil' for some reason."

Alot's player said, "Yeah, but didn't he have some arrangement with the Loyal Quartermasters of Iuz?"

And I said, "Insomuch as you all also had the same arrangement. He purchased magic items from her, same as you. Does that make him evil?"

Alot's player said, "Good point. Huh. I always just assumed he was a bad guy for some reason."

"Well, he's not exactly a GOOD guy. Like I said, he just has his own agenda."

I explained how he hired the smugglers to obtain the black dragon egg - his goal being to use the egg as a hostage or a bargaining chip in case Aulicus the dragon attacked Saltmarsh. And how, once they stole the egg and framed the smugglers, he got revenge on the leader of the smugglers for the betrayal. Oh, he also used his invisible imp to spy on people around the town. But that was the extent of his "villainy". 

Aella and Corvid then spent the next week scouring shops and sellers for magical scrolls. They were able to find a map shop in Seaton that happened to have three magical scrolls, each containing a spell of flying, rolled up within a map. 

The Scrying

Patriarch Craig became friends with Doran Serpentwing, priest of Heironeous in Seaton. Serpentwing was a barrel-chested man in his fifties, bald with a stout muscular frame of someone who was a powerful warrior in his prime and yet still formidable in middle age. Craig told Serpentwing how Aella had defeated Aulicus and returned later to face the cult of Tiamat that dwelled in the ancient tomb of Sakatha. He described Orgmond, one of the assistants to the high priest of Tiamat, and how he escaped death and stole the book known as the Liber Draconis.

Serpentwing, in turn, told Craig how he was familiar with the Liber Draconis and the cult of Tiamat. Forty years ago, Serpentwing was a member of an expedition into the jungles of the south that discovered an ancient temple to Tiamat. They defeated the monsters that dwelled there and returned with many treasures - including the Liber Draconis which for many decades was kept well-protected. Then, just over a year ago, one of the priests of Heironeous tasks to guard the Liber Draconis - an acolyte named Ul-Lon. Ul-Lon betrayed the temple of Heironeous and joined the cult of Tiamat. He was relieved to hear that Ul-Lon met justice in the bowels of the Tomb of Sakatha - but he was saddened to hear that the Liber Draconis was in the hands of the cult ot Tiamat.

Patriarch Craig asked Serpentwing where they found the temple. Serpentwing described a mountain-top temple deep in the jungles of Amedio. He showed him on a map.

On the seventh day prior to the impending solstice, Craig used this information to perform the scrying ritual and remotely observe the location indicated by Serpentwing. He observed Orgmond the dragon priest of Tiamat making preparations for a dark ritual in an ancient mountain-top temple fortress overgrown with jungle. He repeated the scrying ritual at midnight and observed Orgmond removing a heart from an ornate metal box. The heart was the size of a man's entire torso. It was the dead heart of Aulicus. Orgmond placed the heart in the center of a large circular altar. Craig then saw Orgmond remove a black dragon egg from another box. Orgmond placed the egg on a sacrificial pedestal. Orgmond was wearing black robes and a golden symbol of Tiamat. He caught a glimpse of Orgmond's features. The dragon priest had taken a more draconic visage - he had begun to slowly transform into a dragon.

Orgmond raised a dagger with a curved blade high over his head. He began chanting ancient words of power. Orgmond plunged the dagger into the egg, slicing it open and withdrawing the dormant dragon hatchling within. He cut out the heart of the hatchling and threw it into a burning brazier. It flashed and sparked and the smoke began magically pouring onto the ground, snaking its way towards the massive heart of Aulicus. The magic smoke enveloped the heart. The smoke took on the form of a prone dragon. 

Tendrils broke free of the heart and snaked outward, forming a phantom circulatory system. Bones grew from the smoke. Muscles and tendons formed. Scales began to grow on the freshly materialized skin. Aulicus took a breath! Aulicus was reborn! 

A bound and frightened Amedi slave was presented as an offering to the dragon. The dragon grabbed the offering and bit off his head. He swallowed before finishing off the rest. The dragon then collapsed, exhausted. It was weak and needed to recuperate.

DM- MAN I loved describing that scene. It was great! Very visual and sensory. Alot's player said, "Wait, we're not fighting an undead dragon?" I said, "No, just a resurrected dragon." He was sad, "Aw, I was kind of hoping to fight a cool dracolich or something. Now I'm disappointed."

Craig shared this information with Alot. 

Alot cursed, "If only there was some way we could get there! I mean, we have a ship right? How long would it take?"

Craig explained that the dragon needed only four days to recuperate. It would take three days to reach the nearest port in Amedio. From there they'd have to go overland through the jungle for over a hundred miles. It took Orgmond's expedition at least a week. 

Alot said, "The solstice is in seven days. How are they going to get here in time?"

Craig pointed out - the dragon would not need to return the way they came.

Craig continued scrying every day for the next week. For the first four days he saw the dragon recuperating, eating living sacrifices and regaining his strength. On the fifth day, two days before the solstice, he saw Orgmond riding the dragon like a mount, using a special saddle, as the dragon flew across the sea. 

On the sixth day, the day before solstice, he saw the dragon sleeping in a city. Craig could not identify the city but there were many ships in the harbor. 

The Solstice Feast

At dawn the following morning - the morning of the solstice, Craig wore his finest clerical vestments. He gathered the crew of the Sea Ghost together with the Duke of Seaton, his daughter, his advisors, and the leaders of his military. He produced a fabulous golden bowl encrusted with gems. He said a prayer to Tristin, Saint Ogden, and Saint Splug. A wondrous feast miraculously appeared before all present. They ate from the feast and were emboldened. 

Towards sunset Craig performed the scrying ritual one more time. He saw the dragon flying north with a coast to the east. He was coming.  

They knew from the correspondence that the attack would come during the high tide near midnight. The duke had positioned his ships along the coast. Anyone unable to fight or support the fighters were sent inland to Burle. Every fishing boat had been transformed into signal ships, ready to light signal fires to warn the towns of the incoming raiders. Armored roofs had been constructed for the towers of the citadel to protect the ballistae and trebuchets and their crews from dragon attacks from above.

Captain Alot, Princess Aella (Presumptive Queen of Manaan), Patriarch Craig - High Priest of Tristin, and Corvid - Champion of Tristin, stood on the parapets of the citadel of Seaton. The sun had finally set. It was near midnight. The tide was near its zenith.

Signal fires began to light up in the darkness out at sea. The ships of the Scarlet Brotherhood were on their way. 

Somewhere out there in the darkness of the night sky was a black dragon. Aella had faced and defeated Aulicus once before. That Aulicus was old, injured, decrepit, incapable of flight, and even still managed to kill all who stood against it save herself. This was not that dragon. This was Aulicus Reborn. This was to be a dragon at full strength - with all its power. 

Aella sighed, "I wish Cai'luin was here."

Patriarch Craig peered into the impenetrable darkness of the midnight sky. "Aella?"

"Yes?" she answered.

"Prepare your scrolls of Daylight."

To Be Concluded...

DM- We ended early. Cai'luin's player was absent that week and I really want him to be present for the finale. The Scrolls of Daylight reference, which Craig's player actually said right at that moment, was a reference/joke to the scrolls of Daylight she's had since the beginning of the campaign. For many months she kept offering to use it but the others said, "NO! Save them for fighting vampires!" Then, later, when they were actually fighting tough vampires, she forgot she had them. 

(sneak preview)

The Wrath of Aulicus - Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Chapter 24

As the sun set on the fourth day of their journey, Stephen DeManis became more agitated and exited, "We're close! We're close!"

The trees around them became more pallid, more ashen. There were fewer leaves and the branches resembled clawed fingers. The sound of frogs and insects disappeared. All was eerie silence. The water here was more dark red than black.

Through the trees a large earthen mound rose steeply from the swamp. The mound was covered in mud and trees. It would be difficult or impossible to climb.

An ancient stone platform extended from the base of the mound. The platform was 60 feet square. Six massive columns stood like barren tree trunks on the platform. The ceiling they once supported had long ago collapsed and the stone had been cleared away. Dozens of skiffs and rafts were tied to the platform. Where the platform met the mound was a wall embedded with tens of thousands of shells and skulls.

DeManis writhed on the boat in hysterical ecstasy, "We're here! We're here!"

CHAPTER 24

"THE WRATH OF AULICUS"

The A-Team:

• Annor Whalerson - Lawful Good, Human Marine and Fighter from Saltmarsh. 
• Marlin Whalerson - Chaotic Good,  Human Seeker, treasure hunter, and scoundrel.
• Auric Ravenson - Neutral Good, Aasimar Shipwright and Cleric of the Raven King.
• Avastana "Aella" Kádár - Neutral, Half-Elf  Outlander and Sorceress from Ket. 

Suffering the Brain Jellies this Week:

• Alot Aname - Neutral Warforged Fighter.

A Stealthy Approach
Marlin exited the skiff and climbed the stairs to the stone platform. He stealthily made his way between the columns, carefully examining each column and the floor in front of him for traps.

He got close enough to the rear of the platform to notice that the wall that appeared to be embedded with shells was in fact a facade of animal skulls and shells suspended by dangling strings like a beaded curtain.  He carefully peeked behind the curtain and saw thirteen human fighters, five armed with crossbows, five with spears, and one who appeared to be a leader. Marlin recognized the man - it was Chaswick Headglove, leader of the smugglers who delivered to him the black dragon egg! The fighting men wore a motley assortment of clothes. The crossbowmen wore the rough leather armor of a brigand while the spearmen wore chain mail and the livery of the King of Keoland - they were survivors from the expedition from Burle! Each of them had a dead look inside, as if they had been brainwashed.

The bandits were standing at the rear of the room. Near the beaded curtain were three large pools of water. At the back of the room was an altar adorned with a statue of a black dragon's head, its mouth agape. Marlin retreated to the skiff to report his findings. The A-Team formed up in a straight line. They hurriedly crossed the platform and burst through the curtain ready for a fight!

Here Come the Ravens
Annor burst through the curtain of skulls and was immediately assailed by six crossbow bolts.
The rest of the A-Team assumed defensive positions behind Annor. The six spearmen closed the distance and attacked Marlin, Annor, and Aella.

Aella waved her hand and a peal of thunder struck three of the spearmen. Auric prayed to the Raven Son and summoned forth a miraculous swarm of celestial ravens. The ravens circled Auric like a tornado. The celestial ravens pecked and bit at all of the enemies within fifteen feet of Auric while ignoring his allies. Many of the bandits were killed outright.

Annor charged the back of the room and hewed a bloody swath through one crossbowmen after another. He quickly dispatched Chaswick Headglove in one-on-one combat.

The A-Team stood alone in the room surrounded by the slain bodies of their enemies. Auric's ravens continued to silently encircle him. There appeared to be no other exits from this hall.

DM Note-
I asked for a volunteer to roll percentile and tell me if the result was over 50. Aella's player volunteered. She announced a result of 68. I sighed and said, "Okay, here we go."

Enter Aulicus
The party froze as they heard a heavy rumbling sigh emerge from the rear wall. A booming gravelly voice demanded, "Who dares disturb my slumber?"

A massive head appeared through the facade of skulls and bones on the back wall. It was apparently another curtain of skulls and bones concealing a large passage cut into the earthen mound.

The head was that of a black dragon. Its eyes were clouded. Its face was aged and covered in scars. The dragon was missing scales and the tips of its horns were dulled with use and nicked from old attacks.

DM Note-
Aulicus had a 50% chance of sleeping through the previous fight. Aella's role indicated he had been awakened.

The old blind dragon sniffed the air, "Who are you? What have you done with my servants? Why are they all dead and lying in pools of blood?"

The party stood silently. No one dared speak.

Auric finally answered, "We have come to kill Sakatha."

The blind dragon considered this for a moment, "Sakatha serves me well. I shall not allow this. Prepare to die!"

DM Note-
I wanted to give the players an opportunity to fast talk their way out of this situation. Aulicus is blind and a little senile and was prepared to accept just a bout any bullshit answer. 

"We have come to kill Sakatha", while truthful, was the wrong answer.

In the original module, Aulicus is a straight-up very old average black dragon. In 5E even an Adult Black Dragon is a CL 14 monster. 

I softened him by making him geriatric. He was old. He was blind so I changed his blindsight to 30 ft and gave him Disadvantage on all attacks anyway. He limped, so I changed his movement to 20 ft. He was missing a wing so I took away his flight. I also gave him 75% maximum hit points so he had only 100 HP. His damage, however, was all still full damage.

Alas, Poor Auric
The party reeled with fear and panic. Annor and Marlin took cover behind the nearby altar. Auric and Aella froze in place, paralyzed by fear.

The dragon moved into the room, sniffed the air and said, "Do not think you can hide from me behind my altar. It will offer you no shelter!" He looked down over their cowering position and breathed a stream of hot acid onto Annor.

Annor screamed but so too did Auric who, through a miracle of the Raven Son, was absorbing much of Annor's wounds into himself.

Aulicus heard Auric's howls and turned towards the priest. He moved towards Auric and blindly walked into the swarming celestial ravens. The old blind dragon winced and howled in pain.

Aulicus bit and tore at Auric. The priest did his best to deflect the attacks.

Annor threw his small hand-axe at the mighty dragon while Marlin shot several crossbow bolts towards it. But the attacks did not deter the dragon.

With a final chomp the dragon bit Auric around the head and shoulder. His claws dug into Auric's sides. In one gory movement he ripped Auric apart, his limbs flying across the room, as he gulped down Auric's upper torso.

DM Note- 
Bite attack reduced Auric to zero hit points. Auric is daying.

The first claw attack is automatically a critical. Any damage Auric suffers while dying automatically causes two failed death saves.

The second claw attacks is also automatically a critical and Auric automatically suffers two additional failed death saves. There was very little left of Auric.

Death of Marlin
As Auric fell the celestial ravens vanished.

Marlin, hiding behind the statue, unfurled a scroll and began reading. He held his hand up towards the air as magical flame formed around his fingers. As he finished the incantation from the scroll, he pointed his fingers at a spot just behind the dragon. The dragon was engulfed in a fiery explosion!

The dragon roared in pain. Aulicus immediately turned its attention to Marlin, "You cannot hide from me pesky bug! I may not be able to see you but I can still destroy you!". Aulicus' maneuvered around the statue and confronted Marlin. The dragon's toothy maw closed around Marlin, biting him as he ripped into him with his talons. Marlin crumpled under the assault and fell down unconscious. With no priest to provide a miraculous recovery, Marlin lay on the floor and bled. He eventually died after his life blood drained from his body onto the floor.

Death of Annor
Aella tried to remain on the opposite side of the room from the dragon. She took cover behind one of the three water-filled pools.

The water in the pool next to which she stood rose up and took an amorphous rippling form. The animated water coiled around Aella but she was able to twist and dodge out of the way. She quickly moved over to the other pool. To her dismay she was attacked by another watery creature residing in the second pool.

Annor ran to her aid. His mighty flamberge sliced through the water in a powerful stroke. The animated water turned its attention from the half-elven sorceress to the human warrior. Annor found himself enveloped by the animated water, unable to breathe.

The blind dragon Aulicus closed on the struggling form of Annor, biting down on him and tearing him asunder with his terrible claws! Annor exploded in a bloody catastrophe!

Aella's Escape
Aella was the last member of the A-Team standing. She took a deep breath and focused her courage. She unleashed a powerful witch-bolt spell onto Aulicus. The dragon screamed and collapsed. Aella felt hope well up within her - the dragon was near death!

Aulicus dragged himself back onto his feet, inhaled deeply, and sprayed a stream of acid onto Aella. She screamed in pain. She turned and fled through curtain of skulls onto the platform. She took shelter behind one of the stone columns.

Aulicus gave chase, dragging himself slowly onto the platform. He sniffed the air behind each column. He was methodical and deliberate.  He called to her, "Where are you going little mouse? Come face me so that you might join your companions in death!"

Aella had been holding her breath. She was injured. She knew she wouldn't last another ten seconds with the dragon. She finally took a deep inhalation and moved away from her hiding place. She was out of her primary magic. She had only her minor magical cantrips at her disposal.

Cantrips.

Versus a dragon.

It was all or nothing.

She pointed at the dragon and a bolt of fiery magic streaked from her hand. It struck the dragon in the mouth, igniting the acid dripping from his jaws. Aulicus was surprised by this and instinctively swallowed. The burning acid was sucked into the dragon's body where it ignited the acid within. Smoke and flame began to emerge from the scars and gaps in Aulicus' scales. A great swelling moved from the dragon's lungs up its throat and into its head. Aulicus tried to swallow it back down but it was too late. The dragon's eyes bulged wide before its head exploded on its neck! Burning acid sprayed all over the platform as the decapitated dragon fell lifeless onto the stone.

Aella had won!

Rest and Treasure
Aella poked at the smoking stump of the dragon's neck with her staff. It sizzled in the acid.

"Well", she said to herself, "I guess I'm not taking the head back to town as proof of my deed."

She looked around. Alot Aname stood mutely on the skiff still holding the pole.

She sighed and went to the back of the hidden chamber. She checked on Marlin. The others had been literally disintegrated but she had hope Marlin might still be alive. Alas, he was gone. Perhaps she could return his body to Saltmarsh and have the priest of Procan perform a miracle and raise him from the dead. She did the math. She wasn't sure she'd make it in time.

The curtain of skulls and shells that had concealed the entrance to the dragon's lair had been blown away by the fireball. She cast a minor light spell and followed the passage into large cavern. The cavern reeked of acid and her eyes stung. In an alcove in the rear of the cavern was a pile of treasure - the dragon's hoard!

She was exhausted. She had no more magic and she knew she wouldn't survive another fight. Should she just grab what she could carry and leave or stay and take an inventory of the treasure? Maybe she could transport it out of the swamp on the skiff.

She went back to the skiff and addressed Alot, "Hey, Beep Boop. Do the brain jellies keep you from helping me carry stuff?"

The warforged silently laid down his pole accompanied her into the dragon's cavern.

A while later she had gathered all the magical items and mundane equipment she could recover from her fallen companions. She had made an accounting of the approximate amount of coinage and gemstones present in the hoard. There were also weapons and armor but she had less interest in those.

She heard a scraping noise from the outer hall. She stopped what she was doing and crept behind a tattered remnant of the curtain of skulls and shells. She saw the dragon statue move aside revealing a secret passage!

A male human poked his head up and looked around.

He reported what he saw to someone below him that she couldn't see.

"They're all dead! Even Aulicus! There's going to be chaos among the lizard clans! What should we do?"

"We should inform Mordrin and Gormundel immediately."

"Wait!" said the man looking around, "I thought I heard something! You there, come out!" He looked right at Aella.

Aella emerged, pretending to be frightened and lost. The man climbed out of the secret passage. He wore the livery of the King of Keol.

"What happened here?" demanded the guard.

Aella said "I'm not sure. I got lost in the swamp and I came across all- this. I- I just need to return home. I need to get back to Saltmarsh immediately. Can you help me?"

Although he seemed to believe her story, the man said, "Look, we can't let you return to Saltmarsh. I better bring you to Mordrin immediately."

The guard's companion joined him on the platform.

She resisted, "NO! No! I need to get back! Say, What if I tell them about the dead dragon? The people will - uh - they'll be afraid of anybody who could kill a dragon?"

The facade started to crack. The guard had become confused by her fluidly changing story. "No, no we really don't want you to do that. No, I think you're coming in here with us."

The two guards grabbed her and wrestled her into the passage.

Unnoticed by the guards, Alot Aname stood silently in the back of the cavern staring at the cave wall.

To Be Continued...

DM Note- 
Aella's player rolled really well for deception and I was prepared to give her a LOT of leeway in her story. But her "I was just walking by and found it like this" and her request for them to help her leave was just too much.  I was expecting her to try to infiltrate or even pretend to be a bad-add don't mess with me story or something. But I just couldn't find any way to work with what she gave me. 

Next week - Introducing the B-Team!