GR 11: Death of a Dragon

At the Axehandle Inn in Becon’s Crossing, a drunken Thurim soldier challenged his listeners to an expedition against the great dragon Amorath, who had taken up residence a year earlier (3238) in the Thurim Citadel of Diahrzab. The Dragon, with Gremin servants, served as the major occupying force on behalf of the Witch Evanchoris (unknown to all at the time, the Witch was dead, having been secretly killed by Ukkasen in the preceding months). Motivated by the promise of riches and renown, and sponsored by Lord Marshal Reneslar, the expedition set off. Along the way, they were hounded by a sinister Galdean Darkmaster.
Upon approaching, the party found themselves in competition with another party, led by the Lurvite bandit Doncho. The party was able to defeat the dragon they found at Diahrzab, only to discover that the creature slain was the young dragon Ackmeth (one of Amorath’s young). When Amorath herself returned, the party was annihilated.
OUTSIDE GAME-TIME: There was a proposed follow-up to the campaign called “Imral’s Deep” which was never played. It involved traveling deeper into the mountains behind Diahrzab to seek an ancient weapon named “Jhantal’s Lance.” Though this storyline was abandoned, the idea of a subterranean “underway” connecting Diahrzab to the Hulden Vale was maintained. It was established that this was the historical route taken by Ilmarite refugees who founded Onscra (2759 SR), and the place where the sword Sanctica had been “lost” until recovered by Ukkasen, generations later.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: This game introduced the Galdeans as ghostly Shadowriders. It also featured a fully-detailed interior of the Diahrzab interior, and set up some of the background history of the Thurim citadels during the War of the Witch (returned to in future campaigns, GR 22 and GR 25). This was also the first campaign played by “Roxy”, a guest whose gaming ad Scott Renstrom had answered.
SUBSEQUENT CONNECTIONS: Though the opposing forces who served the dragon were clearly identified as "Gremins" in this campaign, it wasn't established at the time where they were from. It was revealed in the campaigns "Duergun Digression" and "Jungle's Revenge" that these were brown-skinned Gremins native to southern Wessa (i.e. miafina) who had been pressed into service as slave warriors in the Witch's army.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Gaming Data:
Dates Played: Winter 1985
Play Sessions: 3
Session Venue: King House - St. Paul, MN
Rule System: Adv. Dungeons & Dragons
SpiritQuest Setting:
Era: Age of Exile
Time Frame: 3239 S.R.
Region: Neørdewessa
Origin: Becon's Crossing
Destination: The Citadel of Diahrzab
Player Characters:
Brandon, Human Bard - Greg Krenz
Misha, Halfae Fighter/Thief - Scott Renstrom
Lamoni, Human Fighter/Thief - Andy Vollhaber
Dagon, Human Fighter - Tom Forliti
Drundar, Duergun Fighter/Thief - Greg Filipek
Noral, Doltrek Halfae Ranger - Pat R.
Taver, Duergun Fighter - Roxy C.
Gnome?, Hulder Fighter/Illusionist - John Krenz
Important Non-Player Characters:
Kurgan, Thurim Soldier/Adventurer
Lord Reneslar, Greenwood Marshal
Doncho, Brigand Bandit Leader