GR 28: Dragon Pearl

Play began abruptly with characters as shipwreck survivors from a downed ship called the Drake, just as they were entering into an underground complex known as the Dragon Pearl Dungeon. Lacking any memory of who or where they were, they struggled to survive until they could get some answers.
OUTSIDE GAME-TIME: Altered memory, flashbacks, and replaying the same encounters with different results made for an interesting non-linear progression of the story. This game made extensive use of outside communication by email to individual players, to share the recovering memories of individual characters over the course of time. The stranded-on-an-island theme and the recurring memory “flashbacks” were inspired by the television show “Lost.” Not since GR 21: Shards of Time had there been such a complicated plot and interconnection of different time periods. While the game did not involve time-travel per se, the shifting scenes and flashbacks required a carefully mapped out timeline on the part of the DM.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: In this game, each player ran two characters at the same time — some with conflicting motives— which made the roleplaying very interesting. One important encounter within the Dragon Pearl Dungeon made use of the classic D&D “Deck of Many Things” which was used to establish the “forgotten” background of the characters, revealing key pieces of their personal history.

Related One-Shot Adventure

Haunt of the Slayer

Date Played: January 1, 2014, Community Center - Buffalo, MN
Time Frame: c. 2300 S.R., Jungles of Tuerga
ADVENTURE: A fierce winged drake crossed the Darvisann Sea from the eastern jungles to the populated lands of eastern Shudura, preying upon the flocks and herds of the southern Uruk towns and villages along the coast. Attempts to defeat the beast failed. So a party ventured across the sea to the Tuergan Jungles, to the tomb of an ancient Solari dragon slayer named Dalsar’vessa who was said to have been buried with an enchanted vorpal blade of dragon-slaying. Based on historical clues, the party reached the overgrown jungle complex, which was clearly an ancient temple, now almost buried under jungle growth. In possession of a broken onyx tablet (three pieces) which contained an etched floorplan inscription of the tomb layout, they entered through the lower chambers of the tomb, which was rumored to contain many ethereal dangers and traps — not the least being the curse of Dalsar’vessa’s vengeful spirit.
COMMENTS: The brute of the group, a Teurgan berserker, ended up being the smartest and most effective character, defeating the final enemies and recovering the spear.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Gaming Data:
Dates Played: April 8, 2008 – May 12, 2009
Play Sessions: 10
Session Venue: Maple Lake, MN
Rule System: SpiritQuest - 7
SpiritQuest Setting:
Era: Age of Exile
Time Frame: 3242-3243 S.R. (+ earlier flashbacks)
Region: Island of Kiersea, south of Lansia
Origin: Orilia and The White Colonies
Destination: Island of Kiersea
Player Characters:
Keldar, Vainite ‘Merchant’ - Jon Raverty
Gothric, Vainite ‘Scout’ (Rogue) - Jon Raverty
Anauk, Thurim Graver - Vince Krenz
Charlton, Lurvite Etheric - Vince Krenz
Haldir, Noble Fae Archer - Erik Carlson
Ragnar, Jotun Berserker - Erik Carlson
Important Non-Player Characters:
Incarin, Ilmatar, Mistress of Keirsea
Valgarath, Etheric from Keirsea
Filipek, Soldier
Gelrin Tags, Soldier
Maldine, Sorcerer