Overview

A colossal mountain known as the Dragon Divide separates the Dark Kingdom from its rivals. A Dark Lord holds sway over the realm and has forged (or corrupted) a pact with an ancient dragon, using its fearsome might to keep the kingdoms divided. The dragon stands as gatekeeper to the only pass between realms, making any unity a perilous proposition. The party starts as fledgling adventurers in a border hamlet and must grow through perilous journeys, forged alliances, and cunning to reach the Dragon Gate at the mountain’s crest.

Start and progression

In the foothills you’ll face raiders, mysteries, and a missing caravan that hints at a larger conspiracy. Small quests uncover the Dark Lord’s plan, while a wary elder mapmaker urges you to collect relics that unlock the Gate’s wards. Players should reach at least level 3 by the time they confront the dragon, leveraging terrain, wit, and the aid of unlikely allies.

Main Quest

Reach the Dragon Gate and determine the dragon’s fate: break the Dark Lord’s hold by severing the oath that binds the beast, or outwit and possibly recruit the dragon’s aid to topple the tyrant. Milestones include gathering three relics to unlock the Gate’s wards, uncovering the Dark Lord’s fortress atop the mountain, and delivering a decisive strike that could reshape the region.

Side Quests and hooks

• A besieged frontier town begs for rescue; locals whisper of a hidden shrine that could weaken the dragon’s resolve.


• A dwarven enclave possesses a map to the Gate’s wards; earning their trust grants key access.


• A cult attempt to bind a second dragon to the Dark Lord’s service must be stopped before ruin spreads.

The Dragon and the mountain

The dragon’s lair sits within a volcanic cavern threaded with lava channels. Guardians, drakes, and ancient wards defend the beast. The encounter should be challenging but beatable: use the mountain’s hazards, clever tactics, and a vulnerability tied to a binding relic or oath-breaking ritual—traumatizing, but not impossible for a well-prepared party.

Finale and rewards

Defeating or loosening the Dark Lord’s grip may leave the dragon free or loyal to a new order, changing the climactic battle’s balance. Rewards include +1 weapons or armor, dragon-scale items (cloak, shield, or gauntlets), dragon-blood potions, and political titles granting future favors from liberated realms.