DM Lore - Dragon Cult Magic Item Network
DM Lore - Dragon Cult Magic Item Network
DM ONLY - NOT FOR PLAYER EYES
Overview
The Dragon Cult (Cult of the Dragon) is systematically collecting items of power to aid in bringing back Tiamat and to add to her hoard. They have recently discovered and targeted Halia Thornton's Zhentarim smuggling network.
The Cult's Search
The cult heard of fantastic magic items coming out of the Phandalin region but don't know their specific source. They have been investigating and attacking supply routes to intercept these items.
Halia's Network
Halia Thornton is acquiring magic items through Zhentarim dealings and shipping them to Neverwinter and Waterdeep to sell. She has set up strategic waypoints on the route to each of these cities:
Northern Waypoint (Phandalin to Neverwinter):
- Located halfway along the High Road from Phandalin to Neverwinter
- A small farming community with 3 farms
- One farmer works with Halia to act as a rest stop for moving high-value magic items
- Status: ATTACKED - The dragon cult discovered and raided this location
Southern Waypoint (Phandalin to Waterdeep):
- Located on the High Road just north of Thornhold, halfway from Phandalin to Waterdeep
- Three farmsteads with homes near the road
- One homestead works with Halia for smuggling operations
- Status: ATTACKED - The dragon cult discovered and raided this location
The Northern Homestead Attack
Victims: Two brothers who ran the northern waypoint farmstead
Survivors and Connections:
- Zandirk: One of two cousins in Neverwinter. Runs the shop that sells the goods Halia sends. Connected to the less-than-legal dealings that may have gotten his cousins killed.
- Sanood: The other cousin in Neverwinter. Upset at the recent murder of his cousins and has been drinking to forget. Blames Zandirk for getting their cousins killed through illegal dealings.
The True Source
The fantastic magic items that the cult has been searching for are NOT the ones that Halia is moving.
The Real Creators:
- Thurmin and Nundro Rockseeker (from the Lost Mine of Phandelver and current owners of the Forge of Spells) have been creating the magic items
- They refuse to do business with Halia
- This means Halia's people were killed by Dragon Cultists who were looking for goods from Thurmin and Nundro, but found the wrong smuggling operation
Thurmin's Dilemma
Thurmin has heard of the killings and wants them to stop. He would consider working with Halia to bring that about, but is concerned that she may learn of the Forge of Spells and attempt to gain control of it with force.
The Secret Guardian
CRITICAL INTEL:
Thurmin and Nundro have enlisted the support of a Green Dragon named Venomfang to guard the Forge of Spells in exchange for Thurmin and Nundro adding magic items to his hoard.
This creates a dangerous alliance that could complicate any attempts to access or control the Forge.
Questions to Explore
- Describe the southern homestead on the road to Waterdeep in detail
- Did the dragon cult leave any clues at the southern homestead that can be used to help find them?
- How can the party discover this network without alerting the cult?
Related Entities
- Halia Thornton - Zhentarim operative running the smuggling network
- Thurmin - Dwarf owner of the Forge of Spells
- Nundro Rockseeker - Dwarf owner of the Forge of Spells
- Venomfang - Green dragon guardian of the Forge
- Zandirk - Merchant in Neverwinter, cousin of murdered farmers
- Sanood - Grieving cousin in Neverwinter
- Tiamat - The ultimate beneficiary of the cult's efforts
- Cult of the Dragon - The organization collecting the items
- Zhentarim - Faction involved in the smuggling network