Dragon Dreams of the Forest Kingdom:

Dunshield's Dilemma

An article series inspired by the dreams of sleeping dragons

that lair on Cormyr's borders

by

JEREMY E. GRENEMYER

COMMONPLACE PUBLISHING
A good game starts with a good story.
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Warm thanks to George Krashos for his assistance with this article and for giving Wyvernmist a proper dragon name.
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Volume 1, Article 1
November 2018
 So Many Sleeping Dragons Dragon in the Depths:
Orothaumyth
When dragons dream,
    They see the world. Beneath the surface of the Wyvernwater, the lake floor is
Their minds' eyes wander, strewn with antiquities that speak to Cormyr's storied past. In
    And their intellects devour. the depths lurk sunken ships, their holds filled with treasures
trapped in time and waiting to be reclaimed. The castle of the
When dragons dream, Witch-Lords, perhaps the grandest and most storied relic to
    They unravel the past. ever grace the bottom of the Wyvernwater, waits to be
They hunt mysteries, reclaimed as well. The grim castle no longer hosts a Witch-
    And plunder secrets. Duke; the last reigning Witch-Duke was slain centuries ago
by a king of Cormyr, while other Witch-Lords, whatever form
When dragons dream, they survive in, no longer call the castle home. Today, the
    They ponder the future. former seat of the Witch-Lord's power is claimed by a dragon
They test strategies, of the mists: Orothaumyth.
    And discard failures. When slumbering dragons awaken, they don't tarry. No,
they take to the skies to feel the wind in their wings and they
When dragons dream, hunt to fill their empty bellies. Not so, Orothaumyth. Mist
    Their desires are revealed. Dragons are sustained by vapor and the damp. Whenever the
They embrace their natures, mists over the Wyvernwater curl and condense into a foul-
    And see their hoards grow. tempered storm, the castle of the Witch-Lords rises from the
depths and is embraced by the remnants of gathering power
When dragons dream, the Witch-Lords once commanded. Orothaumyth awakens to
    pawns are selected. devour the mists, and the roiling surge of magic subsides,
Time to awaken, causing the Witch-Lord's castle to sink beneath the water
    And take their turn. once more.
As the castle settles on the bottom of the lake,
The Great Game "Wyvernmist," as the dragon is sometimes called by sages,
Author Unknown curls up like a cat within the grounds of the castle and falls
The borders of the Forest Kingdom host dragon lairs aplenty. into a "thinking slumber." Orothaumyth loves to think. About
A handful of lairs are unoccupied, but they can be reclaimed everything.
without warning at any time. Not every lair is held by a living Mist dragons are not social creatures. They treasure
dragon; dracoliches abound, as do the ghosts of once-living solitude and quiet. The best life a mist dragon can live is one
dragons. spent thinking without interruption. Because the
Dragons sleep in the Stormhorns and the Thunder Peaks. Wyvernwater prevents the intrusion of most humanoids and
Likewise, the Vast Swamp and the Farsea Marshes. The the dread aura surrounding the castle drives off waterborne
Underdark welcomes dragons just as easily as beholders and creatures, Orothaumyth has lived a charmed life by Mist
drow. The Dragonmere hosts its share of sleeping wyrms, Dragon standards.
while the Stonelands are home to younger dragons who A favorite activity of the dragon is to ponder the regalia of
never stay long. the Witch-Lords. In his dreams Orothaumyth imagines what
Rare is the dragon that keeps a lair within Cormyr’s will happen should the ornaments once worn by a succession
borders. To do so violates the laws of dragonkind that of Witch-Dukes ever be reclaimed. Would their wielder
governed the duel between Thauglorimorgorus the Black summon the castle to the surface of the Wyvernwater and
Doom and the elf lord Iliphar Nelnueve that saw control of banish the dragon? Or would Orothaumyth be made a slave?
the Lands of the Purple Dragon change hands from dragon to How soon would war come to Cormyr and how would it be
elf, and girded the treaties that transferred control of the waged? Would the former Witch-Dukes and Witch-Lords
Lythtlorn from elves to men. battle each other first, or deign to cooperate with one
Yet a few dragons live in Cormyr today. Some wear the another? Several powerful mortals (by human standards) live
guise of mortals and keep company with them. Others avoid in Cormyr. Is there one among them capable of wielding the
mortals altogether. regalia long enough to unlock the spells that seal the castle
No matter their color or their form, all dragons play the Great from intrusion by the Witch-Lords? If so, who?
Game. Many are the prizes to be had. Final victory in Cormyr Since the defeat of the Witch-Lords, their regalia have
grants the power to open the lair of the Black Doom. Until been kept under lock and key within the Royal Palace of the
this prize is won, the dragons sleep in their lairs to gather Purple Dragon, in Suzail. However, a century and a half ago
their strength and to strategize. They search their dreams for (quite recently, from the dragon’s point of view), the The
the means to win. Wyvern Crown of Cormyr, the Scepter of the Witch-Duke and
the Wyvernfang Cape were stolen by agents of the Zhentarim
(Pssst...hey, you. Download this free and carried as far as the Helmlands in northwestern Cormyr.
Cormyr map from the Wizards of the Coast There, the mountain-sized wards that guard a Celestial
website. You can thank me later.) Stairway would not admit the presence of such potent magic
in the form of the regalia.

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or

1 photocopy this document for personal use only.
The worsening weather was the only warning the Zhent
thieves received before the Celestial wards teleported their
stolen loot away, scattering it across the Heartlands. In the
years since, Orothaumyth's mind's eye has observed the
regalia slowly wind its way back to the Forest Kingdom. The
dragon is certain the surviving Witch-Lords have covertly
influenced events to see the regalia transported into Cormyr
without the knowledge of the Wizards of War or any of
Cormyr's other protectors.
Orothaumyth has deduced the presence of one Witch-Lord
operating from the Underdark beneath the Hullack Forest.
Through a long line of intermediaries, this Witch-Lord
caused veteran adventurers to be hired and the Scepter of
the Witch-Duke to be reclaimed. The fell power of the Witch-
Duke's Scepter overcame them, however, and the adventurers
slew each other in their hidden refuge within the second of
three ships sunk one atop the other in a Crown ship
graveyard northeast of Marsember.
For years the Wyvernfang Cape has rested atop the
moldering bones of the last mortal to wear it, in the stench-
filled environs of the Vast Swamp. Wave after wave of
treasure seekers find their way to the cape, then die as the
cape's power poisons them. Orothaumyth suspects a Witch-
Lord hiding in the damp cellars beneath the Lost Refuge
(also in the Vast Swamp) is slowly assembling an undead
army.
In the hands of the right mortal, the regalia could unlock
the spells preventing the Witch-Lords-turned-lichnee from
entering their old home. Good fortune has kept the Crown
from encountering a mortal mind capable of withstanding the
curse laid over it, until now. In its dreams Orothaumyth sees
a human opening a strongbox. Inside, an ornate crown
layered over with gemstones is removed and placed atop the
human's head. Raw magical power radiates from the crown's
ten spikes, each topped with a stone of power. Iridescent
colors play across an immense diamond set in the center of
the crown. The eyes of the human look into the mind’s eye of
the dragon, then darkness reigns.
Orothaumyth has grown tired of being awakened each time
this particular human intrudes on his thoughts. The dragon
has decided to select pawns and join the Great Game. But
which pawns should be chosen and how should they be
played? Orothaumyth waits and thinks, for now.
Auntiver Dunshield
Human Rogue 4, Fighter 1, Wizard 1
Auntiver Dunshield is the perspicacious proprietor of
Dunshield’s Arms and Armors, based in Arabel, Cormyr.
Customers encountering Auntiver for the first time are
quick to notice his long black hair, which is bound in four
braids: two that part his brow and flank either side of his
head, and two that trail down his neck to a metal clasp that
binds the braids together behind his back (a common style
among Moonsea-based merchants).
The Auntiver of today is not like the bedraggled, unwashed
longbeard that arrived in Arabel a decade ago. He wears fine
clothes at all times, but prefers simpler styles that don't
advertise his wealth. His black beard is trimmed close, as
befits the style for facial hair most popular in Arabel.
A dagger and sword hang from Auntiver’s belt, these
weapons drawn from the same stock he sells to customers.
An ornate pair of steel bracers shield his arms from wrist to
elbow. Five steel rings bound by a fine chain decorate the
fingers of his left hand, while a single ring topped with an
unusual pink gemstone adorns his right hand. Despite his
broad shoulders and tall frame, Auntiver is not terribly
strong. He moves with fluid grace about his shop, but leaves
the heavy lifting to his staff.
Auntiver's mind is always deducing facts from minute
information. He observes his customers closely, trying to
imagine where they came from and what they were doing
prior to entering his shop. While assisting his customers,
Auntiver asks probing, open-ended questions to satisfy his
curiosity, and is quick to apologize should a question prove
impertinent or cause upset to a customer.
Auntiver in his younger days. 2
 For a fee paid up front, Auntiver crafts exotic weapons and
makes modifications to armor. He can install impossible-to-
detect hidden dagger sheaths in armor (and provide a
thinblade for the sheath), build repeating crossbows that fire
silently, fashion gauntlets with knuckle spikes and hidden
fluid reservoirs that inject poison with a hard punch, and so
on. He does not advertise these services, but will offer them
to individuals he deduces may be in the market for such.
Auntiver takes full advantage of Arabel's crossroads location,
purchasing exotic weapons and armor to decorate his shop
(though of course everything is for sale).
When not dealing with customers or entertaining guests,
Auntiver spends his free time studying a paltry collection of
arcana (one spellbook with a handful of 1st level spells, and a
few spell scrolls), and practice-casting the few cantrips he's
mastered. Unlocking the secrets of magic is a task that has
captured Auntiver's interest. He has no desire to become a
mighty archmage. Instead, he plans to add a layer of arcane
defenses to the formiddable collection of traps that secure his
business against theft.
Originally a thief who plied his trade among the coastal
cities of the Moonsea, Auntiver took to adventuring when the
opportunity to join an experienced band of adventurers
presented itself. The Company of the Howling Mine explored
ruins nestled among the peaks of the Dragonspine
Mountains, and pried magical treasures from the dead hands
of ogres and the evil priests of dark gods within the grey
wastes of Thar. The thought of his friends is enough to bring
tears to Auntiver's eyes; he regrets never avenging their
murder. In truth, Auntiver slew his share of foes before agents
of the Zhentarim rode down his companions, put them to the
sword and confiscated much of their hard-won treasure.
Auntiver escaped with gems aplenty and considerable
magic. He crossed the Moonsea on a boat out of Phlaan,
made port in Hillsfar, then left a string of Zhent corpses to rot
in Cormanthor. The Zhentarim lost his scent in the
Dalelands, but crossed swords with Auntiver in Sembia. He
fought a running battle through the streets of Selgaunt, then
bribed a ship captain with a king's ransom in gemstones to
sail for Marsember. Having no desire to remain in the City of
Spices, Auntiver found passage on a caravan headed north
into the heart of Cormyr. Hope for a new life kindled in
Arabel. Memories of the Black Network haunt the edges of
Auntiver's thoughts. He is always on the lookout for clues to
their presence in the Caravan City.
Dunshields Arms and Armors
Dunshields is a cavernous warehouse space filled with armor,
shields and weapons of all kinds, its sales space given over to
stands displaying full suits of armor and a variety of barding
for mounts. Ranks of shelves and racks stocked with
weapons run to the rear of the warehouse along both walls.
The front of the warehouse is given over to ale barrels cut in
half and filled to the brim with a miscellany of mismatched
pieces of armor, arrowheads and weapon parts. Weapon
smiths, mercenaries, adventurers and overland traders are a
common sight at Dunshields.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or
3 photocopy this document for personal use only.
Auntiver purchases his stock wholesale from local smiths
and traveling merchants passing through Arabel. Auntiver
insists on a standardized build for the armor and weapons he
purchases in bulk, as he believes this is a good way to inspire
repeat business. Auntiver guarantees these products, too:
Should the hilt of a sword purchased from Dunshields ever
become damaged in battle, it can be replaced for free with a
new one from Auntiver's stock of one-size-fits-all sword hilts.
This has made Dunshields popular with the leaders of
mercenary companies, to whom Auntiver grants a discount
when they buy in bulk.
The center of the warehouse is given over to a hodgepodge
of odd items: a suit of full plate made to fit a yuan-ti; an eight
foot tall hand axe suitable for a giant; a collection of ornate
halfling war helms; glassteel daggers recovered from the
Farsea Swamp, and shields made of stone. This and more
can be found within.
The staff at Dunshields are experts at resizing armors and
assembling weapons from their stock supply, and adding
adornments and decorations to already existing items. This
work is performed in the rear of the warehouse, within sight
of "Auntiver's Keep."[1] Customers asking about magical
modifications to armor and weapons are referred to three
spellcasters located in Arabel, that specialize in adding
enchantments of all types to weapons and armor.[2]
The "keep" houses living quarters for Auntiver and his staff
(including a family of gnomes that specialize in "finework"
adornments and decorations), an office space, raw materials
storage, secure storage, kitchens, and a library that serves
double duty as a meeting room. The library is decorated with
plush upholstery and warmed by a large fireplace. Auntiver
keeps a selection of popular spirits and ales to share with
guests, and orders food from the better eateries in Arabel
when company is expected. After his shop closes for the day,
Auntiver entertains a constant rotation of business
associates, mercenary captains and overland traders, along
with the occasional Purple Dragon officer, noble or famous
adventurer.
The secure storage holds the majority of Auntiver's coin
wealth, and a selection of magical arms and armor for sale to
clients who are heavy with coin, or that have recovered magic
items they are interested in trading for something from
Auntiver's collection. The solid iron door that fronts the
storage space is fixed in place and will not open. When the
proprietor of Dunshields needs something, he walks through
the door and collects what he wants.[3]
Few are the attempts to steal from Dunshields. The stories
of the creative means employed by Auntiver to slay thieves
who attempt to break into his back rooms (as told by Purple
Dragons summoned to Dunshields to inspect the results of
such thieving attempts) have caused sturdy men to choke on
their drinks and think twice about crossing the proprietor of
Dunshields Arms and Armors.[4]
The Problem of the Crown
Within Arabel, the proprietor of Dunshields Arms and Armors
is known for his quick wit, and has earned something of a
reputation for solving problems. While entertaining Lady
Ensharaphalondtrae Misrim (“Shara,” to her close friends),
the noblewoman shared her concern for her husband
Elzimer, who, as the lady put it, “remains obsessed with
opening a rather intricate strongbox. He says something
special is inside and he must have it! But he won’t let me near
it. And he won’t let the staff near it, on pain of expulsion from
our House and the promise of a black mark on their
reputations if they go anywhere near that blasted box! He’s
really become impossible, you see.”
Auntiver asked many questions, which the lady answered
as best she could. Soon, an agreement was reached: Lady
Misrim would have the box spirited away by the seneschal of
her house, whom she trusted implicitly, while her husband
slept. Then, the lady and her servant would deliver the box to
Auntiver for his inspection. Auntiver promised to open it, if
indeed the box could be opened.
Much to the delight of Lady Misrim, Auntiver solved the
riddle of the strongbox. The sight of the marvelous crown
within stunned the arms dealer, noblewoman and seneschal
into silence. Priceless gemstones winked and glimmered
across its surface, the crown appearing to be forged of a
single piece of indescribable metal. Auntiver returned to his
senses when the ring on his right hand became
uncomfortably warm—a sure sign his mind was being
assaulted—while the lady reached for the crown. Auntiver
was too late to stop her, though he pulled her hand away after
a brief touch, then slammed the lid shut. She replied with a
look of pure murder, but quickly replaced it with a wicked
smile
Before Auntiver could explain himself, Lady Misrim asked
another favor: Would Auntiver safekeep the crown for one
more day? Auntiver had no choice but to agree. The lady
smiled her thanks, then departed. Her seneschal didn't follow,
his eyes lingering too long on the strongbox, but he regained
his composure when Auntiver stepped in front of him. The
seneschal hurried to catch up; it would be scandalous for
Lady Misrim to reach the carriage first.
An adventurer outfitted in gear purchased    
from Dunshields: metal spaulders and    
leather jerkin worn over second hand    
chainmail attached to leather ring bracers    
used longsword paired with new scabbard,
old belts and pouches    
4
 Could the power of the mysterious crown control the
Misrim's spirits? Or would the truth of Lady Misrim's recent
activities be revealed under questioning? If the later, heavily
armed officials backed up by several war wizards would
come knocking on Auntiver's warehouse door.
Surely he would be exonerated, once the crown's power
was revealed. But what if the crown proved too powerful?
The last thing Auntiver wanted was insane war wizards and
Purple Dragons slaying each other in his home.
There were a handful of adventurers Auntiver could call
upon for help. Should he hire one to take the box and the
crown and dispense of both? But where? Perhaps the
Wyvernwater. It could be dumped overboard in the middle of
the lake and forgotten. It would be no danger to anyone then.
Auntiver resolved to accompany the crown to the
Wyvernwater to see it safely gone, but only after hiring
adventurers to accompany him. They would have to be
dependable and trustworthy. More, they would have to trust
him. Auntiver would not dare open the strongbox unless his
hired adventurers wore blindfolds. If for some reason he
should fall prey to the crown, he would need someone to hurl
him overboard with it.

  The next day's sunrise heralded grim news: Lord Elzimer

and Lady Shara were dead, their fresh corpses found in a
pool of blood-soaked bedsheets. As word of the Misrim
deaths spread, Auntiver rescued a thread of truth from the
rumorfire enflaming Arabel: Elzimer and Shara had been
stabbed, repeatedly. That evening, while entertaining guests,
news of the killer's capture arrived. Stunned silence reigned
in Auntiver's library for the second time in two nights when
the killer's name was revealed: Orlbert Longland, seneschal
of House Misrim.[5]
This news gave cold comfort to Auntiver. A problem
loomed. One that had to be solved.
The influence of that strange crown was to blame for the
deaths of Lord and Lady Misrim. Of this, Auntiver was
certain. The question was, what to do with the it?
The seneschal was a Longland, and the Longland family
held a reputation for loyalty to a fault. Auntiver concluded the
fool was taking the blame for his masters murdering each
other in cold blood. Would he implicate Auntiver? Regardless,
war wizard investigators might question the spirits of Lord
and Lady Misrim directly, even over the howling protests of
the Misrim heirs.
Quality bowmaster's accoutrements
can be had from Dunshields
Behind the Curtain:
NPC Design
Here you will find basic information about Auntiver, based on
the rules for creating detailed NPCs found in Chapter 4 of
the Dungeon Master's Guide (p.89-92).
Occupation and History
Auntiver Dunshield is a dealer of arms and armor, in Arabel.
He was formerly an adventurer based out of Zhentil Keep.
Appearance
Auntiver is tall without being bulky, his black hair worn in
braids: two that part over his brow and flank his cheeks; two
that bind the hair on the back of his head and run to a metal
clasp that binds the braids together at his back.
Abilities
High Ability:   Low Ability:
Intelligence                 Strength
Talent
Deducing other people's secrets is something Auntiver
enjoys, as well as solving puzzles and answering riddles.
Mannerism
Auntiver is prone to asking personal, probing questions.
Interactions with Others
Auntiver is inquisitive, loyal in matters of business and not
afraid to say no.
Useful Knowledge
1. Though his memory is dated (by about 10 years, give or
take), Auntiver knows the general layout and power
structure of every city on the northern coast of the
Moonsea.
2. Auntiver has a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the names
of traders and merchant consortiums that sell weapons
and armor in the Heartlands, as well as the leaders of
mercenary companies operating in the region.
3. Experience adventuring in the land of Thar and in the
Dragonspine Mountains.
Ideal
Fair, honest and orderly transactions between merchants and
customers; always build trust.
Bond
Defend his home and its occupants at all costs. Never again
be caught unawares by the Black Network.
Flaw or Secret
Auntiver spent many years as a thief plying his trade in the
northcoast cities of the Moonsea before he and his
adventuring companions became targets of the Zhentarim.
Auntiver makes ready to fire
6

Sorcerer, Wizard and
Warlock Spells by Level
Ironguard
5th-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a miniature shield made of iron)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
A willing creature you touch becomes immune to
nonmagical weapons made of iron. A weapon is considered
to be made of iron if the portion of the weapon that inflicts
damage (the blade of a sword, for example, or the tip of a
spear) is made of iron.
Additionally, the creature may pass through nonmagical
objects made of iron (such as a portcullis) and ignore any
bonus to a target's armor class granted by metal armor when
making melee attacks.
If the creature is at least partially inside a metal object that
is the same size or larger than the creature (such as the
aforementioned portcullis) when this spell ends, the creature
suffers 2d10 force damage and is shunted to the nearest
unoccupied space. If the object is smaller than the creature
(e.g., a dagger in a medium creature), then the object is
shunted out of the creature instead, and the creature suffers
1d10 force damage.
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of
6th level or higher, you may touch one additional willing
creature for each slot above 5th.
Gemjump
6th-level abjuration (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 5 feet
Components: V, M (a single Rogue Stone)
Duration: Until triggered
You and up to five willing creatures within 5 feet of you
instantly teleport to a specially prepared, semi-magical
gemstone called a rogue stone. You and any creatures that
teleport with you appear in the nearest unoccupied space to
the rogue stone. This spell has no effect if you have not
previously prepared a rogue stone.
To prepare the rogue stone, you must cast this spell as a
ritual while holding the stone.
Treasure
Gemstones
There exists a wide variety of gemstones in the Forgotten
Realms beyond the gemstones listed on page 134 of the
Dungeon Master's Guide. In addition to their goldpiece value,
all gemstones in the Realms possess natural qualities that
make them useful in the construction of magic items, in
addition to their usefulness as raw materials in artwork,
jewelry and other objects of value that characters might find
as treasure. A handful of gemstones unique to the Forgotten
Realms possess magical properties. These are classified as
magic items as well as gemstones.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or
photocopy this document for personal use only.
7
Rogue Stone
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)
This unusual gemstone warps magic within 20 feet. All
creatures within range have disadvantage against magical
attacks. Any creature within range that casts a spell must roll
a d20 immediately after the spell is resolved. On a roll of 1 or
2, the creature must roll on the Wild Magic Surge table
(Player's Handbook p.104) and follow the rules under the
Wild Magic Surge heading on page 103.
While you are attuned to a rogue stone, it is considered to
be tamed. A tamed rogue stone does not warp magic in the
manner described above. Instead, select one Metamagic
option under the Metamagic heading in the PHB, page 101-
102. While you are attuned to a rogue stone, you may apply
the chosen Metamagic option to a spell you cast. If you are a
Sorcerer, then you may apply the Metamagic option in
addition to any other Metamagic option granted by your class.
Rogue Stones are sometimes used as a target for spells
designed to take advantage of the gemstone's unusual
magical nature. E.g., Gemjump.
Brooch of Defense
Wondrous item, uncommon
While wearing this brooch, you cannot be flanked. (This is the
metal clasp that binds the braids on Auntiver's back.)
Gauntlets of Ironguard
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)
While wearing these gauntlets, you gain immunity from
nonmagical weapons made of metal. You may pass through
nonmagical objects made of metal (such as a portcullis) and
ignore the bonus to a target's armor class granted by metal
armor when making melee attacks.
If you are at least partially inside a metal object that is your
size or larger when the properties of the gauntlets cease, you
suffer 2d10 force damage and are shunted to the nearest
unoccupied space. If the metal object is smaller than you,
then the object is shunted out of you instead, and you suffer
1d10 force damage.
You may suppress the magical properties of the gauntlets
as a Bonus Action. Thereafter, you must concentrate each
round to continue suppressing the gauntlets' magical
properties.
Ring of Mind Shielding
(Dungeon Master's Guide p.191)
Ring of Silent Sentinels
Wondrous item, rare
While you wear this ring, you may summon and command up
to five sentinels. A sentinel is identical to the invisible,
mindless, shapeless force created by the Unseen Servant
spell, except that a sentinel cannot interact with objects. On
each of your turns as an action, you may see and hear as
though you were occupying the same space as one sentinel.
On the same action, you may command the sentinel to move
up to 60 feet. As a separate action, you may command a
sentinel to guard a space in the manner of an Alarm spell. A
sentinel is dismissed if it is more than 120 feet from you. You
may dismiss one or more sentinels as a Bonus Action.
Wyvern Crown of Cormyr
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)
This storied crown is fashioned from a single piece of metal
ore recovered from the heart of a meteor that plunged into
the Wyvernwater in the days when Cormyr was little more
than a coastal settlement on the northern Dragon Coast.
Sages dwelling beyond Cormyr’s borders refer to this
crown as The Witch-Duke’s Crown, while bards and certain
palace courtiers with long memories refer to it as the Wyvern
Crown of Cormyr. Regardless, the crown remains an elusive
quarry searched for by Cormyrean agents and the Zhentarim.
A single iridescent diamond is set into the center of the
crown, just beneath the curling neck and fanged maw of a
wyvern. The diamond appears to rest atop the wyvern’s
clawed feet, its tail curled over the base of the diamond. To
either side, the wyvern’s wings spread wide and flair upward
into ten vertical spikes topped with ioun stones. A medley of
precious gemstones are set into the base of the crown.
Curses
Curse of Jealously. Any being that sees the Wyvern Crown
becomes instantly jealous of its owner. A creature with a
starting attitude of friendly to the bearer of the crown
becomes indifferent, while an indifferent creature becomes
hostile. A hostile creature that sees the crown will attempt to
attack the crown bearer to try and steal it away.
Curse of Obsession. Any creature that touches the
Wyvern Crown must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 30)
or become obsessed with possessing the crown at all costs.
Remove Curse ends this effect.
Curse of Attunement. Any creature that becomes attuned
to the Wyvern Crown cannot voluntarily end the attunement.
While attuned to the crown, a creature’s alignment slowly
shifts towards chaos and evil, while the bearer becomes
paranoid and certain all other creatures wish to steal the
crown away. If a creature is attuned to the crown for at least
one year, they become obsesses with obtaining immortality. If
a creature’s attunement to the crown ends, the alignment
shift, paranoia and immortality obsession end instantly.
However, the creature immediately suffers the Curse of
Obsession. If the creature becomes attuned to the crown
again, the cycle of change starts over.
Attunement
While you are attuned to the crown, you gain access to the
following:
Command Wyverns. You may command all wyverns
within 300 feet that you can see. The wyverns hear,
understand and obey your commands absolutely, even if they
are not close enough to hear your voice, and even if a
command would result in their death.
Crown of Ioun Stones. You may access the powers of the
ten Ioun Stones mounted on the crown, so long as you are
attuned to it. The stones cannot be removed short of a Wish
spell (which must be cast for each stone) or by destroying the
crown and recovering any stones that survive.
Pale blue rhomboid (+2 Strength; maximum 20).
A deep red sphere (+2 Dexterity; maximum 20).
A pink rhomboid (+2 Constitution; maximum 20).
A marbled scarlet-and-blue sphere (+2 Intelligence;
maximum 20).
An incandescent blue sphere (+2 Wisdom; maximum 20).
A marbled pink-and-green sphere (+2 Charisma;
maximum 20).
A clear spindle (you don’t need to eat or drink).
An iridescent spindle (you don’t need to breathe).
A blood red ellipsoid (you benefit from the effects of a
Ring of Regeneration).
A deep purple sphere (you benefit from the effects of a
Periapt of Proof Against Poison).
Defensive Magic. You receive a +3 bonus to armor class
whenever you are wearing the crown, provided you are
wearing no armor and using no shield.
Prismatic Spray. Once per month, you may cause the
diamond in the center of the crown to unleash a Prismatic
Spray as though cast by a 20th level Wizard with an
Intelligence score of 20 (save DC 34).
Summon the Witch-Lord’s Castle. You can summon the
castle home of the Witch-Lords from the depths of the
Wyvernwater. The castle appears atop the water over the
point where it last sank. It is unaffected by the weather or
lake currents. You may direct the castle to move atop the
surface of the Wyvernwater at the speed of a sailboat. You
may command the castle to submerge itself and sink to the
bottom of the Wyvernwater. Summoning or dismissing the
castle is a Standard Action. The castle takes 1d10+5 minutes
to arrive on the surface or to fully sink to the bottom of the
Wyvernwater.
Set Attunement
If you are attuned to the full set of regalia of the Witch-Lords
(Wyvernfang Cape, Scepter of the Witch-Duke, Wyvern
Crown of Cormyr), you are considered to be a Witch-Duke.
You gain access to the following:
Right of Passage. You are not affected by the magical
wards placed over the Witch-Lords’ castle that prevent all
Witch-Lords from opening its gates and accessing its
treasures. Additionally, while you are within the castle, you
gain the ability to grant any other Witch-Lord you can see
with the ability to ignore the castle wards. You may also
remove this ability from any Witch-Lord that you can see.
Granting or removing this ability from a Witch-Lord is a
Standard Action. A Witch-Lord inside the castle that loses
the right of passage is instantly teleported to a random
destination on the surface of Toril.
Complications
Lingering Gemjumps. Every Witch-Lord to attain the Mantle
of Witch-Duke first cast Gemjump on a rogue stone hidden
underneath the tail of the wyvern depicted on the Wyvern
Crown. This spell allowed a Witch-Duke to teleport, without
chance of failure, to the crown in the event it was stolen. At
least two former Witch-Dukes lurk somewhere in the
Realms, each a demilich waiting to feel the awakened power
of the crown so they can reclaim their castle home, then work
catastrophic vengeance on Cormyr and any other surviving
Witch-Lord that betrayed them. Other Witch-Lords may have
cast Gemjump on the crown as well.
The Wyvern Crown suppresses the magical properties of
the rogue stone embedded in it.
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