Floating Island The Garden

The Sky Garden is a strange and magical The following are some of the uniquely
place made of clouds. It drifts around
the world, always following the sun. The
An ancient relic known as the Star Heart is the only thing able to destroy the Darkness Below surface below is constantly cast in the Sky
once and for all. Unfortunately, the relic is kept high above the earth in the Sky Garden, a Garden’s ambling shadow. However, being
cloudy island where the air is thin and the sky meets the stars.
so high up, the stars and the endless black
void are always looming directly overhead.
The adventurers aren’t the only ones after the Star Heart though. A legendary thief, Libi
Quickstep, currently holds the powerful relic, keeping it safe with manipulation and trickery. Walking on the cloudy surface is like walking
A group of ancient Astral Giants, powerful otherworldly protectors, will not allow the Star on the ground, although a little bit bouncier.
Heart to leave their cloudy home. And the greedy blue dragon, Nubefidula, circles above the
garden waiting for his opportunity to add the powerful relic to his treasure hoard. An endless variety of unusual, enormous,
brightly-colored plants grow from the
clouds. The Astral Giants call it a garden,
Flik Silverpen’s Guide to the Sky Garden (FSG 09) is a point crawl adventure through but the adventurers experience it as a
a giant-filled floating island. It works great as a one-shot, or a fun continuation of the jungle. Flowers of every color the size of
Dragon Town adventure. trees, bushes with unusually shaped leaves
as big as houses, and peculiar, never-before-
It’s helpful to read through the entire guide (don’t worry, it’s short!) to get a good idea of seen weeds that tower over everyone but
how the story will unfold while exploring the Sky Garden. the giants.
magical plants the adventurers might
stumble across while exploring the Sky
Garden:
Dandebolt - A tree size stalk with white
tufts that disperse when the plant is
struck by lightning. Fallen tufts can store
a charge of lightning that can be released
as an arcing bolt of electricity when
whipped correctly.
Spiritbloom - A densely petaled flower
that only blooms (revealing tear shaped
seeds) when a wind spirit passes by.
Eating the seeds causes the adventurer
to become extremely heavy, enough to fall
through the cloud floor. If the adventurer
dies from the fall, they become a wind
spirit.

Adventurers should start at the Entrance Gate area of the map, but can explore freely Faint Frond - A curling fern. Unfurls when
after that. Speaking of the map, consider it loosely representational at best. The Sky approached. Touching the frond results
Garden is vast and huge, taking multiple hours to travel between points. in a slight sting, making the adventurer
feel lighter, as if they could float.
The Sky Garden is a system neutral adventure that works for any level adventuring
party. Enemies listed don’t have stat blocks, but references to the world’s most popular Vapor Vines - Large wriggling vines that
manual of monsters are given to help the balancing process. constantly move across the cloud floor.
Create a dense fog when touched.

Steam Sprout - A clump of leafy twigs

Adventure Hooks that are scalding hot to the touch.
1. The wizard, Lugus Faravald, has sent
the adventurers to the Sky Garden via a Gold Posy - A tall tangle of brightly
teleportation spell to retrieve the Star colored wild flowers. Their roots wrap
Heart. He hopes it will help defeat the around large clumps of gold nestled in
Darkness Below once and for all. the clouds. If the adventurers try to dig
up the flowers they will attack. Compare
2. Legend has it, an ancient relic containing stats to a Vine Blight, MM 32.
magic that extends life resides in the cloudy
home of the Astral Giants. Such a powerful While the lush garden in the sky is bountiful
artifact would be extremely valuable. with flora, not many creatures can survive
here, especially those from the surface. Only
3. Reading the mysterious-looking book, the biggest, strongest, or most audacious
“The Indomitable History of the Astral can claim to call the Sky Garden home.
Giants,” teleports the adventurers to the
entrance of the Sky Garden. Unfortunately,
there is no clear way back down to the
surface.

2 3
 Astral Giants
Petty Immortals
Paying no heed to the mortals below, nine
Astral Giants aimlessly float high above the
surface in their cloudy home. They have
spent thousands and thousands of years
cultivating their garden and plucking stars
out of the sky to eat.
The Astral Giants are 60 to 80 feet tall. They
move extremely slowly, sometimes spending
a full minute to take a single step. The giants
speak in a low harmonizing language that is
somehow familiar to all that hear it, even if
it’s their first time.
The Astral Giants are not made of skin, bone,
scale, or carapace. They are other-worldly
creatures that reflect starlight through a
flexible, but impenetrable, shell. They cannot
be hurt, at least not by mortal means.
While the Astral Giants are completely
indifferent to the lives of other creatures,
they spend most of their time gossiping,
meddling, and feuding with one another
about trivial matters. For immortals with
such staggering power and splendor, they
are petty and shallow beings.
At the center of their garden, the Astral
Giants protect the Star Heart, their most
revered and precious artifact. The giants
believe the Star Heart was the first star to
light up the night sky. It provides them with
immortality and is the magic power that
allows their garden to grow and clouds to
fly. They will defend their exalted Star Heart
at any cost. It must not leave their garden.
4 5
The Darkness’ Origin
The Astral Giants are aware of the
Darkness Below, because 1300 years
ago, one of them plucked it out of
the night sky, thinking it was a star
for dinner. The Darkness slayed the
hungry giant (see pg. 8), ravaged their
magical garden and almost destroyed
the Star Heart. The giants fought back
and flung the Darkness to the surface,
where it retreated underground to
tend to its wounds.
Libi Quickstep
Legendary Thief
Long ago, Libi and her heroic companions
defeated the Darkness Below, imprisoning
it deep underground. Unsatisfied with the
life of world-saving heroism, Libi set out
to find her fortune. With the help of Lugus
Faravald’s teleportation magic, she traveled
all over the world hunting for lost treasures
and powerful magic items.
After years of exploring, Libi came upon the
Astral Giants’ home and their exalted Star
Heart. The relic’s power was undeniable, she
had to have it. Of course it wasn’t difficult
for such an experienced thief to procure the
Sky Heart, easily stealing it away from right
under the giant’s noses.
She learned holding the heart gave her
control over the mighty Astral Giants and
also magically extended her life as long as it
was in her possession.
Now, after hundreds of years living amongst
the giants, she still guards the Star Heart
and its power closely (See more on pg. 12).
Nubefidula
Blue Dragon Menace
Consumed by greed, the Ancient Blue
Dragon, Nubefidula, constantly circles
above the Sky Garden. Lightning crackles
around him while he frantically searches
for a way to steal the Star Heart in hopes
of adding it to his immense treasure hoard.
However, the Astral Giant protectors of the
Star Heart seem unphased by his attempts.
Nubefidula feels threatened by anything
flying above the Sky Garden and will attack
it immediately.
If Nubefidula notices the adventurers
exploring the garden he will take interest in
them. If he learns of the adventurer’s intent
to acquire the Star Heart, he will attempt to
intimidate and coerce them into stealing it
for him.
Compare stats to an Ancient Blue Dragon,
MM 90.
Nubefidula circles above the Sky Garden,
flying from point to point on the map (pg. 1).
When the adventurers explore a new area or
if they spend too long in one place, roll a D6.
1-2. Nubefidula moves one area closer
to the adventurers.
3-4. Nubefidula stays at his current
location.
5-6. Nubefidula moves one area further
from the adventurers.
If Nubefidula moves to an area adjacent to
where the adventurers are exploring he
will take notice (unless they are hiding) and
immediately land near them.
If the adventurers cause a commotion
in the Star Heart Sanctuary (see pg. 12),
Nubefidula will take advantage of the chaos
by swooping down and attempting to steal
the Star Heart.

1. Entrance Gate
An enormous rusted gate is the only
entrance into the cloud-walled garden. The
gate is too big for a regular-sized person
to open, but there’s also plenty of space
in between the gate’s bars to easily walk
through. The gate is guarded by:
Equu
Sleeping Astral Giant
Description: Equu is lazy and bored. He’s
been relegated to guard duty by the other
giants, but that suits him just fine. Equu
couldn’t be more indifferent to the giants
infighting and drama.
Wants: To pass his unending existence as
carefreely as possible.
Equu will be slightly amused if awoken by
the adventurers. He hasn’t seen anyone
approach the gate for several hundred
years. He doesn’t care if they enter the
garden or not.
2. Voracious Vulches
The Astral Giant, Grus, plucks a star out
of the sky and slowly eats it. A swarm of
Vulches (craven vulture-folk) circle around
the giant eager to gorge themselves on the
star crumbs falling from Grus’ mouth.
If the adventurers approach the star crumbs
the Vulches will spread their massive wings
and let out raspy screeches in a defensive
display. If the adventurers do not back off
the Vulches will voraciously defend their
crumbs with bites and claws.
Compare stats to a Hippogriff, MM 184.
When Grus is done eating, she will take a
few slow steps forward and pluck another
star. She is completely indifferent to smaller
creatures around her and will actively
ignore them. Don’t get stepped on!
3. Starry Fountain
A giant white marble fountain sits in the
middle of a field of tall flowers. It’s not
unusual to find one of the Astral Giants
relaxing next to the reflective pool glittering
in the starlight.
Any adventurer who drinks from the
fountain will feel full and content, move
extremely slowly, and sparkle like the night
sky.
Gibbous
Teleporting Fish
Description: A foot-long white fish circles
around the fountain impatiently. He has
bulging eyes and speaks in a bubbly,
muted voice. Gibbous will immediately ask
anyone who approaches the water for help,
explaining that he is stuck in the magic
fountain.
Wants: Gibbous pleads to be carried to any
other body of water in the Sky Garden, even
the Murky Bog will do. In exchange he can
teleport the adventurers to any body of
water on the surface. Gibbous can survive
without water for one hour.
4. Thunder Burrow
A burrowed hole in the clouds is the
entrance to a branching cave system that
eventually leads to the Fertilizer Pile (see
pg. 10). It’s home to a colony of shock mites
(Bouncing balls of electricity. Compare stats
to a Will-O’-Wisp, MM 301) and:
Torm
Thunder Badger
Description: A giant black and white fur-
covered badger with massive sharp claws,
a steadily-sniffing nose (his eyesight isn’t
so good), and a booming voice. If rumbling
can be heard below the clouds, it’s probably
Torm digging a new tunnel.
Torm doesn’t take kindly to intruders in his
burrow and will defend it by releasing a
shockwave of thunder from whichever end
of himself is facing the threat.
Wants: Torm enjoys a solitary life of digging
and munching on the magical plant roots
around the Sky Garden.
Compare stats to a Umber Hulk, MM 292.

If the adventurers deliver Gibbous to a

different pool of water he will explode
in size, growing to be 30 feet long with a
massive sigh of relief. Keeping up his end of
the bargain, he tells the adventurers to climb
into his giant mouth before teleporting
them wherever they wish to go (as long as
it’s not dry land!)

6 7
 5. Mischievous Wind Spirit
Throughout this flowerless field of clouds,
mischievous laughter can be heard on the
wind. If the adventurers attempt to cross
the field, the laughing wind spirit will
punch holes in the clouds beneath their feet,
hoping to watch them fall.
If an adventurer falls through, the Wind
Spirit will catch them, thank them for the
laugh, and return them to the entrance of
the garden.
6. Doog
Hungry Winged Dog
Description: An enormous, long, golden
furred dog lounges in a patch of fragrant
flowers. She has sleepy eyes and speaks
with a low, friendly growl.
Wants: Doog recently finished chewing on a
delicious bone and would like another, but
is too lazy to find one herself. A giant finger
bone, bog frog leg, dragon rib, or maybe the
entire skeleton of one of the adventurers
will do.
If the adventurers bring her a big bone,
Doog will fly them anywhere in the Sky
Garden. She can travel through the cloud
floor and will fly under the garden to
avoid Nubefidula (Doog is annoyed by the
dragon’s presence, but doesn’t seemed
threatened by him.)
8 9
7. Tangled Thicket
Huge thorny vines block the way forward.
The vines will react to adventurers trying
to push through the area, attempting to pull
them beneath the clouds.
8. Fallen Giant
The skeleton of Osse, largest of the Astral
Giants, lays half-buried in the clouds.
Brightly-colored wild flowers grow around
his bones and a massive oak tree has
sprung from his ribcage. Several hundred
sentient, half-foot-tall acorns live in the tree
and worship the fallen giant. They speak in
quick clacks and knocks and harmonize in
unending songs of praise for Osse.
If the adventurers approach the skeleton
they will be stopped by a troop of acorn
guards with cupule shields and twig spears.
The guards do not allow outsiders near the
“‘Xalted Osse”. If the adventurers intrude or
say anything insulting about the giant the
guards will blow into a bark horn, alerting
backup and attack immediately.
Compare stats to a Guard, MM 347.
Whether out of fear, grief, resentment, or
indifference, the other Astral Giants won’t
come anywhere near Osse’s skeleton.
Because of this, none of the acorns have
seen a living Astral Giant.
Some Acorn Names: Brother Thok, Sister
Korc, Mother Nock, Great Grand Father
Dook, Third Cousin Tede, Twin Pboo.
9. Hidden Camp 10. Volan
The plants are thicker here, not as well kept. Crying Giant
Faint chirps from an injured animal can be Description: Loud bellowing sobs make
heard from deeper in the overgrown grove. the ground shake around the hunched and
inconsolable Astral Giant. Volan is madly
Vahojdar and Karth infatuated with Pavo (see pg. 10), but she
Shadespear Orc and Injured Griffin called the fragile giant “dimwitted and
Description: A powerful orc wielding a long delusional.” He is grief stricken and deeply
spear stands between the adventurers and offended to the point of uncontrollable
her injured griffin companion. Vahojdar weeping.
scowls and speaks in a deep, intimidating
rumble. She is wary and untrusting, Wants: For Pavo to reciprocate his affection.
especially of other human-sized creatures, And for Pyx to disappear forever.
who obviously don’t belong in the Sky The adventurers can easily upset Volan
Garden. She is willing to fight to protect
by talking about the other giants. He will
Karth. dramatically throw himself to the floor and
Wants: Her companion to be healed and roll around bawling uncontrollably. Look
out! Don’t get squished!
able to fly again. Vahojdar wants to leave
the Sky Garden as soon as possible.
11. Cloud Hammer
Several days ago the Sky Garden passed
over the Shadespear Mountains (see An ornately decorated weapon handle
Flik Silverpen’s Guide to the Shadespear protrudes from the cloud floor. Only a
Mountains, FSG 02) and Vahojdar was sent worthy and just adventurer may pull the
to investigate the strange floating island. Cloud hammer from its resting place.
Nubefidula blasted Karth’s left wing with
The Cloud Hammer is a huge two-handed
a bolt of lightning while they surveyed the
garden. The pair has been hiding from the weapon that is light and maneuverable like
a smaller weapon. Once a day it can shoot
dragon, wind spirits, and the Astral Giants,
waiting for Karth’s injury to heal. a bolt of lightning from its cloudy hammer
head. If thrown, it will return to the wielder’s
hand a moment later.
If offered help, Vahojdar is reluctant to
accept, but will if it means Karth can fly
again.
If the adventurers help Karth, Vahojdar
will share what’s she’s learned about the
Sky Garden during her time here, mostly
cautioning about various dangers. And
if the adventurers intend on fighting
Nubefidula, Vahojdar and Karth will offer
their assistance, sharp claws and spear
from the sky.
 12. Fertilizer Pile
The thick smell of manure comes from a
huge dark mound of poo and plant scraps
rising from the clouds. A massive dung
beetle is rolling up a ball of giant poop to
add to his prized fertilizer mixture.
Bister
Grounds Keeper
Description: Bister is a grumpy ten-foot-
tall dung beetle who begrugingly tends to
the plants. He is frustrated by the Astral
Giants because they take all the credit for
the Sky Garden’s splendor. The fact is, after
the Darkness Below nearly destroyed the
garden, it was Bister and his fertilizer that
brought the plants back to life.
Bister is initially weary of adventurers,
thinking they are at his mound to steal his
“secret recipe” for excellent plant growth.
Bister will gladly join in any plan to
embarrass or cause more drama between
the Astral Giants.
Wants: He works hard at a dirty job and
deserves some recognition!
Adventurers can double their size by eating
a handful of fertilizer.
10
13. Murky Bog
Massive lily pads cover a stinking pool of
muddy water. Deafening croaks clog the
already heavy air. Humongous three-eyed
frogs have taken over the pond, infesting it
with dirt and filth.
The Bog Frogs are a group of vile giant
amphibians that revel in debauchery and
irritating mockery. They will eat anything,
even attempting to snatch up smaller
humanoids with their stretchy tongues, but
love gorging on dodo eggs most of all.
If they are too big to eat, the frogs will try to
splash mud and grime on any adventurers
entering the bog. As long as the Bog Frogs
outnumber the adventurers, they will heckle
and ridicule, insisting that the adventurers
will end up squished by a giant, electrocuted
by a dragon, or bored to death by dodos.
The Bog Frogs will enthusiastically
regurgitate large sums of gold in exchange
for a dozen dodo eggs.
The Bog Frog’s third eye allows them to
detect lies.
Compare stats to a Young Green Dragon,
MM 94 (with weakness to Lightning) or a
Froghemoth, VGtM 145.
Some Bog Frog Names: Gug, Gurk, Hork,
Ruck, Spu, Vom, Yuke.
14. Feather Mansion 15. Arguing Giants
A gigantic conifer tree overlooks the Murky Forn and Taur, two haughty and pompous
Bog. Its branches are home to an ornate and giants, stand over a small glowing flower
regally built mansion inhabited by a flock of bickering back and forth.
knightly dodo birds.
“I saw it first!”
The Knights of the Feather act honorably “No! I saw it first!”
and chivalrous above all else. But really, they
are cowardly and will avoid conflict at any “You wouldn’t recognize a new species of
cost. They wear splendid shining armor but flower if it was growing out of your nose!”
hold no weapons. The dodo knights speak in “I’m surprised you even know what a flower
haughty voices and cluck pompously when is!”
they find something agreeable.
Each believe they have discovered a new
If the adventurers approach the base of type of flower and want to name the plant
the conifer tree and the Feather Mansion, after themselves. In fact, the flower is a
guards will shout down, “Who doth goeth Glowing Iris, a common flower on the
there? State thy business.” Only the most surface that grows in the shade of tall trees.
proper, honorable, and gallant will be The Ravenwood elves plant them to light
pathways through the forest.
allowed to enter the mansion (the guards
will lower a hand-cranked lift).
If the giants notice the adventurers, they
The Knights of the Feather sit around a giant will accuse the adventurers of trying to
steal their new discovery. However, it won’t
round table, telling stories of their ancestors’
chivalrous deeds. They are welcoming of take long for the giants to resume their
contemptuous argument. If the adventures
honorable adventurers, but expect to hear
tales of heroism from visitors. upset the giants or try and steal the Glowing
Iris, Forn and Taur will try and kick them off
The Bog Frogs are the sworn enemy of the the cloud.
Knights of the Feather. The dodo knights
posture being brave enough to battle the
Bog Frogs, but they will not risk tarnishing
their splendid armor.
If the adventurers can rid the Murky Bog of
the frogs, the dodos will bestow knighthood
upon them. A piece of shining armor will
be donned which allows the adventurers
to gracefully float to the ground from any
height.
Some Dodo Knight Names: Astrid, Barnaby,
Charles, Cordelia, Henrietta, Humphrey,
Montgomery, Rafferty, Rosamund.
11
 16. Star Heart Sanctuary
Human-size stone stairs lead into the
densest part of the garden. The overgrown
plants ominously enclose the path upward.
Croco Plants hang down with their jaws
open, ready to chomp trespassers (compare
stats to a Giant Shark, MM 328).
The overgrown garden eventually parts,
revealing the base of a cloud mountain. An
empty pedestal rises out of a serene pond. A
small hut with a thatched roof overlooks the
pond from the opposite side.
Three Astral Giants stand guard at the base
of the mountain. Two of the giants, Pyx and
Scut, have sworn to protect the Star Heart at
any cost. They are dutiful, but also arrogant
and self righteous about their charge.
The third giant, Pavo, could care less about
the Star Heart. She is in love with Pyx and is
only guarding the sanctuary to be close to
her. Pavo is distracted and clearly lovesick,
much to Pyx’s annoyance.
Adventurers approaching the pond will be
greeted by a cloaked halfling woman who
glides out of the hut on a small floating
cloud.
12
Libi Quickstep
Keeper of the Star Heart
Description: An imperious and sly halfling
thief, Libi speaks in a raspy but assured
manner, like someone who is much older
than she appears to be. One hand is always
gripping the pouch at her side.
She keenly aware of the power she weilds
over the Astral Giants, but also knows many
will try and take that power away from her.
Whether through trickery, subterfuge, or
manipulation, Libi takes any opportunity to
gain the upper hand. She likes to show off,
but will avoid danger, being sure to maintain
a tactical advantage in every situation. She’s
not too proud to retreat from a fight.
Wants: Living amongst the Astral Giants for
so long has filled Libi with contempt for the
surface world. She believes her companions
to be lazy fools, not resourceful or powerful
enough to actually defeat the Darkness
Below.
She could save the world from shadow and
gloom if she wanted, but would rather live
amongst her treasures in peace.
Libi carries the Banshee’s Blade, Melting
Cloak, Vaulting Sandals, and a silver skull
key that unlocks her hut. She keeps the Star
Heart in a pouch with her at all times. If she
becomes separated from the relic she will
age rapidly and perish within an hour.
While holding the Star Heart she can
command the Astral Giants with a simple
verbal order or a motion of the hand. They
will protect Libi, but more importantly the
Star Heart.
Compare stats to an Assassin (MM 343) or a
Nycaloth (MM 314).
Libi’s Hut
Similar to Faravald’s Tower (see Flik
Silverpen’s Guide to the Errant Tower,
FSG 08), Libi’s hut is an extra-dimensional
space. The inside is much larger and more
opulent than the hut’s outside appearance.
The interior is filled with ornately crafted
furniture, piles of gold and gemstones, a
vast collection of impressive paintings, and
of course, plenty of magic items:
The Star Heart
Banshee’s Blade - Shortsword that
distracts opponents by magically The Star Heart is a primordial magic
conjuring loud shrieks from the opposite orb that fits in the palm of your hand.
direction of its weilder. It gently pulsates with the purest,
brightest light. So bright that the
Nimbus Cloud - Small flying cloud that surrounding area loses color, but
can support one human-sized creature. somehow it does not hurt your eyes.
Melting Cloak - Wearer can melt into an
The wielder of the Star Heart does not
extremely mobile puddle of liquid.
age, does not require food or water,
Vaulting Sandals - Wearer can jump and gains the ability to heal on touch
super high. three times a day.
All Seeing Headband - Covered in eyes.
Simply holding the Star Heart near
Wearer can see magic.
the Darkness Below turns its spectral
Doppleflute - Play the correct song to body corporeal, making it susceptible
alter appearance. Unfortunately, the to injury. The Star Heart is the only
comprehensive book of music is missing. magic object the Darkness Below won’t
Mad Mantle - Armor that fumes with try to consume.
anger. When struck there is a 10% chance
the blow will be deflected back at the
aggressor.
Spear of Arcane Flame - Piercing strike
shoots a ray of arcane energy. Slashing
strike shoots a jet of flame.
Continue the adventure with
Flik Silverpen’s Guide to the Darkness Below
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Flik Silverpen’s Guide to the Sky Garden (FSG 09)
by JP Coovert © 2022
First Printing April 2022
Thank You
Jacie. Scott. Brandon, Chris, Chris, and Bryce.
And all the patrons that helped make the Sky Garden real.
Explore videos at youtube.com/jpcoovert and artwork at jpcoovert.com