D&D 5E - The Rise of Tiamat

The fate of the dragon hatchery divides opinion as
well. Most delegates respect a decision to destroy the
hatchery, accepting that having fewer dragons to deal
with later on is an advantage. However, the Harpers
would have preferred the eggs to be kept for ransoming
back to their parents, potentially keeping those dragons
from cooperating with the cult. Dagult would have sold
the valuable eggs to “responsible buyers,” then used that
gold to hire more mercenaries. The Emerald Enclave
is firmly against any dragon eggs being destroyed,
believing that the chromatic dragons are a part of
the natural order and that killing their young upsets
the balance of that order. Taern Hornblade and Lady
Laeral Silverhand think there might have been a way
to leverage the eggs as ransom, but both recognize that
they would have been dangerous to hold onto—and even
more dangerous to return.
When the discussion around the events from H oard o f
the Dragon Queen is concluded, the council moves on to
current matters. It’s obvious to all that the adventurers
have taken a firm hand in addressing this crisis, and
that they have proven their worth. The council deputizes
the characters with emergency investigative powers and
a writ demonstrating such. This grants the characters
access to resources and sites they deem necessary for
their investigation, but carries with it the burden of
oversight from the council. If the adventurers misbehave
or abuse their powers, their actions w ill be reviewed
and the writ w ill be revoked.
Once the characters have been vested with their
powers, the first stages of the adventure await.
S e t u p : V a r r a m t h e W h i t e
One of Remallia Haventree’s first acts in her fight
against the Cult of the Dragon was to encourage the
Harpers to focus all their resources on the cult’s
activities and its most powerful members. Those efforts
have been successful, and Leosin Erlanthar reports to
the adventurers of the movements of Varram, the cult’s
White Wyrmspeaker. This leads to “Varram the White,”
part of the “Death to the Wyrmspeakers” episode.
S e t u p : T h e S e a o f M o v i n g I c e
The sounding of the Draakhorn weighs heavily on
all the leaders of the Sword Coast. Seeking more
information on the horn and its whereabouts leads
the party on an expedition to the frozen North,
and episode 2.
Se c o n d Sessio n
At the Second Council of Waterdeep, the adventurers
see two new faces. Lord Neverember has been replaced
as Open Lord of Waterdeep by Lady Laeral Silverhand,
who now sits at the head of the council table. Dagult sits
to her right, alongside a human female introduced as
Elia (see below).
The delegates discuss the raids in their various
domains after receiving the characters’ report, providing
flavor for the ongoing activities of the cult and giving a
clear impression that the situation is escalating.
F o l l o w - u p : V a r r a m t h e W h i t e
In response to the fate of Wyrmspeaker Varram, the
Harpers and Taern are upset if the dwarf was slain
without being interrogated, and Connerad is upset
that he was not captured and made an example of in a
court of dwarven law. Though most are pleased with
capturing Varram, the Emerald Enclave is nonplussed,
believing that capturing him only complicates matters.
Varram has already demonstrated a willingness to
corrupt the natural order, making a trial excessive—and
potentially opening the door to a rescue attempt.
F o l l o w - u p : T h e S e a o f M o v i n g I c e
The Arcane Brotherhood are powerful allies, and all
are pleased if the party wins their allegiance—with the
exception of the Order of the Gauntlet. Ontharr Frume
knows that the Arcane Brotherhood does not police its
members in what kinds of knowledge they pursue, and
that they tolerate many evil wizards in their company.
Bringing the Arcane Brotherhood into the alliance
doesn’t lose Frum e’s respect, but neither does it earn it.
S e t u p : N e r o n v a i n
Delaan Winterhound of the Emerald Enclave is involved
with investigations into recent dragon attacks in the
Misty Forest. King Melandrach waves away Delaan’s
concerns, saying that dragon attacks in the area have
stopped since his elves increased their patrols and
fortified their positions. Discovering the truth w ill lead
the adventurers to “Neronvain,” part of the “Death to the
Wyrmspeakers” episode.
S e t u p : M
e t a l l i c D r a g o n s , A r i s e
During the council, the adventurers are introduced
to the silver dragon Otaaryliakkarnos, in her human
guise as Elia. She bears an invitation from the metallic
dragons to a council of their own, and the council
delegates ask the adventurers to attend. This leads
into episode 6.
T h ir d Sessio n
The third council features another new face—the tiefling
Rian Nightshade, introduced as a special adviser to
Lord Neverember. Characters who pay attention notice
that some at the meeting—including S ir Isteval, Ontharr
Frume, and Ambassador Brawnanvil—are doing their
best to ignore the secret Zhentarim delegate, who
makes no statements unless addressed by the party.
F o l l o w - u p : N e r o n v a i n
News that the dragon attacks in the elven forest have
ended is gratefully received by all on the council.
However, King Melandrach responds with cold fury
to news of his son Neronvain’s betrayal. He remains
hesitant to put elves in the front lines of combat, but
no longer acts as a roadblock to negotiations. His
pragmatism means that he no longer has any qualms
against the adventurers’ securing the allegiance of
Red Wizards, giants, or even devils in the fight against
the Cult of the Dragon—as long as such allies are
conveniently arrayed in front of his elves in battle.