I was challenged for GLOG Week to write a scenario by Phlox over at https://whosemeasure.blogspot.com/, set in Draakdeure, the City of Dragon Doors (check out this post for more information about there). However, this presented an interesting challenge which I hadn't planned for. How does one write a scenario for a setting where the entire point is that city is boring and has nothing in it? Then it struck me: an alternate version of Draakdeure, where I can do absolutely anything I want without making the normal city any more interesting. Thus, I give you The Strange Case of UnDraakdeure for your enjoyment.
The Strange Case of UnDraakdeure
Kalorvin Terrelton Esq. has put out an investigation request to all Draakdeurean adventuring groups, an event unheard of since the Troll Invasion of 19,433 YDK. A Dragon Door has opened up on the outskirts of the city, however it is a Rotating Door, a door type not seen for many years. Through the other side is… Draakdeure, apparently, but not the one we know and tolerate. The reward is substantial for finding and contacting its leader, if it even has one, and discovering this copy’s true nature.
What’s Really Going On Here?
The Rotating Door leads to the Draakdeure inside the mind of the Godhead, and through strange magics it has manifested itself physically. It is attempting to show what the Dragons have done to the place, and why they should be overthrown. Therefore, UnDraakdeure is entirely silent from the Godhead’s screams, a detail which should be noted almost immediately. There are no Dragons in UnDraakdeure, and bringing one of them through the Dragon Door into here will result in their instant death. In fact, the only inhabitants of UnDraakdeure are the Screaming Mockeries, emotionless versions of its inhabitants that do nothing but scream upon seeing a normal Draakdeurean. Anyone killed by a Screaming Mockery is consumed by their UnDraakdeurean counterpart, which gains individuality and goes through the Rotating Door to fight the Dragons. The Dragon Door will not close until the Godhead is visited in UnDraakdeure and its true name is spoken or all the Dragons are dead.
UnDraakdeure - An Overview
UnDraakdeure is far more vibrant than its real counterpart. There are few greys, instead filled with festival decorations and bright colours on all its buildings. There are no Ministry buildings, instead replaced with sections of Wild Space, kaleidoscopic holes in the fabric of reality in the shape of buildings. Everything seems far nicer than the reality of Draakdeure, except the Screaming Mockeries, who represent the depressing, downtrodden denizens of Draakdeure. Screaming Mockeries will remain mostly passive, except the counterparts of the characters in question, who will attack on sight. Upon the drawing of blood, all Screaming Mockeries who can smell it will attack its source.
Important Places
The Obedient Citizen Inn - Is full of 3d20 Screaming Mockeries, sitting unmoving at their tables. There is a 30% chance for each character that their Screaming Mockery is currently there upon arrival.
The Dragon Palaces - Are not there. Instead replaced by a Wild Space pocket dimension. There is one Dragon in UnDraakdeure named Hithigriax, the Dragon of Wild Space, who has no true form, and knows the Godhead’s true name.
The Undercity - Is still there, however the corpses of its inhabitants are piled up on the streets, unlike in Draakdeure where the corpses of the dead adventurers are put to work in undeath to power the upper city. The Godhead seeks to show the atrocity that is the real Undercity.
The Sanctum of the Godhead - The Godhead, in a humanoid form, sits on his throne here, appearing differently to everyone who enters here as the person they would trust the most. It seeks to recruit any adventurers to its side to fight the Dragons, but is perfectly prepared to set the Screaming Mockeries on them if they refuse.
GM Notes
This is quite barebones, intentionally so. Each trip to UnDraakdeure should be tailored to the party in question, so go wild creating whatever challenges the Godhead would put in front of your players. As well, the dilemma of fighting for the Dragons or the Godhead should be made front and centre, and could perhaps spark a whole other adventure to stop one side over the other. Draakdeure will, if not enough progress is made fast enough, send an army into UnDraakdeure, sparking a war between the two cities.
The Screaming Mockeries are not the only creatures here, though they are varied in their abilities and strength. There are also monstrosities that have crawled out of Wild Space, some friendly, some not. Essentially, plug whatever cool monster you want into the adventure.
Finally, if there isn’t enough social interaction, you could always either make the Screaming Mockeries more intelligent, or you could insert a group of native Draakdeureans who have been living here for centuries, implying that this Dragon Door has opened before, and will open again.
I may add to this and revise it later, but within the time constraints of GLOG Week this is all I can give you. Steal liberally and unapologetically, my friends, and godspeed to you all.
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