Chapter 4: Clifftop Observatory - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

Chapter 4: Clifftop Observatory. This chapter assumes the characters visit the observatory after exploring Seagrow Caves and the wreck of Compass Rose, and thus have reached 3rd level. If they come here before visiting the other adventure sites, the combat encounters are probably too difficult for them. That's the reason Runara won't give the characters the moonstone key or information about the observatory until after they've dealt with the island's other problems. If necessary, you can have Runara warn the characters that they're not ready to face this part of the adventure yet. Observatory Overview During its heyday, the Clifftop Observatory was a marvel of magical innovation. Adorned with gorgeous stained glass windows and marble spires, the observatory's towers stood high above the churning sea on separate islets, linked by shimmering bridges of magical energy. But the observatory was wrecked when Runara battled her blue dragon rival centuries ago, and now it lies in ruin, a crumbled memory overtaken by nature. In recent months, the observatory ruins have become the home of an arrogant blue dragon wyrmling called Sparkrender, a descendant of Runara's ancient rival. Like his ancestor, Sparkrender seeks to claim the destructive magic that lingers at the site. Like Runara, Sparkrender has recruited kobolds to join his cause. About five days before the characters arrived on the island, a bronze dragon wyrmling named Aidron left the safety of Dragon's Rest and Runara's tutelage and came to the ancient observatory. The two wyrmlings met and immediately clashed. Sparkrender attempted to turn the bronze wyrmling against Runara, but Aidron's hatred of chromatic dragons was stronger than his disagreement with Runara. Ultimately, Sparkrender overpowered Aidron and imprisoned him in the observatory ruins. Sparkrender believes Aidron is the key to unlocking the observatory's magic and claiming his ancestor's power. With the bronze wyrmling imprisoned, Sparkrender began p...