Session III: Turtle Mountain Dreams - Recap - Summer 2017

Thirteen detectives gathered last week for a case called Turtle Mountain Dreams. The detectives were asked to travel to the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota, to investigate the disappearance of the turtles. Their journey soon led into the Dreamtime, where the earth rests on the back of a turtle and yes, it's turtles all the way down.

When a fierce lightning god descended on the Dragon's Eye Detectives' Agency, some members of the team courageously ran to confront him--right into lightning cages. Good thing half the group stayed behind, exercising their wisdom. Yarnballs flew and the caged detectives were soon rescued.

The Oroborus transported the detectives to the Turtle Mountains. "Beware of the Watchers," said the fortune from Madame Drak. There were watchers everywhere--some helpful, like the squirrel and the tiny dragonfly, and some not so helpful with their freezing spells.

The  detectives entered the Mound of the Black Warrior, stepping into the mythical realms of Grandmother Spider. When a stranger offered them a hand, the detectives were reluctant to take it. Let's just say a Serpent Trap was used and the detectives found themselves boxed into a corner.

Good thing there were tents and sleeping bags, hotdogs and the makings of s'mores in that box.

The Moon Rabbit was there to help once the detectives returned to the right path, and the detectives set off again through the tunnels of the cave. At a crossroads, the group split temporarily to investigate different avenues. Good thing cell phones were still working. A lesson in meditation came in handy for one detective, while others used magical artifacts, like the Earth Amulet or a fairy.

At the center of the Mound of the Black Warrior was a chamber where Dreaming Lizard slept in peace. The Detectives had a tough time reaching him at first, thanks to the orange fins and tails a few of them grew, plus the faulty memories they acquired. Teamwork and magic saved the day again.

Finally, the detectives learned who was behind the flooding of the Dreamtime and the missing turtles. In the interest of preserving secrets for the next group that tackles this adventure, I shall say very little here. Dreaming Lizard provided some very special amulets to turn the Detectives into turtles and tortoises (equipped with waterbreathing apparatus, as needed). Much joy was had by all as we swam through the deep waters of the Dreamtime!

The detectives had to steal a key from a certain guard, and then use it to free the turtles and tortoises imprisoned in the Cave of Lost Hope. They led the turtles to freedom with Grandmother Spider's gift--and then up into the heavens for a Turtle Feat of Extraordinary Courage: A performance to convince an Emperor of Heaven to cease the rainfall and save the turtles.

The fact that we're all still here, imagining this wonderful story, means that they succeeded. It would have been a drab world without their heroism. Thank you, Heroes of the Dragon's Eye! I salute your courage, your deep, deep compassion for turtles and your growing wisdom!

Photos of the adventure may be found on the Dragon's Eye Facebook page.
Photos of the artwork from the week may be found here.