Madame Drak's 3-Penny Mystery dream came in one form this week: Contact with the Nine Dreamers went offline as they gathered Dragonmages to fight the Umibozu trying to open a Blue Void. Rebecca the Dragonmage gathered Sayehmoosh, Mr. Blackthorn, and Merneith the Time Raveler to stop the Umibozu from using the Dragon's Eye Stone to open the portal to Mt. Draig. It was an epic battle that happened offstage, so to speak, while our heroes continued into the Norse realms.
Naturally, they discovered one more world-ending trouble: A rune carved into Yggdrasil, the World Tree, that opened the door leading into the roots of the Underworld. Word of this one came from Hallr, the leader of the Potter's Guild. This secret guild worked with the Detectives in 2016, so our team was able to learn from the records of that case.
The guild hired our detectives to investigate the rune's origins. So the team took the Oroborus to the base of Yggdrasil, to examine the clues left at the site. Things turned dangerous quickly, as a swarm of serpents attacked with freezing venom. A trap had been set into motion, and our heroes soon founds themselves plunging down serpent holes leading to an iron cage deep within Niddhogr's lair.
He knew the Heroes of the Dragon's Eye might be called -- and made sure to welcome them with open arms of iron. He just neglected to mention that those open arms were locked around them.
Fortunately, their skillful use of Dragonwings, artifacts, and sneaking upended the ancient dragon's plans. They escaped and disarmed the Blind Serpent guarding the path of fire that surrounded their cage. Being fire dragons helped them sneak through the fire, and teamwork helped dispel the magic.
The team looked around for the cause of all of this mayhem, hoping to have a word with Niddhogr, but to their surprise, he was missing from his lair. The rune of unfettering and unlocking had helped him escape -- introducing yet another trouble: The danger of triggering Ragnorak.
How many world-ending issues can a single mystery include? Quite a few, it would seem.
The team also encountered Ratatoskr, the squirrel who delivers messages between Niddhogr and the Eagle. He had a copy of Niddhogr's last message to the Eagle. Our team deciphered the runes and learned that Niddhogr went on vacation to a volcano in Iceland.
When the team finally reached the open door, they found a cloaked figure examining the rune. He calls himself Grimnir, the Hooded One, but our detectives soon discover that the All Father himself has come from Asgard to see about this rune.
The rune is well-made by someone with much skill. It couldn't have been made by Niddhogr himself, since he was fettered at the time of its making. So Niddhogr had help.
Odin was happy to see his Friends of Dragon, and granted them permission to travel throughout his realms in search of answers and solutions. Our team examined their artifacts and jewels, and decided on a bold plan to bring Niddhogr back. One of our more experienced detectives had an artifact of summoning, designed for returning artifacts stolen during their quest. If they knew what was stolen, who had it, and where they were, the artifact was guaranteed to work.
They asked if they could use this on Niddhogr. They knew who he was, where he was -- so the answer was: "You're welcome to try it!"
Many thanks to Chris Guerette, who joined us that afternoon and found himself playing Niddhogr on the fly. His personal knowledge of Norse mythology, D&D DM (Dungeon Master) skills, combined with some great tagging, made this a game to be remembered! It also freed me to take photos -- so check out the Dragon's Eye Facebook page for an album of shots of this epic battle!
Our detectives managed to bind Niddhogr to his lair once again, and then met with him to learn more about the rune and the World Ending Egg that he transformed. He was understandably reluctant to help them after they spoiled a perfectly good vacation, but three Winter Crowns of the Cailleach opened a crack that led to his heart, causing him to spill out the three things that might change his mind: A Golden Apple from Odin's table in Asgard, a Cup of Inspirational Water from the Well of Mimir, and a Good Fortune from the Norn.
This gentleman was big and bold, dressed in armor -- clearly a warrior of great status. "I am Heimdel, Guardian of Bifrost! I am here to tell you that Odin has changed his mind! Your services are no longer needed, now that Niddhogr has been returned! You are ordered to return to your own realm this moment!"
Our team met this with suspicion, and opened their Dragon's Eyes. They were not surprised to find brilliant red hair, sparkling eyes, and a huge grin under all that disguise. Loki was astonished to find himself so easily recognized by mortals, and inquired about the source of their extensive knowledge of his misdeeds. He felt deeply maligned -- and then outraged as he learned about this person named Marvel who owned the copyright to his name. The Norse god lifted his bare foot to show the (C) tattoo that proved that only he owned the copyright to his own name!
Faced with the failure of his first attempt to send the detectives home, Loki offered to get the items Niddhogr requested at a small price: A teensy bite of the Golden Apple, a tiny sip of the Water of Inspiration, and a 10% share of the Good Fortune from the Norn.
Our detectives did not need the Secret Keepers to know that this was not a good deal. They turned the god of fire down, only to learn that he held a secret bit of leverage. He had captured the Teacup Trolls and the Fairy Dragon who could make their Dragonstones.
The Detectives were frantic. They love the Teacup Trolls and the Fairy Dragon.
They called 911: "Hello, this is 911. What is your emergency?" This didn't help.
They called 911 Magic Police: "Hello, this is Rebecca the Dragonmage. You are the Magic Police!"
They pulled it together and made a plan.
They created three teams: One to heal. One to take down Loki. One to counter his magic with their own.
Loki turned into a a fiery sea slug and slipped into the lava rivers leading down to Niddhogr's lair. The detectives cast a spell removing the glamour, and the team froze him in place.
He turned into a fox to flee by foot. The magic team cast a spell removing the glamour, and the chasing team caught him one more time.
He turned into a fire dragon, and the magic team countered this as the team on the ground took down his powers. Once they had him tied in place, they freed the Teacup Trolls and Fairy Dragon.
Then they used Odin's oak leaves to summon the All Father and his ravens, Hugin and Mugin. Odin sent Loki to prison (again) leaving only the Rune and the World-Ending Egg to handle, and the Dragonstones to create.
The Teacup Troll and Fairy Dragon made their Dragonstones, drawing upon the magic of mud and dream.
Odin asked the detectives to summon the Potter's Guild as well, so they could counter the magic of the rune. Hollr and 12 guild members arrived. They redirected the Unbinding power of the Rune to unbind Niddhogr's magic to the Egg of Ending.
The Egg of Ending was finally restored to its original nature as an ending for Rebecca's time with the Dragon's Eye Detective's Agency. The detectives discussed hiding the egg to prevent that from happening, but the egg had its own agenda.
It hatched, producing an adorable baby shadow dragon with two heads.
Our team of detectives was delighted with the new baby and resigned to its presence. They carried it off to a party in Asgard, filled with fireworks, singing, and dancing -- and a spontaneous round of "Happy Birthday."
Even Niddhogr had something to celebrate -- they sent him some pizza. Recognizing her team's compassion, Rebecca has offered to work with Odin about supervised vacations for the poor dragon.
Thank you to our wonderful detectives for a fun week of adventuring! I am in awe of the drawings our team has been making for the past three weeks. They capture the story so well -- and speak to the power of story to inspire other art forms. Like musicals -- the last few weeks have included so much song, that my heart is light and I am looking forward to seeking out the books, the musicals, the movies the children have recommended for exploration during retirement!
Thank you again to Chris Guerette, who portrayed Niddhogr with much skill and drama! The red glow of courage emanating from the detectives as they waited for their spell to bring Niddhogr was very much real! Thanks for a truly memorable portrayal! Your D&D players have a wonderful GM!
Here is a link to the Dragon's Eye Facebook page for the art.