The Obsidian Caldera

"The Obsidian Caldera" (C1.S07.1) is a one-shot in the first campaign of The Vanguard.

## Synopsis

Responding to a cryptic message from their Vanguard ally Dorian Windrider, the guild dispatches a group consisting of Gribble Fiddlefingers, the quick-witted gnome wizard along with his trusty duck familiar James Franco, Bullin Brightroar, the indomitable and stout dwarven barbarian, and the resourceful high-elf cleric Vega, renowned for her divine marksmanship. Also with the group is Susan Goodstreet, the tenacious tiefling ranger initiate of House WildWatch, whose prowess is matched only by her shadowy panther companion, Lady Edmund. Dorian Windrider's message was no ordinary note, and he had deemed the matter too vital to convey through mere writing, insisting on a face-to-face rendezvous with the Vanguard.

Dorian's tenacity has finally unlocked the secrets hidden within the Vanguard's recovered ledger, originally obtained during their daring mission to reclaim the stolen Crown of Reversal from the enigmatic Whispers Breath. It's been a patient wait for the party as he deciphered the intricate records, but once deciphered, Dorian's excitement quickly morphed into deep concern. He revealed to the team that a shadowy group, only known as "Material," has been channeling substantial resources into the dreaded Obsidian Caldera, a realm of fire and fury that houses EmberKeep and the dormant PyroForge. The PyroForge, a masterpiece of ancient dwarven artistry, was an artifact with a direct link to the elemental plane of fire, responsible for crafting some of the world's most exceptional weapons and armor. Its allure was so potent that malevolent mages once sought to harness its might for their dark designs, inadvertently rupturing the Caldera and freeing CinderMaw, a colossal fire elemental that materializes as a towering wolf made of molten flames. Only through the intervention of the Vanguard's esteemed founders was the fiery beast quelled and the forge sealed, averting disaster. Dorian earnestly implores the Vanguard to investigate this ominous resurgence of the PyroForge and face the looming threat it presents. In preparation for their journey, Dorian bestows upon the guild members his latest invention: the LavaLung. This ingenious device, artfully crafted to resemble diverse animal visages, snugly fits over the nose and mouth. With the insertion of an obsidian crystal into its gem socket, the wearer gains the precious ability to breathe freely and withstand the treacherous hazards of the Caldera's toxic clime for up to an hour.

As the party ventured deeper into the heart of the Obsidian Caldera, signs of chaos and fire began to emerge. Twisted, scorched trees lay scattered across the landscape, and the heavens above were veiled in a shroud of ashen darkness. With dusk descending upon the land, the group decided it was time to make camp. Bullin, the steadfast dwarven barbarian, found a suitable tree log to lay his bedroll upon. Seizing this opportunity, James Franco, Gribble's loyal duck familiar, nestled snugly under Bullin's arm, sharing warmth in their quiet companionship.

Gribble, the nimble gnome wizard, and Vega, the high elf cleric with a burgeoning reputation as a divine marksman, set up their respective resting areas for the night. Preparing to take the first watch, Gribble diligently attended to his duties. Susan Goodstreet, the intrepid tiefling ranger and an initiate of House WildWatch, took her panther companion, Lady Edmund, for their evening stroll. Suddenly, the cub's focus was riveted on something concealed in the underbrush. Sensing an unusual presence, Susan called her companion back, and with a mighty shove of her quarterstaff, she made contact with a solid object. A sharp yelp of pain followed, and from the hidden recesses of the foliage, a young human child tumbled onto the ground, landing flat on their back.

The young one recoiled in fear at the sight of Susan, a tiefling like no other they had ever encountered. Lady Edmund, the panther cub, moved forward with caution, her approach deliberately nonthreatening to pacify the frightened child. Draped in a veneer of soot and ash, the young intruder hearing was gone, damaged in some way, a fact Susan swiftly deduced. Susan endeavored to communicate, speaking in a dialect unfamiliar to her ears, raising her voice in an attempt to bridge the divide.
Recognizing the child's vulnerability, Susan decided to bring the newcomer back to the campsite.

As the child's arrival stirred the party from their repose, the whole group engaged in concerted efforts to communicate with the young human. Various attempts were made, including the casting of Gribble's "comprehend languages" spell, which permeated the air with an ethereal luminescence as he recited incantations, crafting arcane patterns above his head with nimble gestures. In moments, a mesmerizing aura enveloped the gnome, enabling him to fathom previously unintelligible tongues.

With this newfound ability, Gribble took on the role of the group's interpreter and began unraveling the tale of the child named Kaelis, who had recently joined a tribe they knew as simply "Material." Kaelis's science expedition was intended to initiate a mysterious forge, but the endeavor ended in catastrophe, with a colossal, fiery entity emerging from a tear in the earth. As the sole survivor, they had fled as far and as fast as possible.

Bullin recognized that the innocent youth was unknowingly connected to the enigmatic "Material" organization that had sown chaos throughout Faerun, causing strife for the Vanguard. Susan, on the other hand, saw the child's genuine ignorance of their tribe's true intentions. When questioned about their association with this faction, Kaelis shared the poignant story of their mother's tragic demise and the profound sorrow their father had suffered. It was the arrival of the "Material" tribe, with the promise of a brighter future, that led Kaelis to embark on this unexpected journey.

As they continued their heartfelt conversation with Kaelis, the party found themselves unable to ignore the child's burdensome past and the significant choice they faced. Amid fiery turmoil and the impending confrontation with CinderMaw in the Obsidian Caldera, a small yet profound decision lay before them, borne out of empathy and compassion.

The following morning dawned quickly for the adventurers as they busily prepared a modest meal, but their breakfast was marred by the realization that the child had vanished from their camp. Susan's sharp eyes soon caught the trail of human footprints leading away, and she promptly dispatched Lady Edmund to investigate. When the party finally cornered the child, they found them in the act of using the "mage hand" spell to hold an apple. In an instant, Kaelis dropped the fruit and dismissed the cantrip, a recognition of being discovered washing over them as they pleaded with the group to keep their magic a secret from their father.

Gribble, fascinated by the child's magical talents, couldn't resist probing further. Kaelis, initially hesitant, ultimately revealed more of their cantrips. Simple and harmless but magic nonetheless. Bullin's growing dread for the child swelled as he began to comprehend the perils that the "Material" had in store for the young one. In a somber moment, Kaelis recounted the tale of a friend who had been whisked away to a "relearning" camp, never to be seen again.

Resolute in their decision to bring the child along, the group continued their quest for a safe haven, both for Kaelis and for the panther cub, Lady Edmund. They stumbled upon a small cave, and Gribble cast the spell "move earth," fashioning a protective sanctuary for the young adventurers. The path ahead teemed with treacherous terrain challenges as they made their way toward EmberKeep and the PyroForge. The air hung heavy with smoke and volcanic ash. The party quickly donned the Lava Lung, the ingenious device crafted by Dorian. Susan, however, realized that her tiefling heritage and draconic lineage rendered the mask unnecessary for her to breathe comfortably.

What lay before them was a once formidable keep, now ravaged and broken. Buildings blazed, and ash rained from the sky, bearing witness to a great but tragic battle. Broken swords, battered shields, and shattered armor were scattered across the desolation. Beyond the ruins stood the PyroForge, ensconced in the heart of the fractured, molten Caldera landscape. Anvils encircled its core, each adorned with dwarven runes that whispered of centuries past. Flowing rivers of molten steel connected every anvil to the central forge. As the party continued their exploration, picking through the remnants of the past, they moved ever closer to the PyroForge. A rift of fire and lava had torn through the earth just a hundred feet away, and two blazing leylines connected the chasm to the core of the forge.

The colossal beast, a creature born from the very essence of fire and lava, loomed before them. Its terrifying presence would have shaken the resolve of most, but the Vanguard members stood unwavering, resolute in the face of CinderMaw. Brightroar wasted no time; his charge was a torrent of rage and fury, a declaration that CinderMaw's reckoning had come. The colossal creature's mighty footsteps sent shockwaves through the ground, erupting molten lava in all directions. In a display of dexterity and quick thinking, the party managed to maintain their footing, avoiding harm. Their situation grew increasingly complex as they realized that the child and Lady Edmund had followed them into the fray.

Seizing the opportunity, Gribble dispatched James Franco on a daring bombing run. Casting Dragon's Breath through his faithful familiar, the duck unleashed a frigid blast upon CinderMaw, a cascade of ice and cold against fire and fury. The battle ebbed and flowed, the advantage shifting between the combatants. Suddenly, reinforcements from the "Material" appeared, led by Kahleed, the child's father. Arrows rained down upon CinderMaw, fired by these unexpected allies.

Then, in an astonishing moment, Kaelis harnessed their burgeoning magical abilities and cast Ray of Frost towards the colossal beast, a display of newfound power in full view of their father. The spell struck CinderMaw, sending the child sprawling backward, nearly unconscious. Working in unison, the combined forces weakened the creature, leaving it vulnerable. Bullin seized the moment, leaping with indomitable resolve to deliver the final blow. His cleaving strike sundered CinderMaw in twain, igniting the tips of his dwarven beard in the process.

CinderMaw was vanquished, and the two parties, once foes, now locked eyes with a mutual understanding that today was not destined for further battle. Kahleed embraced his child, but his eyes betrayed his fear. Despite Bullin's unwavering resolve to keep the child under his protection, Kahleed understood the peril of their circumstances. Dismissing the other "Material" members to return to their camp, he knelt before Kaelis, his words laden with tears. He informed the child that they must accompany the Vanguard, knowing it was the best course of action. Kaelis protested, but their father's wisdom prevailed. Kahleed vowed to reunite with his child, promising to never abandon them.

This heart-wrenching farewell took its toll on the adventurers as they parted ways the unexpected allies. The party, with Kaelis, began their journey back to the Vanguard headquarters. In their camp that night, a mysterious voice visited them in a dream, bearing an ominous message and revealing the true name of mysterious organization that has plagued the Vanguard. MonoMaterial. This information has left them with more questions than answers.

## Guild Dispatches

The following are messages from the guild members who participated in the mission. They contain valuable information the guild can use to piece together clues.

> *No guild dispatches available yet.*
>
>

1. ↑ Be aware that this is told from the player’s perspective of the adventure. Details and happenings may have been presented with some liberties taken to fill in the blanks from poor memory and scribbled notes. Other players should be asked about their views of what happened, and are also welcome to type their stories to share.