I am writing a 90-180 minute adventure for my 10 year old girl +/- a few of her friends. She wants to "help a dragon," which is funny because when I was her age killing a dragon was my favorite adventure!
I only have a hook so far. The PCs are walking through a forest when something shiny catches their eyes. It is a fox, with a piece of glimmering metal. It comes up to them, and they realize it is a ring tied to its neck with a ribbon. The ring is dragon-shaped, with wings containing a purple stone (her favorite color). When looking into the stone, the gem glints and swirls. The PCs then receive a message that…..
Maybe the dragon is injured and needs a poultice or water from a mystic fountain. I also considered that the dragon needs them to retrieve several artifacts. I don’t love either of these ideas. Any other thoughts?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
Another idea was the dragon's eggs had been stolen or cursed.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
This is so cute, I love it. If you want a quest that doesn't involve the dragon being hurt, or having something very bad happening to it, you could maybe try one of these?
The dragon is having a party, but needs smaller people to help pick up party supplies and set up the cave for their human size friends. The PCs can go get a wagon of food and chairs and things, then run into so trouble on the way back to the cave. Bears that want to eat the food, but can be befriended with a snack and animal handing. A rickety bridge to cross. And so on. If the PCs can help deliver the goods and set up for the party, they are welcome to join it too.
The dragon is stuck after a cave-in collapsed the entrance. They are not hurt, but they can't get out. There's enough room for the PCs to crawl in and talk to it. If the PCs can go get help from some of the dragon's monster friends (giants, griffons, etc), they can clear the rubble. Some of the monster friends might make them fight (non-lethal), answer riddles, or bring them something to prove the PCs are really friends with the dragon.
The dragon is sad because their garden froze and their flowers wilted. If the PCs can get a special sun stone, they can revive the garden and make it grow year round.
These are great ideas and very much in line with what she would like. Thanks!
The first dungeon I ran for her she wanted to help out the bandits that were attacking the party. She questioned why they would be so mean to try to take the party's gold. Different mindset than a boy or man for sure.
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
Your post really made me smile, so I'm very happy to have helped! Running games for children is a lot of fun. They can really help you see the game in a whole new light.
What if the fox is really a gold dragon in disguise? Like is the ring a cursed magic item that keeps it from reverting to dragon form. Maybe the ring has a mate that when reunite, releases the dragon from the curse. So the quest is to find the other half of the ring.
This is what I came up with. The intro is below. After the intro, they will invite 3-4 groups of friends to the party, find a sunstone, order food from a cook and fight a classically evil enemy or two, like a troll (minus the regen to make it easier). My 6 year old son always wants to fight stuff and won't settle for a 100% domestic adventure. This will all be shown on the map.
Thanks for everyone's help. Open to suggestions to improve.
INTRO:
You always enjoy exploring the woods near your village. In springtime, you collect wildflowers and jump over the creeks, rushing with snow melt from the far-off mountains. In summer, you look for animals. One time, you think you glimpsed an elf through the leaves. Even on winter days like today, you enjoy crunching through the snow.
Today is no different. You have spent the last few hours tramping down your favorite trails as the winter sun glitters off the newly fallen snow. But wait! There is a strange glint across the forest and it is moving closer! You hold your breath, but after a few seconds let out a laugh. It is nothing more dangerous than a beautiful red fox. His tawny fur contrasts with the clean, white snow. It looks like he has a collar on his neck. He comes right up to, showing no fear at all. When he sits down in front of you, you realize it is not a collar at all but a ring tied upon a ribbon around his neck. You reach down to inspect the ring and the fox lets you untie the ribbon. The ring is magnificent gleaming in the winter sun, with a sparkling purple gem. Now that you are holding the ring, you see that it is actually in the shape of a dragon, with the dragon’s wings holding a large purple stone. Amazed by the beauty of it, you slip it on your finger. The group gathers round, admiring the ring. You are all mesmerized by the sparkling of the stone and now it seems as if the light in the gem is swirling, in an ever-tightening pattern. You can’t look away. Whether magically transported there, or simply brought into a vivid dream, the forest dissolves and you see the face of an enormous dragon, staring at you.
It is an iridescent color, shimmering in the sun. The huge beast is majestic and regal but somehow you get the impression it is quite ancient. You see scars on its flank. The skin around the mouth sags and then it smiles at you. An odd feeling, looking at a smiling dragon. Several teeth are broken and missing but despite that, you think it is a kindly creature, almost grandmotherly. The dragon then speaks, in a deep, bellowing but polite voice. “Hello my dears, thanks so much for coming. My name is Valdrienthparadaxis, although I know that is a mouthful for you small fries. You can call me Darksmoke. I need a favor and I think you small fries will be perfect for the job. How would you like to help a dragon like me?”
She smiles at your reply, showing the missing and broken teeth again. Her eyes dance with delight. You notice deep wrinkles around her eyes.
It has been a long winter and I like the cold less every year. When I was in my prime, I would always fly south to the ocean, you know, to get away from the ice and cold. It is a well-known fact that us fire breathing dragons hate winter! She snorts out two small tufts of flame, one from each nostril. After 1000 years of migrating, I got tired of flying so far. She fans her wings back and forth, which crack with arthritis and rheumatism. I have tried making my cave brighter and warmer with magic but the last 127 years haven’t been the same without my annual sea trip. This year I planted a winter garden, protecting it from the cold with magic and giving it light from an enchanted stone. It was supposed to keep me cheerful. However… her face droops as she gestures around. It is your first time to take your eyes off of Darksmoke and actually look at the surroundings. You are in a large garden. There is little snow here, but it still feels cold. Flowering plants surround you. Some species you know. Roses climb a trellis. Honeysuckle cascades down a majestic stone arch. But many of the plants are dead or dying. It looks like the frost damaged many of them. Even the fountain is iced over. A few blooms peak through the dusting of snow. Darksmoke sighs, sending up clouds of vapor from her mouth and nose.
I guess my magic isn’t any stronger than my old wings these days. But you will help this old wyrm, right?
That’s the spirit small fries. I knew you could help. Reynard picked the right fries for the job. Ok. Here is what we will do. You go around the forest and invite my friends for a party. I also need a sun-stone to help my plants until it warms up around here. I will dig through my spell books and melt some of this confounded snow and warm up my cave. When you bring all the guests, we will feast for a week and replant the flowers. Don’t forget the map. She traces her claw through the air, fiery letters and shapes appear, the whole object shrinks as the letters darken. A parchment appears in its place. If you need me, rub the amethyst in the ring.
Your mind is racing as the parchment speeds towards you, folding itself in mid-air as it does. The garden is dissolving before your eyes and Darksmoke is only a shiny blur. You hear her voice boom as the scene disappears entirely, “Don’t forget the food and drink! We will bake a cake!” The vision is gone. You are back in the woods but you hold the new parchment map in your hands.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
I love it! The descriptions were very captivating. I really like the old dragon. And maps are always fun! They're especially good for kids to give them clear objectives. If you draw some little pictures to give them hints at what they might find in each place, they will have fun imagining. Be prepared for them to want to take Reynard along with them. :)
The dungeon went well. It ran about 90 minutes, which was perfect for my audience. I used the encounters below if anyone wants to borrow.
Beehive in the forest. Get honey and/or royal jelly for the party Skunk in the forest: Sprays party. Darkesmoke’s voice out of the ring and consolidates the spray into pellets. Strange peddler at the bridge. Do you want to gamble? The more you take, the more you leave behind? What is full of holes, but still holds water? What has hands but cannot clap? Cave with chimney entrance and 30 foot oval room containing a carrion crawler (HP 15, AC 3 head/7 body); paralysis x2 rounds with tentacle (save vs paralysis negates) and then 1d2 bite Wishing well in the forest: water looks so refreshing…drinking makes uncontrollable laughter Broken down tower on the open plains: contains one troll (HP 15, AC 5, claws 1d4x2) Eagle (Lord Valis Swiftwing) in mountains to send message to griffins Alona the Unicorn Miram Moonbeam, the elven queen Need to get food from their village of Snowygap
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hi everyone. I need help with a kid's adventure.
I am writing a 90-180 minute adventure for my 10 year old girl +/- a few of her friends. She wants to "help a dragon," which is funny because when I was her age killing a dragon was my favorite adventure!
I only have a hook so far. The PCs are walking through a forest when something shiny catches their eyes. It is a fox, with a piece of glimmering metal. It comes up to them, and they realize it is a ring tied to its neck with a ribbon. The ring is dragon-shaped, with wings containing a purple stone (her favorite color). When looking into the stone, the gem glints and swirls. The PCs then receive a message that…..
Maybe the dragon is injured and needs a poultice or water from a mystic fountain. I also considered that the dragon needs them to retrieve several artifacts. I don’t love either of these ideas. Any other thoughts?
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
Another idea was the dragon's eggs had been stolen or cursed.
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
This is so cute, I love it. If you want a quest that doesn't involve the dragon being hurt, or having something very bad happening to it, you could maybe try one of these?
The dragon is having a party, but needs smaller people to help pick up party supplies and set up the cave for their human size friends. The PCs can go get a wagon of food and chairs and things, then run into so trouble on the way back to the cave. Bears that want to eat the food, but can be befriended with a snack and animal handing. A rickety bridge to cross. And so on. If the PCs can help deliver the goods and set up for the party, they are welcome to join it too.
The dragon is stuck after a cave-in collapsed the entrance. They are not hurt, but they can't get out. There's enough room for the PCs to crawl in and talk to it. If the PCs can go get help from some of the dragon's monster friends (giants, griffons, etc), they can clear the rubble. Some of the monster friends might make them fight (non-lethal), answer riddles, or bring them something to prove the PCs are really friends with the dragon.
The dragon is sad because their garden froze and their flowers wilted. If the PCs can get a special sun stone, they can revive the garden and make it grow year round.
Hope these help give you some inspiration!
These are great ideas and very much in line with what she would like. Thanks!
The first dungeon I ran for her she wanted to help out the bandits that were attacking the party. She questioned why they would be so mean to try to take the party's gold. Different mindset than a boy or man for sure.
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
Your post really made me smile, so I'm very happy to have helped! Running games for children is a lot of fun. They can really help you see the game in a whole new light.
What if the fox is really a gold dragon in disguise? Like is the ring a cursed magic item that keeps it from reverting to dragon form. Maybe the ring has a mate that when reunite, releases the dragon from the curse. So the quest is to find the other half of the ring.
This is what I came up with. The intro is below. After the intro, they will invite 3-4 groups of friends to the party, find a sunstone, order food from a cook and fight a classically evil enemy or two, like a troll (minus the regen to make it easier). My 6 year old son always wants to fight stuff and won't settle for a 100% domestic adventure. This will all be shown on the map.
Thanks for everyone's help. Open to suggestions to improve.
INTRO:
You always enjoy exploring the woods near your village. In springtime, you collect wildflowers and jump over the creeks, rushing with snow melt from the far-off mountains. In summer, you look for animals. One time, you think you glimpsed an elf through the leaves. Even on winter days like today, you enjoy crunching through the snow.
Today is no different. You have spent the last few hours tramping down your favorite trails as the winter sun glitters off the newly fallen snow. But wait! There is a strange glint across the forest and it is moving closer! You hold your breath, but after a few seconds let out a laugh. It is nothing more dangerous than a beautiful red fox. His tawny fur contrasts with the clean, white snow. It looks like he has a collar on his neck. He comes right up to, showing no fear at all. When he sits down in front of you, you realize it is not a collar at all but a ring tied upon a ribbon around his neck. You reach down to inspect the ring and the fox lets you untie the ribbon. The ring is magnificent gleaming in the winter sun, with a sparkling purple gem. Now that you are holding the ring, you see that it is actually in the shape of a dragon, with the dragon’s wings holding a large purple stone. Amazed by the beauty of it, you slip it on your finger. The group gathers round, admiring the ring. You are all mesmerized by the sparkling of the stone and now it seems as if the light in the gem is swirling, in an ever-tightening pattern. You can’t look away. Whether magically transported there, or simply brought into a vivid dream, the forest dissolves and you see the face of an enormous dragon, staring at you.
It is an iridescent color, shimmering in the sun. The huge beast is majestic and regal but somehow you get the impression it is quite ancient. You see scars on its flank. The skin around the mouth sags and then it smiles at you. An odd feeling, looking at a smiling dragon. Several teeth are broken and missing but despite that, you think it is a kindly creature, almost grandmotherly. The dragon then speaks, in a deep, bellowing but polite voice. “Hello my dears, thanks so much for coming. My name is Valdrienthparadaxis, although I know that is a mouthful for you small fries. You can call me Darksmoke. I need a favor and I think you small fries will be perfect for the job. How would you like to help a dragon like me?”
She smiles at your reply, showing the missing and broken teeth again. Her eyes dance with delight. You notice deep wrinkles around her eyes.
It has been a long winter and I like the cold less every year. When I was in my prime, I would always fly south to the ocean, you know, to get away from the ice and cold. It is a well-known fact that us fire breathing dragons hate winter! She snorts out two small tufts of flame, one from each nostril. After 1000 years of migrating, I got tired of flying so far. She fans her wings back and forth, which crack with arthritis and rheumatism. I have tried making my cave brighter and warmer with magic but the last 127 years haven’t been the same without my annual sea trip. This year I planted a winter garden, protecting it from the cold with magic and giving it light from an enchanted stone. It was supposed to keep me cheerful. However… her face droops as she gestures around. It is your first time to take your eyes off of Darksmoke and actually look at the surroundings. You are in a large garden. There is little snow here, but it still feels cold. Flowering plants surround you. Some species you know. Roses climb a trellis. Honeysuckle cascades down a majestic stone arch. But many of the plants are dead or dying. It looks like the frost damaged many of them. Even the fountain is iced over. A few blooms peak through the dusting of snow. Darksmoke sighs, sending up clouds of vapor from her mouth and nose.
I guess my magic isn’t any stronger than my old wings these days. But you will help this old wyrm, right?
That’s the spirit small fries. I knew you could help. Reynard picked the right fries for the job. Ok. Here is what we will do. You go around the forest and invite my friends for a party. I also need a sun-stone to help my plants until it warms up around here. I will dig through my spell books and melt some of this confounded snow and warm up my cave. When you bring all the guests, we will feast for a week and replant the flowers. Don’t forget the map. She traces her claw through the air, fiery letters and shapes appear, the whole object shrinks as the letters darken. A parchment appears in its place. If you need me, rub the amethyst in the ring.
Your mind is racing as the parchment speeds towards you, folding itself in mid-air as it does. The garden is dissolving before your eyes and Darksmoke is only a shiny blur. You hear her voice boom as the scene disappears entirely, “Don’t forget the food and drink! We will bake a cake!” The vision is gone. You are back in the woods but you hold the new parchment map in your hands.
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.
I love it! The descriptions were very captivating. I really like the old dragon. And maps are always fun! They're especially good for kids to give them clear objectives. If you draw some little pictures to give them hints at what they might find in each place, they will have fun imagining. Be prepared for them to want to take Reynard along with them. :)
This sounds like a great adventure. I’m sure your daughter and her friends will love it.
I really like D&D, especially Ravenloft, Exandria and the Upside Down from Stranger Things. My pronouns are she/they (genderfae).
The dungeon went well. It ran about 90 minutes, which was perfect for my audience. I used the encounters below if anyone wants to borrow.
Beehive in the forest. Get honey and/or royal jelly for the party
Skunk in the forest: Sprays party. Darkesmoke’s voice out of the ring and consolidates the spray into pellets.
Strange peddler at the bridge. Do you want to gamble?
The more you take, the more you leave behind?
What is full of holes, but still holds water?
What has hands but cannot clap?
Cave with chimney entrance and 30 foot oval room containing a carrion crawler (HP 15, AC 3 head/7 body); paralysis x2 rounds with tentacle (save vs paralysis negates) and then 1d2 bite
Wishing well in the forest: water looks so refreshing…drinking makes uncontrollable laughter
Broken down tower on the open plains: contains one troll (HP 15, AC 5, claws 1d4x2)
Eagle (Lord Valis Swiftwing) in mountains to send message to griffins
Alona the Unicorn
Miram Moonbeam, the elven queen
Need to get food from their village of Snowygap
Velstitzen
I am a 40 something year old physician who DMs for a group of 40 something year old doctors. We play a hybrid game, mostly based on 2nd edition rules with some homebrew and 5E components.