In chapter 7 of the adventure Curse of Stahd, there is a castle that used to belong to a white dragon and it's faithful knights. The introduction of the chapter tells that the dragon was killed by the armies of Stahd, the antagonist of the adventure. Quote: "After the dragon was slain, Strahd had its corpse hacked to pieces, stripped to the bone, and transported to Castle Ravenloft as a trophy." According to the adventure the bones of the dragon are still in Castle Ravenloft, and never left. Also, the faithful knights of the dragon were defeated and came back as revenants.
Area Q16 makes mention of the Dragon's Mausoleum. There is Draconic script on the wall that says: "Here lie the bones ...of Argynvost". Argynvost is the name of the dragon.
Why would there be a Mausoleum for the dragon, with the script that it's bones lie there, if after it's death he was immediately transported to Castle Ravenloft? Within the story it seems impossible that his bones were ever acctually in the Mausoleum. Also it doesn't seem logical that the revenant knight would put this script on the Mausoleum wall. (They are undeath and it would be a lie).
The only explaination seems that while the dragon was alive, they already built a Mausoleum for him, with the script that it's bones would be placed there (when he died). But that seems quite unrealistic. Such scripts are never placed in advance when a person of status is still alive. Also, the dragon would not be expected to die very soon, they tend to live very long lives.
Am I missing something in the story? Or is the script in the Mausoleum only placed there to give the characters the hint that they should bring the dragon's bones back, so that a Special Event will occur?
The only explaination seems that while the dragon was alive, they already built a Mausoleum for him, with the script that it's bones would be placed there (when he died). But that seems quite unrealistic. Such scripts are never placed in advance when a person of status is still alive. Also, the dragon would not be expected to die very soon, they tend to live very long lives.
I haven't read that module, so I don't know if you have missed something vital, so my reply is based on the theory that you have combed through the text several times and come up empty. This is to offer general advice on reading other people's adventures.
If that IS* the only explanation, then it must be what happened. But this is D&D - there are always multiple possible explanations.
Again, this is D&D - who's to say such scripts are never placed in advance? The pharaohs of Egypt started work on their final resting places fairly early.
I would also expect that the life expectancy of any creature that pits itself against Strahd has a shortened life expectancy, and who's to say this particular dragon wasn't convinced that death was imminent? Paranoid individuals do not always make rational decisions.
Anytime a scenario makes you think "What is going on here?" then the best thing to do as a DM is to pretend you know, then listen to the players discuss it. If you want to take one of their ideas and run with it, great! Just as likely though, is that the players will read the inscription, shrug, say "No they don't" and move on.
I understand your desire to not miss something important
Not all mysteries have to be solved though.
*I am always suspicious of claims of "the only explanation" even in this world. Also see Occam's razor. People are strange. Strange beasties are strange. And if you've seen the end of Infinity Wars, then you'll know that even Doctors can make Strange decisions. Or was it perfectly logical...?
Too lazy to look at the book, but here is how I envision it:
The dragon was defeated, but the knights were not. Strahd beat the dragon for getting in his way, but spared some number of the knights (including the named NPC revenants). They built the Mausoleum for the dragon. However, without the head, the knights felt that the dragon could not rest in peace. They rallied once more to assault Strahd and Ravenloft, but were defeated brutally, sparking all the current silver dragon revenants to be forever trapped in their bodies when they 'resurrected' later.
Either that, or as revenants, they constructed the mausoleum. The campaign doesn't, I think, say how many revenants there are. Since you can have a random encounter with one, I think there are probably enough to get the job done.
edit: as to why he would spare some knights, that's simple. For their service to the realm. Strahd is lawful evil, emphasis on lawful. I've heard that in some old modules or past campaign setting info, Strahd would descend upon burgomeisters who collected too many taxes on their townspeople. I think Strahd is a way more complex character than he is currently, in 5e, presented as.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"After the dragon was slain, Strahd had its corpse hacked to pieces, stripped to the bone, and transported to Castle Ravenloft as a trophy."
The bones were taken to Castle Ravenloft.
Development
If the skull of Argynvost is brought from Castle Ravenloft (see chapter 4, area K67) and sealed inside the mausoleum, the dragon’s spirit transforms into a brilliant light at the top of the tower (see area Q53).
The inscription was made either before the dragon died in preparation of death or after with the plan to honor the dead dragon. Regardless, the intention of the inscriber was to have to bones buried within the mausoleum.
"The vengeful revenants killed many of Strahd’s soldiers, and whenever the undead knights were cut down, their spirits found new corpses to inhabit. Though the knights were grossly outnumbered, they waged war for months and slew hundreds of foes."
And the revenant knights led by Horngaard took over the bodies of the dead. These revenants could have made the inscription since it was their plan to return the dragon's body to his home.
Mayor Spoiler thread!
In chapter 7 of the adventure Curse of Stahd, there is a castle that used to belong to a white dragon and it's faithful knights. The introduction of the chapter tells that the dragon was killed by the armies of Stahd, the antagonist of the adventure. Quote: "After the dragon was slain, Strahd had its corpse hacked to pieces, stripped to the bone, and transported to Castle Ravenloft as a trophy." According to the adventure the bones of the dragon are still in Castle Ravenloft, and never left. Also, the faithful knights of the dragon were defeated and came back as revenants.
Area Q16 makes mention of the Dragon's Mausoleum. There is Draconic script on the wall that says: "Here lie the bones ...of Argynvost". Argynvost is the name of the dragon.
Why would there be a Mausoleum for the dragon, with the script that it's bones lie there, if after it's death he was immediately transported to Castle Ravenloft? Within the story it seems impossible that his bones were ever acctually in the Mausoleum. Also it doesn't seem logical that the revenant knight would put this script on the Mausoleum wall. (They are undeath and it would be a lie).
The only explaination seems that while the dragon was alive, they already built a Mausoleum for him, with the script that it's bones would be placed there (when he died). But that seems quite unrealistic. Such scripts are never placed in advance when a person of status is still alive. Also, the dragon would not be expected to die very soon, they tend to live very long lives.
Am I missing something in the story? Or is the script in the Mausoleum only placed there to give the characters the hint that they should bring the dragon's bones back, so that a Special Event will occur?
But this is D&D - there are always multiple possible explanations.
Just as likely though, is that the players will read the inscription, shrug, say "No they don't" and move on.
People are strange. Strange beasties are strange. And if you've seen the end of Infinity Wars, then you'll know that even Doctors can make Strange decisions. Or was it perfectly logical...?
Roleplaying since Runequest.
Too lazy to look at the book, but here is how I envision it:
The dragon was defeated, but the knights were not. Strahd beat the dragon for getting in his way, but spared some number of the knights (including the named NPC revenants). They built the Mausoleum for the dragon. However, without the head, the knights felt that the dragon could not rest in peace. They rallied once more to assault Strahd and Ravenloft, but were defeated brutally, sparking all the current silver dragon revenants to be forever trapped in their bodies when they 'resurrected' later.
Either that, or as revenants, they constructed the mausoleum. The campaign doesn't, I think, say how many revenants there are. Since you can have a random encounter with one, I think there are probably enough to get the job done.
edit: as to why he would spare some knights, that's simple. For their service to the realm. Strahd is lawful evil, emphasis on lawful. I've heard that in some old modules or past campaign setting info, Strahd would descend upon burgomeisters who collected too many taxes on their townspeople. I think Strahd is a way more complex character than he is currently, in 5e, presented as.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
"After the dragon was slain, Strahd had its corpse hacked to pieces, stripped to the bone, and transported to Castle Ravenloft as a trophy."
The bones were taken to Castle Ravenloft.
Development
If the skull of Argynvost is brought from Castle Ravenloft (see chapter 4, area K67) and sealed inside the mausoleum, the dragon’s spirit transforms into a brilliant light at the top of the tower (see area Q53).
The inscription was made either before the dragon died in preparation of death or after with the plan to honor the dead dragon. Regardless, the intention of the inscriber was to have to bones buried within the mausoleum.
"The vengeful revenants killed many of Strahd’s soldiers, and whenever the undead knights were cut down, their spirits found new corpses to inhabit. Though the knights were grossly outnumbered, they waged war for months and slew hundreds of foes."
And the revenant knights led by Horngaard took over the bodies of the dead. These revenants could have made the inscription since it was their plan to return the dragon's body to his home.