With this adventure I really tried to embrace the idea younger players do well with a game structured around a single core idea. I tried to set up the scenario fast and immediately get them into the action. They reacted to the adventure exactly as I anticipated, but I also planned some simple alternatives on the off chance they decided to go in the complete opposite direction.
If you are a Dungeon Master trying to introduce young gamers to TTRPGs, this mini adventure would be a good starting point!
The PCs are visiting a comfortable and cozy village during a seasonal festival. Everyone is having a great time when, all of the sudden, someone comes barreling into the festivities screaming “DRAGOOOOOON!”
The Game Master (GM) can ask the players if they want to talk with him. If they ask him about the dragon he’ll tell them it was “Terrifying!” “A beast beyond compare!” “A massive monster with scales and wings and a horrible breath of death!”
Alarmed by the townsman’s warnings, the village leader will ask the Player Characters (PCs) if they would consider tracking this creature down.
“If you can destroy it or scare it off, I’ll happily reward you!”
Part One: The Meadow
Assuming the PCs agree, the townsperson (I named them "Harold") who first spotted the supposed dragon will lead them out to the meadow where he first saw it. When they get there, there will be no sign of the monster. Have the PCs perform and Investigation Dice Check (DC). Anyone who rolls a 10 or higher will spot where the meadow-grass has been flattened by something heavy. There will also be tracks leading into the nearby forest. Anyone who rolls a 14 or higher will notice that the tracks don ’t look big enough to come from a full-size dragon…
If the PCs question their guide, they’ll insist the creature was huge and terrifying. They will also refuse to follow the PCs into the forest, insisting they should go back to the village to get more help.
Part Two: The Forest
If the PCs follow the tracks into the forest, they’ll be led to a wooded area. The tracks stop at the base of a large tree. Have the PCs perform a Perception DC. Anyone who rolls a 10 or higher will look up and see a creature clinging to the branches above them.
Once the creature is spotted, it will leap down and confront its pursuers. The “dragon” will be revealed to, in fact, be a Young Dragon Wyrmling. In other words, a BABY DRAGON!
(The GM can choose whatever type of dragons they happen to have on hand)
It’s cute too! If the PCs get close it will try to scare them off with little puffs of its breath weapon. It will make adorable noises and act scared if the PCs draw their weapons.
The PCs can, at this point either attack the baby dragon or try to be kind to it. It won’t take very much for the dragon to warm up to the adventurers. The GM can ask them to perform some Dice Checks, but giving it a little food will do the trick too.
Unfortunately, any attempts to pal up with the Wyrmling will be cut short by the appearance of the village militia. The villagers, armed with simple weapons, will explain they thought the PCs might need help. Seeing how small the Wyrmling is, they’ll insist the best thing is to kill it before it can grow up into an adult dragon.
The PCs can need to decide how to handle this. They can join with the villagers and attack the Wyrmling or defend the Wyrmling against the persistent militia fighters.
Whatever happens, if the Wyrmling’s Hit Points drop below 10, an event will occur. Mama Dragon will come to the rescue. She will scare away all the villagers and either thank or threaten the PCs depending on their actions.
This same event will occur if the PCs defeat half of the attacking villagers.
Mama Dragon will retrieve her Wyrmling and leave. If the PCs helped the Wyrmling, Mama Dragon will reward them for their assistance. If they PCs helped the militia, the village leader will pay them – as promised.
