My Flying Coins! An epidemic!

Let’s see. Flying coins, panicked merchants and nobles. That sounds like an opportunity!

Announcement

Calling all brave adventurers and cunning treasure seekers! The Empire of Korallia, known for its opulent wealth and bustling trade, is facing a crisis like no other. In the bustling coastal town of Kikawhoe, an insidious epidemic has struck, targeting only the cherished Platinum coins that have been the lifeblood of the region’s economy.

Description

Merchants are fleeing Kikawhoe, desperate to escape the relentless plague that turns their beloved Platinum coins into something out of a fantastical tale. The cursed coins sprout tiny wings upon contact with the infected, taking flight and soaring northward, as if guided by an unknown force.

The epidemic hasn’t spared the glittering Gold coins either. Afflicted by the same mysterious malady, these coins instead of becoming flying coins, grow swift feet upon touching an infected coin, dashing off to the north in a mad rush. The once-prosperous town now stands on the brink of collapse, its riches fleeing before its very eyes.

Rumors have spread like wildfire, and whispers of a grand adventure have begun to circulate. Will you answer the call, brave souls? Can you unravel the ancient secret behind this bizarre flying coins curse and save Kikawhoe from impending doom? Fortune and fame await those who dare to tread in the Empire of Korallia’s time of need!”

Embark on this epic quest and discover the truth behind the flying coins of Platinum and running Gold. Your journey awaits!

Action

As your intrepid group of adventurers delves deeper into the heart of the enigma, a trail of chaos and cursed coins leads you to an ancient, secluded cave nestled amidst the northern peaks. Within the depths of this cavern, you uncover the truth behind the strange epidemic that has plagued the town of Kikawhoe.

Before you stands a dragon, not just any dragon, but one whose mind has been twisted by centuries of isolation and paranoia. Its once-gleaming hoard of treasures has become an obsession, and in a misguided attempt to protect its wealth, the dragon devised a malevolent spell that transformed its most valuable possessions into cursed flying coins. The touch of these coins triggered their transformation, releasing them to escape to the north.

As you confront the dragon, its eyes flicker with a mix of desperation and madness. The creature reveals that it had discovered a hidden chamber deep within its lair – a vault of pure magic nullification. In this vault, the cursed flying coins are suppressed, allowing them to join the dragon’s hoard without continuing their northward flight. The dragon’s twisted mind believed that this was the only way to ensure that its treasure remained intact and invulnerable.

With your wits and bravery, you must find a way to break the cycle of paranoia that has consumed the dragon. By showing it that trust and cooperation can be more valuable than a hoard of flying coins, you have the chance to lift the curse and save both the town of Kikawhoe and the dragon from their destructive fates.

Resolution

Forge a bond between humans and dragonkind, and your actions could have far-reaching consequences in the Empire of Korallia. As the final threads of this adventure are woven together, you stand on the precipice of history, prepared to shape the future of Kikawhoe and beyond. May your choices be wise and your hearts be strong, for the fate of an entire town and an isolated dragon hangs in the balance. No fate is final, no epidemic incurable!

Karnionis’ Flying Coins Statblock

Mentally Paranoid Dragon Large dragon, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 142 (15d10 + 60)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.

STR 20 (+5)
DEX 14 (+2)
CON 18 (+4)
INT 16 (+3)
WIS 12 (+1)
CHA 14 (+2)

Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +8, Wis +4, Cha +5
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +5

Damage Immunities fire
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Draconic, Common

Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Abilities

Innate Spellcasting. The dragon’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: mage hand (can only manipulate objects, not attack)
3/day each: minor illusion, zone of truth

Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Paranoid Sickness Aura. Creatures within 30 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be affected by a sense of paranoia. While affected, a creature has disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws against being frightened. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Actions

Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

(You can hook your players also as a quest from a caring Dragonmother that sends the adventurers to help her ailing son/daughter.)