This Week in Eberron, 16-20 Vult (Patreon)

16 Vult 920 YK. House Ghallanda produces a line of rations for explorers and adventurers. The blend of seasoning used on these rations comes to be known as “Dungeon Spice,” and over time it becomes a seasonal favorite for all manner of products, from hot drinks to healing potions. Dungeon Spice has no magical effects on its own, but many professional adventurers have a nostalgic affection for it. What does it taste like? It’s a little hard to define it. When you introduce it to your campaign, you can ask each of your adventurers to describe a flavor note they notice in Dungeon Spice. 

17 Vult 893 YK. If you’re traveling down Orien Route 7 in western Breland, make sure to stop in the village of Graystone Grange to admire the legendary colossus, a huge statue of a terrifying troll. It was petrified by a passing medusa in 893; now travelers rub its belly for luck. Ever since this incident, medusas have received a warm welcome in Graystone Grange. There’s an annual festival on 17 Vult—the Colossal Fair—that’s often attended by a few representatives of Cazhaak Draal. 

Graystone Grange is along the Border Road southeast of Nasaar Kol and southwest of Orcbone; its location is marked with a black triangle on the map in Frontiers of Eberron, but doesn’t have a name listed. The colossus was an exceptionally large and unpleasant troll; the sage Tasker d’Sivis suggests that it might have been channeling malefic spirits from Nasaar Kol. 

18 Vult 998 YK. Aurum concordian Hale Davon, the “Pastry King of Wroat,” was voluntarily petrified in 900 YK to wait out the Last War. Today Davon was restored, and he’s seeking a group of capable adventurers to find his missing possessions and help reestablish his connections. It’s a good way to make a lot of dough! 

Hale Davon is a member of the Aurum. The bulk of his wealth was held by Kundarak and survived his period of petrification, so he has significant funds. However, some of his most prized possessions—which may or may not include books of recipes, mystical baking tools, and a collection of pastries from different cultures and times preserved through magic—have gone astray over the course of a century. Davon also has rivals within the Aurum who have undermined his influence. Working for Davon will involve a blend of exploration, strongarm tactics, and diplomacy. 

19 Vult 997 YK. BEES! House Vadalis apologizes for the plague of “dragon bees” that have spread out from Varna into the surrounding countryside. To this day, the Wardens of the Wood are working to contain the damage caused by the fire-breathing insects. House Vadalis claims that the bees were created in an effort to devise self-warming “hot honey”, but some believe that they were magebred using the forbidden techniques of the Seryan line in an attempt to produce living weapons. 

Individual dragon bees are a nuisance, but when they mass into a swarm they can pose a deadly threat. A swarm of dragon bees uses the stat block for a Swarm of Insects, with the following changes. 

They are immune to fire damage. 

Their attack is Firestorm. When it is used, all creatures in the swarm’s space suffer 4d6 fire damage, cut in half if a creature succeeds on a DC 12 Dexterity Saving Throw. The base damage of this attack is reduced to 2d6 if the swarm is Bloodied. 

Under unusual circumstances, a dragon bee can grow to alarming size. Such bees use the stat block for a Giant Wasp, with the following changes. 

They are immune to fire damage. 

They can cast Burning Hands as an action, with a saving throw DC of 12. The bee isn't actually casting a spell; this is a supernatural effect—fire breath—that mimics the effects of Burning Hands.

Of course, dragon bees have only been in the wild for a year now! It’s possible they could mutate further. Perhaps there’s a hidden hive where the queen has the powers of a young dragon! 20 Vult, Traditional. We’re talking the rest of the year off to huddle around the hearth on the dark nights of Long Shadows. Happy holidays, everyone!  

During the three nights of Long Shadows, fiends and other malefic forces are strong and active in the world. Wise folk stay indoors and keep the fire burning. Many make this a time of celebration, keeping family and friends close, giving gifts and sharing stories about the highs and lows of the year. Your adventurers can take part in this tradition! Take a moment to ask the group—what were their favorite moments from the year, and what are their hopes for the future? What gifts would the characters give to one another? 

Today in Eberron will be on hold for the holidays. I'm in the process of redesigning my Patreon, in order to create a model that’s both reliable for you and sustainable for me in 2025. More about that in January, but thank you all for your support and for making all of this possible. Happy holidays!