Thunder & Lightning: A 9th Level Adventure for 5th Edition

The ever shifting dunes of the Empty Lands are a dangerous enough place. Thirst and hunger can kill a man as easily as the giant scorpions or cannibalistic cultists. Those who dare to call this place home know the dangers that day to day life can bring. Even still, many small settlements have sprung up amongst the various oases and fortified city-keeps that dot the land. Small tribal villages composed of little more than tents make up the vast majority of hamlets while occasionally one will come across the ancient ruin of a structure that has been repurposed into a city unto itself. These city-keeps offer protection from the sands and the dangers outside, but often they charge a hefty price to those who seek shelter within.

Recently, one such city-keep, Aktutaten-Sharous, was enveloped in a great storm and went silent. Now, her doors lie ajar and a great beast lurks her halls. The terrible Yrdos the Stormcaller, a young blue dragon, flew down and attacked the keep during the storm, slaying most of her residents. Those who survived were split. Some saw Yrdos as a god creature to worship, while others saw it as nothing more than a beast that would devour them. The "faithful" slew those they saw as "blasphemers" and offered their corpses to Yrdos as an offering. Now, the dragon rules over the ruins with a cult of loyal followers serving him. 

Caravans still make their way to Aktutaten-Sharous, but those that arrive never leave. They are welcomed inside by warm smiles and open arms, only to be stabbed in the back and sacrificed to Yrdos. Unless someone can rout the creature from the ruined city-keep and slay its followers, many more will die.