There’s plenty to do in our upcoming free adventure The Treason of Dakaan. The Treason of Dakaan starts with a midnight missive from the domina of House Kralest, a series of investigations about an unusual crime, and an epic battle with the savage creatures of the desert—and that is only half of the story!

With a sandstorm erasing all traces of Dakaan, Warki (Will) has, for the first time this game, been unable to find tracks. Fortunately, Eberu (Valerie) recalled a piece of information she had uncovered at the compound of House Kralest, and with a solid roll of the dice, she put the group back on track.

The Treason of Dakaan provides the Game Master with a number of methods to get the players from start to finish. Encounters are easy to adapt, and the group has numerous opportunities to alter the course of the adventure. Will they follow the domina’s orders to a tee, or will they pursue their own path? The mission also feels very different depending on which characters are brought into the fray. A group without a tyrant or a scout faces different challenges than the one presented here.

The dunes stretch out beyond the horizon, the sun beats down on the group, and yet Tyrant Lexaar (Ed) pushes them ever forward. With a pair of beasts in tow, the band of adventurers presents a strange sight. Dakaan’s trail threads between the mountains’ splayed fingers into a steep canyon of dry desert sage and parched stone. The group pauses to make a plan; a canyon like this would be a perfect place for an ambush. The Tyrant directs Eberu and Warki to approach from the sides with the intent to gather information on their quarry.

The players found lots of excellent opportunities for roleplaying within the rigid strictures of the skorne caste system. Tyrant Lexaar would take reports only from Sakad, but if Sakad wasn’t around, he had to ask Warki for a report. Will played this up, not addressing Ed at all and merely waiting to be called on, until finally Ed snapped and told him, “Just report to me what you know when you think I need to know it.” Though a slave, Warki suddenly had value. Simon played up Ashuur’s desire to know more, asking if he “could have Warki’s body when [he is] done with it.” Each player fleshed out their characters—including how they viewed one another—and how they chose to interpret them made all the difference.

Ashuur was the first to see one of Dakaan’s escorts and signaled to the Tyrant. If they didn’t act fast, Eberu could find herself on the wrong end of a reiver. Ashuur whipped their captured beasts, hoping the animals’ bellows would distract the guard enough to give Eberu the chance she needed.

Hearing the beasts crying out in pain, Eberu spied the shadow of the guard just before he leaned out over his high vantage point to look for intruders. She scrambled to the side, and thanks to her natural agility (and a darn good roll) she rose silently up behind the sentry and gave him a strong shove.

The scream of the guard overshadowed even the calls from the captured beasts, and Warki could hear hurried footsteps making their way in his direction. He brought his rifle to bear, ready to make short work of his foes.

Sakad broke into a run, raising his reiver to fire at the first traitor to show himself. The sand made the graceful warrior a bit slower, but it could not diminish his long strides. A grin split his face at the thought of the combat to come.

Tyrant Lexaar ran as fast as his armored form could go. The pair of beasts chained and being dragged behind did not help. He longed to prove himself in the fight against the traitors, hopefully keeping the others alive long enough to recommend him for exaltation should he fall in combat.

As our group rolls for initiative, we invite you to play the adventure yourself! Click here or visit the Iron Kingdoms Unleashed: Skorne Empire page to download The Treason of Dakaan. Intrigue, betrayal, and glorious combat await. Make sure to tell us your favorite Dakaan moments on Facebook or Twitter!

Until the next time, may your blade never miss and your deeds commend your spirit to be spared from the Void.