Dragon Heart Vault - Riot

Wondrous Item, Artifact (requires attunement - special)

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Once a rebellious copper dragon named Hunru Nunrunflothukin, "Riot" harbors a deep-seated loathing for its current state of existence. Isolated within the vault, Riot's interactions with the outside world are rare, fueling a burning desire to wreak havoc and incite chaos whenever the opportunity arises. Originally a fervent supporter of Rodgort, Riot's inclination towards destruction and disorder has only intensified over time. This malevolent spirit bestows upon its wielder the power to sow discord wherever they go.   Personality Trait: "Enabler"
Aligning with Riot is to embrace destruction. If you gain Riot's favor, it's a sign that you share its destructive tendencies. Initially, Riot may direct its wrath against Covenant-following dragons, but as the wielder's bond with Riot strengthens, its targets may diversify. The spirit will encourage every intrusive thought that occurs, always inspiring anarchy.  

Unlocking Riot’s Vault

The vault's interior is a labyrinth of tiny concealed passages and magical doors, with each door at a passage junction capable of reshaping itself to open or close at Riot's command.   To access Riot’s heart, one must navigate three secret doors. Discovering each door requires a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. Unlocking a door needs a DC 25 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) check. Failure causes the vault to shift, increasing the DC for all subsequent checks by +2. All three locks are required to unlock in succession, and the vault resets its base DC after one week.  

Riot's Curse

An initial DC 18 Charisma saving throw is required when first attuning to the vault and additionally anytime you use an ability of the heart that requires an action. When you are cursed the dragon spirit can use the following abilities:  

• Command: Riot. The spirit may command its wielder using the word "riot," requiring a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw to resist. If you fail, on your next turn, as your action, you must destroy an object or attack someone nearby, whichever you judge most likely to cause a riot. The spirit may use this abiltity anytime you speak to a new person for the first time.

• Taunting Vision. Riot manifests as a spectral version of itself that follows you, visible only to them and other dragons. The extent of its interaction and visibility depends on Riot's attitude towards you.

• Dragon Frenzy. When a dragon sees Riot, it is possible they enter a rage, attacking without care until either they or the bearer of the Dragon Heart Vault is defeated. Any dragion who sees Riot must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or attack you. The dragon may repeat this save at the end of its turn. If a dragon's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the dragon is immune to the frenzy for the next 24 hours. Riot may choose to remain unseen unless it serves a broader scheme of chaos.

 

Beneficial Properties

The vault's powers are closely tied to the dragon's disposition towards you and your alignment with its goals. The more aligned your objectives with Riot's, the more abilities you unlock, benefiting both parties involved. Some of the vault's abilities are conditional, requiring completion of tasks aligned with Riot’s desires.   The following benefits apply upon attunement:  

• Any spell cast with the Dragon Heart Vault as a spell focus deals double damage to objects and structures.

• You have resistance to acid damage.

  All decisions about Riot's attitude toward you and what conditions you have met is up to your GM. You may gain access to the following abilities after meeting Riot's conditions:    

• Frightful Presence. Each creature of your choice that is within 120 feet of you and aware of your presence must succeed on a DC 18 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 your Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Condition: Sacrifice a person to a dragon.

 

• Flight & Blindsight. You gain a fly speed of 40 ft and Blindsight of 60 ft.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Condition: Destroy a Covenant facility such as a church or school of magic.

 

• Acid Immunity & Slow. You are immune to acid damage and you can cast the Slow spell once per day, DC 18 Wisdom saving throw.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Condition: Betray your closest companion in a dramatic fashion.  

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Dragon Heart Vaults

Dragon Heart Vaults are a cursed fusion of arcane artistry and perfected mechanical craftsmanship. Each vault appears different, a mystery locked inside a metal riddle with a crystalized dragon heart beating at its center. Dona Aldini's inventive genius is evident in the vault's design, intricate and tailored to the spirit it guards. The runes that spread across their surface are the keys to dangerous secrets, glowing from the crystal within.   The origins go back to the first war between the Ancestors and the dragons. Crafted as a deceptive masterpiece, the vault was part of a cunning stratagem devised by Lucca Krazier and the god of invention, Dona. Presented as a temple of peace to the dragons, it was, in truth, a fatal snare, designed to sever the dragons from their souls and hearts.   The magic of the devices contained and controlled the fury of the dragon hearts. These artifacts dealt crippling blows to dragonkind and forced negotiations that would directly lead to The Covenant.   Over the centuries, the vaults scattered across the world, becoming objects of legend and desire. The Sovereign Sage was given the task of safeguarding the crystal hearts, ensuring their power remained contained, and treated with the respect dragons deserve. Yet, such artifacts of power have a way of surfacing in the hands of those who seek them, always challenging the balance of power.   Today, clerics and paladins of the Covenant actively hunt those who dare to recreate such potent magic. The existing vaults stand as solemn reminders of the past, symbols of loss, reverence, and the eternal tension between creation and destruction.   As time has unfolded, each Dragon Heart Vault has been given a name, meant to characterize the dragon spirit within. The known vaults are called: Brawn, Edict, Flare, Hail, Halo, Spite, Trauma, Riot, Lucid, and Wink.   While the whereabouts of the vaults are meant to remain secret, a few have surfaced in recent history, revealing their ongoing influence in the world's affairs.   Known to have played a crucial role in the battle at Emperor's Peak, Flare, under the stewardship of Osveta Kaznovati, Chosen of Matunas, has become a focal point of attention among the dragons. Despite her connection to the Covenant church, Osveta's bond with Flare has led to a mix of suspicion and intrigue among the draconic community.   Held by Malik Kincaid, the Sovereign Sage, Brawn's vault has been tied to the affairs of Emperor's Peak. Yami, a young black dragon and Malik's companion, leverages his vault for political gain, a situation that is causing tension in dragon-human relations.   Notoriously missing since its disappearance from Emperor’s Peak, the absence of Riot's vault continues to cast a long shadow. Current speculation is all about its potential use.  

Attunement & Benefits

Attunement to a Dragon Heart Vault is an intricate process that changes based on each individual dragon spirit. Once attuned all Dragon Heart Vaults grant the following traits:  

• You can speak, read, and write Draconic.

• You are immune to a dragon's Frightful Presence.

• The Dragon Heart Vault can be used as a spell focus.

• You can see a subtle glow around any dragons within sight, revealing them even when shapeshifted.

  Each vault offers additional, specific benefits and drawbacks, reflecting the nature and history of the contained dragon spirit. These are listed in each individual Dragon Heart Vault statblock.  

Curse

If the wielder lacks sufficient willpower, the dragon within may seize control of the vessel, using it to act as it did while it lived. Each vault is cursed in a different way. Over time the dragons have changed the vaults in specific ways, each one unique, overriding the original enchantments of the device. Only the mechanical engineering of Dona has kept the hearts inside. Once you attune to this cursed artifact, you can’t unattune to it unless you are targeted by the Remove Curse spell or similar magic. While using the Dragon Heart Vault, you risk continuing to be cursed, whenever the dragon spirit has an opportunity to do so.  

Destroying a Heart

Destroying a Dragon Heart Vault is deemed a grave offense by Covenant related dragon communities, and it's typically advised to report such matters to the Arcane Collective rather than taking action independently.   The only known method to effectively destroy a Heart is through the breath weapon of a primal dragon, once the vault is open and the Heart is vulnerable. Doing so leads to the primal dragon's own demise, making it an exceptionally unlikely sacrifice. The closest known instance is when Osveta Kaznovati replaced her own heart with that of Flare's, destroying the spirit's vault in the process.