Vanrakdoom is one of the coolest levels in Undermountain (in my opinion). Not just because of the shadowfell stuff, the vampire or even the awesome shadow dragon, but because it's one of the few levels with a mechanic for overcoming it's biggest encounter without just killing everything.

There's an issue though. How the hell are you supposed to hint at the players that this level in particular has a special mechanic that turns the big evil dragon back into a good guy/potential ally, when that's not something that has ever happened on any of the previous 17 levels.

Yes, the visions are a good start, but I feared they could be confused with just a cool lore-driven hint at where some loot can be found.

Yes, you can also just straight up tell your players at some point that this level as a hidden mechanic, but that's kinda lame when it can be avoided.

So I wrote a poem. It is technically just exposition, but in a way that can fit into the theme of the game that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. You could have a bard in the Yawning Portal be receiting it when the party surface for a respite, or maybe a PC had just heard it in the past and is reminded of it when they first hear the name "Umbraxakar" (I had a version of this for my game, aided by an NPC).

Here it is! Please tell me if you end up using this, and if any cool moments came from integrating it into your game. Would also love to see any variations of this that anyone else comes up with 😄

(Also, I'm not in any way a literary person. I don't read poetry, and have never written one before this, so please be gentle.)

The Umbraxakar

>In the shadows of Vanrak's doom,
A once bronze beast shrank into gloom.
In despair, he shall wait,
For his saviour's gait,
To remind him of the friend he once knew.

>Within sight of his most prized gifts,
The beast may begin to shift.
A ring so finely polished,
Of friendship never abolished,
That is, if you believe the myths. 

>A blade made only of light,
Would surely make quite the sight.
Although compared to his dress,
Made of Mithril, no less,
It's wielder might be quite contrite.

>Oh, but isn't guilt always the last,
It's horns leaving scars of the past.
Even made of gem and gold,
Terrible memories it can hold,
Of the dwarven screams amidst his blast. 

>If only reminded, before his fall,
Of the true meaning behind them all.
Thrice times need succeed,
To seal the wound before the bleed,
And cause a shattered mind to recall.

>Could anyone ever be so clever,
To find these four treasures, and remember.
The beast could never place blame,
On one who uttered his true name,
To help banish the shadow forever.