Rydess

Rydess has issued a decree directed to all, but in particular, those of us here in First Landing.

"All adventurers from First Landing that wish to traverse the sands are to bring tribute. The tribute will be in the form of gems, coins, treasures, lore worth my interest, or the blood of my enemies. If this warning continues to go unheeded, the dunes will swallow any memory of you, the desert winds shall strip the flesh from your bones, and my lightning will incinerate what remains."

The official stance of the Explorer's Guild is that we have a close relationship with the kobolds of the Watchers' Tribe, and seek to maintain such a relationship. While the Guild has no stance in regards to Rydess in particular, hostile actions against her, as the object of their worship, could do irreparable damage to our relations.

As such, our formal recommendation is for those seeking to enter the Desert of Rydess to avoid antagonising her further, and to offer her the respect she demands. To do so, we recommend for each such adventurer to prepare a consumable item of appropriate strength for the one offering it, or to hunt and destroy an enemy of hers as your first priority whilst within the Desert. 

This recommendation will last until such a time as Rydess can be convinced to rescind her demand.

Addendum

Appropriate tribute includes:

A single consumable item of the PC's level, which cannot be Infused or otherwise temporarily-existing.
- Uncommon consumables can be of one level lower.
- At-level Uncommon consumables can pay the tribute for two PCs.
- Rare consumables can be of three levels lower.
- At-level Rare consumables can pay the tribute for four PCs.

Destroy one of Rydess's enemies.
- Must be at least a Moderate threat.
- Any undead or other unnatural creatures from the Grave of the Sky.
- "Lesser" draconic beings that dare encroach on her territory.

Offer her lore that she's interested in.
- This is more nebulous, and down to the whims of the dragon herself.

- Rydess and her mother are the guardians of the Major Seal of the Verdant Mother, called the Grand Vivarium, deep below the Lair. 

- Rydess was supposed to have a guard partner, Lagamal, but he was stillborn, and never hatched from his egg. 

Rydess's Decree (GM Notes)

In addition to the list above, destroying any Weaver Hive or Weaver Trees in the Desert of Rydess counts towards 'destroying [her] enemies'.

If you're running a quest and you're uncomfortable asking them to forfeit an item as described, incorporating a quick Moderate encounter for something Rydess would want slain, and placing it somewhere that she would find and recognise it as a tribute (such as at the Watchers' Tribe) is adequate. Lore or other information may be worth her interest, and that is entirely in GM fiat territory.

Ramifications: It's very likely that this action by Rydess is going to antagonise the anti-Rydess faction, including Swampy, further. This is fine. She's still protected by virtue of her association with the Watchers' Tribe. Unless she outright kills a PC, or significant political changes happen within the Watchers' Tribe, it's unlikely this will change. Such things may be brewing as of the time of writing.