Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn - DM Advice

Introduction

Wizards of the Coast has published a free one-shot adventure featuring characters from the iconic 1980s Dungeons & Dragons cartoon: Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn.

I must say, the adventure is well-crafted. It offers excellent advice for first-time Dungeon Masters (DMs) and serves as a great introduction to new players. Notably, it’s the first adventure to feature the 2024 stat blocks!

However, one aspect I found underwhelming is the background story for the pre-made characters and Uni. When I say it feels lacking, I mean from the perspective of this being an introductory adventure. Experienced DMs could likely fill in the gaps without much difficulty, but newcomers might struggle.

In the following sections, I'll offer some suggestions to help bridge those gaps.

Disclaimer: The Dungeons & Dragons cartoon was massive in Brazil, resonating with both my generation and the one that followed. Unlike in the U.S., we had children's TV shows every day, not just on Saturday mornings! Interestingly, we had no idea the cartoon was related to Dungeons & Dragons. Even though the title on screen was the same, the Portuguese narrator would speak over it, saying the adapted title, which literal translation was “Dragon’s Cave,” alluding to the infamous rollercoaster ride.

All this to say—this adventure is dear to me!

Pre-made Characters' Backstory

This advice is relevant if your players are using at least one of the pre-made characters from the cartoon. It expands on the Back to the Realm adventure hook.

Ten Years Ago

Six teenagers passed through a magical portal while riding a rollercoaster, finding themselves in a world of medieval fantasy—full of magic, wild beasts, and endless adventures! They were greeted by the enigmatic Dungeon Master, who bestowed upon them magical weapons to aid in their quest to return home. During their journey, they befriended a young unicorn named Uni, repeatedly thwarted the evil wizard Venger, and saved countless lives.

Eventually, they discovered a way back to their world, leaving those days behind.

Two Months Ago

Bobby the Barbarian, now in his early twenties, began experiencing recurring nightmares of a unicorn being restrained and attacked by shadowy monsters. After a few nights, he realized the unicorn in his dreams was Uni, now fully grown. Though he couldn’t understand Uni’s cries, Bobby felt the unicorn's fear and plea for help. Determined to act, he knew he’d need his friends to help him.

It took a couple of weeks, but Bobby convinced his sister, Sheila, to join him. Together, they rallied the rest of the group for one final adventure: saving Uni!

Even though Bobby was the most attached to Uni in the cartoon, and his involvement makes the most sense story-wise, if none of your players wants to play him, you can replace him with any of the others. Also, adjust the narrative so only the characters selected by your players have accepted the mission to save Uni.

Also, Nico could be a new friend to one of the other characters that knew about their adventures (maybe the only one that believes them?) and decides to join the party.

The group found the long-abandoned rollercoaster and managed to reopen the portal, returning once more to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Upon their arrival, they were greeted again by the Dungeon Master, who returned their old magical weapons and pointed them toward where they might find Uni.

Yesterday

After following clues for the past two months, the group finally uncovered a solid lead. See Setting the Adventure for more details.

Now

From this point, you can proceed with Uni in Danger as outlined in the adventure.

Roleplaying Uni

This isn't the first time Uni has encountered Kelek. In the episode titled Valley of the Unicorns, the evil sorcerer had already stolen the horns of Uni and other unicorns in a similar attempt to gain more power.

When Uni is ambushed by Kelek once again, the encounter triggers such overwhelming dread that she involuntarily sends a distress call across space and time, reaching Bobby in his home world!

After being freed, and once the battle is over, Uni recognizes the party and greets them by name, much to their astonishment. She is especially fond of Bobby (or whichever character responded to her plea for help), pressing her forehead against theirs in a gesture of affection.

Uni has matured into a noble and fierce figure, shaped by the love and sense of justice she experienced during her adventures with the group all those years ago.