The Garden of Zinn

Infobox Television episode
Title = The Garden of Zinn
Series = Dungeons and Dragons


Caption = Uni and Solaris stand worried about Bobby
Season = 1
Episode = 10
Airdate = November 19, 1983
Writer = Jeffery Scott
Episode list = List of Dungeons & Dragons episodes
Prev = Quest of the Skeleton Warrior
Next = The Box

"The Garden of Zinn" is the tenth episode of "Dungeons & Dragons." During a fight with a dragon, Bobby is bitten and poisoned by the creature's venom. Dungeon Master explains that the venom is lethal if a cure is not administered and the cure can be found in the "Garden of Zinn." While searching for the garden, they come across a strange creature by the name of Solars who tells them how to find the cure but warns them against Zinn. In spite of Solars' warning, the group has no choice but to brave their way to the garden to save Bobby's life.

Plot

The adventure starts with the group scavenging for food. Eric and Bobby chase after a small dragon-like creature but it manages to escape. Fortunately, Diana manages to catch something by using her javelin as a fishing rod. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a dragon that is more interested in having them for a meal. Bobby confronts the creature and manages to get rid of it but is bitten. He soon falls ill as the creature's bite is poisonous. The group sets off to find Dungeon Master.

After a brief search, they find Dungeon Master but he can't undo the power of nature. He explains that the group needs a natural cure: the foot of a yellow dragon. He tells them they can find one in the Garden of Zinn. They leave to find the cure.

Out in a castle, a Phantom Stalker informs Queen Zinn that a worthy king is approaching. She worries that he won't be able to pass the "trial of the worm" but the Stalker assures her he can. She is overjoyed at the fact, not because she seeks love, but because a spell will be broken if she doesn't marry soon. She orders the Stalker to bring the worthy one to her.

Meanwhile the group continues their search but Eric is more concerned with food. He comes across a sack full of food. He tries to take it but is confronted by a strange creature. Hank comes to his rescue but the creature explains that he means them no harm. He identifies himself as Solars and tells them where to find the Garden of Zinn. Shelia, Bobby, and Uni stay with Solars.

The group comes across the "Valley of Smoke" but find themselves at a fork in the road. Unsure of where to go they are soon found by Dungeon Master. Dungeon Master tells them to go on but Hank notes that this Dungeon Master isn't speaking in riddles. Another Dungeon Master appears and claims that he's the real one. The two Dungeon Masters fight until one manages to beat the other and prepares to kill him. Hank fires an arrow at the winner, restraining him. The restrained Dungeon Master turns into a Phantom Stalker and disappears. The remaining Dungeon Master indirectly tells them which way to go. However, when they leave, it's revealed to the audience that this Dungeon Master is also a Phantom Stalker.

While the group deals with trying to find the cure, Shelia stays with Bobby. While exploring Solars' cave, she finds a King's Robe and later a bunch of potions. However, Solars is very protective of the robe and only gets angry when questioned about having magical abilities.

After a time, the group finds that the road is a dead end. They are soon grabbed by vines that drag them into the ground. They find themselves in a long tunnel filled with worms. They continue on their way but soon find themselves confronted by a giant worm. They run but find themselves trapped. Fortunately, Diana leaps onto the worm's back and manages to tame it. They get the worm to free them and escape. They then find the castle of Zinn. The Phantom Stalkers bring the kids to Queen Zinn who proposes to Eric. At first, Eric isn't willing, but agrees after finding the marriage will make him rich. Zinn gives the kids the cure for Bobby's condition: a berry from the yellow dragon flower. However, when she hears of Solars' involvement with the kids she orders her Phantom Stalkers to prevent them from returning.

The Phantom Stalkers attack the kids near Solars' cave and are immune to their attacks. Fortunately, Solars' finds out about it and throws a potion onto the Stalkers turning them to stone. Shelia hugs Solars and sheds a tear of joy onto him. They then give the cure to Bobby. As soon as Bobby get the cure, he's revived and a man dressed in King's robes shows up. He explains that he was Solars but his human name is Sir Lawrence. His sister, Zinn, turned him into that creature and now that he's cured she will be cursed by the power of her spell.

Back at the castle, Eric is about to marry Queen Zinn but she transforms just before they are pronounced Husband and Wife. Eric is horrified and leaves.

Later, Sir Lawrence is returned to his throne and proposes to Shelia but she turns him down. Dungeon Master appears and congratulates her on a wise decision. Eric is skeptical of Dungeon Master's true identity and claims that if this is the real Dungeon Master he is a "blue nosed baboon." Eric is promptly turned into a baboon.

See also

Dungeons & Dragons