Dragonfall: The Ascent
One heist. One conspiracy. One chance to uncover the truth.
Dragonfall: The Ascent is the second major campaign in the turn-based tactical role-playing game Shadowrun Returns, developed by Harebrained Schemes. It follows a team of shadowrunners hired by the enigmatic Monika Schäfer to pull off a dangerous heist in the Berlin-based anarchist enclave known as the Flughafen. The campaign serves as the core narrative of the standalone expansion Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director's Cut, expanding on the original Berlin story with new missions, characters, and mechanical refinements.
- Setting
- Berlin, Allied German States, 2054 (Shadowrun timeline)
Lore & Background
In the sprawl of 2054 Berlin, the anarchist zone known as the Flughafen is a lawless hub of refugees, hackers, and shadowrunners. Here, the desperate and the daring carve out a living in the shadow of the old city's ruins. The campaign's central figure, Monika Schäfer, is a fixer with a grudge against the dragon Feuerschwinge, a terrifying creature that terrorized the region until it was supposedly killed by a military strike in 2054. Now, a conspiracy brews around the dragon's survival, drawing the player into a web of secrets centered on the Feuerschwinge Bunker—the dragon's lair where it was killed and its remains were studied. The player's crew—a diverse team of specialists including the cyborg samurai Glory, the shaman Dietrich, the sniper Eiger, and the decker Blitz—must navigate a web of corporate intrigue, anarchist politics, and ancient secrets. The dragon's influence reaches far beyond its supposed grave, corrupting local powers and threatening the fragile balance of Berlin's underworld. The Ascent is not just a job; it's a descent into the heart of a conspiracy that could reshape the city's future.
In Their Own Story
The rain hammers the corrugated roof of the Flufthafen's main market. Monika Schäfer's voice crackles over the comm: 'The dragon's hoard isn't gold—it's data. We hit the vault, grab the files, and get out before Feuerschwinge wakes.' Glory's cyberarm hums as she checks her smartgun. 'And if it wakes?' she asks. Monika's laugh is dry. 'Then we don't get out.' The team moves through the flooded tunnels, past the glowing graffiti of anarchist tags, toward the dragon's lair. The air smells of ozone and old blood.
Reader's Guide
The campaign begins with the player's shadowrunner team being hired by Monika Schäfer for a seemingly straightforward heist: break into a corporate facility and steal data. However, the mission quickly escalates when the team discovers the data is tied to the dragon Feuerschwinge, a creature thought dead but actually imprisoned by a secret faction. The player must navigate the politics of Berlin's anarchist zone, recruit and manage a crew of unique runners, and complete a series of runs to gather resources and allies. The story culminates in a final assault on the dragon's lair, where the team must confront Feuerschwinge directly. The outcome depends on player choices, including whether to spare or destroy the dragon, and how well the crew has been equipped and bonded. This campaign matters because it sets the gold standard for Shadowrun Returns' storytelling—character-driven, choice-heavy, and deeply embedded in the cyberpunk-fantasy world. It also introduces the Dragonfall expansion's key improvements, such as a hub base and companion loyalty systems.
Did You Know?
- The campaign was originally released as part of Shadowrun Returns in 2013, then expanded and re-released as a standalone Director's Cut in 2014.
- The character Glory is a cyborg with a tragic backstory involving the loss of her flesh, and her loyalty mission is one of the most acclaimed in the game.
- Feuerschwinge's name is German for 'fire wing,' and the dragon's design was inspired by European mythological dragons rather than the typical Asian-inspired dragons of earlier Shadowrun lore.
- The Flughafen hub was not present in the original 2013 campaign; it was added in the Director's Cut (2014), allowing players to explore the anarchist zone and interact with NPCs between missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dragonfall: The Ascent?
This campaign acts as a standalone expansion to Shadowrun Returns, developed by Harebrained Schemes and set in Berlin during the year 2054. Players guide a crew of runners through turn-based tactical missions focused on a dangerous heist within the Flufthafen anarchist enclave.
Who are the key members of the runner team?
The squad includes Glory, Dietrich, Eiger, and Blitz, who operate under the direction of the enigmatic handler Monika Schäfer. Each character provides distinct tactical advantages necessary for surviving the urban combat scenarios.
What is the main objective of the story?
The primary goal involves executing a complex heist against a powerful dragon while navigating political intrigue within the German Alliance. Success depends on balancing corporate demands with the survival needs of the crew and their allies.
How does the narrative conclude for the players?
The ending shifts based on alignment choices made during missions, affecting loyalty to Monika Schäfer or the resistance movement. Ultimately, the team must decide whether to burn down the system or integrate into it.
Why is this campaign important to fans?
It expanded the original game with new characters and mechanical refinements that were later included in the Director’s Cut edition. The campaign serves as a core narrative piece that deepens the lore surrounding the Berlin-based anarchist enclave.
More in Story & Campaigns
Elsewhere in the Shadowrun universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record