The aftermath of the Chardalyn dragon in Caer Dinneval was a sombre affair, as surviving residents cut their losses, gathered any intact belongings, and migrated to Caer Konnig.
They finally reviewed captain BlueMoon’s log, which described pirate escapades on the sword coast, and the most recent 3 entries which were as follow:
- Some honest work available in Revel’s End, they need someone to transport a sick prisoner to Luskan. But why would we want a sick prisoner on this ship? Still, it’ll pay well.
- The halfling paid his way fairly and has been cagey about his identity, but i know who he is. I’ll drop him off alright, in Revel’s End for that bounty on his head. Friends are good but money is better
- Heard about a whale named Angajuk who’s hundreds of years old. We’ll stop by and gut him, sell the meat and ambergris later.
Our Heroes Journeyed to Brynn Shandar to meet Speaker Duvessa. As they approached they saw the oubliettes normally filled with unlucky sacrifices to Auril now populated with freezing Duergar.
Brynn Shandar had suffered losses during the assault, guards, prominent merchants and other leaders were assassinated by the Duergar to soften the city for the final assault that never arrived. The Duergar were eventually contained and defeated.
Duvessa was engaged in gathering the dead and surveying damage when our heroes arrived. She praised them for the defeat of the dragon with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, before returning to her duties to the city.
Vellyne approached our heroes saying a goliath guard wearing a fur hat named Londrolk had told her they know where to find the Codicile of White. Vellyne insisted on joining them and encouraged them to set out immediately.
Yrso suspected a connection between Londrolk and Klondorn but certainly coudn’t prove it.
During private conversations Lyneae noticed one of Vellyne’s Kobolds attempting to discretely eavesdrop. She approached the kobold and greeted him, saying the last time they met she was a mouse. The kobold feigned confusion : “I never met a talking mouse no sir”. Despite this, our Heroes offered an information exchange with Vellyne.
Vellyne suggested that Avarice’s second use for the codicile of white could be to open Levistus’ Iceberg prison in Stygia. This was an outcome they all agreed they wanted to avoid, so they formalized their alliance and made their way to Angajuk’s Bell. They were also joined by a small group of Vellyne’s kobold friends.
At Angajuk’s bell our heroes found a small hut surrounded by corpses. A fisherman emerged and explained that there were poachers. He directed our heroes to ring the bell and wait for Angajuk, and that Angajuk loves Octopus.
Lynaea easily caught an octopus to bribe the whale with, and then the bell was rung. The noise attracted a group of giant vultures, who viewed the tiny kobolds as a nice midday snack.
The vultures were cahsed away, and when our heroes turned to ask the fisherman what was going on, he was gone. A search of the cabin revealed a pile of firewood and some stone tablets, which Vellyne translated as written in Infernal, and seemed to be a fine recollection of events leading up to our heroes arrival. Vellyne’s ability to translate languages at least proved her utility to our heroes.
Half an hour later, Angajuk arrived. He was asatisfied with his payment of octopus and offered our heroes a ride. Lynaea assisted the whale with her star chart revealing the location of Grimskalle.
Angajuk was familiar with the island, and warned our heroes that a giant bird roosts there, bigger than a whale. When our heroes suggested it could be a dragon the whale scoffed and insisted it was a bird.
Angajuk took the scenic route, passing all manner of ships, reefs and a highlight of the tour, a Storm Giant castle beneath the waves. One storm giant familiar with Angajuk waved as he passed, while our awestruck heroes waved back.
Finally, days later, Angajuk ‘docked’ at a wooden pier sticking out from a steep cliff face. The island was far larger than they imagined, and giant sized steps snaked their way up the cliffside to the island plateau.
From here our heroes noticed the giant bird Angajuk mentioned, with a rider that could only be Auril, rising from the prominent skull shaped fortress in the centre of the island and riding out across the sea.
Angajuk promised to circle beneath the island while our heroes completed their task. This could be their most difficult task yet, as the chill of Auril’s Domain had already set in.