Cradle – Chapter 1

“Summer of 68, Second Age. Gigantic Ocean.
You believe that? They call this shit summer.
Sheets of ice. Freezing winds. Blizzards like clockwork. Look, where I come from ain’t no tropical paradise but at least we don’t got snow in summer.
Guess we’re just lucky it ain’t actually winter no more.
Hard to believe, ain’t it, that Khûm’s behind us now. No more queens, dwarves, mountains, dragons. We’re paid and we’re packed and we’re plunging through this arctic sea, off in search more bullshit to embroil us. Shudder to think what manner of mess we’re leaving behind us, though. Especially since their queen’s coming with.
Khûm’s a different kingdom than it was yesterday.
In this life, though, that’s the one thing you can rely on. All things change. Not merely the seasons but regimes, contracts and, most of all, people. Sometimes for the better but not always.
It ain’t a question of whether you’ll change but whether you’ll survive.
Another minute in this fucking cold and I’ll have an answer for ya.”
– Beholder's Log, 2nd of Athson, Year 68 of Ondûn's Second Age

Back aboard the ice merchanter Unity, the Menagerie crossed the Gigantic Ocean, headed for their next contract. Umber managed to turn an awkward meeting between the ship's captain and Dûnya Dragonbane to unexpected results. Dredgar Bracebow, a new member of the siege engineers, was chewed out by Yazram Bracebow following an accident with the scorpion. Griffon attempted to make friends among the mercenaries over a game of golden goose but tensions remained high.
In the arctic port of Tva Harbors, the company marveled at the frost giant porters who carried the ships across the narrow land-bridge to the Draconic Ocean. Remorhaz sought recruits, including a large number of goliath harpooners, to serve as lancers in the company. Umber showed some responsibility and found passage aboard a whaler to the southern city of Ansk. Dredgar attempted to gain the company's trust by furnishing them with meat, fished from cold seas by gigantic hunters.
Aboard the carefree whaler Ogrimor, the Menagerie sped towards warmer waters. Remorhaz checked in with Beholder , who asked about Mouse's true name for his records. Umber met Hyena and her newborn son Banshee, reflecting on an orc's short lifespan. Dredgar met Dûnya aand, after an embarrassing fumble, gifted her a meat-pie, which she politely, if unenthusiastically, ate.
In the merchant city of Ansk, the Menagerie arrived in the midst of the famous Glimscale Run. Umber sought passage from two vessels – one to take a half of the company to the Outer Limits, another to take them to Throka's Cradle. Dredgar wished to prove themselves by starting a bar-fight with some local rowdies. Remorhaz and his fish-spear took advantage of the glimscale spawning to help supply the company.
While Griffon wandered the dock, seeking passage south, he encountered a familiar ship – the Pious Wisdom, captured at the mouth of the Heartvein River – and an unfamiliar face – Ozgar of Kinkan, captain of the Silver Slash and second-in-command to Zelene Silvers, who was calling in her favor.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Athson 2 – 58, 68 2A
Starting Point: Gigantic Ocean
Characters Present:

• Griffon
• Remorhaz
• Umber
• Dredgar Bracebow