Session 08: So it Begins and Ends with Storms

General Summary

On the fifth day after Midsommer the companions found themselves aboard the Bloodkraken on route to the village of Draugr’s Run, hoping to gather information about haunted Coldlight Fjord. Mere hours away from their destination a brutal summer storm swept in from the north, filling the sky with black hate and obscuring the far off dead boughs of Valdryssil.
Unable to avoid or outrun the gale, the Bloodkraken dropped sail and turned into the wind, ready to battle the storm head on. Kradar suddenly felt a stabbing pain so intense in his guts that the hulking barbarian fell incapacitated with agony.
And then the companions heard a shrill and unnerving chant upon the wind. At the leading edge of the storm flew several flocks of black birds…or what at least looked like birds at first. But these winged terrors were not birds, but Odr Orn, the fury messengers and storm heralds of Ragnarr, god of war and tempest. The demon-faced flocks chanted to the god they served, “Svipul comes, the great blood mist, the great changing storm, the great foe, the grandchild of war…” as lightning crackled and built up in their flapping wings. Eiüin raced to the prow of the Bloodkraken to watch the storm and the Odr Orn with brief and strange fascination, before shaking her head and returning to the animal pen upon the orders of Janicka.

An Odr Orn, or Fury Bird. They are heralds of Ragnarr, god of war and tempests, and also a favorite snack of Kradar's

Ready for danger, but unsure of what to do, the companions watched as one of the flocks of Odr Orn landed upon the incapacitated Kradar. Isulf stood nearest the barbarian, ready but curious as to what the strange flying beasts wanted. Svagnir on the other hand took no chances and attacked. He easily killed an Odr Orn with his ghostly reach, but this provoked the flocks that still flew directly over the Bloodkraken. Suddenly lightning coalesced amongst the dozens of black wings, forming two bolts that arced down to nearly slay Svagnir where he stood. The rest of the party decided to just chill a moment.
One of the Odr Orn then spoke to Kradar, “On the third storm you will change the world…” and then it dove down his open throat, burying itself deep in his guts. The swallowing of this beast racked Kradar with pain and exhaustion, but also strangely bolstered his already formidable toughness.
With their goal apparently complete, the flocks of Odr Orn flew off, leading the edge of the storm southward. But the companions were far from out of danger. A mighty and terrible summer storm was now upon them. Great torrents of rain and wind lashed at them. Monstrous waves crashed against the gunwales of the Bloodkraken. Several of the companions were tossed to the deck. Aela could not hold the rudder on her own against such a force, but unfortunately at that same moment her new first mate Gorn, and the woman Taia whom the companions had rescued from the Fossegrim, were washed overboard.
The companions, at least the ones on their feet, raced into action. Isulf came to his lover’s side, and tried to help Aela at the rudder, but even their combined strength was not enough. The Bloodkraken went into the next wave near broadside and was rocked by the force. Several of the companions were again tossed to the deck, this time so hard that they were hurt with the impact.
Meanwhile, the steady-footed Janicka tied a rope to one of her javelins and tossed it expertly to where Gorn and Taia struggled to stay afloat in the stormy water. Both Gorn and Taia grabbed onto the rope, and were towed behind the Bloodkraken as it cut toward the next big wave. The weight of both Gorn and Taia in the mighty tide was too much for Janicka, but the brave and determined Vaettir did not let go of the rope and she too was pulled into the drink.
Isulf and Worhana raced to pull Janicka back onboard, tying another rope to the mast and preparing to throw it to her. Kradar put his immense strength to good use, helping Aela at the rudder and keeping the Bloodkraken from listing broadside into anymore waves. Meanwhile, poor Gorn and Taia finally succumbed to fatigue and the horrible waves, and were lost to the sea.
Svagnir, not used to being on a boat, had spent most of this time smashed into the deck. But the young druid finally found his sea legs and was able to get to his feet and change shape into a giant wolf spider. With his eight sticky legs, Svagnir raced over to help Isulf and Worhana pull Janicka back onboard. But at that moment a nasty gust of wind unlashed a portion of the main sail, and the excess cloth ballooned in the howling wind, threatening to pull the Bloodkraken into a dangerous position where the storm could capsize her. Kradar and Svagnir rushed to the sail, the barbarian and the giant spider making quick work of the threat, while the others helped Aela maintain the rudder.
Finally, the brunt of the storm passed, the waters calmed, and the Bloodkraken was left battered, but intact. The storm had claimed Gorn and Taia, and Aela immediately ordered the crew to begin preparing Tide Wolf funeral rites for them.
The companions were finally able to catch their breath and take stock of the strange event that just happened to Kradar. With every breath the barbarian now exhaled a strange blue mist, the same shade as the bit of steel he had vomited up several days ago back in Molde. The companions talked about the Odr Orn’s fateful message, and pondered what would happen after two more storms. How would Kradar change the world?
Meanwhile, Aela declared that Isulf would be her new first mate, despite his lack of experience at sea. She then said they would arrive at Draugr’s Run in a few short hours, and the dark clouds and heavy rain would serve perfectly to mask their approach to raid the small village of exiles and outcasts. The companions held a quick and private meeting that Aela watched with concern. The companions decided that instead of raiding they would demand tribute from Draugr’s Run, to include information about Coldlight Fjord. As the meeting finished Aela addressed the companions before they could press their plan upon her. She declared that they were all now Tide Wolves of the Bloodkraken, and gave them each a moniker as a token of the moment’s importance. She called out these new titles: Svagnir Deadeye, Worhana Fang-kissed, Kradar Storm Belly, Janicka Sister Beast, Mabd the She-Dragon, and last but not least Isulf Crooked Crow. She then asked what the companions had just discussed for the fate of Draugr’s Run.
The companions told Aela their plan to demand tribute, and the captain agreed with some disappointment. She then briefed her crew on a plan to come out of the rain fast and hard, with a massive show of aggression, which she would follow up with demands for tribute and information.
In the few hours that remained before landing at Draugr’s Run, the companions prepared in the heavy downpour. Svagnir spoke empowering words to Mabd, reaffirming that they would protect her and help her grow into her new powers. Worhana checked on the still comatose Bjekmir, who had ridden out the storm without injury as he was securely tied to the base of the mast.
As an unseen sun set in the west behind a blanket of storm clouds and heavy rain, the Bloodkraken made landfall at Draugr’s Run. A half dozen villagers quickly formed a shield wall in the mud as the crew and companions roared ashore. All were surprised when a mage of the Lodge Eldritch, an arrogant ass of a man called Olav Farwalker, came out of the village to make demands of the raiders. He stated he and his boat were to be left alone, lest the wrath of the Lodge fall upon them. Aela wanted nothing to do with the Lodge, and Olav’s demands were met. The mage stood aside to let the raid continue.

Olav Farwalker, Mage of the Fifth Circle of the Lodge Eldritch and all round cool guy

Aela made her demand for tribute to a tall, gangly blonde woman who appeared to be the leader of Draugr’s Run. After some curses, threats, and one poorly thrown spear, the villagers of Draugr’s Run capitulated to Aela’s terms for tribute. Isulf, as first mate, was sent to execute the terms. Isulf bargained with the blonde leader, and learned a great deal about Coldlight Fjord, in return for letting the villagers keep some of their steel and provisions. Isulf learned that another mage, one Einar the Windy, recently came to Draugr’s Run to explore Coldlight Fjord. He and his crew disappeared a few weeks ago. Olav recently arrived with the mission to find Einar. The wreckage of Einar’s boat could be found half submerged in shallows along the east shore of the fjord, just south of a chain of islands known as the Three Sisters. Isulf also learned that the fishermen of Draugr’s Run avoid the ghost of Haftan by having quick boats that can get to shore before being attacked, as apparently the haunted spirit cannot leave the water to come on land. The paladin was also warned that Haftan can freeze the water around a boat, making it easier prey for his undead crew.
While Isulf dealt with the villagers of Draugr’s Run, Janicka approached Olav and revealed some strange scars on her hands, asking the mage if he knew anything about them. Olav, full of his usual charm, demanded that only his questions be answered, and starting asking the Vaettir about herself and her strange companions. After being interrupted one too many times, Janicka punched the mage…hard. The mage coiled with rage, ready to take retribution for the insult, when a smooth-talking Svagnir joined the conversation. After some tense words, slick talking, and one slap to Janicka’s face, Olav let the insult pass and agreed to an exchange of information, which he apparently valued very dearly. Svagnir and Janicka traded information about themselves for more knowledge about Coldlight Fjord, Einar the Windy, and the Lodge Eldritch.
With the tribute-taking and the information-gathering complete, the crew of the Bloodkraken and the companions returned to their vessel anchored off shore for a night’s rest. The party discussed joining forces with Olav, as they both had reasons to investigate Coldlight Fjord. Aela, wanting nothing do to with the Lodge, agreed to the plan, but said the mage would not step foot upon her ship. A plan was hatched to help crew the mage’s smaller vessel, which could follow the Bloodkraken into the fjord.
Svagnir and Kradar were sent as the emissaries to make the offer to Olav. The mage agreed without much convincing, as he was obviously fascinated by the companions and their unique powers, especially the primal, powerful, and unreadable rune scars on Janicka’s hands. But then suddenly Olav grasped a stone shaped like a screaming face and heard words that only he could magically hear. The mage suddenly got up and began to gather his things, stating that he had been summoned back to the Lodge on a pressing matter, and that he would not be able to continue his mission to investigate Coldlight Fjord at this time. Svagnir asked the nature of the issue at the Lodge, but Olav didn’t elaborate. Regardless, it was clearly an emergency of some sort, as the mage left upon his small boat in the middle of a very rainy night. (a side note: Kradar attempted to trip Olav as he departed, but was stopped by some invisible force that protected the mage. I'm sure a cool guy like Olav would not hold a petty grudge for the barbarian's seemingly childish act...right? I guess time will tell.)
Back aboard the Bloodkraken, Mabd asked Janicka for some advice about feeling and looking different than others, revealing that as her powers were growing, so was the draconic influence upon her body as a row of shimmering green-gold scales now lined her torso. Janicka gave the young sorceress a powerful bit of advice that was very empowering and beautiful, and Mabd seemed very happy to be a part of the companions. Additionally, Janicka also told her companions the story behind the powerful, unreadable runes scared into her hands. As part of a coming of age ceremony the great tree Valdryssil itself had burned the runes into her hands, and none among her people could read them. So she was sent on a quest by her clan’s elders to discover their meaning and what the great tree wanted of the young Vaettir.
Meanwhile, Aela learned that her new first mate, Isulf, changed the tribute she had won in order to get information, and wasn’t terribly pleased. But being a gracious captain, decided that Isulf could pay for his mistakes by way of the flesh. She once again took the paladin to her bed, and made him earn his forgiveness in a very vigorous manner. After, the captain revealed to her lover that she wanted more out of life than to live and die aboard the Bloodkraken, as her father and his father before him had done. She showed Isulf a touch of the power the Sleeping Queen had already given her, and said there was so much more promised if she takes the head of Arik’s mother to Lilladenau. She said she would live life to the fullest and suck the marrow from the broken bones of this dying world, and she wanted Isulf by her side. The paladin promised he would go with her to Lilladenau, and that together they would live gloriously for the greatest of all feasts and for the sheer wonder of being alive.

This was the face Aela made when she discovered Isulf changed the terms of the tribute

The remainder of the night passed without incident, and in the morning the rain gave way to a warm summer day. The Bloodkraken sailed into Coldlight Fjord, and by midday discovered the half-sunk wreckage of Einar the Windy’s ship, its captain’s rotting corpse pinned to the mast by a dozen swords. Kradar and Janicka searched the wreckage and discovered Einar’s possessions, to include many items sacred to the Lodge Eldritch, such as his bone talisman and his sending stone.
Svagnir spoke to the deceased Einar through the dark power of ghostfalls, and learned that Einar had been sent to Coldlight Fjord to find a way for the Lodge to control or channel Haftan’s unnatural power. Svagnir also learned that Haftan did not seek his lost love Ebbe, but rather the sword she stole from him when he discovered that she had been unfaithful with his first mate, Sturri. The sword was called Hunger, and it was Haftan’s most prized possession. He swore he would not rest until he had it back. Einar believed that Ebbe, and the sword she stole, had been shipwrecked on one of the islands known as the Three Sisters, but he didn’t know which one. As the companions pondered these new revelations, a powerful wintry blizzard suddenly swelled up out of nowhere in the middle of summer day just to the west of their ship. Aela immediately told the crew to start rowing toward the Three Sisters, as there was no time to raise the mast. She screamed to Svagnir “which island?!?” To which the druid said “the closest one!”
Will the Bloodkraken be able to outrun Haftan and his undead crew, reaching the safety of land before the ghost can freeze them in the water? And if they do escape the frozen waters, are even greater dangers awaiting the companions upon the Three Sisters as they search for the long lost sword Hunger? And perhaps even more importantly, what strange fate that “will change the world” grows in the belly of Kradar, as the second of three foretold storms now bears down on the barbarian? And finally, will Isulf the Crooked Little Crow leave his new found companions for Aela the Bloodkraken and her promises of a life of power and wonder, should their paths diverge between Lilladenau and the Lodge Eldritch?

Report Date

14 Jul 2022