Book 2: They Watched the Stars
Chapter 2: Still Waters
Or, To Catch A Naiad
After leaving the Mermaid’s tears, Kalathel and Yoi-ko trade clothing and the monk takes the Cloak of Gnawing Leaves. Then everyone is medically treated and sleeps until the next day. Sakuachi asks to accompany the Gatewalkers and they agree. Kalathel wishes them well and states that he will keep the others safe while he discusses the eldritch properties of the capstan automaton.
The group arrives at a horrific and twisted mockery of a temple made of parts of ships and skeletal bodies and ice. Sakuachi spots an ouroboros which is a symbol of Ragadahn, The Water Lord, fey god of the First World while the group is trying to figure out how to get in. Sammakko states that he has been to the first world and the seer is impressed. She relates that she is an ice land hillbilly who hasn’t traveled anywhere until now. She relates that Ragadahn takes the form of a great dragon of the seas who has a temper, is arrogant, sleeps around, but is also very wise.
Sakuachi searches the stars and has a vision, which will happen in the next day, of powerful magic coalescing around the party. She does not know whose it is but Sammakko and Yoi-ko believe it will be his frog-dragon magic.
Yoi-ko pulls open the door and yells in to Pholebis, “Is anyone here! We come peace.” Sammakko reverently enters the temple, ready to bow to the dragon god but the only response is the rushing sound of water. The temperature is a little warmer and there are channels of water which separate the place.
Sammakko leads the way to the right hand chamber which is filled with the figure heads of the boats which have been collected from the wrecks outside. Sammakko states that the figureheads are all from warships which we find suspect but let him have it. Hector discovers that one of the figurehead is of the goddess Desna and is hollow with gold within in it. He lets the group know and decides not to take the gold. Yoi-ko looks for traps (there are none) before they enter a room which appears to be used for ice fishing. Hector sees Yoi-ko steal a cold iron dagger and says if they all die, it is his fault. Yoi-ko accept the responsibility. Sammakko finds a “glimmering spear” which he can tell is magic but cannot identify it. He decides not to take it. Hector can tell the ice hole is an escape tunnel to the outside as well.
They enter into a room with a water wheel with grinding stones that seems to be grinding bones. Hiding behind the wall is a Kvernknurr, a blue, hairy monster who springs out at the group yelling. The group uses restraint and attempts to talk the devil Chewbacca down but he attacks anyways. Hector, prepared for this, smacks him on the head- KAPOW!!! Chewy unhinges his jaw and tries to swallow Hector with one bite and holds him in his massive jaws! The water next to the water wheel explodes as another Kvernknurr launches from the water. Shizzz gets real!
One of the Kvernknurrs swallows Sammakko. The Kvernknurrs are defeated and Yoi-ko performs an emergency, in battle, Sammakko-ectomy. While people receive first aid, Yoi-ko investigates the water wheel and discovers that the monsters were trying to stop the water wheel. Realizing that the group helped Pholebis, Hector keeps it in mind to tell the Naiad.
Entering a room with a large pool, the group can see two shiny objects under the water. Hector determines that they are two scales at the bottom of the pool. Yoi-ko tells Sakuachi to cast her energy resistance and dive in to retrieve the scales. She does so and everyone applauds her. The scales turn out to be dragon turtle scales. Sakuachi warns the group that she hears chanting and that they should be diplomatic if they want to survive the meeting with the Naiad since they are dangerous fey. The group has to balance along a ledge to get in the room, and see Pholebis, the Naiad Queen.
Sammakko provides a resplendent introduction for Sakuachi that goes not well but Yoi-ko comes through with the assist, casting guidance and telling Pholebis about killing the Kvernknurrs. She is very happy about the giants being killed because they were sent by a god whom she was afraid to offend him by killing them. She agrees to help and gives the group a ritual to remove the ice and pearls to cast it.
The rag tag group leaves and heads back to the ship to let the rest of the troop know about the pearls and the ritual.
Back at the ship… the group talk about the workings of the ritual. Sammakko is the primary caster while the Captain and Innumma are the secondary casters. The secondary casters are successful and Sakuachi helps Sammakko, however Sammakko was unable to control the magics and the pearls are consumed. The group gives up 50 gold worth of gems to retry to process. Sakuachi becomes the primary caster and Sammakko states that he will aid her in the process. As the mystical energies gather and swell about the deck of the ship Sakuachi is able to cast the spell and the ship moves through the ice. Under the guidance of the Captain, they head to Egede. The group settles in for rest during the voyage.
Treasure: a cold iron dagger, two dragon turtle scales, a Phantom Ship ritual scroll, 50 gp worth of pearls (used up in the casting of the ritual, along with another 50 gp worth of gems for the second attempt)