Ask Me About the Time I Killed a Dragon
S03E01
We all talk and touch base in the Storm Giant’s Court. We ask King Hekaton for a letter stating that our group is Friends of the Storm Giants (General alliance between Small Folk and Storm Giants).
We teleport to Waterdeep. We decide to go over to the castle in town where we know Larael is situated. She was surprised to know we had made it back to the city as the ship hadn’t returned yet. As we talk into Larael’s chamber, we see her talking to a woman down the long room, about 60’ feet away. As we approach, Caulkin recognizes his grandmother is having a conversation with Larael.
She greets Caulkin as Xanross, his government name. She recounts that the last time he saw her, she had her goons kidnap him and drag him away. His grandmother calls Caulkin, “slow on the uptake” and upon hearing this he puts his hand on his dagger and takes a couple of steps forward. Brylwynn asks, “Part of what?” Larael asks if she has lost some of her magic again, to which she replies yes. Larael replies, “Your magic is my magic.”
Let’s say there are 2 people with a vested interest in your magic. Larale calls Brylwynn’s magic like a tug of war. She says, “I am Hephaestus and Hephaestus is me. I’ve waited 23 years for this moment to happen again.”
Brylwynn trying to get a feeling for the vibe going on. She can sense something off is going on here. She agrees to have Larael restore her magic. “I promise no harm will come to you until after the quest is complete.” She places her hand on Brylwynn as her runes fade away and she has access to her magic again. When she did this, the red necklace of Larael began pulsating. Larael recounts that Elador taught her, her magic. She needs Brylwynn to get the Shadow Shard back into this world. She taught Elador to bend the weave in Hephaestus’ name. She asks what the Shadow Shard is to which Larael says is Hephaestus’ magic on this plane.
She states we did the first step already by bringing his body back into this plane. She states that between us and Ari, we have killed enough dragons to allow him to come back to this plane
She states that only her magic can break what Lliira sealed away. She states that Ari was of Hephaestus’ line and Brylwynn was of his magic. Lliira’s followers sealed away Hephaestus years ago.
She cannot begin the ritual until she kills one of her biggest enemies. I need one of Kelemvar’s most sacred of assassins, she states that #5 will suffice. Then, we need to release the Shadow Shard that exists within her, past the magic Lliira set in place to hold back Hephaestus. This grandmother states that the only reason she kept Caulkin alive was to have him available to complete this ritual.
“Your stupid bitch of a mother…” something something I missed it
RC it is almost poetic, you’ll get to soon join your friends who tried to stop me and failed
Caulkin’s grandmother states that there are two Herald Hessians available to complete the ritual. Upon saying this, we see #6 appear again. #6 appears shocked to hear that he is a sacrifice as part of the ritual. Larael starts casting a spell, Blight at 5th level, at #6.
Summary
Alliance with the Storm Giants: The party speaks with King Hekaton in the Storm Giant's Court and secures a letter establishing their group as Friends of the Storm Giants, signifying a formal alliance between Small Folk and Storm Giants.
Return to Waterdeep and Surprise Meeting: After teleporting to Waterdeep, the group visits Larael's castle. Upon arrival, they find Caulkin's grandmother in conversation with Larael. She recognizes Caulkin by his government name, Xanross, and insults him, reigniting tension between them.
Brylwynn’s Magic and the Shadow Shard: Larael, along with Caulkin’s grandmother, discusses Brylwynn’s magic, claiming it is connected to Hephaestus. Larael restores Brylwynn's magic with the promise that no harm will come until after the quest is completed. The restoration is tied to retrieving the Shadow Shard, which holds Hephaestus' magic on this plane.
Hephaestus’ Return: Larael reveals that the party’s actions, including killing dragons, have paved the way for Hephaestus to return. She also explains that only her magic can undo the seal placed by Lliira to bind Hephaestus, and Brylwynn’s magic is essential in breaking it.
Ritual Sacrifice and Betrayal: Caulkin’s grandmother reveals that Caulkin has been kept alive for the ritual, which requires the sacrifice of one of Kelemvar’s assassins, #5. As #6 appears, shocked to learn of his fate, Larael casts Blight at him, preparing to proceed with the ritual.