Hy Brasil Dark Ages: session II report

Cinioc dal Bran bestowed his protection upon Varys and gave him leave to purchase goods from his household. Taking the three young warriors, Varys sailed for the Isle of Skellig to see what fate had befallen the monks there. Upon the rocky isle was the abandoned monastery. Sheep had been slain by a beast, and the monks seem to have succumbed to some terrible plague. In the scriptorium, Edward read some notes left by a monk. The note spoke of a pagan tomb beneath the church, and a treasure taken by the abbot. This gilded umbo of a Celtic chieftain was thought to be the source of the curse that spread among the monks. 

Varys and the young warriors entered a cave beneath the church and passed through several chambers, where killed weapons and votive offerings were left. Finally, they came to the central tomb where the bones of the old chieftain lay among the pieces of a chariot. Near the remains was the abbot, who had succumbed to the sickness. It seemed he meant to return the umbo to the tomb, but died before he could do so.

Varys took the umbo from the abbot's death grip and replaced it among the bones. The young warriors thought this an honorable decision. On the way out, Varys and his men seized many barrels of foodstuffs and loot from the monks. As they sailed away from the Isle, they saw a black wolf stalking the shore. 

Later, back at the crannog of Cinioc, Varys learned that Queen Aiffe, wife of King Finbar, was rumored to possess the power to transform into a black wolf. Varys had also learned about the port of Bon Ehryc and the Cashel of Ardgail, prince of the shore. This powerful and popular chief was the brother of the king. Having secured Cinioc's protection, Varys drew closer to the center of Celtic power on Hy Brasil.

Hy Brasil Dark Ages: session 1 report

Varys the Angle, once a slave, freed himself and his fellow thralls and seized the Karvi of his masters. They sailed upstream into the marshes of Hy Brasil, a strange isle known to the Britons and Romans. Varys and his crew met Cinioc, a chieftain whose crannog was the greatest on Grey Snake Loch. Cinnioc told Varys to seek counsel from the Druid House to the west. This Varys promised to do. The traveller also made a mighty boast to slay the enemy of Cinioc, a Christian landowner named Gwydd dal Connel. 

At Cinioc's hold was a young warrior called Talorc who expressed interest in Varys' vessel. Varys allowed the young warrior to lease the vessel while he was away in the west. 

Varys also bargained for the use of one of Cinioc's slaves, a Britton called Edward. This young man's knowledge of the Celtic tongues and customs would prove valuable to Varys.

At the druid house, Varys was instructed that a sacrifice would be necessary for the gods to ensure his protection on the Elder Isle, and the Christian, Gwydd, might make a worthy sacrifice. 

Varys and his men continued to the steading of Gwydd and, using a cunning ruse, captured Gwydd's son, Owen and burst into the hall. Varys slew Gwydd in single combat and took Owen back to the crannog of Cinioc. 

On the way back, Varys met several young warriors travelling to go raiding with Talorc in a new vessel. Cinioc reprimanded the youth for his plot and paid Varys 60 pieces of silver owed for the vessel's lease. 

The three young warriors wished to plunder the monastery on Skellig Isle. The monks of the small isle had not lit their beacon fires in over a week, and it was believed they had already been victims of a raid by northmen. 

Cinioc gave Varys hospitality and the right to trade among his people as well as the right to claim his protection in the local ports.