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.