The party rested for the evening and set sail for the Purple Rocks. During the journey Captain Callous shared what he knew about the islands.

“Purple Rocks can be found on almost any map of the Sword Coast and Island Kingdoms and is a relatively easy location to travel to. Although the Rocklanders don’t receive many visitors, or trade much with the other Island Kingdoms, they are well-known shipwrights capable of repairing damaged vessels, or sheltering crews when there are storms.

There are two main islands; Ultheraal which is home to the largest settlement of Vilkstead and Trisk which has no large organized town. Utheraal is more friendly to visitors while Trisk can be downright hostile.”

The journey was uneventful and they were able to arrive at Ultheraal in two days, giving them a full day before the event alluded to by the notes that they found.

The party arrived at the dock in Vilkstead and were welcomed to the island. They came onshore and noticed that the Rocklanders occasionally converse in a version of Deep Speech unique to the island. Thankfully, Tarin was able to understand them. He was disappointed to learn that their conversations were all about fishing and the weather.

The party further noticed that the Rocklanders had an unpleasant smell to them; a mix of fish and sulphur. The skin of the Rocklanders seemed loose and rubbery or scarred and weather-beaten. Their eyes were rheumy and their hair lank and greasy.

The entire population seemed to be mostly young or middle-aged men. There was the occasional woman but they never saw a young or old person.

One of the fishermen suddenly began choking and spluttering, a sickening, squelching noise. After a few wretches, the man coughed up a live eel that flopped in a pool of regurgitated slime on the pier. Quickly, one of the other men whacked the eel over the head with a wooden cudgel and slung it into their keep net. Acanthodoris was overcome by fear but was able to contain his fear and not run away.

The party then asked question of the islanders, hoping to discover more about the island and their struggles. Unfortunately, they heard the same information as before – the fish stocks were diminishing, storms were becoming more frequent, and Slarkrethel has seemed to have stopped listening to their prayers.

The party decided to visit the Rocklander’s leader and asked to be escorted to the castle. The walked along the beach and encountered another gruesome sight.

A fishing boat grounded itself on the sandy shore. The Rocklanders disembarked from the boat and dumped a pile of empty nets on the ground. Then, three of the men grabbed the corpse of a dolphin from the boat while the other two started a small driftwood fire. With terrifying efficiency, the three gutted the dolphin and threw its viscera onto the flames producing a sour, acrid smoke. Suddenly, dozens of eels leapt forth from the viscera and danced among the flames. They all died a quick death, but the image was so disturbing that Evan David and Galo spoke in tongues for the next hour unable to fully form their thoughts.

The party continued to the castle and saw a crumbling edifice leering down over the harbour from the high cliffs to it’s north. The fort was battered constantly by a frigid north wind that whipped around the ruinous structure, creating a mournful wailing that echoed throughout. The auditory assault was only worsened by the unceasing crashing of waves against the rocky coastline below. The party were greeted by ten tribal warriors at the entrance and escorted in to greet the leader. They were surprised that they was no air of authority about the leader and he appeared like any other Rocklander.

The party asked similar questions but received no additional information about what might be coming and what has happened to Slarkrethel. They then asked if there was any assistance they could provide them on their journey to Trisk. The Rockloanders graciously offered to sail them to Trisk on their ships so they would be welcomed.

The party thanked them and set off for the island of Trisk.

The party arrived on Trisk and were escorted to the Temple of Tentacles. They entered and soon learned that they interrupted a prayer to Slarkrethel. The Kraken Priests shouted that they were defilers and attacked! Thankfully, the party was able to persuade the priest that they came in peace.

The Deep Lord believed the party and showed the party the secret passage that led them down to Ascarle – the lair of Slarkrethel. He wished them well and hoped they would be successful in curing Slarkrethel and saving their way of life. Before they could bid farewell to the Deep Lord, a Kraken Priest leapt at the Deep Lord and slit his throat accusing him of being a traitor. The Deep Lord fell dead at their feet and the rest of the Kraken Priests rushed forward to attack.

The party battled the rest of the Kraken Priest and just when victory was near, an Ilithid and Deep Lord Frannis emerged from the secret passage. Deep Lord Frannis screamed:

“You will not stop Slarkrethel’s glorrious ascent!”

The party quickly disposed of Deep Lord Frannis and the Ithilid and slowly walked down the lighted passage to Ascarle.