u/MasterFwiffo

We finally faced Auril! After nabbing the Codicil the group attempted to flee Grimskalle, only to find hordes of Aurils Minions flooding the castle. They called in their secret weapon. - favor owed to them by the Ancient White Dragon Artiverus, to try and pick them up from the top of Grimskalle. But when they entered the throne room they found themselves confronted with the Cold Crone - and her Roc. They fought valiantly and were outmatched, especially when Etregard and the Abomoble Yeti burst into the room. But then Artverus swooped in to aide the group, battling Iskara and eventually slaying the Roc. Aurils first form was defeated and she fled, as her remaining minions were slain. The group gathered atop the White Dragon, and she bore them north to the Rheged Glacier, as Auril, weakened and angered, mustered her forces to march in Yithrin…

For those who don't know, Teke-Li-Li, our favorite cavebound gnoll vampire, has his name derived from the wonderful classic Lovecraft tale, "At the Mountains of Madness." Being a big fan of Lovecraft (and leaning into the whole Thing in the Ice storyline), I wanted Teke-Li-Li to feel like more than just a cave sub boss. I've been building up the Caves of Hunger through character backstory, and visions. Teke-Li-Li is not the monsters true name (long lost to time), but he is called that as it is a phrase he cannot stop repeating. The ominous sound echoes through the darkness, occurring in frightening tales the Rhegeds uses to keep their children away from the dark caves on the glacier. One of my characters parents disappeared into the caves, the phrase Teke-Li-Li being the last memory he heard. He's been asking everyone he can what it means.

But what does it mean? It turns out, Professor Skant knows a little something. Ask him and he'll say:

"Why, that's Netherise! Very old, archaic version of it. You see, Teke means desire, or need, or consume. I suppose, Hunger might be the most adequate term. Li is a word meaning "a period of time". And so "Li Li" means a period of time multiplied by a period of time but without a set word defining that time, the best translation may be Endless. So it could be best translated as... Endless Hunger. Why? Is that bad?"

Showdown At Grimskalle