In this dramatized reading of Chapter 6, Part 2, the characters gather around a map of a small, skull‑shaped island off the west coast of Berk called the Isle of the Skellions. Alvin, a mischievous hooligan, points out the island as the location of a legendary treasure that includes Gunsbeard’s sword, the Stormblade. The group—Stoick, Hiccup, Old Wrinkly, Mogadon, and several other hooligans—discuss the perilous nature of the island. Hiccup provides a detailed natural‑history briefing on the Skellion, a rare, flightless dragon about ten feet tall that is blind, nearly deaf, but possesses an extraordinary sense of smell, terrifying teeth, claws, and a super‑sharp extra‑long claw used to sever victims’ Achilles tendons. The reading lists the Skellion’s “stats” (high scores for danger, speed, hunting ability, etc.) and emphasizes that any intruder would be quickly devoured. Despite Hiccup’s warnings, the hooligans cheer, imagine themselves adorned with treasure, and one of them, D, declares he will lead the quest. Stoick, half‑serious and half‑boastful, encourages the plan, while Hiccup cries out that stepping onto the island is suicide. The passage blends vivid world‑building, comedic banter, and a tension between reckless ambition and genuine danger.
Chapters
small island off the west coast of Berk that formed the shape of a skull and bones. It was this shape that Grimsbeard had adopted for his flag and, most famously, his helmet.
So, this island here is the Isle of the Scullion, is it? purred Alvin, gleefully pointing to the And that's where we'll find our treasure.
To Alvin's surprise, the hooligans started laughing.
Oh, there's no question of finding the treasure if it's on the Island of the Scullions, said Stoick cheerfully. Nobody has ever returned from the Island of Scullions alive. Hiccup, you're the expert on dragons. You explain to Alvin about Skellions.
Viking dragons and their eggs.
The Skellion.
The Skellion is a dragon standing about 10 feet tall. It has lost the power of flight, eyesight, and hearing, but its sense of smell is phenomenal, and it will eat anything it comes across. This animal is untrainable and very, very dangerous. Statistics. Colors: black and purple. Armed with: terrifying teeth, claws, etc. Score: 9. Radar: yes, also strong sense of smell. Score: 7.
Poison?
None.
Score 0.
Hunting abilities? You don't want to be its prey. Score 9. Speed? Very, very fast. Score 9. Fear and fight factors? Nasty, unpredictable savagery. But you do have a chance because they can't see or hear. Score: 8 or 9. Score total: 42 or 43. A Skellion, said Hiccup, always delighted to be asked a natural history question. It's a very rare, very savage species of flightless dragon. Despite being blind and very nearly deaf, it is one of the most fearsome predators of all dragons, hunting in packs using a highly Okay, okay, said Stoick tiredly.
We get the picture.
It has—
it has this one extra-long, super-sharp claw, continued Hiccup, with which—
with which it disables its victims by cutting its—
the Achilles tendon at the back of their heels. Leaving them unable to walk. It then eats them alive. Not very nice.
Ah, said Alvin, I see the problem. I'm sure a man as clever as you, Stoick, will be able to lead a quest of the island— to the Island of Scullions to find this treasure nonetheless.
A quest to the Island of the Skellions would be total madness, said Old Wrinkly firmly.
Gunsbeard's sword, the Stormblade, will be part of this treasure, wheeled Alvin. And if you held the Stormblade, the name of the hooligan would be feared throughout the Barbarian world.
Stoick stroked his beard thoughtfully. And you, Stoick, cooed Alvin.
Picture yourself with diamonds sparkled in your beard, a golden breastplate, the Storm Blade flaming terribly in your hand, bracelets for those handsome wrists of yours. I can barely— I can see it already.
Mogadon kneeling humbly before you.
What a vision it will be!
Stoick sucked in his belly and flexed his muscles.
He'd already— he's all—
he'd always secretly fancied himself a pair of earrings.
I'll do it!
he yelled.
Fellow hooligans!
he bellowed.
I shall lead you on a quest to find the treasure of our ancestors!
But it's insane!
cried Hiccup.
Anyone who sets one toe on that island will be eaten alive in moments! It's suicide to even think of it!
Everyone was cheering too loud to listen to Hiccup.
Glory and riches shall be ours!
beamed Stoick, patting Alvin painfully hard on the back. Oh, here we go, moaned Hiccup to himself.
