Journal - The Lands of the Gods
Asgard, or How Visiting the Gods is Never Simple
Entering the ethereal greyness caused us to hallucinate and see visions, something that I was more used to than the others. These were particularly vivid, though, and again we saw visions of the White Council and how the monk Hintzu in particular was in danger in the old Dwarven halls of the far east. We also gained an insight into how we might deal with the particular predicament we found ourselves in, namely not knowing where the fuck to go or how to get there. Apparently the old songs that Baldir, with his Elven heritage and faith in Odin, had sung to memorise legends also had some power in places between worlds. Of those he knew, he most wanted to journey to Asgard to meet his Gods, and Odin in particular. This was unsettling, but at least I knew he wouldn't intend to stay as only those killed in battle could stay in the halls of Valhalla (which is why he is so keen to die all the time).
As he was the only one who could sing the right ballad, we roped ourselves together so that we would not get separated. It was a good job we did, as the pace of travel picked up rapidly and we would have soon been lost if left to our own devices. Takeda beat a tempo for Baldir to follow and his voice was surprisingly musical in the way that only Elves and the fey folk seem to be capable of. As the song progressed we travelled rapidly but without any wind in our hair, visions of strange places flashing past, not from our world. Some were brilliant and others terrifying, and then we passed through a great tube and suddenly stopped as if we had never started moving in the first place.
It was clear that we were no longer in the same place, though, as huge clumps of earth smashed into each other far above our heads and magma rained down in gouts around us. We descended, again with no feeling of movement, to land softly on a world in the depths of winter, with snow all around us. Sensations returned as I felt the earth beneath our feet and a biting cold wind whipping at my exposed skin. A fierce, thunderous noise echoed above us, although the sky was now obscured with grey cloud and snow was blown into our eyes with the wind. We quickly pulled out the furs we had set out in from Fontainver, wrapping up as best we could against the elements.
Squinting against the snow we started to make sense of the landscape. We stood on a snow-covered path running across a steep slope, with rocky outcrops on one side and a drop to an ice covered lake on the other. Baldir called on Odin to protect us, and we were at once warmed as if standing in a brisk summer breeze, relaxing a little and removing the rope we had depended on to get here as one party. We set off along the path, with no other obvious way to travel.
After a short while we saw, to our left, the head and shoulders of a huge humanoid, ape-like, giant cresting the rise. He saw us at about the same time and started to run towards us. He was wearing furs and a backpack, and carrying a large battleaxe that he obviously intended to put to use. I quickly conjured some magic missiles, sending two into his bulk and then moving to put the fighters between him and me. I need not have worried, as Rhion and Takeda killed the thing with arrow fire before he could reach us. They rolled the corpse over to look in the backpack, finding swords, gems and a cloak. The brief encounter over, we continued our journey along the single path, first moving up the slope and then zig-zagging steeply down. Despite the constantly falling snow, we were not impeded by it as long as we kept to the path, which I found curious and suggested that a kind of dweomer was in place.
An ice river, flowing down towards the lake, crossed our path ahead. Spanning this was a beautifully carved gemstone bridge, about twenty feet or so in length. Looking up there seemed to be a glacier far above us, making this the only sound crossing point. Unfortunately a massive dog, as tall as a human at the shoulder, stood in the centre of the bridge, and as we approached a howling of wolves arose from around us. This was all very symbolic, with a 'wolf' (Fenris?) and a bridge (Bifrost?) on the path to Asgard!
Baldir, without hesitation, sprinted forward shouting "for Odin!" The rest of us were left standing, preparing to meet our enemies together. For his efforts Baldir was chased down by a giant wolf and bitten. Twat. Other wolves emerged from the dead ground around us and advanced more cautiously. Rhion reacted first, hitting one with an arrow, and Takeda followed his mark, killing it with an arrow of his own. I conjured a web, hoping to trap one of them, but it leapt free; this brought it into Takeda's line of fire, though, and it was soon dead beside its pack mate. Baldir approached the massive dog on the bridge, ordering it to "stay" with a word echoing with power, and ran past to reach the other side. The wolves had closed with us now, and both Takeda and Rhion were bitten. Takeda responded decisively, killing the wolf that had attacked him. I smacked the one attacking Rhion, causing a yelp of pain, then Rhion and Takeda in turn landed hits that finished it off.
Baldir was still going along the path, and I called for him to hold. I warily made my way past the dog on the bridge, not threatening it in any way and it let me pass without harm. The others followed, and Baldir offered a prayer of thanks to Odin as we caught up with him. This journey felt like a test, and I was sure we could expect more challenges before we reached our goal. Sure enough, as we continued on the path, undead mummified Norse warriors rose from the ground around us; their eyes burned with a cold fire and they wore white and black capes. They appeared so close to us that one of their grasping hands closed on Takeda before we could react. He seemed to visibly drain of energy and weaken at its touch, and I quickly used my mental powers to levitate out of reach of the accursed things. Takeda responded with a well-aimed shot, but his arrow passed straight through the foe without effect! Baldir called on Odin to banish the undead abominations, lifting his holy symbol where all could see it, and in a moment they had vanished as if they had never been there.
Despite this affirmation of his faith, Baldir started to have doubts. He questioned why his Gods would put such obstacles in the path of one of Odin's faithful, wondering whether we had taken the wrong route. "Is this the path of wisdom?" Although I could not know for sure, my reading of his holy texts made me believe that these tests had so far represented Thor (might), Loki (the wolf), and Hel (death, black and white). Symmetry would demand one more test - from Odin himself - to judge whether we were worthy. I urged Baldir to continue, despite his doubts. Whilst we debated our way forward, Baldir healed Takeda; his healing was very powerful in this place, and Takeda was much refreshed.
Eventually we agreed to continue forwards, down the constantly winding path. Rivers were flowing from our left to our right, not completely covered in ice now, and the snow was thinner here. We approached a pool to our right, eddying with chunks of ice, and three brilliantly white swans idly swam in its centre. The path forded the river ahead, beside a waterfall where it fell from a rocky outcrop above us, and stepping stones made their way to where the path continued on the other side. We approached peacfully, with weapons stowed or at our sides, and Rhion kneeled at the edge of the water; he called out to the swans, hailing the "ladies of the lake" and asking to speak with them.
The swans responded to his call, swimming closer and then transformed before us into a young girl, a beautiful woman and an old hag. They spoke in turn: "from the Prime you have come," "in Gladsheim you are," "to the Prime you return." Takeda also knelt, offering gifts of gold, but they spurned this offer, having no use for such things. Baldir, focused on the test of his faith, stepped up to the stones and declared "I accept my fate." He quickly crossed to the other side, without incident, and then paused, turning to see if we would follow. Takeda tried the same, but as he came near to the centre of the river a pit opened up before him. The lady said "uncertain is your fate; will you jump or stay?" Takeda steeled himself and jumped, just reaching the stone on the far side, steadying himself, and then crossing to join Baldir, embracing him in celebration.
I tried to use my powers of levitation to cross over the water, but an invisible barrier prevented me from crossing over the pit. Instead I landed on the nearest stone and attempted to leap across. As I entered the air the pit seemed to grow and moments later I was falling into blackness. I awoke as if from a pleasant dream to find myself surrounded by beautiful women, food and fine wine. The girls were willing to see to my every need... and I mean EVERY need, anything I could think of was no problem, and they were very good at what they did. I have no idea how long I stayed in this place, and I think I might have been happy there for all time, but eventually I was forced to leave. I think this will only make sense if I continue the tale of my companions.
Rhion crossed safely and the rest of the party made their way up the slope on the other side of the river onto a warm plain, spring-like in temperature and growth. The sound of horses heralded the arrival of nine riders, all atop white horses, dressed as Norsemen with axes and shields. They were not aggressive, though, and knelt to welcome the living, seldom seen in their realm. They announced that Heimdall awaited their arrival, and summoned three horses that almost immediately trotted into view and waited patiently to be mounted. Glad to be within reach of his Gods, Baldir did not hesitate and they were soon riding up to a great feast hall, being handed flagons of ale almost as soon as they had set foot on the ground.
Heimdall himself greeted them, and they sank to the floor instinctively, awed into supplication by his brilliance. He spoke knowingly of the path they had taken to reach his hall, and welcomed them as guests. He showed some recognition of Baldir's shield, and then ticked off the various motivations - you (Baldir) seek to know where to go, you (Takeda) seek a standard, you (Rhion) seek a future. But first, he insisted, they must feast; food and ale was brought to part of the long tables in the hall and everyone tucked into a hearty meal.
Refreshed, the conversation turned to the path to Vorsaykorai but little was forthcoming from those not used to walking mortal paths. Instead Heimdall started to assign tasks; Rhion was to be the destroyer of Inwe, Takeda the destroyer of Malor, and Baldir the banisher of demons! These were no small tasks, but it was at this point that he seemed to notice that I was not there. He summoned me in an instant, wrenching me from blissful happiness to a smelly (although not unpleasant) hall of Norse warriors to demand that I oppose Hades! I was too shocked to sink to my knees as my companions had done, although fortunately I seemed to have had my clothes restored as part of the summoning process. Before I could really take in where I was or what was happening he had started to hand out gifts.
Heimdall restored Takeda's strength that had been sapped by the undead on the way to his hall, empowered Baldir's morning star, enhanced my mental faculties - a real gift from the Gods that distracted me from seeing what Rhion received. He asked us to honour him in return, using the symbol of a drinking horn to ensure those we met remembered him. He also mentioned a few items of news that were of interest: the reason there was such a celebration going on was that Gos had been retaken by the forces of good, and the key of Morgrad had been lost, showing Inwe's weakness.
Heimdall rose, beckoning us to follow, opening the gates to Asgard to admit us. Shimmering, floating horses awaited us, carrying us easily past a massive, chained wolf (Fenris) that snarled ineffectually at Heimdall as we passed. The beautiful white walls of Asgard were before us, lined with gargoyles, and we could see warriors looking down at us, ready to defend against attack. The sky was bright blue and everywhere we looked was dazzling and radiant. Within the walls were stone long houses in a Norse style, rising up a hill which we ascended towards a massive palace. A great eye was above the palace, looking in all directions simultaneously - Odin's sight saw all. Trees surrounded the palace, and as we approached we were met by a beautiful elf (Freya), who greeted us as if we were children (which we must have seemed the way we walked around with wide eyes trying to take everything in). Heimdall bid us farewell, starting another round of kneeling and prostrating in subservient thanks.
Freya led us through a lush field into the shade of the trees, where it seemed dark after the radiance outside, and stars could be seen twinkling above us. We entered a small glade and sat to enjoy a picnic, being served by pale elves as Freya asked about the White Council and ourselves. She spoke to Baldir of the keys of Kagrash, which if we could locate them would allow us to access the enemies' strongholds in secret. Rhion was feeling ashamed at his lack of devotion, recent events on the Prime having shaken his faith. Freya was kind, allaying his fears, but asked that he speak with Malenwe and get her to call for Freya's assistance. She granted him a boon - the ability to play the flute. Although this might seem strange, the importance of song and tempo had become clear to us, so it should prove useful. To travel through the planes we needed to know the direction and the timing. One way to do this was to have a compass and a timer, but the right song provided direction (the words) and timing if the tempo was right.
Eventually the meal was finished and Freya rose, so we did so instinctively. It was time to leave the halls of the Gods, and Freya returned us in an instant to Wallorin's House. We now were focused on retrieving the shard of the gem that we knew had been left in the pool in the glade... but the time it was left would determine which glade Wallorin's House was in when the gem was left. We used the door to enter the glade outside... this time emerging into the spring glade rather than the winter glade we had entered by.
Efferendil Again
It was early spring, but the change was still noticeable, and this glade had not been violated by the Drow and demon. Water flowed through the pool, tumultous over rocks but otherwise undisturbed and natural. The surroundings were beautiful, with light entering through the trees and highlighting newly opened flowers and colourful lichen. We heard music as we approached the pool and a staccato voice sang along to our right. The music was charming, bewitching almost, and we carefully started to make our way around to the left, careful not to startle the singer that we suspected to be a nymph. Rhion started to play along with his new ability to use the flute, blending with the music, but then stopped. At once the nymph emerged into view, and Rhion quickly started playing again. In appreciation she started to reveal her brilliance, but forewarned of the danger this posed we averted our eyes.
Baldir and I continued to move around the pool, although singing seemed to come from all around us now. The words spoke of Persephone returning from the underworld as part of the conditions her mother set, bringing spring to the world again. I had a whispered discussion with Baldir at this point - it had always bothered him why the nymph was captured by the ogres we met and not slain, but what if the nymph was actually Persephone and was willing to be captured and taken to her love in Hades? Ragnorak was, as legend tells, preceded by a long winter - were the enemy interfering with the seasons to herald the arrival of Ragnarak? Malenwe worshipped Athena, so it would certainly be in her interest to reinforce the defences of the glade, and we resolved to speak with her.
We addressed the nymph/Persephone now, and she admitted that she was sad having just left her love, Hades. She informed us that if we sought to return to the winter glade then we would have to head north to the river first. She paused, lifting her head, and warned of Drow in Wallorin's House. We moved back towards the gateway to the House, ready for battle. The phrase to enter the spring glade was "Lilacs out of the dead land mixing."
As Rhion opened the gate a dark figure slashed at him, missing at first but following up with a backhand that cut him badly. We rushed forward to help. The foe was bunched up in the space behind the gate, so Takeda's arrows were particularly effective, although he was firing over and around Rhion, who landed a retaliatory blow with his short sword. Baldir uttered a prayer of protection for Rhion, as two fell to Takeda's relentless assault. Rhion stabbed his assailant again, but I finished him off with a magic missile, and he stepped back to give Takeda a clear line of sight. One of the foe took this opportunity to rush Takeda, but he was firing so quickly that he put one arrow in him as he was running and then stepped aside from his blow and put one in his side that killed him. Rhion was fighting the last foe, landing quick hits but unable to deal a killing blow. Rhion used his mental powers to heal some of Rhion's wounds, and I decided to take a direct approach and bludgeon the Drow to death with my rod while he was distracted. We took a moment to catch our breath before searching the bodies, finding a note and some keys. These were the keys of Kagrash that the Gods had told us to find! One was a green key linked to a place called Emras, and the other a black key to Vorsaykorai. I carry the keys for now, and we gathered in the trees to rest.
The note we had found read as follows:
Ragerath Uluksor,
I entrust to your leadership five score of my best warriors and the Mage, Erigg. You are to land with the rest of my army north of Fontainver but are later to separate. You must make for the forest at Efferendil. You will encounter the Demon who has already been led there by his Lich. Do not attempt to resist his dominance; instead you are to aid him in his quest to find the Mage, Walorin. The Demon is solely concerned with the most powerful of the First Mage's trinkets. The most important of which is part of Sarnim: in this case, that which the dwarf, Destrin, foolishly used at Emras. Our Lady believes the shard will again be our reach, during the winter period of the Glade’s circuit. If, by chance you discover it, you are to bring it to my forces at Minas Emras immediately. Travel via the Tree on the paths used by our Gith colleagues - the green Key will point the way.
Should you fail to find the shard, you are to find and retrieve the scrying stone from the Tree of Many Worlds. The stone is that the Arch Mage created in the Age of our first Dominion. We need the stone for many reasons, chief amongst which - as far as you should be concerned - is to deny the enemy the ability to be part of our conversation.
Once you have the Stone, you are to take it to Vorsaykarai. It must be delivered personally to our servant, Mercantire Carass. He will reward you handsomely and provide further instruction. The black Key will point the way, you may wish to travel via the Tree, on the inner-most Plane. You will be aware of the need for sensitivity and caution – you are to balance carefully our relationships with the Demon, the Lich, the Oriental and your men. Be sure you are successful.
Inguran of Morgrad Overseer for Inwe, Queen of the Drow
We decided to report to the White Council to update them and warn them of the threat to the monk, Hintzu, we had seen in our visions. They had been focused on Sutur after their victory at Gos, but now would have to rescue Hintzu. They asked us, once we had finished securing the Efferendil (no small task in itself), to scout Emras now that we had a means of reaching it and then report back.
We prepared to move north, aiming to reach the winter glade and find Malenwe. We made good time initially, walking through easy-going forest under pale daylight; the oaks were well spread out and ferns did not slow us down. Rhion scouted ahead as usual, and it wasn't long before he came back warning of enemy ahead. There were Drow about one hundred and fifty yards in front of us, but with their backs to us and weapons sheathed. They had stopped and were in discussion, with some pointing at the ground.
Takeda and Rhion moved up quietly and I turned myself invisible, but the Drow sensed the dweomer or perhaps heard me speak, and shouted a warning, drawing weapons and turning. I move up to the right as the others go left. Takeda put two arrows in the one we had sighted, as three more came into sight from the trees ahead. Baldir spoke a defensive prayer as Rhion finished off the Drow that Takeda had wounded. An arrow deflected off Baldir, fortunately not causing damage, and the Drow we could see charged forward to engage us. Rhion and Takeda were quickly surrounded, and in his twisting fight Takeda managed to shoot me with an arrow! Baldir entangled two, although they fought with the clutching plants and were able to move very slowly towards freedom. Rhion took some light damage, but struck back harder. Takeda was badly hurt, though. I summoned a web to surround the archers holding back, and I counted nine Drow now engaged.
Another two arrows pinged off Baldir, who seemed to be blessed. Takeda killed one of his attackers and then another but was injured again. I hit an archer with a magic missile. Baldir was now engaged in melee, and he took a hit. Now that I was visible, one turned and struck me - I was in great pain! Baldir struck back; Takeda and Rhion killed one each; I send another magic missile into the chest of my attacker, but he didn't go down and I was struck again. Baldir killed the one attacking him, although lightly wounded in return. Takeda killed another as Baldir struck at his other attacker. Rhion was hit badly as he tried to come to my aid, and then got entangled by Baldir's earlier dweomer! Takeda was more effective, killing my attacker and then, jogging to the side for a better shot, killed Baldir's attacker as well. Confronting the last two Drow, dangling in my web, he demanded that they drop their weapons. They did, although the web effectively kept those weapons suspended by their sides.
Baldir went to Rhion's aid as I got out my keoghtomes to heal my wounds before I passed out. Baldir treated Takeda and himself once he was sure Rhion was sufficiently restored. Rhion examined the spot that the Drow had been looking at, finding roughly eight small sets of footprints leading north. We decided to leave the Drow hanging and press on.
We followed the trail for a couple of hours and then the footprints veered off sharply to the east (our right), and we decided that our quest was more important than identifying the source of the tracks and continued north. We then discovered a different set of tracks, made with just two toes, winding in and out of the trees to the side of our direction of travel. Rhion reckoned that there were over thirty of these creatures, although the tracks were confusing. Again, we determined to carry on rather than be diverted by these finds. The journey passed without further incident until evening came and we stopped to rest and eat. Towards the end of my watch with Takeda the forest suddenly erupted with chaos as humanoids burst from the ground and the trees all around us, stabbing us all as they did so.
Rhion reacted quickly, drawing swords and cutting one down seemingly in one swift movement. Baldir ran from us in a straight line into the woods, the swarming creatures surging to chase him. Rhion and Takeda killed another two each - these creatures were weak but there were just too many of them! Rhion is cut again and I felt about ready to fall from all the small wounds I had sustained. I did have one way out, something that I had saved for just such a situation... I grabbed and necked a potion, which if it worked as I expected would give me control over at least some of the creatures, and even if I could not communicate with them they would consider me an ally; most of the creatures around me seemed to be affected, and mercifully they stopped stabbing me! Unfortunately they moved their attention to Rhion and Takeda instead. Hmm... I tried to order them to put up their weapons, but they either did not understand or would not comply. Well... it's unlikely Rhion or Takeda will read this journal unless I'd dead already, so they don't need to know it was my fault they were so set upon. Didn't Takeda enjoy the honour of fighting overwhelming odds or something? I was practically doing him a favour!
Speaking of which, Takeda and Rhion had both taken more damage, but both had killed two more apiece. Baldir tried to stun those chasing him with his mind, but was caught by two of the creatures and had to defend himself. He then lashed out more wildly with a mental attack that killed half a dozen of his pursuers, leaving only one standing. Suddenly braver, he fought toe-to-toe until the thing was dead. Takeda killed another four of the foe, but was clearly struggling from blood loss. He stopped fighting to grab his keoghtomes to heal some of his wounds. Rhion was also struggling, and Baldir returned at a charge, killing one of Rhion's attackers. I used magic missiles, killing another two around Rhion, and Rhion himself killed another. We were making a comeback now - Takeda, with wounds closing, killed another foe, I took out another two with magic missiles, and Baldir smashed the head in of the last one in reach of Rhion. Takeda killed another two, leaving just one fighting him. He took a hit, although not serious, and then grappled the thing to the ground, knocking it unconscious.
Baldir prayed and healed the wounds of Takeda and me (wow, I must have looked bad if he actually healed me), and then used his keoghtomes on himself. Fatigued, we moved the bodies out of our encampment and settled down to a restless sleep until morning. Baldir gave another prayer of healing for Takeda, and then we set off - all too happy to put that place behind us. The only tracks Rhion found now were old, and we were not bothered by any more of the creatures. After a few hours, though, Rhion motioned for us to halt. He had seen some shimmering shapes moving across the path ahead. As we were crouched in the undergrowth a voice whispered to Rhion "you'd better hide!" We split up and took cover off the path.