D&D Session 50 - Eye of the Allfather
Pictured here is the party facing the Remorhaz that had been burrowing in and out of the Giant sized mess hall. Up front is Sokir, and beside him is Kratos. Ezio and Yorik can be seen behind them as well - firing their arrows and spells from afar.
The party finished wrapping up sentencing Sokir’s worshipper, Mr. Hilltopple, to indefinite service to feed a dragon (and likely be dessert) named Zariel, then made their way to Yartar to use the harper’s teleportation circle. After acquiring cold weather gear, miscellaneous supplies and upgraded equipment from the harper’s smithy, the party took to the Dinted Helm inn’s main level for a small, but giant, drinking contest. After several rounds of ale, all on the Harpers’ dime, they drank until there could only be one true champion. Kratos emerged victorious over Harshnagg, a true marvel to be seen. In the morning, some of the party fighting a hangover, they collected their upgraded equipment and met with the Harper wizards who conjured a rune teleportation circle outside the city walls large enough for the entire party + Harshnagg + Cecil to teleport to Mirabar, the allegedly closest major city near the Eye of the Allfather – according to Harshnagg. The party was greeted with subzero temperatures and hardy, and quite surprised, Harpers…especially when their mortal enemy stepped through the teleportation circle, cracking stone arches above. They subsided their doubt after speaking with the party, who ensured Harshnagg is a friend.
The Harpers warned the party that while they were willing to be cordial with the frost giant, the townsfolk of Mirabar will likely not be. After some discussions and planning, Harshnagg lost some patience and elected to just head out into Mirabar without fear. It was noted the sun had not come up yet, but will soon be creeping over the mountain peaks. Prior to their departure, Cecil stated he would ‘commandeer’ an airship while the party ventured north into the Spine of the Mountain. The party set out, encountering some timid guards before departing the city who eventually succumbed to Harshnagg’s intimidation, letting the party and the giant go free without incident. The nine-day journey was harsh and unforgiving. The blistering cold, pelting snowfall, and false summits littered the party’s venture into the Spine in search of the Eye of the Allfather. On the ninth day, Harshnagg spotted it, making it clear his words rang true…only giantkind could ever find such a secluded temple. The party, a new warmth filling them with motivation, moved doubly fast toward the gorge that housed the temple’s pillared entrance…just as Kratos envisioned. A simple riddle was the only thing between them and the warmth of the temple’s fires. After a brief moment, the party elected to enter holding on to Harshnagg…and they did so without incident. In awe of the temple’s sheer size and artwork depicting different giant races battling dragons of all species, the party didn’t even notice the small band of tribal barbarians at the far side of the temple’s foyer. The barbarians were trying to brute force their way into the 60 foot tall doors giant sized doors. Accompanying the barbarians was a youngling white wyrm. With feeble attempts to negotiate with the barbarians, the party engaged in battle…easily dismantling the band causing their leader and the remaining to surrender. Ezio attempted to soothe the youngling wyrm in hopes of befriending it, but failed to persuade Harshnagg not to sever its head clean off. His hatred for evil giants runs strong, but his hatred for dragons is embedded deep within his entire being. Harshnagg cleaved the wyrmling’s head off, picked it up and ate it whole. The party allowed the barbarian leader to leave the temple, never to desecrate it again. The party eyed the massive doors after the barbarians left, the art depicting a massive giant-made construct, likely a Vonindod, battling a great ancient dragon. The door’s handles were 12 feet off the ground and weighed hundreds of pounds each. Harshnagg struggled some, but eventually opened them – depressurizing the domed room that was within. It was clear this room had been sealed for some time. The massive antechamber housed 7 statues. 6 statues were positioned in a circular pattern around a much larger center statue. The 6 statues depicted one of the 6 giant races, and they all faced the center statue of Annam, the Allfather. All but one of the six statues had a weapon in its hand, so it was clear to the party they must find the weapon. At the far eastern side of this room sat a glowing archway that resembled a portal. In front of the swirling magic gate was a forcefield like wall that disintegrated anything that touched it. Harshnagg tried to throw something through it which also disintegrated, so it wasn’t even able to be bypassed by a pureblooded giant. The party also noted two sets of doors, one to the north, the other south. They peaked into the northern room first, which was a corridor for several sets of stairs going up and down. Centered in this room was a statue that activated into an aggressive, but slow, golem when anyone entered the room. It was clear the golem was frozen nearly solid. The party determined the lower levels of this temple were closed off, or collapsed.
The upper level was determined to be some type of living quarters according to Ezio’s familiar. The party headed toward the southern doors, opening them to reveal a massive dining hall with a lit brazier centered in the room. The dining hall was nearly 500 feet deep, but at the far side of the dining hall, a massive giant sized axe laid against the wall, gleaming in the dancing flames of the brazier. Scattered about the room were several 15-25 foot wide circular holes as if something had burrowed in and out of this room. As the party stepped in, hoping to retrieve the axe, they alerted the burrowing creature who emerged from a nearby hole showing its massive multi legged carapace. A snapping mandible, lava-like bile gushing from within, the creature attacked the party. The battle was difficult, nearly ending the monk’s life as she was swallowed hole and only 1 death save from her mortality coming to an end. Amidst the battle, Ezio used his newly acquired magical bow to teleport Harshnagg to the 750 LB axe to pick it up, and then swapped places with him once more leaving him vulnerable on the far side of the dining harrowing hall. The battle with the Remorhaz ended with all party members alive…barely. After some healing, Harshnagg places the giant axe in its spot, the axe almost magnetizing into place before a burst of energy buzzed about the domed room. The forcefield peeled back, revealing an inviting portal. The party stepped through after some assurances that they wouldn’t be disintegrated, stepping into a large chamber housing a rock island. The Oracle, an ethereal figure, emerged to speak for the Allfather Annam – a conduit of sorts. Now the party must prepare a limited number of questions for the Oracle to help guide them on their journey.
- Iron Dad
