Birthmonth the 2nd. The group worked on healing up as much as they could and put together a plan for tomorrow. We needed some supplies and Nobleton was not the place to get them. We wanted to avoid going to Paxian if we could and instead decided to hit the town of “Third” – it was at the crossroads of all 3 highways in Canaslan and on our way out.
Eoghan meanwhile worked with his new dog, the beagle named Quivers. It was easy enough to do since the Amulet he had gotten allowed him to talk to dogs for a few times a day – and he was able to get the animal trained up on Heel and Stop. Go was…not a success, although he did identify the animal did indeed seem to have the ability to pee on command.
We rested and on Birthmonth the 3rd, were hoping to be gone this morning. While we were praying and studying, we had the chance to talk with Ygraine. The Valkyrie had been trapped here on Midgard for 4 years, almost all of that time was in the dungeons of Stavraphore so she had seen little of the world when not reaping brave fallen during battles. There was a padded doublet we were able to get to fit the 6’ 5” woman, and the cloak kept her wings out of view while folded up, although uncomfortable for her. She also admitted that for Valkyries, goblins are not a race worth saving and even if any of them fall bravely in battle, the Valkyrie’s typically distract themselves during the combat to not bother picking them up. “After all, goblins aren’t people. They don’t count.”
Shim showed her his drawings, specifically the exploding mountain, and offered to draw her in his journal. While she looked at the mountain, she admitted that normally her view is from above in Asgard and the side view doesn’t help her to place it. But, she did say that the mountain could very well be the place where Jormungandr, the World Serpent, sleeps. It is one of the heralds of the oncoming Ragnarok.
We asked about the death of Baldur kicking it off and she corrected the story. Some of the legends are true, but Baldur being slain does not start off Ragnarok. Anything possibly can. And ergo, it can be stopped. Only Baldur’s death makes Ragnarok a certainty. The most beloved of Odin and Frigga’s sons, his death robs the vitality and strength from the king and queen of the gods. And if they are that weakened, the gods cannot mount an effective bulwark against the coming night and the world…ends.
BUT, if Jormungandr is somehow awakened and then dealt with – not only does Ragnarok not happen, but the local area (pretty much most of the entirety of Rand) is plunged into Fimbulwinter where it could last hundreds of years. Most everything on the surface would just die. She sighed, “Except maybe the Mountain Dwarves. They’d just pull in their doors and wait for the cataclysm to pass.”
Mountain Dwarves? Like Gorok? Those that we have been suspecting as being the part somehow in the existence of the Terror Dungeon. And. The Sovereign Lands? The popping of one which could literally kick off Shim’s visions? Son of a….
By 10:30 we were gone, after finally getting a Restoration from Benson for Shim. He said that he did NOT want anyone from Erylond or the Greater Rand Sellsword Adventuring Guild to know of him or his existence, but the group here was always welcome here at the Last Standing Lodge if they ever needed safe harbor. That was very appreciated and we left – the 8 of us on our way.
We stayed overland for a bit, heading south and east and giving much distance to Wendover. After getting through the King’s Woods we came to the Northern Canaslan Highway around Mile Marker two and continued on south until we arrived at the outskirts of Third. The town was not very large, maybe home to 400 souls. The farms around it were being tended to and the air was warm and humid. Wilhelm and Eoghan were volunteered to go in, taking what silver and copper coins we had left, and a small list of gear to get. Bedrolls, sacks, torches, waterskins and the like.
They entered the town and were directed to the First Trading Post across the market square for them to get what gear they might need. As it wasn’t market day – that was their only option. A corpulent woman met them there with too much makeup on and a flowing flowery dress. She wanted to help and the two of them went down their listing. It was both there…and not. 4 possible backpacks: 2 wicker, 1 canvas, 1 leather. 1 Baladrana. 1 Woolen blanket. Some torches. Chandler in town makes nice candles, we bought 5 pairs. Tinder box but we have to get our own tinder. Waterskins were literally sheep stomachs cured and tied closed or hollow gourds – but everything was only a quart and a half of water – barely enough for a day. We bought what we could and left, going back to the party in the rain and doling out what we managed to gather so far.
We headed off west down the Traderoad until about 2ish had us at the border out of Canaslan. The temperature dropped and the rain was now cold. Ugh. We had a miserable trip down the traderoad a bit until Eoghan took us off the trail and north and west, heading in the directions he believed would get us to Hillscar. It was a wet walk and we were quiet for the most part. After we hit the woods about 5:30 and taking a few sight lines, a few of us heard some noises of approaching animals so we got ready.
And 3 Owlbears came out of the woods from 45’ feet away and charged.
We quickly drew line up and a few of us fell back, but Ygraine was right in the front with her sword out. And the valkyrie was mauled. Clawed and bit, hugged and howled at. She laughed it off and immediately fought back stabbing and cutting and hacking. Her blows were sure and deep. Connal received charge on the second one, his spear bending from the impact but holding firm. Darius, Grendel and Rhygar were on the frontline, hacking and stabbing and the first owlbear went down!
Summons followed and arrows filled the air. The second owlbear also hit, cutting and ripping. Some damage followed and eventually we took that one down too, before the party ganged up on the last. It staggered and howled. Darius brained it with more sling stones and it eventually fell over dead. We gathered up some blood and some feathers, healing was doled out. Ygraine was a beast, but her lack of decent armor (AC: 12) made her a soft target. We passed her a shield and we set off, Eoghan leading the way.
As the night fell and we were trudging through the dense woods heading upward, the ranger was doing a good job getting us to the right area. It was about 8 PM when we finally found the abandoned Cathedral. It was quiet here, like no noise; quiet. The suspicion was the Ogres might be inside based upon the smell of campfire. And the goblins were in the woods about as well. Fast plan? Darius, Connal, Ygraine, and Eoghan head up the stairs first. Shim, Wilhelm, Rhygar, and Grendel would be in the back. Their job would be to be a choke point for the goblins and slow them down. They would not be able to stop them all, but the confines of the stairs and the ability to retreat upward if need be would be the best way to handle their threat.
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