Day Five of the Odinsleep (Scouting Ahead)

Day Five of the Odinsleep; 12 pm (Noon)

As the group lands and dismounts, Grotto notices that Raven was also injured in the battle against the spike-covered machines.  Grotto recommends setting up camp for the night so the group can heal and regain spells.  Kysek nods in turn, seeing wisdom in the dwarf’s words, “Replenishing spells and healing makes sense; especially since we know not what are about to face.”

Raven shakes his head in disagreement, “Camping on Loki’s front door seems like a good way to get killed before we reach our objective.” 

Shadow nods.  “Better to press on before we are discovered napping on the job.”  The drow peers up the path, his eyes scanning for guards lurking along the trail or patrolling at the top of the cliff.  “We may be better served by pressing onward despite the risk.”

Cedron weighs the two points of view before finally speaking, “Raven is right.  We’d be an easy target for a god or anything else guarding this domicle.  But Grotto and Kysek are correct as well.  One of us is worse for wear, and could use some repair.”  The minstrel-priest chuckles to himself, pleased with his rhyme as he pulls several scrolls from his pack.  Grotto joins him and both move closer to tend the elf's wounds while the rest of the group eyes the path to the top of the cliff.

Niklas observes the goings-on, feeling guilty for his delay in joining the last battle and steps out from around the outcropping the group is hunkered behind to scout out the trail.

Drax turns and addresses the group.  “We have no actionable intelligence on this fortress or our target.  Before charging in, I believe scouting is not only prudent but necessary.  While I have never taken on a contract of this magnitude, ultimately the procedure is the same: Research, Scout, Plan, and Execute.  Perhaps our wizards can glen information with their magics, our healers can get everyone battle ready, and those of us with, shall we say a certain set of skills, can scout the approach.  A cold, hidden camp should shield us from prying eyes.”

“Drax is right,” Ra’ziir replies.  “We have no idea what we are up against.  Better to scout and devise a plan, than to charge in blindly.  We should only send the stealthiest of us.  Even though the fortress likely has protections we can’t even begin to fathom, there has to be an access point.”

As Cedron finishes casting his third scroll of healing on Raven’s wounds, he adds, “I have a spell prepared that will lead one of our scouts into any place we wish.  The spell will inform you of any obstacles along the way, including the proper words to speak to avoid glyphs and such.  But it will only work on one of you, and you will need to tell me the destination you wish to reach.  Are either of you interested?”

Drax and Ra’ziir briefly debate who the spell’s recipient should be and Drax finally tells the Cedron that the bladesinger should have the spell cast on him, and if discovered, Raz should then create a distraction before teleporting away, thus drawing any guards off of the assassin’s scent, allowing him to continue the mission.  Niklas volunteers to join the group as well and before long the smaller party is on their way up the path to Loki’s tower.

Drax leads Ra'ziir and Niklas up the trail toward the tower.  The looming cliff soars overhead, seeming to touch the very sky.  A blue-skinned Jotun appears, joining the trail from a side path ahead of the trio and begins hiking up the side of the precipice.  The giant is at least 50' tall, clad in thick furs, and carries a notched axe tucked into his belt and carries a shield in his left hand.  Its footfalls stir up a cloud of dust.  The crunch of gravel beneath its feet drowns out any noise the three adventurers might make and before long they reach the summit.  They scouts hunker down behind some rocks off to the side of the trail so they can see what is happening.

There is a single giant waiting at the top, leaning back in a chair, its legs crossed at the ankles.  It takes a deep breath, claps its hand to its thighs, and rises.  Ra'ziir can understand the Jotun's words thanks to his permanent “Tongues” enchantment and he translates for Drax and Nik.

"It's about time you got here.  It's been dreadful dull and I am hungry enough to eat  Jörmungandr. We should be at the front, storming the gates of  Asgard instead of stuck here on guard duty.  Only a fool would attempt to confront the master in his own lair.” 

The newly arrived Jotun waves its free hand dismissively.  "Feh. You young fools are all alike, chasing glory.  I'll happily take my turn at post rather than having my skull split open by the Odinson any day of the week.  Now, go on.  I'll take it from here.”

”Sure thing, old man.  Nothing going on anyway.  I'll see you at sunset.”  The relieved giant heads past the adventurers and down the hill while the other steps toward the chair vacated by the previous guard and takes a seat.  He shifts his weight a couple of times to get comfortable, pulls his helm down low over his eyes, and folds his arms across his chest.

The tower itself is made of wood and yellow plaster, widest at the bottom and tapering slightly toward the top.  Thick beams brace the corners, door and window frames, and eaves of the structure which must be close to 200' tall.  There is a door, perhaps 10' tall or so to the left of the Jotun's position.  More disturbingly, there is a pile of body parts taken from different races stacked just around the corner.

(I never claimed to be an artist)

= = = = = =

•  Bubo: 100% health;
• Cedron: 100% health;
• Drax: 100% health; Nondection (active until 7 pm), Undetectable Alignment (active until Day Six at 5am);
• Grotto: 100% health;
• Kysek: 100% health; by morning half of the Tome will have been read;
• Niklas: (110 of 110) 100% health

• Raven: 80% health;
• Ra’ziir: 100% health; Find the Path (120 minutes, 9 rounds remaining)
• Shadow: 97% health; 
• Spewer: 100% health;