Loose threads: goblins/bugbears trying to break the seals towards the east, potential knowledge of how to kill the Æ on an island 100 miles to the east, a tribe of Weaver-worshiping Jotun near the Peak of the Namegiver, dracolich in the lake
Participants: Zinlynndise Imare, Gharok, Swampy, Damin Saltric, and Saorie Tylmae aka Linnæa
Locations The Frozen North (Golden Horn Village, Peak of the Namegiver, Moot location - just a beach)
Short summary:
The party of brave and noble adventurers set out to earn the favor of the Frozen Unknowns so the expedition can safely travel. The party discovers the long lost Peak of the Namegiver, completes the three trials, and earns the recognition of the Namegiver ancestor. Using proof of their might, they travel to the meeting of Giants and manage to mostly earn the respect of the gathered Jarls and convince most of them to agree to allow adventurers and guild members safe travels in exchange for the location of the Peak of the Namegiver. The notable exceptions are a dragon-aligned warrior and the annoying shaman and his lackeys. The dragon-aligned warrior leaves but the annoying shaman attacks when we righteously free one of the trapped elementals. We dispatch the shaman quickly and choose to let the others go after they promise not to interfere with the Guild or adventurers while we promise not to invade or intentionally bring upon their destruction.
Full Report
Linnæa here! Here is the epic tale of our mighty accomplishments. First we traveled to the Jotun village (apparently called the Golden Horn.. who knew?!) and dealt with some elementals that an annoying shaman set upon us. We managed to take out two of the elementals before the shaman got bored, or perhaps scared
After they left, we traversed up to the temple and talked to Schörn. He shared that the other tribes looked down at them for having small outsiders (ants they call us) deal with the lava lord (see Into the Storm) and for Schörn being so drained after the ritual. The other tribes particularly did not like the expedition leaving behind the magic beacon and thought it might be the prelude to an invasion. When we asked how we might earn the trust of the other Jarls, he shared with us the general location of a lost holy site. He also gave us his staff that we could use to show our affiliation with the tribe.
We spent a few days looking for the lost holy site, braving the terrible cold thanks to Lynn's magic and survival skills. Finally, our unparalleled perception allowed us to find a spot between a lake that had a submerged temple and a draconic aura and a massive staircase with a glow at the top. We decided to go up the stairs first. Quite exhausting for some, given it is apparently called the 10,000 steps of the unworthy. At the top we first had to face the Jotun ancestors a gigantic warrior and a shaman. Damin, Swampy, and Xokhial focused on the shaman, Linnæa and Gharok dealt with the Jarl, and Lynn focused on support. We made relatively quick work of the foes before patching ourselves up.
Our next trial was of the present - two massive dinosaurs that Lynn could expertly see through the storm. Rather than go to them, Lynn launched a fireball while Linnæa rained down arrows to slow down one of them. Once the dinos made it out of the storm, everyone quickly beat them to a pulp.
We moved into a room with a great mural on the ceiling depicting two armies fighting in a catalysm known as Ragnarök: the dragons from the south and an army of most likely tainted bugs from the north. The final trial involved fighting a champion of these two armies: a magma-mouthed dragon and a giant venomous scorpion. The scorpion vicious stinger left the party reeling, but Lynn turned the tide by slowing the dragon to a crawl and Xokhial kept it occupied while Damin, Gharok and Linnæa dealt with the scorpion, aided greatly by Damin’s martial prowess. With the scorpion slain, the party put down the dragon. However, it just wouldn’t die. Swampy learned its regeneration could be stopped by cold iron, but that it also would inflict a curse on whoever killed it. Gharok accepted that fate and killed the dragon, being cursed with a great weakness to flame.
Having finished the three trials, we quickly healed up and ascended the final set of stairs where they were greeted by the spirit of a great Jotun warrior - The Namegiver. It seems these trials normally would be undertaken by those Jotun wishing to become a Jarl and would receive a name for their success. While we were not quite able to get a name ourselves, he did burn a mark of power into the staff. He was quite dismissive of the Jotun’s who called themselves Jarls without completing the trial. He also shared how the dragons managed to defeat part of the Weaver - beating it to a pulp and dropping literal mountains on it to trap it. Finally, he mentioned the way of the Jotun - cutting a bloody path through their enemies, wide enough for the worthy to follow.
The Namegiver grew tired of us so we decided to descend the mountain to rest before investigating the Deathless Lake, but it was a dead end. We only managed to learn about a potential way to defeat The Taint on an island 100 miles to the east of the coast in some mural in the sunken temple.
Finally, it was time to venture to the meeting of the Jarls and meet up with our good pal, Tahrg Hach (the Jarl of the Golden Horn Village). We managed to make quite a good impression, as they were quite impressed by the mark given to us my the Namegiver. However, the annoying Shaman tried to get the other Jarls to turn us down, and when that didn't work, attempted to provoke us into attacking him. But we were too smart and called out his treachery, both then and how he refused to help the Golden Horn Village fend off the Lava Lord. Defeated, a dragon-aligned Giantess (Lauren of the Frozen Wastes Clan) called out how Swampy and his smelly aura might cause the great wrym of the north (Frigiderax) to rain down against the Jotun. She ultimately left unconvinced, but outmatched in the battle of diplomacy. With the naysayers quite, the Jarls agreed to allow safe passage for members of the Guild in exchange for the location of the Peak of the Namegiver.
The annoying shaman however, refused to agree and got quite upset when I managed to use the staff to free one the elementals under its control. Lynn hasted everyone before Linnæa and Damon teleported to the shaman and beat him to a pulp. Meanwhile, Swampy, Xokhial, Gharok, and Tahrg fought off the two Jarls and most of the regular warriors. Gharok found his stride, but Swampy was not quite tough enough to face the insane whirling of the Giant blades. A cowardly giant threatened to try and put down Swampy for good if we refused to call it a draw. We agreed to spare them and they agreed to leave everyone alone (Golden Horn Village, guild members, First Landing) while we promised not conspire against them, to invade with an army, or intentionally call upon the wrath of unspeakable powers (Ancient Entitles, Dragons, etc.). Placated, they left, we returned the staff, and had a lovely chat before heading back home!