The EARTH story - September 8, 1372
September 8th is also cloudy but mild (47F). You continue your march. By early evening the road and river are running west-northwest, and to the south is an opening into a broad valley, which you now realise separates the Moga Thor from the Oakenshaws.
As darkness falls you come to an intersection. A lesser road runs south and down to the river. On the far side of the river you can discern a trail running off into the woods and into the heart of the valley.
There is a battered signpost here -
The Barren Land Highway: Southeast:
Northwest: To Nanpantan, Tacolneston and
South: To the Gates of Asgard and the Bifrost Bridge.
Jo-owrn looks at the sign, looks to the south, and then looks at Equinox and Al.
"Think that could be the magical bridge you're looking for?"
"Could very well be, Bifrost sounds magical to me," Al says with a smile, having no idea.
"It certainly is," murmurs Laurie.
Kithus comments, "I don't know...instead of Bi-frost, it could bif-rost. And I don't think Beef-Rost sounds too magical..."
Drinor stands gaping at the roadsign for a long few moments, but is jerked from his reverie at hearing Kithus' comments. He turns to the ranger and speaks sharply, "Bite your tongue! Bifrost is none other than the magical bridge to the holy city of Asgard, home of the gods! Across that bridge is none other than the god Tyr himself -- and Thor, whose bidding we are doing on this quest. As well as All-father Odin, beautiful Freya, and the whole host of the Aesir, also known as the Norse gods. So be respectful."
"So this sword is hidden on one of the planes of Gladsheim..?" says Leslie.
"Wow!" says Equinox with big eyes and in a total state of shock. "Asgard? Bifrost Bridge? Is it really possible...?"
Somewhat skeptical, Aron says, "Sounds more like a gnomish trick - a sign showing the way to the heavens doesn't make sense."
Mikodin glnces at the sign, pauses for reflection, then says, "If the Bifrost bridge exists, and I'm sure it does, why wouldn't someone place a sign pointing the way to it? I'm inclined to believe this sign, as all the others we have seen were accurate."
The enormity of the possibility of being so close to his god overwhelmed Al so that he didn't realize that it could be the bridge of the gods..
"That is where we must go!" Al says, eager to find their prize and hoping to meet his lord, at least not in the traditional fashion...
Jon wonders what language Drinor is speaking and perhaps his thinking is muddled. Jon starts to say something, "Ummm are you sure they are Gods? I mean, well, why would they have a rotten sign post and how come they have fathers and no mothers..? I mean really how big a host is an easir...not meaning any disrespect to your, ummm, religion but shouldn't they have magical guards to stop the plebs from just following the road and turning up for lunch? Well perhaps you need to tell me more about this religion. I mean a free lunch with the gods should be worth something...do you think many people would want to buy tickets to lunch? Perhaps we could get a commission on the setting arrangements. Please Drinor, tell me more."
Drinor glowers furiously as Jon is speaking, but as the elf rambles on he softens, and as he finishes, Drinor chuckles a bit. "Rest assured that the bridge is guarded, Jon, by Heimdall the Brave, whose eye sees all who may try to pass and whose hand rests on the great horn that will sound at Ragnarok, the battle at the world's end. No one can simply turn up for lunch, but we are indeed upon a mission for Thor, and because of this I believe we will be granted leave to cross. By 'host' I mean the multitudes of immortal warriors who take their rest at Valhalla, and the Aesir are the gods who rule over them. They have fathers, and often mothers as well, but these are not mortal beings Jon, and Gladsheim is not like our world. There is much that is different there, and if our path leads us there, you will find many things that do not make sense to us mortals."
"Really?" asks Kithus, surprised, "I have never heard of it. Probably it was my ignorance then. I apologise for any offense I gave."
Kithus bites his tongue, hard enough to draw a few drop of blood. Then mumbles, "Thank goodness we are here for Thor and not Odin."
Drinor raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Heard of Odin and Thor, but not Bifrost? Very well, I apologize for my harsh words -- I have been raised since birth in this religion, and I cannot judge what lay people might know. Very well, think of this: for those of us who worship Thor and Tyr, we are going to Heaven. Asgard is the home of the gods, the afterlife of mortals. We stand poised to step through the very gates of heaven itself. Perhaps to you it is no place special, but try to imagine worshipping these gods and revering this place all your life, and now here we are..."
The paladin trails off, his voice choked with tears.
The cavalier puts a brotherly arm around Drinor's shoulder.
"Well said, brother," he says with a smile. "Seems it will be a great day for many of us."
"Why do you say you thank goodness we are not here for Odin?" Equinox asks, curious as to what Kithus meant about Thor and Odin.
"Who do you serve, Kithus?" asks Laurie in a quiet voice.
Tully says, "If it is the bridge, it is magical. However, this must be a trap. I can't see why there would be a sign for it."
He shakes his head. "Even so, maybe we can reverse this on whoever is trying to trap us. Let's find them out and figure out what they know. The best way to deal with a plot is to uncover it."
He looks over at Al suspiciously.
Al raises an eyebrow at Tully and asks, "Ye got a problem?"
"Just that this all seems a bit too contrived if you ask me. A legend about a bridge and then all of you being Asgardian worshipers AND then this sign. Plus the fact that you have been driving us in this direction the entire time. Just makes me wonder. I am sure Hecate wouldn't mind seeing us fail after all and she is known for deception."
"I can see you are a non believer!" Al retorts, "Faith is as much a part of this quest as is strength and power, something that you should do well to learn."
"I am a believer in many things, but having things set up so easily is not one of them."
He looks skeptical.
Beth says, "It'd be great if it were true. But you're right, it may be too good to be true. So we go, but let's go cautiously."
"If there is such concern that this is a trap, why don't we find out if it is without using ourselves as bait? I don't think it is a trap but to be sure why doesn't one of the mages here cast a couple of Augury spells or, if Al is willing, a Commune to Thor?" Equinox suggests.
"That might be good, but what if one of our communing clerics actually works for the enemy? Maybe we should send a scout ahead to flush out the enemies if there is a trap. We can be close behind and rush in and attack them with surprise."
"How dare you say such a thing!" exclaims Laurie hotly.
Tully gives a slight smile. "Interesting reaction."
"You didn't just say what I think you just said," Al says, turning on Tully. "If you have a problem with me, say it now."
Tully says, "I am just pointing out the possibilities, Al. Honestly, you are a likable enough person, but these things seem too easy to be trusted. Considering you are driving the direction, that just naturally brings you into question. I have no personal problem with you...unless you are a conspirator, of course."
He shrugs.
"The odds are too high to play nice. I am concerned for the lives of those in this party as well as my own."
Drinor nods at Tully. "Well you should be. But for some of us here, there are larger concerns than our lives. Legend has always held that Bifrost crosses the gulf between Earth and Gladsheim in the remotest North, where the rainbow touches the ground. Technically it is a matter of faith, but for those of us who serve Asgard, faith and fact are the same. Caution is good, but faith is important."
"Forget it," says Vardui. "Haven't you noticed that Tully sees traps everywhere?"
Tully says, "There ARE traps everywhere! This is a high-stakes game we play and with the gods involved, you don't know who you can trust if anyone!"
"Tully, while it is certainly true that this MIGHT be a trap, I think you are being overly cautious here," says Equinox, "But I think that I see a solution. If you think that this is just one big trap, maybe Al will be kind enough to cast a Commune to find out. I personally KNOW that Al does not 'work for the enemy.' But even if he did, I just don't see how he could pervert the spell to trick us since the answers to the Commune will be coming directly from Thor who is most definitely NOT our enemy."
Tully listens and says, "Well, who says it is really Thor? Also, you are suspect because you two are such good friends."
He shrugs.
Equinox shrugs and spreads his hands: "If you remain skeptical after Al completes the spell, then maybe Laurie would cast a second Commune or one of the mages could cast an Augury or two. What do you think? Do you think that might ease your concerns?"
"That does seem reasonable," he admits.
"Ask specific questions then I can ask Lord Thor whatever you wish," Al instructs.
"I think a double commune will help clear this up..." he stops in mid-sentence and says, "Unless, of course, the second communer is working for Hecate as well."
He seems very disturbed by the thought and looks all the clerics in the group over.
Mikodin rolls his eyes, and, turning to Tully, says, "Maybe everybody here except you is working for Hecate; have you thought of that possibility? Or maybe Thor is working for Hecate, or maybe.....or maybe your fears are both groundless and foolish. It is my faith that allows me to be a monk, and to run fast, and to heal myself. Without faith, we have no reason to hope, to continue in the face of adversity."
"Let us not all gang up on Tully," Equinox says to Mikodin. "I understand his concerns, although I do not share them. There was once a time when I could not get anyone to understand a danger that I saw and I well remember the frustration. If Tully's concerns are valid, we are all going to feel a little silly."
"Thank you, Equinox. I appreciate that."
Tully says, "Actually, I have thought of that. Glad you have faith...that is great. I am just trying to point out the dangers that could be lurking! There is peril everywhere, can't you see that?!?" He seems very frustrated that no one seems to understand. He shakes his head and says, "Whatever. Let's just get on with it."
Beth looks concernedly at Tully. "Tully, are you OK? Yeah, life's dangerous and perilous, but we deal with that all the time. Part and parcel of our business, you know. Are you feeling well?"
Tully says, "Yeah, I am fine. Just concerned that is all. I think I will feel better if we hear these communes."
"Oh, give it a rest already, Tully!" Equinox laughs. "If we are all followers of Hecate, there is not a lot you could do about it now! The Communes are a good idea, let us get them done and move on. If you do not want to come with us when we cross the bridge, you can stay here."
Then, turning to Al, Equinox says: "How about these questions, brother Al:
1. 'Are Tully's concerns valid?' and then
2. 'Is this REALLY the Bifrost Bridge?' and then,
3. 'Should we cross the Bridge?' and then,
4. 'After we cross the Bridge, will I be able to meet you, Thor, my Great Lord, in person, or, errr, God?' and, then,
5. 'Is any member of this party serving an evil entity?' and then,
6. 'Is Ryshara anywhere nearby?'"
Tully says, "Good questions. How many will you get?"
"All, Tully," Al says as he centers himself and casts the Commune spell. He then asks the above six questions.
Tully says, "No, jumbuck, how many do you get?"
"Thirteen total," Al replies, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"Bunches more," Equinox answers Tully, "what is a Jumbuck?"
"Not sure, I heard it once used against me when I was obtuse in a response. Maybe that is what it means."
Equinox grins at him.
"I for one don't need a Commune spell, but perhaps it is wisest. Al, you might want to ask [7]if our quest leads us across the bridge or simply near it -- and [8]whether we may have your lord's permission to enter the gates of Asgard."
Tully shakes his head and says, "If our quest leads there, then our quest is over. Don't you see?"
Al communes with Thor.
1. "Are Tully's concerns valid?"
"NO."
2. "Is this REALLY the Bifrost Bridge?"
"YES."
3. "Should we cross the Bridge?"
"YES."
4. "After we cross the Bridge, will I be able to meet you, Thor, my Great Lord, in God?"
"PERHAPS."
5. "Is any member of this party serving an evil entity?"
"NO."
6. "Is Ryshara anywhere nearby?"
"NO."
7. "Does our quest leads us across the bridge or simply near it?"
"SAY WHAT?"
8. "Do we have your lord's permission to enter the gates of Asgard?"
"YES."
"Are you satisfied, Tully?" asks Equinox, "I am REALLY ready to go cross that bridge."
Tully says, "What if that isn't Thor? However, if we are done and aren't going to do another commune, we could use the remaining questions to examine the recently found magic items. See if they are cursed, that kind of thing."
Equinox says to Tully, "I don't know if anyone is going to do another commune, but you can ask someone to do it if you want."
"Nuff said," the cavalier says. "Let's go to see our lord !" Al says with a wide smile.
Kithus says, "Guys, before we cross the bridge, how do we get back? This bridge might be just one-way. I mean, have you ever heard about anyone returning from 'Heaven'?"
"Thor will provide, you heathen," Al says with a shake of his head. "Was I not slain, and returned, alas, I did not have any time with my lord, but am eager to see him and the other gods in person!"
"What did you see, before Laurie resurrected you?" asks Equinox.
"Not much.. I felt great pain and then a lightness of being.. a bright white light was coming towards me. I heard a loud horn and then as the light was about to strike me, I opened my eyes and saw the angelic Laurie in front of me!" he replies.
Tully says, "Hmm, that doesn't sound good. Are you sure you follow, Thor, Al? No offense, but I thought a warrior maiden on a winged horse would have come to get you not a white light."
"Yes, I am sure, Tully, like I said, it could have been anything, but I was pulled back here before anything of substance happened, that I can remember at least!" he replies.
Kithus proposes more questions.
Al asks both questions, though he is visibly annoyed at everyone's paranoia, especially about Thor and Odin.
"9. After we cross the bridge, is there a way back?"
"YES."
"10. Is this the magical bridge in the prophesy we are following?"
"YES."
"How about these, as well, Al:
"11. Have the other party members managed to rescue either Occa ?"
"ERRRRR...MAYBE."
"12. Have the other party members managed to rescue either Occa ?"
"ERRRRR...MAYBE."
"13. Are any of the items we have recovered from the Green and White dragons cursed?"
"NO."
Then, to the rest of the party, Equinox says, "Since we now know that none of our magic recovered is cursed, maybe we should take a look at it. The green dragons and werewolves had 3 potions, a ring and two scrolls and we recovered two more scrolls, another potion and a flail from the white dragons."
You turn south onto the trail, and follow it through the woods a a few miles until it terminates at the river...the same river that you crossed back by the dragon tower and that the Barren Land Highway has been more or less paralleling.
It is dark, now, so you make camp in Kelar's tent.