The EARTH story - September 12, 1372
On the morning of September 12th you begin climbing the flanks of the mountains. The Moga Oakenshaw tower some 17,000' above you, covered in snow and ice. The temperature is warmer, though, and it is sunny. The trail leads you south-southwest, climbing steadily.
By midafternoon you see a pair of crumbling towers ahead. The trail leads you straight to them, and passes between them. After that, the trail climbs quickly south and up into a narrow pass that separates two peaks.
You pause by the towers: all that remain of the Gates Of Asgard. Grand structures they must have been once, rising many hundreds of feet into the air. Now, neither stands more than 60' high, and the area about them is littered with rubble. Each is about 100' across in diameter. They are but hollow shells. Looking into the more northerly tower, you see a dark opening in its centre. Closer inspection reveals a flight of stairs descending into darkness to the north.
Between the towers stands a signpost. It reads -
Northeast: To the Barren Land Highway.
South: To the Bifrost Bridge.
"Do you know anything about the Moga Oakenshaw Tower? It looks very interesting. Is there some history to it?"
"'Fraid not," says Jo-owrn.
Tully looks up.
"Actually, there is history to everything. It is just lost or not known to us."
He shrugs.
"That's what I meant," says Jo-owrn.
Drinor sighs. "It pains me to see such grandeur in ruins. If I live to see my retirement, I think I shall see to it that these towers are rebuilt to their former splendor. In the meantime I suggest we explore that staircase, to make sure we have no enemies at our backs."
Beth nods. "There is something depressing about the sight. I wish you well in your retirement. If I'm fortunate enough to have become an arch-wizardess by then, call on me, and I'll help you."
"I did not expect this," says Equinox quietly, his middle aged face looking very tired and worn. "I never for a minute thought that the Gates of Asgard would look like this. This makes me very sad."
The cavalier looks south to see if he can view the fabled bridge to the home of his lord.
There is no sign of the bridge from this vantage point.
"How can this be? The gates broken, the mighty Bifrost nowhere to be found," Al says with a choke in his voice. "The evil ones who did this MUST be destroyed! Brother Equinox, do we go down into the tower or do we charge forth, seeking the bridge?"
"Shall we move on or shall we examine the tower?" he asks, still smarting from the assault of the three white dragons.
"Maybe it's here, but we just don't see it, we being mortal."
"We can follow the trail some more," suggests Jo-owrn, "See where it leads."
"I don't know, Al," Equinox shakes his head as he answers his fellow follower of Thor. "I am at a complete loss. Although I want to get to the bridge as quickly as possible, I am not sure that we should pass by these fallen gates of Asgard when there is a dungeon beneath at least one of them."
Mikodin nods slowly, then adds, "And this dungeon may hold clues as to what happened here, and where the bridge is now. Or even, how this bridge might be restored."
"This could have been the work of the giant Loki. But, if it is Loki and he won, according to legend, the world would have ended. If it had been Loki, I think he failed," comments Kithus.
You make camp in the shadow of the towers.
"Who can identify this magic?" Equinox asks the group.
Aldarin answers, "I will be glad to identify some of the magic items that we have come across."
Mikodin chimes in, "I have an axe that I know is magical, but I don't know any of its properties. Could you identify it for me?"
Kithus joins the discussion, "Could you also identify my sword. I am not sure if it magical or not, though.... I would be great if you could find out for me."
Aldarin nods, "Sure, throw it in the pile with the rest of the items."
Beth says, "Pass 'em over. Aldarin and I will do the trick."