January (late 2003, early 2004)
1-10 - training, rest
11 - talk to Alterein about Calendriahn
12 - wander Calendriahn
13 - find Cave of the Spheres - a magically protected cave, with many guardian monsters and spells, that hold a series of nested spheres. They rest a day, and plan how to fight their way through the defenses of the cave, and the spheres.
14 - The group defeats all the traps and monsters, and inside the innermost sphere, find Laufey, mother of Loki, and a human male named Colbey Calstinnson, who it was later learned is the son of a mortal woman and the god Thor. Also in the sphere was a magical book called the Book of the Wolf Age, which contained prophecies that warned of the causes of Ragnarok; it also gave those who touched it, or read it, certain magical powers. It has the odd ability to be incomprehensible to anyone with superhuman intelligence or wisdom, presumably to keep deities from reading it, and that the key to the Ragnarok is that Frey had long ago lost his sword, trading it for a giantess he had fallen in love with - apparently, if the sword could be regained, the Ragnarok could be delayed for many years. The group then teleported to Kibbles' home.
15 - at Kibbles, rest escape to Loki's hall after forces of Finarfin attack Colbey, fearing his presence will trigger Ragnarok; read chapter 2 of the Book of the Wolf Age. Loki plays spiteful practical jokes on them. He allows them to scry their friends and associates, many of whom are being persecuted by the law or the men of Finarfin.
16 - read chapter 3
17 - read chapter 4
18 - Group has learned that a Jotunheim giant named Geirrod had Frey's sword, which he traded for his wife, and that without this sword, the gods will lose at the battle of Ragnarok. However, Frey has promised not to try to take it back. This does not mean that someone else can't do so.. They also learn that Odin has survived one previous Ragnarok, defying the prophecy that he would die, which is why he seems so much older and more powerful than the other Norse gods - however, it led to the complete destruction of all life on Midgard, and all the other gods of his pantheon. Loki's belief is that if the players can help steal Frey's sword back, the next Ragnarok will result in Odin's death, and the deaths of many gods, but not all of them, and life on Midgard will be preserved (for the most part).
19 - go to Jotunheim. A trek across many miles of volcanic wasteland is required, and then sneaking into the underground warrens of an army of fire giants.
20 - explore
21 - explore
22 - infiltrate Geirrod's castle, where they find Frey's sword - and are attacked by Geirrod and his brothers, Gilling and Thurse. The brothers are slain, but as more giants are on the way, the party flees, leaving Colbey to battle Geirrod. Colbey shows up later, apparently having slain Geirrod; he is taciturn about the battle. They escape with Frey's sword. As they flee across the wastelands, a huge battle is taking place - Finarfin, having been contacted and told what's going on, traveled to Valhalla and brought an army of Einheriar to fight the giants. During this fighting, a number of old allies were killed -Allas (Dwarven fighter 16th), Seraphim (gnome fighter 11th), Sceor (wood elf fighter 14th), Meadro (halfling fighter 15th), Leonor (human fighter 14th), Hodor (human fighter 13th), Freyath (Dwarf fighter 15th), Cainn (human fighter 11th), Becketor (human fighter 14th), and Setebos; later, Ruvio (human fighter 11th), Menic (human fighter 14th), Isparana (human fighter 11th), and Irlon Drinill (human fighter 13th) were seen to die. [All were later resurrected.]
23 - at Loki's castle, they are met by a deva-like being named Beyla, who says he represents Frey, and must take them to Frey's castle.
24 - travel to Frey's castle
25-28 - vacation at Frey's castle, in 'Elf Time'.
Beyla invited the party to a dinner. They were attended by spirit creatures, which may have been Valkyries or may have been elves. The food was delicious and varied, and the wine did not intoxicate if the drinker did not wish it to, and if so, only as much as desired. Siobhan recognized this as legendary ‘elfwine’, the method of making long lost to elfkind. After the meal ended, Beyla says he has some important news for the party, that he hopes will ease some of their worries.
He said that the problems they have been having for some time are all Frey’s design, and that he caused these things to happen on purpose in order to maneuver the party into allying with Loki and stealing his sword. This was as close as he could come to causing the sword to be stolen directly, but he has known for many years that if he did not have his sword at Ragnarok, that the gods would lose and the world would end. When he began to suspect Odin’s plans, he knew he had to act. (As a Vanir, he’s not as affected by Odin’s magic, and he is also nearly as powerful as Odin anyway.) Discrediting the party would force them to become stronger, strong enough to steal the sword, and might also cause Loki to seek them out to get his hands on the missing Apple of Idun. Frey believed that no one – not even Loki – would suspect this was part of his plan, and it was very risky, since if Odin figured it out, he would stop it all. He influenced Alterein into sending the party after Colbey and Laufey, at a time when he knew Finarfin would be too busy to get involved.
He invited Colbey to stay, and he accepts; they were friends hundreds of years ago, before Colbey was imprisoned. He will also suggest that they leave the Book of the Wolf Age with him, so that Odin won’t feel obligated to have it taken from them. They are welcome to come study it any time they wish.
Beyla told them that Odin has probably figured out most of what happened, but since the effects all make him more likely to survive, he will be pleased with the outcome. He may still be wary of those mortals who know what happened, but unless they start working against him, will probably do nothing – he has much bigger problems, including trying to put off the Fimbulwinter and make more allies to fight on his side at Ragnarok.
During their time at Frey's castle, they meet a smith named Brokk, who has some pretty amazing magical powers - including the ability to 'hammer together' two metal items, fusing their powers into one item.
February
1-11 - at Frey's Castle. Return to Aertael. When they arrive in Attellaria, they discover that Finarfin has been spreading the word of their heroic efforts in Jotunheim, including the fact that that government filed false charges against them based on the machinations of Loki’s forces, and that they are cleared of all charges, including an official apology.
They also discover that they were apparently in Frey’s castle for 14 days, even though it only seemed like two.
All involved are invited to a royal ceremony, where each will receive a medal called the King’s Cross, acknowledging their service to the country. All who are knights will be promoted one rank, those not knights will be offered a knighthood (of the lowest rank), including the henchmen.
12 - rest day
13 - Ceremony at royal palace. participants receive the King's Cross, a mark of high service to the country.
14 - ceremony at temple of Odin. Great rewards given
15 - Thor destroys Naglfar, the ship of the dead that Hela has been building for a thousand years. Hela, in a rage, cursed him to be unable to die; this curse also affected his priests and worshipers. Thor, wearing a suit of armor made by Brokk that made him nearly invulnerable, and contained his body so that he was held together even if grievously wounded, lured the World Serpent and its minions into a battle over the city of Aertael.
16 - During the battle, the players help slay Jormungandr's children, which provide the beast with protection from Thor's attacks. The city is littered with poison bits of flesh, as Thor battles. The World Serpent knows the prophecies that say that if Thor kills it, he will also die, and this will bring on the end of the world... but due to Hela's curse, Thor cannot die, and he hurls himself in a death strike at the serpent, kills Jormungandr, and plummets to the ground, his body shredded to bits inside his armor.
A cadre of priests from all over the continent is called together, to pool their power to try to heal Thor before Hela revokes her curse.
All who came were told that, due to Hela’s curse, that Thor still lives! However, his armor is impervious to nearly everything – even the eyeslits are protected by a magical field that prevents any contact. However, Venetia believed that the combined powers of several beings might suffice to heal the Thunderer. Hela has revoked her curse, and Thor would die, but Itzamna is protecting the temple from outside influences. However, this protection can’t last long, and will end around noon.
Present were priests from the temples of Idun, Magni, Sif and Bast; Itzamna, Frey, Freya; Heimdall, Tyr, Dianchect; Artemis, Oghma, and Silvanus; Dionysus, Erevan and Aegir; a man in red and black who claims no particular temple (but is almost certainly a Loki priest); and a number of players and their henchmen who chose to come. Venetia noted that the ‘Loki priest’ invited himself, showing up amongst the others, and requesting admittance. All are asked to use their most potent healing spells in a process that will end at noon. Venetia took Kibbles aside and says she has a special request for her… she asks her to wield the sword Woundhealer, as her artifact power should allow the sword to penetrate the armor, and heal the god. It will also open a channel for other healing magic.
Most of the priests cast spells, sometimes several of them, and a few of them lay hands on Kibbles in order to channel their spells through her. Kibbles began to feel like a river about to overflow; light comes from her eyes, and minutes from the completion of the spells, she began to feel pain! Venetia told Shadow to hold her up, because if she collapses, all will be in vain. She is grew weaker and weaker, and the pain continued to grow! At the rate she was losing energy, she was not going to be conscious when the spell ends, not by several minutes. The man in red and black leaned in close, and said, “Use the ring. Channel all the energy into Thor’s body – he is a god of the air and lightning, it will save him. Trust me!” He then steped back.
Kibbles had time to discuss with the others in the room. Most of the Norse priests didn’t trust the Loki priest, and advised against the use of the ring. The Sif priestess especially advised against it. Most of the others had no opinion, but it was apparent that Kibbles was not going to last long enough to finish the healing.
As Kibbles began to visibly fade, the Idun priestess reaches into a pocket and pulls out a golden apple. She held it up to Kibbles’ face, wordlessly. “Take it, it is the only way.” Oddly, there were tears running down her face.
Kibbles ate the apple, and was restored to normal health and vitality, though she still felt like she is about to burst with energy, and was still in pain. She was able to last through the healing, and the flesh in the armor mended together, assuming the visage of a handsome man of indeterminate age. Venetia took Woundhealer from her hands; it had taken on a grey, charcoal sheen instead of the shiny silver of magical steel, and doesn’t appear to radiate magic.
The Idun priestess withdrew, and sat on a bench across the room, leaning into the corner. After the healing is done, the Sif priestess found her and gasped in horror. The Idun priestess had become a wizened, skeletal corpse!
Thor lies in coma after.
17 - Funeral for Idun priestess, who gave her life in the effort to heal Thor
18 - no activity
19 - Thor wakes up, huge party, rewards are given to all who helped, from the Thor temple.
20-28 - Learning spells from Cirle's spell books
March, April, May, June
Learning spells from Cirle's spell books all through this time.
July
1-8 - spell book study complete.
9 - group heads out of Aertael to explore their territory given as reward. See caravan.
10 - into Amrath, spend night
11 - ear seeker attack! Then kamadans.
12 - find old grue lair
13 - no encounter
14 - see Primus! He takes away Chaos powers
15 - no encounter
16 - with webbirds
17-19 - no encounter
20 - fight 'walking dead', raise one, 'Ragnar'
21 - drow dogs
22 - no encounter
23 - find drow cave
24-25 - no encounter
26 - kill land lampreys
27-28 - no encounter
August
1 - see giant snakes, Conner rescues them
2-5 - no encounter
6 - into Aristeus' lands, no encounter
7 - no encounter
8 - kill rhinocerous beetles
9 - no encounter. All new players lands cleared.
10 - go to Halghan to attack 'stoning woman'.
The party was met by a patrol, made up of Lotus and Scarab (females), one basket, four Scythes, eight Bowls, 12 owls and twenty Hands. The officers were mounted on fine horses, the others are afoot. The Lotus, named Nefret, addressed only the female members of the party; she ignored anything the men say.
The party noticed that the Lotus, and some of the others, have very lifelike magical masks that seem to represent deities or spirits.
They did not care if the party went into Deshret, but they are warned against any sort of thievery, as disturbing the dead is a capital offense.
The patrol did not enter the town, but camped outside of it and watch as much as possible, and sent messengers to fetch other patrols to encircle the town. The party was warned that they would receive no aid if they are defeated.
11 - liberate 'stoning woman', aka Euryale
12 - meet with local authorities
13-14 - wait
15 - meet with Shepsit, sent to Belveras
16-17 - travel
18 - into Belveras, visit Ptah temple, trade for spells
19-23 - rest
24 - visit temple of Ra
25-28 - rest
September
1 - rest
2 - visit temple of Anubis in Keshla
3-7 - rest
8 - visit temple of Bast at Xuthal. Siobhan gives awesome musical performance
9-13 - rest
14 - meet with Set priest at Xuthal
15 - rest
16 - go to Luxur to meet the Empress
17-18 - no activity
19 - return home
20-22 - no activity
23 - meet for council on Luingroth, to trap and kill Charnas and Fandral - Venetia and Eliudner attacked Luingroth to try to wipe out the vampire nest there, and had to flee, defeated. It is decided to use the power of Woundhealer to create a blessed sphere around Luingroth; however, the sword is still drained from healing Thor. Ten million gold worth of magic items must be drained to repower it; the kingdom donates half that amount, the wizard's school donates two million, and the temples of the city put up another two million. The players and NPCs come up with the remaining amount, and are paid by the government and the Itzamna temple as thanks.
24 - no activity
25 - attack Luingroth, surround with anti-magic zone. Paraswarm plows a furrow around the town with Woundhealer, all the time under attack from Erekose (a powerful mage, and former associate of Cirle), and Fandral, who tries to assassinate from inside the sphere. Fight Erekose, who is apparently four people merged into one by some artifact! [Late 2006]
26-28 - train
October
1-4 - training
5 - patrol around Kibbles' keep
6 - kill some Chemosits, capture one
7 - see cyclopskins, who direct them to swamp. Ariesteus arrives.
8 - see owls
9 - kill a sheet phantom in swamp
10 - no encounter
11 - ambushed by type 'V demons, Corinna dies
12-24 - home, training
25 - training ends. teleport to Keth, looking for Felimid
26 - hang around bars, don't find him
27 - fly in Paraswarm's ship towards Folaria, no encounter
28 - no encounter
November
1 - no encounter
2 - encounter phantom. Essom feared, jumps off ship 750' up, Parswarm saves him
3 - no encounter
4 - arrive Arnach. Parswarm hires crew
5 - set sail, looking for Gudrun. See merchant from Meest
6 - no encounter
7 - see water demons
8 - see mermen
9 - a death angel of Nike hires them to recover items from sea bottom. Attacked by demons
10 - see lung wang dragons. avoid.
11-15 - no encounter
16 - see ship being attacked by demons, rescue and send them on
17 -21 - no encounter
22 - attacked by iron demons
23-24 - no encounter
25 - find Felimid and Gudrun, head to Arnach, after learning that a Jubilex temple is raising an army to attack that city.
26 - see demons, avoid
27 - no encounter
28 - arrive Arnach, go to Nike temple
December
1-2 - spend time planning
3 - Kibbles, Garth, Parasarm, Siobhan, Tennise, Jade Feather, Jun Shan, Sosigenes, Pelagius, Shadow, Trel, Felimid to ocean to attack Jubilex temple
4-12 - no listed activity
13 - Sif goes to attack Loki, is captured by Hela and entombed.
14-21 - no activity. During this period, Sif was rescued by a group of adventurers from Folaria.
22 - auction of demon soulstone in Arnach, Stone of Halphas. It was bought by Paraswarm, Conner, Kibbles, Essom, and possibly others that have been forgotten.
23 - Sif temple closes. Party investigates
24-27 - more investigating and planning
28 - Hela withdraws the Gift of Death