2021.05.13:Iceland - Grimsgore Well

Iceland - Grimsgore Well
Ben and Steinar travel to Grimsgore Well to retrieve a pendant from the dead.
IC Date	2021.05.13.
IC Time	Day
Players	Ben, Steinar,]]
Location	Iceland.
Prp/Tp	Iceland Visit.
Spheres	Gaian.
Theme Song	The 13th Warrior

Part 2: Iceland - Tavern Morning

The next morning all guests staying over night at the Inn will see that it's still drizzling rain outside. Yet there is a welcoming scent down in the kitchen of fresh baked bread and flat pan fried sausage that recently came out of the ovens. 

	 The main fire in the tavern room is lit as it is a chilly drizzle outside. Within there's about four people sitting and already eating one of two choices on the morning menu. Flat cakes, or The Works. The same waitress is working the room pouring coffee but since it is slow she is sitting at the bar and having her own cup in between customers. 

	 Falke is already at the table by the fire, and adding a nip of booze into his cup. He ordered The Works, which consists of that pan sausage, with dark black bread, a side of sliced boiled eggs, and a hunk of cheese melted in the middle of the sandwhich he compiled.

The lumbering Forseti had slept well - and was up early. Upon arriving downstairs, he offered a friendly nod to everyone. Ben moved over to the table with Falke, taking a seat if permitted. He too, will order The Works - certain that he will need the extra calories today. "Good morning, Falke."

	 Falke welcomes Ben and offers him one of the chairs. "Good morning." He is smiling this morning. Apparently, the Rota is in a better mood, and he's even brushed his curling hair over his big ears. "Frigg is on my mind this morning. The reindeer design on the gloves were important," he gathers. "I have decided that if she makes me a pair then you can have them back." He takes a bite of his breakfast.

Ben chuckles. "She did that to honor my Rite Name." He smiles. "If you like, we can make another design or use that one as well." The man muses. "You are welcome to keep those, though. It is a gift." Ben explains, sitting back a bit to wait on his breakfast.

Falke seems satisfied upon keeping the gloves then as long as Ben is ready to part with them. "She has the same skill as my late wife. Everything about her weaving technique reminds me of her." He chuckles. "It is good to see it passed on."

The Works arrives for Ben by the waitress and she brings him juice and coffee. A second pass and she drops off softened butter for the bread. "Anything else, just hollar." She smiles at Ben. 
	 

Falke tells her, "Bring another Works out for Steinar. We'll be on our way once they've both eaten."

Falke leans in a touch with his laced coffee cup in both hands, "Tell me. What is my granddaughter like?"

Ben nods. "Every day, she shows me a skill that I was unaware she had. She is quite the crafter - she helped me upgrade my cabin with a skylight." A shake of his head. "It is impressive, all that she knows." A smile to the other man. He settles into the chair, thinking on the questions asked. A nod is given to the waitress. "Thank you."

A grin to Falke. "She is strong. Tenacious. She is one to speak her mind, with little filter. She is honest and truthful, always willing to learn. She knows of the old ways, and treats them with reverence. She is a huntress, a crafter, and a beautiful woman."

	 Falke appears pleased to hear his bloodline endures and it continues to be strong as well. "Have you met her sisters? Gudrun and Svala." He's eager for information, but he continues to eat as they talk. 'So she built you a window and you fell for her?" He laughs, finding it amusing. "I didn't think one of them would become a builder. I do wonder if she can build a boat. Now, that would be useful here."

Ben chuckles. "I have corresponded with them, but not met. Svala seems like a Rotagar, to me. Very free spirited. Gundrun seems more traditional. Both seem like strong women, with vastly different personalities." A grin. "I look forward to seeing them, and if things go well, bringing them to visit you as well." A nod to the Elder. "I am sure Frigg would learn boat building, if she did not know already."

They both finish meeting Falke for breakfast downstairs in the tavern. Once the meals are done, the Rotagar Elder has the waitress pack them some lunches to take on the journey, which consists of a large sandwhich of leftover roast lamb with cheese. An apple, and some dried fish rolled in wax paper. Each bag has a hard roll as well as big as a fist.

Falke takes them outside to his vintage blue truck. It's rusty, and it has character in that the Rota has slapped bumperstickers from all over the island to reveal his many travels. It's still sprinkling rain outside in a drizzle, but he offers them to climb in. There will be enough room for giant Ben, but it'll be snug. "Get in." He gets into the driver seat and revs up the engine. "This is Billy." He snickers. "She's a girl." He's talking about his old truck. "And she's going to take us up the hills to where you need to go. The village we're going to pass through on the way is emptied out." He warns. "Ghosts. Scared all the people down the hill. Most are kin who died in the last battle here. Some moved on. Some didn't."

Breakfast. Steinar had not said much during breakfast at all. He had been very quiet, very ominous in his behavioru in general. If asked, he had simply said that he was in communion with Raven. But he did not say more than that; mysterious Godi. Always trying to be so spooky. Only after they had eaten, moving for the vehicle, did he come out of his moody reverie some, "Ghosts were never part of our deal. Spirits, we can handle. Ghosts? They have to find their own way."

Ben climbs in once offered, trying to squeeze in to give Steinar and Falke more room. "She's a nice truck." He offers to the Elder, making sure he's got the spirit triggers with him. A nod to Steinar. "Hopefully we can give some rest to those who have passed, and those who live on." He murmurs. "How long of a ride is it, Falke?"

	 The mist in the rocky hills is getting thicker the further they drive the long winding inclines. "Not far at all. It's protected by a spirit barrier we bargained for a long time ago. I can't bring Billy through, but you can walk the rest of the way in." He takes them down a side road which doesn't look much of a road at all and weaves Billy through big giant black rocks. At one point, Falke points to the top of the hill way over to the right side and he points out what could be a sleeping troll. "Watch out for that one. He's been asleep 86 years, but don't mean he won't wake if the ground starts rumbling from below. Or you kick it, being stupid." The stone troll meshes into the ground as if half buried, but the head and upper shoulders with torso is reclined like he's snoozing and facing the misty sky. By the size of that thing, it would take a whole pack to bring it down. It's monstrous big. 

	 "I don't think you'll have to worry about ghosts. They just don't want strangers in their old homes." The ride is another 20 minutes moving over the country landscape until he comes to a clear stop in a field full of long grass and small purplish flowers sprigging off the stems. 

	 "Ok, this is it, you two." He points directly in front of the truck. "To the west is the emptied out village. You will see it tucked down in the hills. And upward straight ahead, you'll hit the barrier. Go through. Take a walk down the road between the village, and climb. You can't miss the opening of the Well itself. The mouth of the cave will call you. You'll hear it, alright." He looks right at Steinar. "You will." He then says, "I'm not going with you because each of you have to past those tests I mentioned. Otherwise, she won't let you in." He's speaking of the Caern totem. "Prove yourselves, and then come back to the Inn. We'll either celebrate with some drinks or we'll be recovering your bodies." He looks to Ben, "Follow the Godi's lead for walking. And you, use that Forseti mind of yours." It's all the advice he will give.

	 Falke explains the landscape a bit easier for both to understand. "When the Wyrm came in to take over the Well, they ransacked the village down to the west. Down that hill." He points. "The village, continues up the hill straight ahead, but after the war, we put a big barrier between both sections of the village. And when you get through the barrier?" He looks at both sternly, with a sad voice, "You are going to see the other half of the village that we needed to protect with a veil of our own. It's a blight. It's cleansed, but the veil thinned too much and we don't want our kin or humans stumbling on in there. That's where my son died. But his body isn't there, Ben. You have to go find the burial chamber within the Well. And only the worthy are allowed in." He draws another sad breath. "If it wasn't for those who stood and fell, we wouldn't have had our victory. The Grimsgore Well is still ours."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Intelligence vs 6 for 1 successes. 1 +7 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ben rolls Intelligence vs 6 for 1 successes. 2 2 +7 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Steinar gets out of the vehicle once it stops, stretching a bit. His backpack still on his back, and his Fang Dagger now hanging more visible around his neck. He looks to Falke and studies the man for a few moments, peering closely at the man. He then simply gives a quick nod and a grunt, "It will be done, the way it is supposed to be done." This is uttered more as a fact than anything else, the Godi appearing to be ready to do what needs be done. Once he piles out of the truck, Ben stretches as well. Long legs and arms splay out for a moment, then he shakes it off. No weapons on the big Forseti, just a small pouch with the spirit triggers. These, he hands over to the Godi. "These are from Frigg's mother - items that should help the spirits or ghosts remember. I trust them to you, as the Godi. She would like them back, if possible." A smile. There's a nod to Falke. "Thank you for the ride, Elder. We will see you back at town." He assures, his voice confident.

Falke slowly backs up the truck and then turns between enough space to continue on the same wild path he drove in on. He sticks a hand out the window to wave farewell. But since he's a Rotagar Elder, he tests that old stone troll by quickly beeping the truck horn three times. He snicker laughs and keeps going.

	 Lucky for them, the stone giant doesn't move. 

	 Once they walk the field they will spot the village emptied out down below the tapered landscape. It does look like the homes are upkept, and in good shape, by the local garou and their kin, but not a soul can be seen walking the streets below. 
	 Straight ahead of them it just looks like more grassy fields. But in thirty more yards, they will press through a thick misty barrier about four inches thick that feels like walking through flimsy jello. And that's when they will suddenly come into view of the burnt village that was ransacked by the Wyrm two decades ago. It looks like lava poured down the streets. The shells of the structures of homes remain, but like husks. They will move by black volanic looking pillars, lumps tall on the ground that just look like piles and piles of melted rock. Some are as tall as a Crinos. Some are as small as children, and some are in larger in width, that could possible be families running from their homes, but now encased in molten rock like a tombstone in a graveyard. This is a haunted place.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ben rolls Perception + Alertness vs 6 for 3 successes. 2 3 3 +6 +6 +7 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ben rolls Intelligence vs 6 for 0 successes. 1 5 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Steinar takes the pouch as given to him by Ben, peering into it. He then nods once, shifting his backpack from his shoulder to put the pouch into it. Safe in there, at least. He puts the pack back on his back (say than ten times fast), to then start walking. When they happen upon the area with the burnt out village, he nods once, "Suppose the Government assume it was just a volcanic eruption." he glances around, "Even in victory, there can be defeat."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Intelligence vs 6 for 0 successes. 3 4 5 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ben takes in a deep breath once past the barrier. His eyes survey the surroundings, nodding to Steinar. "This is... these are where families fell, Steinar." He says, quietly. "It might be obscured to the government. The area might ward it away, or perhaps a Rite." A shrug. "This place speaks of pain."

	 As they finish their way through the main path of the destroyed village, both will begin to hear an eerie howl distantly away. It sounds like wind moving and rushing through a cave mouth as it catches it. 
	 With the veil so thin, they will begin to hear spirit voices. Most ghosts move past them, as if aware they are there, but not caring. All seem to wander in slow steps with ocassional pauses to look upward at the sky. Other spirits moving through, parade from the sea up the cliff edge, and are seeming to be attracted to the cave mouth as well, as if it were the entrance to the Caern.

A nod is given to Ben from Steinar, "Mmh. The Wyrm rarely leaves an area without its mark, even once you've cleared the taint." he replies, "A shrine of pain." he looks ahead, "We have a ways to go." he motions, "So far, the Spirits are ignoring us." Ben nods, his eyes drawn to those cocooned fors as they pass. As the howl draws them towards the cave, he pauses to look at the opening. "A Well." A slight grin at that, the man then nodding to Steinar. "Then we go in, I would wager. I do not think we will find what we are looking for out here. Your lead, Godi."

	 The entrance of the cave looks natural and wide as it is tall. Inside it appears to be dark, as if they'll need a source of light to see. But when they are within and out of the wind, the howl inside of rushing wind going past them, settles, and then picks up in a high whistle, before bellowing out again. As the tide pulls in with waves ebbing back and forth, in a slow and irregular timing, they'll both find it to be rhythmic and coutable. 
	 Up on the walls surrounding the tunnel as they walk, are Nordic runes and pictures of past battles from the days when their Ancestors first came to the Island of Volcanoes and Rock. The colors are faded over time, but still quite a sight to look at.

Steinar waits for Ben to find a torch and light it. Once done, he peers into the dark, "Well, this will be interesting. Caves." he shakes his head, "I never did like caves. A Caern should be above ground. Not hidden in the dark places of the earth." But even so, he presses on. His gift Pulse of the Invisible, has been in full force since they stepped through the barrier. All spirits he can see now, and if he chose to, interact with them. Ben chuckles. "I do not disagree about caves - if only because they are a tight fit normally for me." He smirks. "I imagine there are some Totems that find home underground, so if their home is there?" A shrug. He then quiets, letting Steinar pay attention to the spiritual landscape. His fingers trace along the walls, marveling at the runes.

	 Down, down they go. 

The rocky cave floor is slippery as if moisture were coming from somewhere. The cave mouth slopes them downward into the dark, until Ben finds his torch. Now they can see the inner walls are formed from an old lava tube hardened by ages of time. There's no present twists or turns with forked paths, it is a direct walk among the stories painted on walls, until they finally step into a swoosh of air, finding the wind to be leading them into a giant silent chamber. 
	 With the flickering flames of the torch, it's a quick sight at first to see long drawn out shadows of an incredible carved out city of stone with giant pillars. They may as well be looking at an artists rendition of the gates to Valhalla. Or... for a darker sense of humor, Hel. 
	 The stone temple city inlays in the back wall they can walk toward easily, and one very large rounded door that seems to be its portal is encased with Nordic runes. The old language is carved into the door in a rounded knot to read. And panels of squares go up and around the portal as if it were glyphs, and numbers, intermixed in an odd shaped puzzle one had to answer. 
	 One smaller spirit illuminated by the light within buzzes toward them, circles around Steinar, and hums its way right through the door as if it weren't a barrier at all. But if they do touch the portal, it will feel like thick stone.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Intelligence + Enigmas vs 6 for 0 successes. 1 2 2 4 6 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Steinar comes to a stop by the temple, staring up at it for a few moments. He glances to Ben, motioning, "Shine the torch over here." he says, to then take a few moments to read. He just stares hard at it a few moments, to then speak out loud, "The runes are old. But I can read them. They state 'What Steps must one take between life and death?'" he motions, "And there are numbers here. Null Zero. 1-8, 42, 131, 88, 16, 94." he ponders.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ben rolls Intelligence vs 6 for -1 successes. -1 3 4 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Intelligence + Enigmas vs 7 for 1 successes. 3 4 6 6 +9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ben stares at the runes as Steinar investigates them. The light is brought closer, allowing for a better viewing. "I am not a fan of math riddles." The man chuckles. "Part of me leans towards the fourty-two - four for crawling, two from walking. But I admit, it would be a guess."

Steinar furrows his brows a bit to this, "Hmm." he says, to then slowly sit down on the ground. He crosses his legs under him, staring at the temple. He shakes his head.. and just sits silent a few moments. A few long moments. Pondering. Thinking. He looks to the side from time to time, as if .. watching something moving around. And then? Then he slowly stands up. How long did he sit there? Ten? Fifteen minutes? He nods once to Ben, "Press that rune." he motions to the Null rune.

Ben trusts in his packmate, reaching up to press the Null rune - without hesitation. There's no fear or concern - he believes in Steinar.

	 Once the Null rune is pressed it begins to hold a steady glow outlining the symbol itself, resonating with the spirit world overlapping. The same glow emits from the portal, and leaves a residue on the palm of Ben's hand. It now has a faint glow upon his skin in the sign of the Nordic Null. He has his own hand flash of lighting now. It also appears the stone door is still there, but now it's opaque; and with spirit vision, one should be able to see through the other side. This is where the spirit world, and the real world of earth overlap. And it becomes possible to pass through as if invited.

Steinar watches as Ben presses the Null rune. A nod is given as no traps or nothing bad happens, "One need not take any steps to meet Death." he says, then motions to the portal, "We go through." he says, to then start to move for the portal. Ben ahs, nodding to Steinar - watching his hand. "Should I go through first, Steinar? Or you?" He asks, moving in the order suggested by the Godi. "And yes, no steps need be taken to death." He agrees.

	 The Godi steps through the portal first and immediately he will recognize he is at the edge of the Caern heart itself. The scent of sea is heavy within the dark, but they don't hear water. He will find himself standing on a sheer ledge of black rock in a gigantic cavern, with Ben nearby as he follows. The ledge extends nearly fifty feet and then there is a wall of black, where with Ben's light, they will find a deep crevice divide between where they stand and a gap too far to jump to get to the other side; and continue their journey. 
	 Down. Down, in the black crevice. It looks like a Well of nothing with no bottom. That is, until they both hear a voice of something quite large whispering to them from its depths. 

	 "Rune Tongue. Ssss..." it sounds like a large grouping of voices along with it, but its hard to tell. It's almost like a cocktail party down there, but way too hard to make out words. The voice continues, "You have found my Well." The deeper voice of an ancient beast acknowledges their presence. "I hear the Other... behind... you." 

	 "SsssSssspeak your purposSsss, here." The Caern totem has now also found them.

Steinar comes to a stop by the ledge, looking down into the darkness below. He takes a deep breath, "I think we have come as far as we can come." he notes to Ben, then silences as the voice drifts up from the darkness. A nod is given, "I am Rune-Tongue, here with my brother Patience Of Eikþyrnir. We are Sons of Fenris and followers of Wild Raven. We are on a Quest, to seek that which was lost and mend that which was broken. We seek the entombed body of Asmund Grimsson, known to us as Hammers Fist who fell in defence of this Caern. We seek that which he wears." The Forseti nods in agreement with Steinar, standing unflinching at the sibilant voices. He listens to the noises of the darkness, letting the Godi lead the negotiations. This is spirt work, after all.

	 The voice of the totem down below in the dark of the crevice speaks once more. "I am Lagarfljotsormur. Protector of the Well and those who have eternal slumber here." 
	 Her voice echoes against the crack of the crevice. "You have passsSssed the Test of Mind. Soooon you mussst passs the Test of Strength." She quiets below, the ancient beast contemplating their Quest. "What will you give me if I assSssist your passage to find the Spirit of HammmersSss.. Fist?"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Intelligence + Lore Spirit vs 6 for 3 successes. 1 +6 +8 +8 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

"We can not give our Loyalty or our Fealty, for our Duties lay elsewhere. We are here for a time only, to bring back that which was lost and mend that which was broken. But if the Mighty Lagarfljotsormur seek something from those who call upon it." he takes a breath, to then go down to one knee by the ledge. He removes his backpack from is back, putting it on the ground next to him. Opening his Back of Holding Fetish, he removes the packs of dried fish that they were given by Falke before the journey, "We bring gifts. Food, nourishment for the one who lives in the Well."

Ben looks to Steinar, following suit. The lunch packed from the village is unbundled, opened and offered over. "Food and nourishment, offered in good health Lagarfljotsormur." The large Forseti intones.

	 Lagarfljotsormur bellows a deep breath below to take in the scent of the spiced dried fish, "Ssssnackssss. Falke's delishhhiousssSssss, Ssssnackssss." She seems to sound like she likes it. A few more seconds of silence, and then she offers, "Passss the tesst of Self, and I will provide you a bridge to crosssSss to the other Ssside." 
	 "Rune Tongue," Nordic Nessie calls upon him first. "Tell me why you are worthy to visit my burial chamber that Keeepppsss my mossst revered Warriorss. What deeds have you done, that have proven your worth?" Ben is surely next in line. He has more time to prepare!

"What deeds have I done, to be worthy to pass forward?" Steinar asks, "I am Rune-Tongue of the Get of Fenris, Godi of Enduring Spirit Sept and Serving under the Wise Wild Raven. I am Adren in Rank undisputed and unchallenged. My blood hails from the Heimild Clan, who's long lineage has produced only Godi since the first man to hold the name founded the Clan. I am a direct descendant of its last Godi before me, Will of Stone. My Deeds are known to the Spirits and to Fenris and they ring true for I yet stand here alive before you." he moves his arms then to take off the leathercloth he wears over his upper torso, "I am no Skald, Lagarfljotsormur. I show you instead the scars of my Rites of Acknowledgements!" And upon his body, he would wear the many carved runes of Glory, Honor and mostly Wisdom.

	 The Totem bellows another deep breath from down below seeming satisfied. "You are worthy." 
	 Her voice rises again, "Ssstep forward Patience of Eikpyrnir. Tell me your worth."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Perception + Alertness vs 6 for 2 successes. 2 2 +7 +8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ben smiles at the explanation from Steinar, stepping forward when called. "I am Benjamin Godwyn, Patience Of Eikþyrnir, Adren Forseti of the Fenrir. Son of Stephen Godwyn, Clenched Jaw of the North. Grandson of Thunder's Reprieve. Great-Grandson of Tusk-Breaker. The lineage I am from is long and proud. But I do not stand here on my family's history. I stand here, an Adren, on the actions of myself and my Pack. I have fought the Wyrm, in many sorts of forms - from Spirals, to Fomor, to Bane spirits." He rolls up his sleeves, showing the frost scars along his arms. "I have aided in recovering and rescuing allied Kinfolk from a fallen Sept in Florida. I have aided the Nation with judgements on those who would trespass on our Litany." A nod from the large man. "I accept your judgement, Lagarfljotsormur. My deeds of honor, glory and wisdom are known to the Nation and the spirits."

	 There is an onrush of light from deep down in the dark crevice. It comes up so sudden and so fast, that the cocktail party of intermingled voices is suddenly known! A horde of lunes swirl and spread out like a massive parade along the length of the crevice as far as the eye can see. And when their light illuminates the cave in the width of the crack, they will also hear the onrushing of seawater follow from the depths beneath them. It happens so very fast, like a flood of gates opened below and the ocean water of salt and white foam is rising on upward. 
	 "You have passsSssed." Nordic Nessie's voice rings close as the foam settles and they can see her long body and sleek dark form swimming toward them. The lunes spread out within the water, looking like pinpoints of starlight. And the sea of light clears once the foam ebbs and some sloshes on the edge of the rock cliff that is now flush with the water. 
	 Lagarfljotsormur's giant head and neck surfaces and she allows the two garou to get a good long look at her. The sea creature is the color of a darkened eel with glints of green along her yellowed amphibeous looking eyes. Her head is huge! Her long neck extends and the Caern spirit grins. It's creepy, but she's nudging forward in the water to snap up the gifts of dried fish. Chomp. 
	 Her large head swivels and she rubs her nose to bump Eikpyrnir in his chest. She sees him. Then she swivels over to peer at Steinar, and fully licks him with her serpent tongue from torso to the hair on the top of his head. 
	 Lagarfljotsormur rumbles, "Come garou. Into the water. Now the Test of Ssstrength. Hold onto my neck and we will swim among the Lunes to the Chamber below." They are going to have to hold their breath. 

	 The water looks like a bed of stars with the lunes taking up orbit in the sea water. It's inviting as the Lagarfljotsormur can make it.

Ben is bumped - the big man chuckling at the contact. There's no flinch or retreat, showing no fear to the serpent. The torch is set to the side, as to not burn the totem. When given the instructions, he moves to one side of the totem, grabbing hold and preparing to hold his breath - along with cling for life.

Ben transforms into a monstrous wolfman. DELIRIUM IN EFFECT. (+rules The Delirium)

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eikþyrnir rolls Stamina vs 5 for 6 successes. 2 3 +5 +5 +6 +6 +8 +9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eikþyrnir rolls Stamina vs 6 for 0 successes. 1 1 2 4 5 5 9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Steinar gives a nod to this, having stood very still while the serpent tested him for possible snack-ability. He was not a snack, though, and instead he nods while the Spirit speaks. He takes a breath, slowly letting his body push up into the form of Glabro. He then climbs onboard the spirits form, taking a deep breath as he does so.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eikþyrnir rolls Stamina vs 4 for 5 successes. 2 2 3 +5 +5 +6 +9 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <OOC> Frigg says, "so 4, 5, 6" <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eikþyrnir rolls Stamina vs 5 for 5 successes. 1 4 +5 +5 +6 +8 +9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eikþyrnir rolls Stamina vs 6 for 7 successes. 2 +7 +7 +8 +8 +8 +9 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Stamina vs 4 for 4 successes. 3 3 +5 +7 +8 +9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Stamina vs 5 for 2 successes. 1 2 3 +5 +5 6 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Stamina vs 6 for 3 successes. 1 2 +6 +6 +8 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

	 The Caern totem waits for them to get into the water and climb aboard her back and neck. There's plenty of length to get ahold of and she has such long fins for navigating the water. She's large enough one could surf her back and simply hold onto her dorsal fin for gliding beneath the water. Except, she dives deeper. And Deeper. And in the depths, and deeper. But there's all starlight in the sea around them, passing through the cosmos of lunes. The water grows colder as they go downward, but once they seem to find the rock bottom of the crevice, the lunes swarm down to illuminate a rock carved door locking mechanism that opens as the Totem speaks to it in the old neanderthal language of the creature she is. It is not whale song. It is not dolphins either. This sounds like something neither have heard before. 
	 The mechanism on the door swivels and molten black rock crusts off. <<Go within.>> She urges them to swim off now and enter the smaller chamber, as if they were about to go through a decompression chamber beneath the water. Lunes swarm into the inner chamber and sing for the garou to join them. It looks as if they'll have travel companions, as long as they hurry.

Steinar holds on. Not for dear life, though, because that would be un-Get like. But he does hold on for King and Country. The pressure changes does little to him, weather them without problems while at the same time simply holding his breath, trying to be in the zen-moment. He then slowly turns his eyes to the opening. He lets go of the large Caern Totems body, to then begin to swim downwards, heading for the opening. Eikþyrnir nods to the totem, pushing off gently to swim past the door with strong strokes. He makes his way with the Lunes and Steinar, eager to hopefully find air in this new location.

	 The outside door closes once they are in and they will hear the locking mechanisms fold in securely. Lagarfljotsormur is singing to it. And they can hear the muted echo outside with her voice. A few seconds after, the room begins to deplete of its water, draining down lava tubes that are sucking the water right back out to sea. There is breathable air filtered in for them from an unknown source, that smells murky, and like seaweed, but its breathable. 
	 And once all the water is out, another door behind them begins to unlock, and rolls to one side to give them passage within an ancient burial chamber. 
	 Everything is wet. Dripping. The floor is slushy, and still draining of its remnants, but they will notice that the room was also previously filled with seawater as well. Cold, very cold seawater. When they exale, their breath mists. But when the look around the stone chamber it widens into three large rooms carved within the molten rock that formed eons ago when the Island was forming. In niches, are jars with burial ashes. Some hold bodies enfolded in the black molten rock they saw above in the destroyed village. There's so many of them. Some are in pieces. Yet the most eery thing they will immediately see, is that the tomb encased bodies, still have that molten cracked glow of red veined throughout. AS if, they were eternally burning. And now, they can guess why, the bodies never had a proper burial. This is a shrine of the worst effect that the Wyrm left behind. The warriors who fell defending this Caern are in here. Molted into the hardest rock and misshapen. Faces of pure horror as they melted, or dropped gasping, as if unable to breathe. 
	 Within the last chamber, they will find someone's Ancestor still hanging out and in their human form. They do not appear to be burnt by the war. The sit upon a tall ladder, soaked and covered with seaweed as if it were growing up the rungs. Now it's flat, with no water to make it dance. This one Spirit, has a chisel in hand with a small hammer. And he is carving into the stone, slowly manifesting the graveyard chamber into another Temple of the Gods." Chip. Crack. Crack. Hammer. He looks soaking wet, yet opaque. One can see right through him.

Ben shifts into his human form.

Ben shifts back to his Homid form, glancing around the room. "This is the place, brother." He says to Steinar, noting the ancestor and the work being done. "He's making this into a proper burial for those entombed in stone here." A slight frown at the havoc caused by the Wyrm, and the lives taken. "The rememberances should help here."

"A tomb of the damned, maintained by the dead." Steinar remarks as he looks around. He sinks back into his human form, his eyes then falling upon the Ancestor with the hammer and chisel, "And if anyone knows where the fallen we seek might rest, it would be him."

	 The spirit continues to chisel as he carved in the rock the rolling knotwork that ripples among a war banner. He appears male, still wearing leather armor, and in his late 30's. It seems he's fully concentrated on his task and hasn't decided quite to interact with them yet.

The spirit rememberances - the items from Frigg's mother - are offered over to Steinar. The Godi will know how to use them, of course! Ben picks up a chisel and hammer after, moving to help the ancestor in his work, no words offered over.

Steinar loses one Willpower <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Perception + Occult vs 6 for 1 successes. 1 2 3 3 +6 7 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Steinar watches the Spirit of the Ancestor, taking a deep breath. He lets out a whisper.. which sounds like him just naming a few runes and futharks. He then opens his eyes as he looks to the fallen hero, "Stone Keeper. Singer of Stories. Skald of Fenris." he moves up closer, to then inclines his head, "I am Rune-Tongue, Seer.. Godi of Fenris. My Brother is Patience Of Eikþyrnir, Judge.. Forseti of Fenris. We have come a long way to this place, seeking that which fell, that which was lost.. to mend that which was broken. We seek your aid to find it."

	 The Stone Keeper quirks an eye over at Ben doing some funerary work after Steinar speaks. It's like he's woken up to the rest of the room suddenly, to understand there's more at level between worlds again. He pauses his chiseling and turns his head to look over Steinar. "The living don't come here, often." He puts the chisel in his leather belt as if deciding to pause the work of the day. The garou here are far more interesting. "What are you looking for?"

The Forseti works carefully - not trying to rush or do the more detailed work. "We are looking for Asmund Grimsson, Hammer's Fist." He says, quietly. "His family, soon to be my family, wishes to recover the necklace he wore on the day he defended this place." Ben offers over. "His wife requested this." Steinar turns his head slowly, letting his eyes fall upon Ben. A nod is given, "We have passed the tests of the Lagarfljotsormur. We have offered the Chiminage and we have been allowed to come to the tomb of the fallen. This Quest will not only join two new souls, but it will work to mend a rift between blood that has existed for far too long."

	 The Ancestor hears Ben and looks satisfied he finally has a helper down here. He begins to climb down the wet murky ladder and plants strong feet on the wet ground. He motions them over to one of the niches within the second chamber. The black stone corpse is forever locked in a fixed position of how he died. One arm shields his face upward as another hand pushes outward with a fixed axe melted within his hand. The two are one now. 
	 The Ancestor says, "This was Hammer's Fist," he speaks quietly to Steinar, nodding. "If anything can become better than this then so be it. We had victory to keep the Caern, but now all we have is a reminder forever locked in time." He tells Ben, "Sometimes they return but not often. Their ending was to be taken by a corrupted volanic totem. The wyrm turned the mountain. We gave our lives readily to defend it." He seems to only be visiting. 
	 Another spirit manifests right beside Ben and near Steinar's shoulder. He wasn't there before, but he seems to be a taller man with lighter blonde hair and a short beard. He's looking at the body tucked within the niche of the wall and then up at Stone Keeper. 
	 The mysterious Ancestor says, "As above, so below. If you take something from here then you have to replace it with something." 
	 Stone Keeper nods in agreement, "Do you have something that belongs to him?"

Steinar loses one Willpower <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Perception + Occult vs 6 for 0 successes. 1 3 3 5 5 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ben looks over at the niche indicated by the Spirit, nodding. "You do your fellows a service by continuing your work." A nod to the Ancestor, offering over some of his Gnosis in tribute. The hammer and chisel are set down for a moment. "We brought items of yours, Hammer's Fist." He says, nodding to

Steinar. "I also have something from your daughter, that I would gift to you." The knitted cap that Frigg had made for Ben is taken off, offered over to the spirit. "She made this, with her hands. I would see you keep it."

Steinar removes his backpack, opening it to remove the Rememberances from it, "I am Rune-Tongue, of the Sept of Home and Earth.. across the Atlantic, on the American continent. It was at the Sept of my birth that Frigg ended up. I grew up with her, knew her as a child." he then lifts the items up, "These items were given to us, so that you might remember. Frost.. your Home.. and finally this dagger." he puts them on the ground before Hammer Fist.

	 Hammer's Fist retrieves the hat when it is passed over and he looks at is if trying to remember. "Frigg." The knitted hat is blue like the sea with a white reindeer. He passes a hand over it and looks to the signature stitch of his Mother within. "Frigg was my youngest pup." He kneels down to look over the items, also passing a hand over things as he pulls the hat on his bushy head of spirit hair. One hand comes up to his short beard, and he strokes it while reeling in old memories. He points to the design on the pouch, "Alruna made this for me." The runestone is next, but he shakes his head. "I used this a long, long time ago. But I no longer have need." The special lava stone is passed over to Steinar, "You will keep this. Use it. If you grew together with my daughters, then this is meant for you." Then he eyes the dagger. He shakes his head and tries to remember, but its not that important to him. The blade is given over to Ben, but then he picks up the pouch and stuffs it in his pocket, content to keep it. Looks like Alruna isn't getting her stuff back. 
	 He steps forward to his corpse, which no longer houses his spirit and he places his palm against the chest of the blackened body. He commands the stone and it begins to ripple like a small quake, before he pulls out a round pendant that looks like bone. "The string is long gone." He passes it over to Ben. "Give this to Alruna." The pendant itself is made of Mammoth bone with a single glyph carved within. The one marking it for 'Eysteinn'. As Steinar would recognize it meaning 'Island of Stone'. "Tell her not to grieve. We have moved through the gates of Valhalla. We do not dwell here. The battle we now wage is the one we have all been waiting for."

There's a smile from Ben as the spirit dons the hat. "It looks good on you." He says, taking the stone when it is offered over. "It shall be hers, Hammer's Fist." Another nod. "I will tell her that you have been brought to Valhalla and all is as it should be." A slight smile. The pendant is put in his pocket, carefully secured for any trip back. The dagger is stashed as well, secured to his belt.

Steinar reaches out and takes the rock offered to him by Hammer's Fist. He looks at it a few moments, to then slowly put it into his backpack. He stands back up to this from his crouch, putting the backpack on his back, "When we get back home, I will request the people of my first Sept, Home and Hearth, to erect a Runestone of the battle and the heroes that fell, so that all Garou and Kin who see it remember. I will erect a similar one at Stonecreek, so that all there shall remember."

	 Stone Keeper reminds the visitors, "It is time for you to go. The chamber needs to remain cool to keep the bodies from burning further. Our Protector outside wishes to return the water within." It seems to be a farewell, and a necessity now to go. 
	 Hammer's Fist gives Steinar a sturdy nod, "Those who fell here would be honored if you would do so." He eyes Ben, looking straight at him. "Frigg.." that's all that needs to be said. He's a man of little words. One hand solidly touches the Forseti's shoulder, and then it passes through him, causing a shiver. He's being asked to watch over his youngest. 
	 He steps away from the walls and from the burial nich, and motions the two garou to come beside him. "I'll get you two out of here. Hold your breath.."

The Forseti bows his head to the Spirit. "She will be cared for, and kept safe." Ben assures. "You will be remembered." There's a step back, the big man nodding to the ancestors. "Thank you for your time, and your sacrifice." A bow of his head to each. "Ready, Steinar?" He asks, looking to the Godi. Once more, Steinar prepares himself. Once more, he lets his body flow slowly into the that of the Glabro; so to be more enduring for what might come. He nods once to Ben, before he takes a deep breath as requested.

	 Hammer's Fist nods to Ben, and warns quickly, "This is going to be unpleasant!" He brings his two palms together into a clap, that sounds as loud as thunder! And poof! 
	 

They are no longer down below in the cold burial chambers. Instead, they suddenly feel a sudden burst of pressure as they find themselves in the grassy meadow outside the burnt village barrier. There's time for one single breath of air, and then its like the sky opens up a cloud of rain pouring down on them like part of the sea went with them! Sploooooooosh. Super heavy water, that soaks the ground all around them and then splashes outward in a full circle. And then it's normal once more. Air. A lot of fresh air.

Such a dramatic exit! Ben keeps his breath held, gasping out after the deluge of water douses them where they stand. The water knocks him to his knees, such is the force. He cups each ear, trying to equalize the pressure there. A shake of his head, his hair tossing about. "That... was a last minute punch." He chuckles, slolwy getting to his feet - being careful of his footing.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Steinar rolls Dexterity + Athletics vs 6 for 2 successes. 1 4 +7 +8 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Steinar? He refuses to be knocked down. When he feels things happening, he braces himself and once they are on ground once more, with the water splooshing around them? He squares his feet and holds his arms out. He will -not- fall. He lets out a growl, and once he realises he is still standing, he stands up straight. Shrinking into his human form, he looks to Ben, "Never be unprepared for a punch." he replies, "We have completed the first step." he says, "Now, you have to unify two families and end the feud, Brother. I do not envy you that task."