Session notes 27-09-2020

9th day in the Feywild - continued
 
Liya showed up not too long after I had fallen asleep, I woke up and she was there. Good to see that she is safe and found her way up here as well. I am just now waking up and writing a bit while Liya and Brynjar are introducing themselves.
 
After the formalities, a plan had to be made. Still a bit dozy, I listened to the plans the other had. We could go along with the food supply to visit the mines and the forges of the fire giants. It would be a very effective way down to the phoenix. So, that was the plan that was chosen. The Yak seemed to be a bit confused by our interest in the mining activities of the Giants but did not ask any pressing questions. With one Yak, Nahara, as our escort, we made our way down. The whole trip must have taken about 10-15 minutes. There were approximately 15 levels I think, maybe more. But the first 10 or so seemed very empty. Nahara was very calm this whole trip, and just explained to us how they live kind of in symbiosis with the Giants, as they provide them food and they let them live atop their mountain.
 
-This information did worry some of us, as we wondered what would happen to this symbiosis if an important heat source (the phoenix) would be taken away)-
 
Once we hit, what we thought was the lowest floor, we were greeted by a Giant. I finally feel like my choice for picking Giant as my additional language is working out. I had not expected it to come of use, but it did. Ferrum talks a bit to the giant, while the others look at the ore-sorting that was happening a level below us on the right side. Some orcs are working there, as a train of small carts passes by, they sort out the ores from the 'regular' stone. Liya tried to talk to one of them I think, I could not quite hear they were far off and I was paying attention to the conversation between the giant and Ferrum while looking at Brynjar looking at the carts.
 
Our interest in their building and forging seems to be appreciated, as we are told about the giant project that was happening on the other side of the floor below us. We could see this floor because this floor acted as some sort of a balcony for the next. On this lower floor, we could see a large forge, and some people walking around. But most importantly, in the middle hang a giant (well giant for giants) head and torso, made of shining metal. The giant talking to Ferrum called it "Vonindod" and explained that this was the task given to them by their god.
Vonindod is a name in Giant of an important character that presumably fought against gods. Thus their choice for this name, a tool that can help slay gods? Well, should I quote this giant we spoke with: "first the earth, then the gods"
 
With a bit of persuasion and semi-genuine interest, we get to talk to the 'duke', Zalto. He is the leader of this community and in charge of the construction of this Vonindod. With deep red hair and a large bushy beard, he is quite intimidating. But when talking to him, this lessens, he seemed like a serious man. We talk to him for a bit and tell him that our business here is based on our interest in history and the forging qualities of the fire giants. We brought this incredibly convincingly, and he agreed to give us a tour of the place! It must have been Ferrum being a kind of small version of the Vonindod, and perhaps the hint of genuine interest along with some sweet words that made him tell about the natural sources they use and how they forge and the different layers of metal they fold for different weapons.
 
Walking through the place, we eventually came over the lowest platform on which the Vonindod is being constructed. Zalto explained that it is built in the image of the Allfather - their god-. Seeing it up close is slightly terrifying. It seems to be a mix of steel, gold and gems. The gems of the eyes almost seem to truly see something, but it could be the light playing tricks on us. Anyhow, from this point of view, we could also see the large adamantine door that we had seen before climbing up the mountain. Good point to remember, should we fall out of grace. But, this door also has a phoenix etched in it. When we, subtly try to ask him about the source of their heat - after mentioning the phoenix- we get a talk about natural heat and the forges being fired up with dense coal and lava, but we naturally know that that is not the whole story. Oh and Zalto said that phoenixes are just really amazing creatures, which stand for fire and power, and that was their reason for choosing this symbol.
 
After passing past the large central forge, I asked Mina to stay and stick to one of the ridges connecting this floor to the next. Just for surveillance, if needed. We continue our tour. Get to see a group of goblins who are 'employed' by the giants and currently eating. When walking through the kitchen we got to meet Zalto's wife. A lovely, albeit intense lady. She takes care of their 'employees' and prepares food. She is somewhat critical of her husband when he explains that we are interested travellers getting a tour from him, as she thinks that we are "just the same, all fixed on one thing". But overall she seems somewhat proud to have visitors. They are clearly the bosses around here, they get the messages from the Allfather apparently and just overall seem to also have earned or taken the respect of the other giants. A true power-couple those two.
 
After a small snack, we continue our way to the actual forges! It was almost unbearably hot there. I did not dare to write there, fearing my books might catch fire or I might sweat them to oblivion. I am so happy that that one spell prestidigitation exists.
The forges were also quite a sight to see. Through small gaps in the ceiling, water falls down in a basin, next to which two fire giants are creating swords and axes. The forges seem to be heated by magma or lava which also streams in smaller, somewhat cooled down streams through the room. The carts we had seen when just arriving here pass through this room and are emptied in the large melting pot. Zalto tells us they make everything here, from swords to knives to tools.
 

peeking through Mina's eyes, I quickly saw two dogs or hounds or something surveil the room around the forge. Not sure what they were.

As we had seen 'all of interest', we walked back with Zalto to the dining room. He invites us to stay for a while, so that we can learn a bit more, and that they may use Ferrum as an example for the Vonindod. We kindly decline, explaining that we have more places to visit, but that we would happily stay for dinner and return sometime after our travels. "If that is the case, may we provide you with a small parting gift? Is there anything you might like as a souvenir of sorts?" After some meaningful looks between the lot of us, we ask for a set of knives and a sword. This is ordered by Zalto to be made and delivered to us at the Yakfolks place tomorrow morning.
 
 
We are currently on the elevator back up, and we are quite ecstatic. We got some info, we have got Mina as surveillance and we are getting actual weapons from them! We would almost forget what our actual goal was: The phoenix.
 
 
10th day in the feywild
 
After getting back to the village and telling our story to the Yaks who were interested, we started planning. We needed a way to know where the phoenix was kept. The forge was a good guess but we had not seen it during our stay. From flying down and getting it as soon as we notice heat coming up from the forge was an option, but we still would not know if they also had a flask or something totally different. Tired as we were, we decided to turn in for the night. The night itself was uneventful. We slept together in a hut of the Yakfolk, which was surprisingly comfortable.
 
While writing, we were interrupted by someone carrying a large tray, carrying two knives and a greatsword. The edges burned with a fiery red and they seem to somehow radiate heat. Ferrum and Brynjar were quickly chosen to be the wielders of these weapons. They sat down for a bit to inspect and get familiar with the weapons, while the rest of us did some stretching and walked around. I, in the meanwhile, looked through Mina's eyes. Through that, I could see the Duke and the Dutchess walk to the forge with a group of fire giants. I picked up some words sounding like "By Surtus' flame, I command this portal to open." Peeking into the forge via Mina the Bat, I could see the flash of a portal opening. It was kind of glowing like lava or magma on the other side, a bit like the lake we paddled over underneath Conwy. I just told the rest what I had seen, Ferrum explained that Surtus is one of the sons of the Allfather, and thus a very powerful entity.
 
 
It took a while, but well we got the phoenix! Okay okay, what we did was the following. As Brynjar 'filled up' some of the dust of dryness, we said goodbye to the Yakfolk after we had discussed the portal I had seen. The Yakfolk are so nice, we are always allowed to return and if we find a ball for Yoga, we should bring it to them! It has been noted.
 
But the phoenix, the following happened. We walked down the endless steps to the alcove we found Bryinjar at. Where we had discovered the strange tread mill which can open up a portal. After turning it for a bit, while thinking about the place I saw through the portal, William took over, and we went through. The heat hit hard once we got through. From the molten rock, a few small islands arose. Brynjar and Ferrum quickly spotted an egg-like shape on one of the larger islands, which became their target. Well, until the phoenix arose from the lava. The bird, larger than life, just seemed to BE heat. Just that. Arrows and magic did seem to have some effect, but it lit us up like dried twigs. Ferrum caught the most of it, but Liya and Brynjar also got quite scorched, especially when Brynjar got to the presumed egg. Using fly, he hopped over the isles, towards me and Liya who stood at the gate. This lured the phoenix after him, while we Liya shot and I concentrated, Ferrum spoke, and eventually nearly shouted the magic word for the iron flask.
 
The moment Brynjar and Liya fell/jumped through the gate with the egg, Brynjar passed out, I lost concentration from the last wave of heat from the phoenix, and Ferrum jumped the last distance towards the gate. William must have had a great perspective on all of this.
 
After stabilising Brynjar, we realised what we had done, and what the egg in front of us was. Of a phoenix naturally, but the point being, that thing probably hatches within a few days, and we did not have another flask to spare. So we rolled the egg back into the portal, let William close the portal, and laid down to cool down for a bit.