p95


95 exploring johnb (Admin)
Rolf, Kerim, Callum and Madelyn stand outside the square building that might, perhaps, have been a warehouse once. Elsbeth, Zhiri and Edgar stand guard in the main hall of the other building while Ravn investigates and Mandrake and peter, not too sure of themselves, back him up. After discovering one sleeping chamber, Ravn moves on to discover a second sleeping chamber, equipped very much like the first, but with the addition of a writing table. This one has a number of scenes from the Norse sagas painted on the wall as murals. One shows Heimadall's visits to earth that created the human race, while another shows the All Father sacrificing his eye. A third shows the All-Father's decent to the underworld to try to bargain for the soul of Balder. In the far corner lies an abandoned Mace, its head rusting and its stave weakened by age, its flanges are made to look like the soles of boots.
Self assigned task Kerim Alakani
Not wishing to be caught flat footed Kerim excuses himself from Rolf saying that he may as well take up guardpost duty. He slips his Katar away and untangles his sling then sets off for a nearby vantage point which grants the best all round view of all approaches.
A peaceful time Rolf
"Come, Madelyn, let us see what our friends have discovered." He makes an escorting gesture, intent on falling in next to her as they move back to the house that still holds the nest of the harpy. If/When Callum joins the party, Rolf asks him to join Kerim in his guard duty.
Let's go Madelyn
Madelyn smiles weakly and turns to head towards the other building, she walks beside Rolf but lets him take the lead.
Guard Duty? Callum mac Aonghas
Callum walks over to join the others. When Rolf asks him, he justs nods and heads over beside Kerim. "Well" he says, "at least we're no' for crawling around these buildings. We may yet be attacked by something!" but he looks a little disappointed with his appointed task.
Snooping some more Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn passes a thoughtful remark to himself as well as to his twain companions in the doorway as he moves down to the end of the corridor where yet another door conceals a room or more. "Most odd mixture of practices, I think, you should see for yourselves - the rooms, bedchambers by the looks of it, have paintings of godly images, Norse gods mind you. In my homelands, one would never PAINT a god but rather carve the image into rock or wood or something durable like that. Paintings are for artwork and boasty proclamations in a king's hall. To me, this suggests that this must have been the residence of someone of Norse blood whose ways was already then influenced by another culture - or someone who ran out of rock." He rubs his thin beard in thought. "Then there is the choice of motive. Whereas in the North people align themselves mostly with all the gods and none in particular - except for the priests, of course - these schamber seem dedicated to separate gods: Forseti alone in one, then Heimdall's seeding along with Odin's quest and Balder's revival - the combination makes little sense to me other than speaking of mankind's birth, life-long quest for knowledge, and the promise of being recalled from Hel, but this is a most untraditional interpretation of the sagas. Much more so for not speaking a word of Raganarök. Most untraditional.." The rune caster thinks aloud some more as he nears the door at the end of the corridor, still prodding the floor with his spearend. "The first chamber must have been that of the gothi chieftain seeing himself as a bringer of justice and peace, yes. The second chamber then that of someone schooled in the tradition, well, at least enough to construe a creation theory of his own - a caster like myself, mayhaps? Likely. Then behind this door must be.." The tocking of his staff against the floor stops as he realizes. "By Odin, Thor and Frey! The Court of Gods! Could it be...?" He carefully opens the door, full of anticipation, and looks inside...
Rav'n Expects .... johnb (Admin)
Opening the door slowly Rav'n sees a room decorated with a number of painted Images. Immediately opposite the Door is a huge Blue eye, which seems to watch everyone in the room. On either side there are representations of a spinning wheel and a War Hammer. Down the left wall there are paintings of a gem-encrusted chalice, a harp, a ship-shaped cloud, a fire in the shape of a woman, and a dish of apples. The right wall has paintings of a sword, a curved horn, a set of scales, an arm holding an upraised sword, and an ocean scene with rough waves. The floor is bare wood and empty except for a raised plinth in the center of the far wall, which bears a square stone block, with an eye carved on the front. Stepping into the room, there are images painted on the back wall as well. There is a black and white face and a staff with three branches at the top on one side of the door, and a pair of red and black boots and a woman in horned helm on the other side The paintings on the far wall are clearly much better executed than those on the other walls and are larger as well. They are clearly the most significant images. It would seem that this room has lain undisturbed since the fall of the place.
The others ... johnb (Admin)
Callum and Kerim head toward the base of the quay to set up their guard point. From there thay can see the routes into the 'village' and can see most of the building doorways as well as watch for attack from the sea. In the distance, a figure waves from the Curragh still holding off shore. Madelyn and Rolf walk across to join the others, meeting up with Zhiri, Elsbeth and Edgar. Peter and Mandrake still follow on behind Rav'n, weapons ready and possibly representing the worst fighting skills of the group.
Maybe .... Peter Gasgano
Peter follows on behind Rav'n taking a quick look into each of the rooms over Rav'n shoulder. Peter recognises the painting in the first room as Iconic, but fails to recognise which god is represented, but he clearly understands the tales by the pictures in the second room. "You think these are the priests' quarters?" he asks Ravn, "And this might be the worship hall?" he continues as Rav'n moves to the last of the doors, Peter close on his heels. "Ahhh, Yes." he responds peeking over Rav'n's shoulder as he opens the door.
Consolations Kerim Alakani
To Callum Kerim asks, though rhetorically as he quickly answers his question, "A long face indeed Effendi, and for what reason? I know of none, for indeed if anywhere there is an enemy to be seen such as we will surely see it first. One I am indeed that I shall not prevent you from entreating it into combat first." Kerim smiles at him and pats him on the back, knowing that both he and Callum are out of sorts in the present company, still outsiders despite their reasonably long association with the group.
Quiet, please..! Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn immediately recognises the significance of the murals and raises his spear in his right arm as a salute to the watching eye and greets it. "All-father! I am Ravn Ashengrey, your humble servant!" He turns in the doorway and issues a stern warning to his companions. "This is a holy place! Do not enter lest you defile it further!" His voice softened by their compliance, he explains briefly. "I must pray here now and bring you my findings later, and I think the answers to our questions will be answered here. Now go tell Rolf what we have found and please do not disturb me." With that he closes the door behind him and returns his attention to the watchful eye. Once the door is closed, Ravn sits down to meditate and memorize, preparing himself for the coming cleansing of the Court of Gods and the ensuing ritual. He initiates his prayer with a quiet inward whisper. "All-father! I have come here on your calling as the runes told me and here you are! So I ask of you what you ask of me as I have asked you before! What is your will, One-Eyed Lord, King of Gods, God of Kings?"
Okaaaay Peter Gasgano
raising an eyebrow towards Mandrake, Peter heads off to join Elsbeth, Zhiri and Edgar, who have recently been joined by Rolf and Madelyn. "Master Ashengrey has found the worhip hall yonder," he points back the way. "He bids us wait and not disturb him, lest we defile the place further." He says, raising his hands apologetically to Madelyn.
Bored Callum mac Aonghas
Callum waves back at the curragh and turns to Kerim and sighs. "Aye, well, Kerim, ye may have the right of it but I'm thinking that they're more likely to find a fight in there than out here! Rolf and thon Madelyn lass seem to know their way with a sword but I have a wee bit worry about the rest of them."
Rolf's mad again Rolf
As Peter gives his report, Rolf's face hardens and his voice lowers. "I see. Peter, would you show me where you left him? Madelyn, please handle things out here." As Rolf walks heavily towards the house, it's obvious he's rather vexed.
Chanting Ravn Ashengrey
The door to the worship hall is still closed. Listeners in the hallway can hear a low chanting voice and a ticking sound, almost like a bird pecking, from within.
Amused Elsbeth
As Rolf walks away, Elsbeth stiffles a giggle behind her hand. "Maybe that laddie will be listenin' to Rolf, if not one of us ladies," she whispers to no one in particular.
OK Peter Gasgano
Peter leads Rolf back to the door of the worship hall in silence, respecting the gravity of the situation.