Worldwound? Surely a very DEEP and large gap...not as tight as other things...HAH! The Jarl smashes his fist on the table, genuinely amused by his own cheap joke
Whatever, just enjoy your meal and once you are refreshed, we will leave this place!
Uncertain about the food being served, Jez whispers a strange prayer to whatever power granted her powers. A second later, her food shimmers briefly. Hoping that the Jarl does not notice during his boasting, she quickly repeats the procedure on the food of her companions.
Cast Purify Food and Drink - to destroy any poison.
"My lands are all but lost in what you would call the lands of the linnorm kings." Ragnvald says with some bitterness at the memory. "I plan to return one day and face a linnorm myself as proof of my worth as a ruler and a son of the Lord in Iron. I assure you I will do more than merely lift it by its tail."
The Jarl doesn't notice your spellcasting cause his gaze is transfixed on Ragnvald
Hah! Big words for such a small man! But the fire burning in your eyes gives these words a certain power - I see that you are made for great deeds...together we could accomplish great thing in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings...you could be my skald and squire.
Kosti doesn't touch the food, yet he acknowledges Jezbazeels spell with a thoughtful nod to her. As soon as he sees the chance to talk to one of his fellow travellers in private, he will share his suspicion regarding a connection between the Vernal Key and the maze.
any reactions to that?
Ragnvald laughs long and hard it's the first time you've ever heard the Ulfen laugh. You can't be entirely sure you want to hear it again. After a moment Ragnvald wipes his eyes. "No. I follow where my Lord and where my blade takes me. Nowhere else."
While Jez listens to the big men trade tales, she causally reaches out with her falchion and stabs a large hunk of somewhat cooked meat and begins to eat it off the tip of her sword.
Seeing Jez get in, Attalas cracks and starts eating too.
"So we going after lunch and sorting things out?"
The Jarl accepts that and joins Ragnvald's laughter
Good good, the Lord in Iron can be proud to have such devout followers, hah! And you, my big friend... and with that he lays an arm around Attalas
you should fill your belly and once you are ready, we will leave this unfriendly place of ice...
"Never eat anything bigger than your head" Attalas looks at the Jarl with a sudden expression of earnestness and caution, then returns to gnawing away.
Jez will attempt to case Purify Food and Drink on any food within reach. Where she grew up, one can never be too cautious.
The feast ends about two hours later and Attalas looks like he was about to burst - much to the Jarl's amusement
Hah, you look like a very satisfied ogre, my friend! I think it's time to use the Vernal Key, isn't it?
The Jarl walks back to his throne and grabs a small chest from behind it
The Key!
"BUT I didn't eat anything bigger than my head"
Use the key?
Yes...use the key...
he hands the chest over to Jez and gives Attalas a curious side glance.
Just hold it in your hands and walk right through the ice - I will be on your heels, hah!
The Jarl seems a bit nervous when he hands over the key.
Red Raven has meanwhile taken a position next to Ragnvald
I want my wife back - before that we shouldn't help him!
Then you should more likely than not ask for her as your reward, shouldn't you?
Jez looks at the key:
What am I supposed to do with this?
Cast Detect Magic
Spellcraft:
"Better ask now, elf. You have no friends here only those who haven't decided whether or not they will kill you. So take your chance while you have it."
"Sounds ok to me" Attalas picks up the offered key and his sword, and heads towards the ice.
Inside the chest rests the Vernal Key - only the size of a pearl as long as it is in the chest but once you take it out, it grows until it has its original dimensions again. A soft warmth is emanated by the globe but somehow you feel that the artifact possess much bigger powers.
Just don't come too close with it, heh.
The Jarl says and after a short pause adds
[b]Now you just have to walk right through the ice.
Jez simply shrugs and follows the giant goblin.
When Attalas approaches the first wall of ice, the Vernal Key suddenly begins to glow brightly and a shield of warmth begins to form a semi-circle around the half-ogre.
The ice just melts away and soon the edge of the maze lies before you
We're nearly there...finally.
Jez walks over the Attalas:
Quietly:
We need to make for the Jarl's treasure room. We are not just walking out of here with nothing. You should be able to melt a hole right in through the back of the chamber.
Does Attalas reply anything?
"OH, ok, if you think so"
Attalas simply follows the instructions and heads to make the hole suggested by Jez.
As Attalas suddenly changes the route even though there is only one wall of ice left between your small group and the open space, the Jarl stops and bellows
Wait! What are you doing?
"Melting a hole!" Attalas points out, as though the Jarl is stupid.
Disbelief and confusion thicken in the Jarl's expression
Right...but...maybe better behind you?
"What's wrong with this way?" Ragnvald asks smiling. "All roads lead outward yes?"
Jez shrugs:
Upward, outward, throughward, whocaresward. That is the genius of not knowing where we are going. It guarantees that we will never get lost.
Yeah...yes...but it would be much shorter if we had just...
the Jarl objects and points at the wall you just left.
"Attalas only follows his stomach. Why do you think we keep the elves around? Do not worry your beard he still heads outward."
How does one know which way is really outward in this maze. Perhaps this is a better outward direction.
"It is a maze after all."
You know, logically, every way is out if you just cut through the walls. Eventually, you will get out, all mazes are that way.
Attalas is confused, simply maintaining his course of action as that was his last instruction.
The Jarl shrugs and follows that obvious peice of logic thinking
Hah, you're right - I've been here so long one could think I'm paranoid, heh.
But as you get closer to the Jarl's treasury he becomes nervous again
Well...heh...you know I think that ice wall over there looks already melting, doesn't it?
Jez looks at the Jarl:
Nope, this is the right way. I have a good sense of direction. You know, demonic training and all.
It must be better than his sense of direction, doesn't it
As you reach the treasury and Attalas begins to melt a hole into its back wall, the Jarl interrupts again
My friends, please wait, this is not an outer wall, we can keep this one intact and uh...go this way!
Jez looks up at the big Jarl:
But, we like this wall. Perhaps it will lead out, or to something else interesting. I hear that these ancient glaciers hold all sorts of hidden surprises.
Bluff(feigning complete innocence):