First Adventure: The Hunt for The Night Thing

Bracus joins in and walk into nowhere's land.

"It was at the very beginning, it was Ymir’s time, there was no sand, no sea, no cooling waves, no earth, no sky, no grass, just Ginnungagap." Wotan muttered as he reached into the portal. Into the realm between realms.

His one eye affixed on nothing. Interdimensional travel being nothing new to the Shaman. He knew there was no preparing for what was about to happen next and surrendered. Focused solely on his hate for the gods, for he could sense it beyond the gate. Something beckoned it called to him in the same way a lone lamb ought seem to a wolf. The key to his salvation, the key to its damnation. Beyond lay one of Ymir's ilk here it could be killed, truly.

Still nervous, the Ascetic follows as the others seem to step into nothingness.

As you all step into the space where Lilla disappeared, you see a path snaking through the forest slightly downhill. The trees—adorned with little skulls, thick with dead leaves and overgrown in thorny brambles—press in close on both sides. The ankle-deep mist is cold and clammy. Somewhere in the distance a crow calls at intervals.

As you all continue along the path, no more than one quarter of an hour, before the path cuts around in a hairpin turn, and the trees open in a sudden clearing. It’s dark in the clearing, as on a stormy afternoon in winter, the sky gray as wolf hair. In the center of the clearing is a great dead oak, twisted and towering. Built into and around the oak is a windowless, slanted hut of mud and sticks. The hut has a muddy yard not more than 10’ wide, and a little twig fence surrounds it. The fence is all hung with the skulls of little forest animals. Smoke pours out of the hut’s chimney, and shifting light at edge of the closed door inside suggests movement within.

A chill and visible perturbation caused Wotan pause. He shrunk back and shook his head. "I dare not enter." Shuddering the mighty warrior instead looked around the perimeter. "A word of warning. Do not tell it your name. Do not eat its food. Do not touch anything."

Stekko follows the rest of the group, keeping a bit of a distance from the leading Lilla'Martu. <All this situation screams "death" from head to tail> he babbles, <let's hope that at least this will be a decent story to tell>. Then, as their eyes catch the glimpses of movements inside the building, he adds: <Well... I for sure won't be the first to go in there> he looks around, in search of a big stone laying on the ground near the entrance.
If he finds one, he will touch it to charge it, <this will be a good way of covering our escape, if things go badly... just remember, my rash companions, to jump over it and not step on it>.

Bracus says, "Looks like we came to an end and lets end this." He moves with the others.

As they drew nearer to the hut, with its fence adorned in skulls, Lilla's pace slackened. The forest around her seemed to weigh heavily upon her spirit, as if the trees themselves were watching. Lilla snapped her head from side to side, as if wary of potential ambush lurking just off the path. Wotan's ominous warning hung in the air.

"Wotan, what do you know of this place, and who or what is it that lives here?" Lilla liked her lips apprehensively before continuing. "I do not like the feel of this clearing. Can we go back?"

Wotan looked sick. He swallowed this away and had blanched considerably. Fear shook him like a leaf in the wind. "Aye, this place I never thought to see it again."

Wotan resolved himself, sighed, and put away his weapon. He then summoned all of his courage. Approaching the house with certain determination. He breathlessly hummed a very old song as he summoned his courage and approached. He was quite careful to avoid Stekko's trap.

"I know that I hung, on the windswept Ash tree, nine whole nights impaled by Gungnir my spear, to Wotan offered, myself to myself; on that tree, of which no one knows from what root it springs.

Bread none gave me, nor a horn of drink, downward I peered, reaching out I grasped the runes, then fell down into the abyss.

Nine words of power I learned from the famed Bolthornson, Bestla’s sire, and a draught obtained of the precious mead, drawn from Odhraerir. The first I know is help, that help should come if you call and help is truly needed."

Wotan gave three distinct knocks.

"Mother?"

Brackus stands aside and watches. Strange look upon his face saying he doesn't understand the situation but says nothing.

Wotan shook his head taking a step back. "Mother, this is not a social call." Presenting the Stone-Axe he held a grim look and shook his head, a single golden tear ran down his cheek. "Your pet has taken the life of one of my favored sons. We have come to repay it in kind."

Lilla had taken a step backwards when Mother Hush opened the door, but Wotan referring to her as 'Mother' rooted Lilla to the spot in shock. She stood uncertain of what to do or say, until the mention of a pet.

"Her 'pet'?" Lilla blurted out. "What.... what is it exactly, and why in the realms would one want such a thing as a pet?"

Medheyg shares in the shock of most of her companions, her grip on the spear tightening. This is a strange and uncomfortable situation that she does not know how to deal with, but she can tell that there is much danger here, even if that danger takes the form of an unnerving old lady.

Bölþhorn's spell had worked. At least as Wotan had saw it. He didn't trust Mother Hush, but he did know her to be treacherous and that made a promise of assistance worthy. He turned to his companions and beckoned them to come. "Remember what I said."

Entering wasn't a thing Bracus favored, and he took up the rear after all had entered.

Stekko brings to mind all the fairy tales he knows about old women living in the woods ... unfortunately almost none ended well for the one who met them. <Very well, old lady> he exclaims showing the best smile he has, <the laws of hospitality bind us all, so we accept with gratitude your generous welcome>. After that, without lowering his guard, he would follow the rest of the group into the hut.

Medheyg warily leaves Horn planted outside the hut, choosing not to break the laws of hospitality. She heads in carefully, but in all, glad to have somewhere to rest her weary legs.

Lilla followed Wotan inside the hut, saying nothing.