Session 9 - Weltbaum

General Summary

Still in a chamber filling with water, Narcissa continued to mess with the projections bearing faint imprints of hands and feet. The Bandits Near the Entrance to Fallsmar continued to taunt the party. Enlisting the help of Edmon and Winifred, the three eventually manage to touch all three sets of handprints and footprints. Winifred had to stand on Edmon’s shoulders to do this. After this, the tunnel began to rotate. Most fall, including Winifred and Edmon. Winifred is knocked unconscious, but was revived with Manfred's healing word, though hurting her leg in the process. The rotation revealed a new tunnel which required crouching. Kaleb took the lead. This tunnel led to a door, on which Kaleb knocked politely.
There was dwarvish being spoken behind the door, which no one spoke besides Edmon, who had learned it from working with dwarf stonemasons in Brillig. Edmon told the dwarfs the group comes in peace, and eventually they open the door. They are revealed to be brandishing improvised weapons, like knives and ladles from the kitchen. Eventually, a dwarf is found who speaks Tungrisch, making communication easier.. Manfred and Sigisar explain they have come to help Kaleb, who has a non-contagious illness. The dwarves relax and go to get a dwarf named Austri. The dwarfs seem worried that Sigisar is there for silver when he declares who he is, but he makes it clear he is not. Kaleb explains he is looking for a portal in a tree. Sigisar and Austri discuss how Sigisar’s father was indebted to the dwarfs. The dwarfs eventually decide it is necessary to go and speak to Prince Laurin. The group is taken deeper into the city of Fallsmar.
When the prince arrives, the group is stripped of their weapons. Prince Laurin is accomodtating to Sigisar after hearing of Kaleb’s ailment, but wants monetary tribute or other concessions. Realizing that Sigisar has little to offer monetarily currently, he speaks of the poor treatment of dwarfs on the surface. He speaks of ghettoization and religious attacks the dwarfs suffer. Sigisar verbally offers to repeal discriminatory laws. The prince asks for it in writing, and also asks for collateral while the group is in the city, like a signet ring. Sigisar seemed perplexed and the Prince offered to give him time to think it over. Narcissa, entranced with the handsome dwarf prince, asks for a sightseeing tour, hoping to ingratiate herself. Kaleb and Edmon also asked to go. Kaleb was carried by a guard, but Edmon was told to wait until later.
Laurin took Narcissa to a large chamber with what he called “a representation” of the world tree - Weltbaum. It had glowing orbs which were gateways to the Eight Worlds. He pointed out the orb of Niflheim. Running up and down the tree trun was a messenger squirrel with a humanoid face, Ratatoskr and a huge serpent slithered among the roots. Laurin mentioned the tree is ill. Kaleb, enthusiastic to go to Niflheim, ran towards the portal. He was momentarily pulled back with the magic of Narcissa, but eventually escaped and jumped through the portal.
Narcissa returned to the meeting room where most of the group waited to tell what had happened to Kaleb. The group seemed apathetic or unwilling to follow Kaleb, aside from Winifred. She was especially incensed at Manfred for his callousness, calling him “the worst person she had ever met”. Sigisar, meanwhile, turned over his first draft of his treaty to the dwarf guards stationed outside their quarters. His draft tried to escape some of the broad asks of protections asked for by the Prince. Narcissa and Sigisar agreed that Winifred should not be allowed to go to Niflheim. The Prince returned the draft, editing it and asking for protection for all dwarfs, which made Sigisar hesitate even further. The Prince then asked for an audience with Narcissa and Sigisar, opening the door of the meeting chamber.
As an incensed Winifred fled out the door, she decided to reveal her full powers, changing into a fox. Sigisar grabbed her momentarily, but was bitten in the face before she slipped away again. Manfred uttered a hurtful verse that called her a “damned beast”, which knocked the fox unconscious, allowing Sigisar to grab her and heal her using his gift from God. The fox was placed back in the room as Sigisar and Narcissa went to their meeting.
In the meeting with Laurin, Sigisar managed to talk himself back into signing the treaty, even though his business with Kaleb was accomplished. He also agreed to seal his pledge with his signet ring. Narcissa asked for assistance from the dwarf people in rebuilding her castle and hereditary lands, and Prince Laurin, despite clearly stating that his people would not interfere in her relationship with Sigisar her liege, seemed amenable to the idea. The pair exchanged romantic tokens.
In Niflheim, Kaleb woke up on an outcropping of rock. He felt his sickness lessen, but felt an intense dread. He saw a rope bridge over a chasm, and a fortress on the other side. Excitedly, he went towards the fortress. On the bridge, the snake guardian Yrim asks Kaleb if he prefers to be alive or dead. Kaleb stated he preferred to be alive. The snake guardian told him he must go back to where he came from, swallowing him up. Kaleb found himself on a branch back on the representation world tree in Fallsmar.
Winifred shifted from a fox into a fox/human hybrid, and seemed to be suffering from amnesia. Manfred questioned if her usefulness as a political asset to Sigisar was at its end, which put Sigisar off. Winifred was shown her face in a basin of water, which caused her to jump back slightly. At long last, Kaleb arrived back in the meeting room.

Rewards Granted

• Kaleb granted access to Niflheim in exchange for Sigisar pledging to protect dwarfs in his realm
• Narcissa given a silver ring by Laurin in exchange for her signet ring

Report Date

11 May 2023

Primary Location

Fallsmar