As the Storm Eaters dared the grueling challenges of the Barak Tor on their quest to obtain Wrothgar's Godtrap, their former companion Janicka, the Seed-Bearer of Valdryssil, followed her destiny beside the goddess she swore to hunt with for the rest of her mortal days. And hunt they did. Eika wanted nothing but revenge for the trick Keitel had played on her, the trick that had trapped her mind into the form of Eiuin the goat for decades and decades. They would hunt the most elusive of all prey: Keitel, the god of lies and trickery.
To hunt Keitel is to hunt the wind. The nebulous shape-shifting god could be anywhere, in any form, and even with the Eye of Borgrym, which can see through all illusions and lies, it was a near-impossible cause. So Eika decided not to stalk her prey, but to bait it. She knew where one of Keitel's favorite lovers resided, deep in the mountains on the far western edge of the world. This lover was an ancient giantess called Ankk'graboda. Over many centuries she had mated with Keitel many times, giving birth to all manner of monstrous children. Eika believed that if Ankk'graboda was threatened or captured, Keitel would come to defend her. And when he did, Eika would use the Eye of Borgrym to see through all of his ruses and have her revenge! But Eika knew that if she directly threatened Ankk'graboda the wily Keitel would sense it. So this task would fall upon Janicka; to find and then threaten or capture Ankk'graboda, and lure to god of lies into Eika's trap.
And so Eika and Janicka left the Axe Breaker Isles and went west with all haste. Eika transformed into one fleet-footed beast after another to carry Janicka, from a sleek giant otter to a graceful dire elk, and the leagues flew by within days. Soon they arrived at the wall of the west, a range of daunting mountains that piled high upon each other and stood on the edge of all Valkheim, with nothing but the great void beyond. But when Eika came to where she knew Ankk'graboda to lair, there was no sign of the giantess. Instead they stumbled upon a tribe of primitive, nomadic humans that had lived in isolation for generations and generations within their deep mountains, completely lacking contact with the other races of Valkheim. Their weapons were of stone and bone, and they knew nothing of magic, having never been exposed to the craft the elves had stolen from Greyja centuries ago. They were a savage and reclusive people, who feared Valdryssil and believed in a world brimming with unseen spirits. They called themselves the Hellirmad, which means 'stones of blood' in their tribal tongue.
Not one for subtlety, Eika demonstrated a measure of her divine power to the Hellirmad, like an animal establishing dominance, and then demanded the Hellirmad tell her what they knew of the giantess Ankk'graboda or face her wrath. The primitive Hellirmad were struck with primal awe, fear, and wonder. Their entire world view and beliefs were shattered by the arrival of a true goddess. They named Eika "she of one-hundred spirits", the maker of all the lesser spirits they believed in, and swore to serve her. They likewise named Janicka 'the shadow of one-hundred spirits', and treated her with all the reverence and fear that is due a powerful shamaness.
The Hellirmad told Eika and Janicka that they knew well of the giantess Ankk'graboda, but by a different name. To them, she was "the foul mother". She was the maker of monsters and nightmares. She laired in a dark ravine deeper within the mountains that they called The Black Womb. It was a place of death, and they avoided it at all cost.
Eika made to leave for the Black Womb immediately, but Janicka knew she might need help threatening or capturing Ankk'graboda. The vaettir convinced the tribal leaders of the Hellirmad that no more monsters would come from the Black Womb if they helped her. The tribal leaders spoke to their spirits with their bullroarers, and declared that four of their greatest hunters and warriors would go with Janicka to the Black Womb.
The first name the spirits called was Varmod, the slayer from above, the most deadly archer in the tribe. It was said he could shoot out the eye of a goat through a blizzard at one hundred steps. Despite being a well-respected hunter among his people, Varmod saw the world differently than others (especially when it came to the concepts of personal space and personal belongings) and the elders believed he was touched by strange spirits from beyond the mountains.
The second name the spirits called was Khrove, the windstealer, the most cunning warrior among the Hellirmad. It was said the only thing sharper than his bone knives was his keen mind. Despite his youth Khrove was often sought out by his people (even the elders) for his council before a great hunt, for his strategies before a battle, and his insight into making weapons. He was well respected by most in his tribe, but there were some that thought the brash young warrior too smart for his own good.
The third name the spirits called was Gamderk of the endless blood, an aging warrior who had been on a thousand hunts and had a scar as proof of each one. It was said that he was too stubborn to die, and that he would outlive the mountains themselves. Other tales, darker tales, said Gamderk was cursed by spirits. For all of his children had died over the years, and it was believed by some that the souls of his dead children are what made him unkillable, a bloody curse of life for life. Gamderk wielded a massive two-handed war club that had slain countless beasts and foes, and in the past few winters it had become a bit of a tribal tradition for the younger warriors to ask Gamderk if they could touch his weapon before an important hunt or battle, hoping some of the veteran's toughness (and luck!) would be with them too.
The fourth name the spirits called was Drak runs-from-hare, a pariah of sorts among his own people. He claimed to hear spirits everywhere, even when the bullroarers weren't used to speak to them. The elders weren't sure if Drak was chosen by the spirits or just mad. Regardless, Drak had an intuative gift to sense and understand the patterns of the wilds and the nature of men. Although many among his people considered him mad, perhaps even dangerous, he had proven his worth time and time again on hunts and in battles with his keen insight and ability to help others.
And so with the four champions of the Hellirmad at their side, Eika and Janicka traveled to the Black Womb, where the giantess Ankk'graboda is said to give birth to monsters. When they came within sight of the icy, snow-covered ravine of dark stone, Eika took the form of a stealthy mountain lion and climbed into the shadowy ledges overlooking the Black Womb. She would wait there for Keitel to come, using the eye of Borgrym to see through any tricks and illusions that might obscure his arrival. As the unlikely companions approached the entrance to the Black Womb on their own, Khrove retold a few ancient tribal stories that said Ankk'graboda was a creature full of evil spirits, and that only obsidian, ash wood, and salt were able to harm her, supplies that Khrove and Varmod had brought just for this fight.
A ritualistic standing stone marked where the dark ravine known as the Black Womb cut into a line of cliffs. This stone was surrounded by wild flowers that had been tossed about, and was coated in what Drak believed was semen. This further unsettled the companions, but they were set in their task. Suddenly, from ledges set into the cliffs that formed the entrance of the Black Womb, a trio of monstrous goat-men began to bleat at the companions who stood next to the standing stone. One of them produced a primitive rattle made of bones and teeth, adding to the cacophany. They didn't seem hostile, but were definitely prepared for battle, bearing stone spears. Were they warning Ankk'graboda of an approaching threat, or was this part of some ritual that involved the semen-stained standing stone? Before the companions could learn more, Varmod could take no more of the bleating and the rattling, and loosed arrows with deadly accuracy at the goatmen. A quick and decisive battle broke out, and the companions easily dispatched the three goat-men. Whatever their intent was with the rattle would remain a mystery, as their dead bodies slowly cooled on the icy ground of the Black Womb. Drak took their rattle, much to the annoyance of Varmod.
Knowing that whatever awaited them in the Black Womb probably now knew they were coming, Janicka shrouded her Hellirmad companions in shadowy magic that obscured them and they continued on as stealthily as possible. After winding down the icy ravine for a short distance they came upon an area were the cliff walls bulged out to form a small clearing berfore a yawning cavern. This clearing was filled with a motley band of creatures involved in some sort of primitive ritual to perhaps establish dominance or demonstrate fertility.
The creature demonstrating his power was a steintroll that had been touched by the fallen leaf of Valdryssil, becoming a massive vaettir with toad-like attributes, including a long, whip-like tongue that he was using to throw rocks about while beating on his chest. As was common with most steintrolls, this one was accompanied by an animal companion, in this case a powerful crag cat with a silvery-white pelt.
Watching the Long-Tongue make his display of masculinity was a pack of goat-men, one of them the size of a small giant. They seemed to be guarding the entrance of the cavern, but were also doing their best to seem unimpressed by the Long-Tongue's display. A pile of crude barrels and clay vessels stood next to the giant goat-man. Within the shadows of the cavern's entrance the companions could barely make out some massive creature hidden there, with feminine eyes of gold and hints of soft curves covered with blue scales, watching the display with unconcealed boredom. Was this Ankk'graboda? Was the Long-Tongue trying to woo her with his display?
The companions saw an opportunity to not have to fight through the collection of monsters by having them fight amongst each other, agitated by a little deception and provocation. And so the companions stealthily moved into position at the mouth of clearing, and then Khrove fired an arrow at the Crag Cat from the general area one of the goat-men was watching the display. The companion's plan worked...sort of. The Long-Tongue and his Crag Cat lurched to attack the goat-men they thought were attacking them, but unfortunately Khrove was spotted by one of the goat-men and he called out to his companions that intruders were responsible for the attack. A wild melee ensued between the companions, the Long-Tongue and his Crag Cat, and the goat-men. Ankk'graboda watched it all unfold from the shadows of her cavern with growing lust in her glowing golden eyes.
Janicka, Khrove, and Varmod rained arrows across the clearing, taking out any target that appeared to be a threat. Gamderk swung his mighty war club and closed with any enemy that would dare face him. Drak scampered across the battlefield, using the rattle he had taken from the goat-men, causing a commotion that allowed his companions to easily take down distracted targets. But the enemies the companions faced this time were far more fierce than the trio of goat-men they dispatched earlier. The giant goat-man tossed one of the clay vessels at Varmod, which burst open in a shower of acidic vomit that not only burned flesh, but stunned the mind with some sort of psychodelic effect. A couple of the goat-men played fey tunes on bone pipes, which temporarily put the Crag Cat and Khrove into an enchanted slumber. The Long-Tongue proved to be the most fiercesome of all, wielding a whip-like tongue coated with poison and massive weapons that killed the giant goat-man in short order. One by one the creatures were slain by the companions or by each other in the confusion. When the last of the monsters had fallen, Ankk'graboda called to the companions from the shadows of her cavern, a hint of lust and craving in her tone, "Send me your champion at sunset for his reward." And then she disappeared deeper into her cavern.
Varmod was tempted to enter the cavern alone to recieve his reward of the flesh, but his companions quickly talked him out of it. They looted the bodies of the fallen monsters, discovering a fist-sized amethyst tucked within the belt of the giant goat-man. Drak declared the stone a holy item, touched by the rock spirits. Gamderk declared the stone would add to his strength in battle, and attached it to his war club. For most of the next hour the companions took some much needed rest while Drak and Gamderk argued over the amethyst. Knowing they shouldn't tarry much longer, lest Ankk'graboda and whatever other threats were in the cavern either escaped or made more defensive preparations, Khrove and Janicka gathered up the group, lit torches, and entered the darkness of the cave.
Inside, the cavern was completely covered in a layer of ice from floor to ceiling. This was unnatural and troubled the companions. Khrove, always thinking ahead, put on a pair of primitive climbing shoes he had brought which allowed him to move better across the slippery floor. The companions had only gone a score of paces into the cavern when they were attacked by a pack of goat-women carrying clay vessels no doubt containing the same acidic vomit the containers outside the cavern had held. Several of these vessels were thrown at the companions before they could cut the goat-women down, spraying the stunning acid over them. The companions responded with arrow, knive and club (except for Drak, who was still trying to "save" the spiritual amethyst stone from being defiled on the end of Gamderk's club).
In the confusion of bleating goat-women, spraying acidic vomit, and the fate of the spiritual amethyst, Ankk'graboda, the foul mother of monsters, joined the fray. She stood twice the height of the tallest man, with golden eyes, flame-red hair, proud ram horns, and scaly blue skin. Her every move was alluring, enticing, magical. Gamderk instantly fell under her enchantment and attacked Drak. Drak brought Gamderk back to his senses with harsh words and an even harsher shake of the bone and tooth rattle he still had from the slain goat-men.
Ankk'graboda then turned her charms upon an easier and more willing target: Varmod. The archer slipped under her spell and never came out. He attacked Janicka at the bidding of Ankk'graboda, firing arrow after deadly arrow at the vaettir. Meanwhile, the companions cut down the last of the goat-women and then surrounded Ankk'graboda. She fought back with razor-sharp claws while maintaining her charm over Varmod. Wound after wound cut into her flesh, which was healing almost as fast as the wounds were made. That was until Khrove threw a handful of salt upon Ankk'graboda, taking away her ability to heal. The companions hoped she would soon feel threatened and call out for Keitel.
It was then that a second giant goa-man lumbered out of the darkness to protect his mother. This one was morbidly obese, barely able to move his mass. He spewed great sprays of the acidic stunning vomit, and the companions now knew who had been filling the clay vessels and crude barrels. Gamderk took the brunt of the acidic vomit, and the scarred veteran was taken near death under the barrage. Drak took the opportunity to liberate the spiritual amethyst from Gamderk's club before using his healer's kit to revive the tough old warrior.
Meanwhile, Ankk'graboda was beginning to succumb to her wounds, as the salt would not let her regenerate. She cried out to Kietel to protect her, but nothing happened. She called out a second time as she neared death, and this time the god of lies and trickery did heed her call. A shimmering series of images cascaded across the icy walls of the cavern, and then part of the ice erupted to reveal a figure emerging from the stone beneath. An odd-looking dwarf with a shock of white hair and holding a staff covered in mushrooms now stood before the companions. Was this Keitel, the great god of lies and ruses?
With a grin that was both amused and annoyed, the god-in-disguise moved to save his beloved Ankk'graboda when suddenly Eika, bearing the eye of Borgrym, rushed into the cavern to face him! With the magical eye in her possession, none of Keitel's tricks or magicks would work against her. As the two gods sized each other up, Khrove took the opportunity to kill Ankk'graboda with his knives, slaying her in plain sight in front of Keitel, who did not look pleased. Eika then told Janicka and the Hellirmad to leave the cave if they wished to live, as she was about to have her revenge upon Keitel. The companions quickly made their way out of the cavern, leaving the gods to their own devices. On their way out Keitel seemed to recognize Janicka (though she did not recognize the dwarven form he was in) and said, "you...hmmmm, how fun. I just saw your old friends, and they are in a bit of a jam. Killed a dwarf...maybe...which could be bad. They could probably use my help...yet again...but you draw me here instead." Janicka did not know what to make of the cryptic words from the god-in-dwarf-disguise.
The companions waited outside the cavern for nearly twenty minutes, hearing all manner of noise coming from the depths of the cavern. It sounded like battle, like love-making, and like everything in between. Finally Eika emerged from the cavern, wounded and disheveled. She spoke to Janicka without acknowledging the Hellirmad, "My revenge is complete. Come Seed-Bearer, we seek another great hunt." Janicka quickly bid her new companions goodbye and followed the goddess she was sworn to follow for the rest of her days. The four Hellirmad champions took stock of their victory. Ankk'graboda, the mother of monsters, had been slain and her brood would no longer endanger their tribe. But it was unclear if Keitel had survived his encounter with Eika. If he did, would the god of lies and trickery take his revenge upon the Hellirmad for their role in slaying his lover? These dark thoughts plagued them as they looted the lair of Ankk'graboda and then returned back to their people in triumph...or so they hoped.
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