“Dear Journal,
We arrived in Muspell Harbor one week after the mishap in Myrkvellir. Salmira tried to explain it to me, but I am fuzzy on the details.
The story goes that Salmira has a twin sister by the name of Salyra, they came here in a giant ship from a far off land beyond the moons and sun. They arrived to our world, but it could not be inhabited. From high in the sky, they released several towers that would cultivate the land, air and sea in order to be livable by us mortals.
The story isn’t unlike what I learned in school, but it took me a few times of having Salmira repeat it to understand it. I literally had to write it down.
The first inhabitants were giants and gods. From them came humans. Descendant from humans came dwarves and light elves. Intermingling between dwarves and light elves came the dark elves. From more intermingling between dwarves, dark elves and light elves came gremlins. Intermingling between dark elves, gremlins and light elves came the sprite. Dark elves, dwarves and gremlins that rebelled against Odin were thrown out and found themselves under Loki’s influence; they slowly descended into goblins, then trolls and finally the orc came after.
To hear Salmira speak it, civilization began in Myrkvellir. The Obsidian Tower there is the oldest on in the nine realms. Over time, the other eight towers were destroyed. There is one that exists in Nifflung, but Salmira says a Sentinel crash landed into it and destroyed it. The tower in Myrkvellir is a remnant from a bygone era. The tower itself can control the weather, the passage of time, and allows for instant travel to anywhere in Myrkvellir.
Salmira tells me that when all towers were active, it was possible to travel anywhere in the nine realms; much like a person is allowed to do by traversing the roots of the Yggdrasil. Supposedly this ‘Gungir Tower’ will be able to accomplish such a feat. I don’t believe it personally.
When the gods disagreed with how Salmira and Salyra handled things, they fled their ship in the sky and descended to the planet below and created society, creatures and the nine realms as we know them—they based it on old legends that bear their names.
When the twin goddesses had a disagreement, Salyra left for the planet below to mold society in her own image. Salmira does not believe in meddling with society at large; but she meddles in the private affairs of individuals and alters their destiny. Salyra is the opposite and meddles (or did meddle) in the affairs of society to change its destiny.
Salyra tamed a great dragon and then took to the stars beyond the sky. Her dragon destroyed the moons of Mek and Mecer. They are now the beautiful rings we see around the planet. Salyra was going to turn the dragon loose on the other moons and then the nine realms. Fearing that Salyra would ignite the flames of Ragnarok; Salmira struck the dragon with a great spear and it fell from the sky. Salyra supposedly perished in the battle. I don’t know. I’ve heard legends of the great dragon, I didn’t believe them.
Fragments from the moon sometimes streak through the sky. We see them even in my time. However, one of the larger fragments fell as a comet and hit Myrkvellir’s Obsidian Tower. The tower was still active, but it could no longer control itself. The seasons were out of control, time would flow like a river in any direction it wanted, and the treachery of walking meant people would find themselves all over Myrvellir against their will.
The tower itself has a pair of guardians that manifest as a sister and brother duo; they are Lumia and Lumina. Lumia is the more sensitive and shy of the two; where as Lumina is the more boisterous and confident. Lumia believes in keeping the serenity of the land, but Lumina is all about protecting anything from outsiders. Salmira referred to them as sentinels. Is there really a difference? I myself am a Star Guardian and Strife is a Star Sentinel; one protects, the other kills. Is Lumia the guardian, and Lumina the sentinel? I would think so.
A group we know as “The Cult of Loki”, came to Myrkvellir to find the tower of legend and harness its secrets. The tower was not right with itself, and Lumia and Lumina forgot their original duty as guardians. They scattered the cult all across Myrvellir. However, the cult’s members began performing experiments on Lumia and Lumina’s “children”. The cult found a way to turn flesh into wooden armor when faced with a mortal blow. It took them a century and a half to perfect the process. Flesh melts off revealing wooden armor; they can still move in the armor. The armor will seemingly crack and fall apart revealing their form (skin and all) underneath. I’m not sure if it is the thing of nightmares, or a blessing. I have my own problems with the berserkergang and having to wear this enchanted armor.
When my group came along, we helped change the tide against the cult’s meddling in Lumia and Lumina’s affairs. Salmira told me to put the lightning crystal next to the tower. It gave it the lifeforce and power that it needed to complete its original purpose. Order was restored to time and travel; the inhabitants are safe. As a parting gift, Lumia left me a shard of the tower in the form of a pendant. The ‘amulet’ (as it is properly called), allows me to speak to her in my mind. I was quite shocked to hear her voice the first time.
Salmira left just as quick as she came. Olaf told me that we were gone for only three days. They were beginning to get worried and were going to look for us. It is a good thing they didn’t! Vali is a bit shaken from the experience; he is having second thoughts about botany. He would like to find out the fate of his sister—whom had an affair with one of the cult members and eloped. I wish him the best and hope he recovers from his ordeal. Surt seems unaffected; Sprite still wants sweet things.
Then there is Strife. She awoke a day before we arrived at Muspell Harbor. She hasn’t said much. I’m worried about her.
-Sweiza Serif”
—-
“To Lady Vorkera,
When you find this note, I and the crew of the Gigas Dura will be gone. Do not be alarmed. I have a personal journey I need to take care of in the land of Nifflung. As this was a problem before you were born, I dare say it is something I do not want to trouble you with. Rather, I feel this is something I am tasked with taking care of myself. This is not something I take lightly.
As penance for my departure, please find enclosed ten thousand marks. This should be able to sustain you for some time. Please use it sparingly; I know you are young, please refrain from any foolish purchases. We have our lives and greater futures in the works if we try hard enough. I knew you were special the minute I found you in Southerly Village. Understand, I want no harm to come to you; so I am taking this journey alone under the guidance of Salmira—whom has agreed to help me.
Should all go well, I will meet up with you in Alfgard at the appropriate time. Until then, please enjoy the accommodations of Muspell Harbor to recover your spirit. Do not be long, you have another quest ahead of you. There is a pyramid somewhere in Muspell. It is not far from the ocean, but it is still in the desert. Talk to the locals, find its location. Take Surt with you. When your mission is complete, escort him back to his den on Mt. Surt north of Maria Village.
When the appropriate time comes, I will have Salmira appear before you with news of my journey. If all goes well, you will have Lumia activate the Bifrost Bridge and you will be able to meet me in the country of Alfgard.
This leg of our saga is an important one and will no doubt be full of peril. Make sure you are stocked up and well prepared. I would buy some weapons from the locals.
I will not say it will be with luck, but rather with our wits about us and much experience gained—that we will see each other again. Count on meeting me again Vera—I do not die so easily. Good luck, and stay safe!
So says I,
Alice Verdandi, Lady Strife.
---
“Dear Journal,
This is ridiculous. I don’t know what in Muspell Strife is thinking. The locals are getting restless due to a firedrake in the area. I know who it is. They are looking towards me for protection. My Valkyrie status did not go unnoticed. It has made it much easier to find out about the pyramid. It is thirty-six miles out in the desert. It is just two miles shy of a mountain range. It is unusually hot in that area and most mere mortals would never make it that far even with a caravan. It is necessary to use an enchantment to keep cool or to find some way to fly in. I thankfully have a flying dracokin on my side.
Maybe that ‘is’ in Muspell what she was thinking.
-Sweiza
P.S. We checked with the local harbor magistrate about Elga’s living family. They has an aunt and uncle still alive. They are merchants (thankfully), but she will live a good life; one that is better than galavanting all over the nine realms. Olaf sad he would have stayed with us, but he has some kind of unfinished business with a local barkeeper. He hopes to meet us on our adventures again. I highly doubt that in my case, but whatever. I will miss both Olaf and Elga; they were very good company on this journey. I am not looking forward to the day it just me and Strife again, it gets quit lo…
There is a scribble mark from Sprite divebombing Sweiza’s pen. It turns out he was reading her diary and didn’t like the bit about ‘being lonely’ with it just being Strife.
—
“Journal-
I swear that dragon causes a ruckus wherever he goes. His gills be damned, he doesn’t hide in the water very well. He is causing swells and ripples in the water near the ships in the harbor. They bob here and there and sway too and fro. The fishermen are complaining about the fishing being bad lately. Their nets have also been destroyed on a number of occasions. I don’t know why I put up with him. His neck is thankfully long enough to have him spy on the upper decks of ships where people think no one can hear them. Unfortunately for them, they are quite wrong!
When I asked Surt why he put up with Strife and helps her, he told me she promised him a massive gold hoard that would lull him to sleep each night for at least a century. I heard dragons like gold, but I had no idea. It sould seem Surt has lost his mate, and therefor wishes to die an old dragon with the largest gold hoard the likes Avalan has ever seen. That’ll be the day.
I asked him why Strife would want him back at his den. His answer was simple enough; dracokin are not welcome beyond the borders of Nifflung and Muspell. Beyond that and into the realms of Midgard, Alfgard and even Vanir—the Sentinels will patrol and destroy them. It’s only with the dragon numbers further in Muspell and Myrkvellir that they can take on a Sentinel.
Strange.
-Sweiza”
—
“Journal-
I checked in at the local pub. They found it strange a young girl traveling by herself. I gave them no attention and chatted it up with some of the local fishermen and locals. The pyramid some thirty miles out in the desert is guarded by a curse; those who have managed to make it out alive have ransacked it of all of its treasure. Surt has insisted that we go there tomorrow. He’s crazy. What’s he going to do, carry all that gold back to his den?
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
I found out from one of the locals that a merchant from West Vanir is selling a Scriving Mirror. The merchant is asking for an astute five-thousand marks. I don’t know how rare they are, but that is ridiculous. Surt assures me I should buy it, as they are very uncommon and it would allow me to keep in contact with Strife. She never mentioned how rare they were either, but I have never heard of one in all my time in Maria. Were they made illegal in Midgard? I thought Maria was outside the normal province of Valhalla Law.
With luck we can hit the pyramid tomorrow at night. It will be cooler then, and we don’t have to worry about anyone seeing Sprite and myself leave on Surt.
Yes, we’ll be flying by dracoback. I’m looking forward to being one of the few people to have befriend and then ridden a dragon.
Much love,
-Sweiza
—
“Journal-
It took us two hours to fly out by dragonback to the pyramid. I am lucky that the locals knew exactly what direction the pyramid was in—it wasn’t exactly a secret, but few people are brave (or foolish) enough to journey there. I bought plenty of good food and purified seawater in containers and stored them in my being (for lack of better words). We do not have to worry about food and drink if we are stuck here for several days.
As unfortunate as it is, Surt is too big to fit in the passageways of the pyramid. Sprite and I will have to take this journey alone. I left some water jugs for Surt. He said his claws are actually quite maneuverable like human hands and it wouldn’t be an issue; whatever. I asked Surt how he can handle the heat; it seems not to bother him. But how can he be in one place for several hours on end, perfectly still without it bothering him? Doesn’t he get bored?
Wait, nevermind. He just told me it doesn’t bother him. Stoic dragons to Muspell!
…nevermind. I am cursed.
Nevermind again. Sprite and I will begin our journey. The pyramid is said not to be guarded, but I expect plenty of booby-traps or nether-world spirits to have taken up refuge here. I thankfully have plenty of firestarter and bought torches at Muspell Harbor. However, I want to conserve them as much as possible and will use Sprite as my guide and light whenever possible.
It feels so exciting for my first real adventure by myself!
Hugs and kisses!
-Sweiza”
—
“Journal-
To describe our current location is weird. The pyramid glows with a shininess the likes I have never seen; perhaps a sun reflecting off of a mirror. I gather the pyramid maybe uses the sun for something—to ward off bandits? Unlikely. Most of the rooms we have visited have been ransacked.
There are multiple entrances into the pyramid on its four sides. At the base of each side there is an entrance, along with multiple stairways leading further up to other doors. We chose to go through the main entrance which directly faces the direction we came (from Muspell Harbor). The doors to this entrance were blown apart by some kind of explosive. Dynamite maybe?
Everything in the pyramid appears to be made out of the same tan stone. How did they build it all the way out here? I’d heard the legends of pyramids throughout Muspell, but I didn’t believe them. No one would be crazy enough to build a monument ou in the desert right? I guess I’m still learning something new everyday!
Doors are everywhere. Many of them have been blown off their hinges. Others appear not to have any hinges, but also have been blown away by some kind of explosive. I’ve confirmed it was by explosives due to the scorch marks and damage to the surrounding hallway. The doors have crumbled due to the blast. I feel sorry for the original people that built this place; I don’t think this is what they had intended for their artwork. By art, I do mean it. There are pictures and drawings in the same style all over the walls. They look to be painted. There are many strange symbols that have been hammered along the walls at about eye level. Sprite says they are a language, but he doesn’t understand it. Here and there I sometimes see the strange mystic runes of Futhark also chiseled in the wall. It looks breathtaking with a torch flickering the symbol’s shadows all over the wall. Maybe this pyramid is the place “Where no Valylkyrie dares to read”?
So far there have been no booby-traps. I’m surprised. The only thing discernible is that the doors that did not have hinges, were used to seal off dead ends. Sprite and I learned this the hardway when we got lost the first few times—I reckon it was for a few hours. I got scared at one point when I thought I saw a ghost. It turns out it was a pair of jeweled eyes buried in a figure statue on a pedestal. I used a wooden arrow to hit it to see if it did anything. Nothing happened. It looked safe to touch. I tried it. Nothing happened. This adventure is starting to disappoint me.
Bored-
-Sweiza”
—
“Journal-
The corridor we followed was nothing more than a hall with multiple doors (about twenty) that lead to different areas. All but two of them were a dead end. The two we did follow—two hinged doors that were not blasted open, but simply opened—simply lead around the central chamber of this monument. Why they did not have a center door at the end of the hallway seems stupid, but whatever. By my reckoning the pyramid itself is large (about half a mile wide); the central chamber is about an eight of a mile wide. There are all kinds of items strewn about. Something I can describe as book pages, clothing, etc. I…”
There is a noticeable scribble on the paper as Sweiza’s hand jerks her pen when Sprite’s cries alert her. She stands up and grits herself. She knew something was coming.
Sprite comes flying right at her. He flies past her. Sweiza only hears his words “Ghost!”
The crossbow appears in her hands and she shoots it straight at the eyes of the creature. It passes right through. Sweiza suddenly drops the crossbow, let’s out a shriek and runs with Sprite. They run right down the corridor and out the entrance to the Pyramid.
Surt looks up bemused at a young girl crying out several frightened groans and shouts; a spritekin zigzags behind her.
“You found what you were looking for?” The dragon’s eyes are not glowing for once; they are a definitive red with the cat-eye slits Sweiza is so familiar with.
“G-Ghost!” Sweiza dashes behind Surt and cowers behind his left wing-arm.
The dragon looks up and lets out a snort of steam from his nostrils. He makes an odd sound. Sweiza can’t believe it. Is he laughing at them?
“Worse things in this world than ghosts.” The dragon says it as his neck cranes back over his wing; he looks down at the girl with his eyes glowing red.
Sweiza still shakes in fear.
“Let’s camp out here for the rest of the night and then we’ll go back tomorrow!”
The dragon’s neck cranes back over as it looks up at the pyramid. He still can’t believe this girl is the daughter of the one that dared to make a deal with him. Whatever. He has better things to do.
He curls his neck under his wing. His eyes close. He seems not a care in the world.
Sweiza is left to gape at his closed eyes. She resists the urge to kick his front claws. Instead she drops down to her butt and slides her back onto his wing. A small nap will do.
Sprite protests. She will have none of it. She is tired. A small nap will do. Hopefully the dragon doesn’t crush her.
---
Sweiza is enchanted by the idea of joining Torry Enders at the Dragon’s Tail Pub. Not only does it seem like a ‘swell’ joint, but there will be a number of people from all walks of life there exchanging stories. However, her real goal is to finally outdo Strife and ferret some information out about their surroundings.
It starts out easily enough. She eavesdrops on a conversation about a dragon that has been sighted in the area. She figures it is Surt. She mutters her crew saw there was a black dragon with horns; some kind of firedrake that has strayed from its territory. Nobody believes her.
Strife appears to be uninterested and makes her way to the actual bar portion of the pub. Valhallan Tea, no sugar. She makes a face when it hits her lips. Sweiza is already there holding a cup of sugar. Strife eyes it once.
“It really could use more sugar.” Strife is taken aback when Sweiza pushes it into her. Strife shakes her head. “Traditionally the apprentice helps the mentor with their menial tasks.”
Sweiza cocks her head once at her. Strife holds out the large dwarven mug of tea. Sweiza’s head drops. Strife is again taken aback when Sweiza generously dumps rapid teaspoons into the tea. Strife jerks the mug once to let Sweiza know that is enough.
It goes to her lips. Strife’s eyebrow twitches again.
“Well?” Sweiza leans in. This time she has the upperhand.
“A little sweeter than what I’m used to.” Strife turns back around on her stool and survey’s some of the people also there.
Sweiza lightly stamps her foot and makes a “Hmph!” before setting the sugar down and walking away in disgust. She tries to find Mr. Enders to see what he is up to. Perhaps there will be a pre-night entertainment and he has found it. The real fun is going to be with her ‘master plan’.
She finds Torry. He is busy telling tales of his galavanting around the region. Sea serpents, dragons, rockwyrms, harpies, they all make it in there. Sweiza walks up. Then there is his tale of the young girl and the sprite that fended off an entire army of the goblins. Sweiza can’t believe what she is hearing. He is over flat out lieing about their adventures. Surely he is lieing, or exaggerating still—about their adventures and then those he has had by himself.
Everyone is busy laughing, and she can’t figure out why. Torry waves his hand up and one of the waitresses comes by with a fresh mug of Bothnin ail. He hands it to the girl and winks at her. “I have a feeling I know what your intent. Make no mistake, everyone here has the same plan.”
He pushes the mug in front of her and makes a drinking motion with his hands. She gets the idea. They all intend to milk information out of each other and has fun.
Surely Strife won’t mind, not one drink. She’ll have to be careful so she can keep her wits about her. Her plan won’t work if she gets too tipsy. It’ll take awhile though; dwarves have a higher threshold than humans. She drinks up, slowly.
She underestimates how soon her cheeks become flushed (much like everyone else). She is soon hooting and hollering along with everyone else. There is dancing and merriment. Sweiza eventually dances with what she can only describe as a dwarven woman, but with a beard. Perhaps she has gotten ‘too’ tipsy.
Regardless, with everyone’s faces flushed she looks for her opening. Torry is right next to her and gives her a playful nod.
Sweiza jumps into the center of the dance floor and starts a peculiar dance. Sprite has been filled in on her plan. He jumps between her arms and she starts tossing him between the two, then holding her hands out and he starts doing loop de loops. A dizzy sprite finally drops to the ground, but a blue ring remains in a circle. She blows it towards one of the pub patrons. There is much cheering. If they weren’t already flushed with merriment, this plan might not have worked.
A few of her backwater village tricks go on for a few more minutes. Torrie takes his cue and starts with more stories of his gallavanting. This goes on for thirty minutes. More drinks in that time enter their lips and their faces flush from pink to red. Sweiza is having trouble standing and finally stumbles her way to the bar. Her face and person are known at this point; Strife is a little bemused, but maintains her composure.
Sweiza hatches her plan.
“I was curious about Delphis and Alcyon’s activity in the area. We’re currently bounty hunting them.”
Strife’s eyes widen at the girl’s ploy. How the hell did she come up with something so clever?
One of the patrons next to her, a heavily muscled dwarven woman is the first to speak up. “…its the hydro electric plant; everybody knows the whole cult is the reason it was built. It would do you well to stay away with it.”
Strife pipes up, “…and why would bounty hunters be afraid of requesting a little money?”
The woman is a bit flabbergasted, perhaps from drinking to much, “Nevermind. I don’t concern myself with outsiders.”
Strife’s face turns into a puckered smile and she walks over to Sweiza. Sweiza will have none of it. “Does the magistrate have anything to do with it?”
A bar patron that is eavesdropping speaks up. “He’s in on the cult. People who get close to him start to disappear.”
Now the bartender speaks up, “You should head their advice. One of our regulars disappeared for a time after taking up a bounty at the dam. When he came back he was telling crazy stories of people turning to stone.”
“Is it the basilisk?” Sweiza enquires. It is met with a nod from the bartender.
Sweiza looks at Strife and is about to ask another question when Torry comes up. He places a hand on the girl’s upper shoulder and starts ushering her away from the bar. “Come, my friends want to see more of your Sprite’s magic.”
Strife’s eyebrow cocks up as Sweiza quickly pulls up the mantle of entertainer. This is going to be a night to remember.
In total—and some few hours later—Sweiza is on her fifth mug of the dwarven ail, but stops drinking it. She doesn’t feel so good. She gets up and starts to teeter away from the bar. One of the dwarves there does want to finish their conversation, “So what are two Valkyrie doing as far out as Bothnin? Are you really taking on the Basilisk bounty?”
Sweiza nods. She is about to speak further—but Strife walks up and puts her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “I think you’ve had enough Vera.” She turns the girl around and towards the exit. Sweiza protests.
“No buts, even your Sprite friend is drunk.” Strife’s words point Sweiza eyes on Sprite whom is having trouble flying straight. She nods.
“Besides, if you drink much more you will have a nasty hangover tomorrow; or worse, one of these ruffians will want your services in private. Do you really want to risk that?”
Sweiza shakes her head. She attempts to walk to the door, but staggers again and nearly trips over herself. Strife puts the girl’s left arm around her own body and then hoists the girl up. “I’ll be your shield. Let’s go.”
Strife has no interest in Torry attempting to usher them over further. Valkyrie or not, she refuses to be as inebriated as a dwarf—her apprentice may have reservations, but Strife herself will allow no further pettiness.
Sweiza lets out a random giggle as Strife pushes the door open with her boot. Strife lets a scowl at the girl as she pulls her outside. It is a few hundred feet to the inn, so it will be an adventure and a half getting there. However, her real fear is trying to get up the stares. Thank Goddess Freya that the girl hasn’t thrown up yet.
Sweiza lets out a groan. Strife shakes her head again. This wasn’t how it was supposed to end up. She’ll have to keep an eye on the girl more carefully from now on.