Words of the Oracle

Year: 1491, Month: Mirtul, Date:13th

A new day dawns.  Once we are ready we discuss what we should try next.  We've explored the complex now and still haven't found the Oracle.  Harshnag is a Giant, and as this is a place of Giants, it would make sense that a Giant must unlock the way to the Oracle. Eventually we convince Harshnag that he should try taking the Axe of Thrym and touch it to the Ice rune.  A Frost Giant, using the weapon of the Frost Giant diety, with the Ice rune might be the combination that unlocks the archway.  Just in case, Leo conjures his dome of force to protect us should we be wrong.  Harshnag seems sanguine about putting himself once again in danger.

As Harshnag touches the Axe to the Ice rune, it vanishes from his hands, reappearing in Thrym's hands.  The mist in the archway coalesces into churning thunderclouds lit by flashes of lightning, rolling thunder reverberates around the whole temple, although no harm befalls Harshnag.

When the lightning dissipates, we leave the safety of Leo's dome of force.  Where the mist once was in the archway, we can now see another room.  I, Harshnag, Leo, and Celery go through the archway into a hexagonal chamber whose walls rise 50 feet before tapering to a 90 foot high apex.  Standing in each corner of the room is a life size statue of a Giant holding up a lantern with one arm raised.  A cold light radiates from each lantern, illuminating a frozen corpse of a Giant lying on the floor beneath a shroud of frost.  Next to the Giant is a huge morning star also covered in Frost.  Celery asks Harshnag if the morning star is the weapon of the All-Father?  Harshnag says, "No, the All-Father does not need any weapon."  "Whose weapon is that then?"  "I would guess it belonged to the dead cloud giant lying on the floor".

As we approach the corpse to investigate, there is the sound of rushing wind and the ice swirls around the corpse before coalescing into a figure of a Cloud Giant.  It looks at Harshnag, "Brother after so long."  Harshnag nods at the ghostly giant.  The ghost tries to move towards us, but some unseen forces seem to restrict how far he can move.  He looks down at his feet, "So I am still trapped here.  Who are you?"

Leo says we're trying to find out about the Ordning and the disappearance of Hekaton, the King of the Giants.

So you've come to see the oracle

Yes we have.  What is binding and trapping you here?

My father brought me here to seek the Oracle's wisdom centuries ago, and she warned us of great upheaval that would upset the balance of the world, giving all giants the opportunity to win the respect of their gods and bring glory to their race.  She told my father that he would never impress the gods, then urged me to step out from beneath my father's "dark shadow".  My father, Blagothkus, became overwrought and enraged and we fought and my father slew me in this place. You could avenge my death.  I have been part of the Oracle for so long now I don't think I can ever leave.

Where can we find the Oracle?

Eigeron gestures to his feet and I see there is a mithril inlaid circle inscribed with the Kong rune, and inscribed with the words "Ask your question and know truth" in a Dwarvish script.

How do we summon the Oracle? 

Stand on the Kong rune and ask your question.  You get as many questions as there are lights in this room.

After a moments consideration I step into the circle and onto the Kong rune.  In Giant, I ask:

How do we fix the Ordning? 

Nothing happens. I look questioningly at Eigeron who says, "Clear the ice."  We set about clearing the frost and ice, before I step into the circle and onto the Kong rune, and ask a second time

How do we fix the Ordning?

In a thundering voice in Giant I hear in response:

Only Annam can fix the Ordning.

As the answer ends, one of the lanterns goes out.  Only five no remain.   After each question, I step from the circle and discuss what to ask next with my companions.

What will stop the races of Giants rampaging across Faerun? 

Find a magic conch of the Giant King, use it to visit his court, and root out the evil therein.

Where can we find a magic conch? 

In the clutches of a giant lord.

Where can we find Heckaton?

As I ask this question there is no response, although questions were answered immediately.  I understand the answer to be Unknown.  No light goes out with this question.

Who killed queen Neri? 

The Order of the Kraken Society.

Why was Queen Neri killed?

To start a war between Dragons and Giants and to wipe out the lesser races.

Who is behind the desire to rage war?

Iymrith, a blue dragon, in the guise of a storm giant.

The final lantern goes out with the answer to the last question, and I step away from the circle.  We seem to have got some answers, although it has led to more questions. We ask Eigeron if he knows where the Giant Lords live, but he says that is a question for the Oracle.  Eigeron says the portal only stays open for an hour.  If you tarry you will be trapped here for eternity.  Come back another day to ask your questions.

With that we hurry back to the main chamber of the temple.  We remain there for the rest of the day.  I tend to my weapons, and repair and clean my armour. Leo once more conjures his dome of force, and we sleep safe within, setting no watch.