Odin's Visit (Ingulfr)

[archolewa]

Ingulfr stands in a great sunken graveyard next to a stone well. Large carrion birds circle overhead, and there are no animal sounds save the cawing of a crow. In the center of the graveyard, a little over a hundred feet away Ingulfr can see a stone statue, and beyond it a mausoleum built from strange green stone.

He walks past myriad grave markers, following the cawing of the crow.

Soon, he finds himself standing in front of a life-sized dwarven statue. An old man in ratty robes, wearing a broad-brimmed hat sits on the feet of the statue. He taps his staff against the base of the statue. Each tap sends out a hollow thunk echoing through the graveyard. A crow sits upon his shoulder cawing.

The old man looks up at Ingulfr. One eye twinkles, while the other is permanently shut. He stops tapping. "Evil grows beneath the Earth, and so does Ragnarok draw nearer. Solar's Army sought to purge the depths, but the Soldiers of Light fear and hate the darkness, and so they fell to it. It is time for us to try our hand, for the night is our home. You must seek the depths of Rappan Athuk. Scatter Orcus' forces. Drive them deeper into the Earth. Reclaim our stolen treasures. Delay Ragnarok. But be wise. You venture into the Enemy's Realm. Pick your battles. Fight when you have the advantage."

The old man stands, towering above Ingulf. His cloak falls away to reveal a magnificent suit of mail. He holds in his hand not an old, worn staff, but the magnificent spear Gugnir. He turns and throws his spear, casting it above the green mausoleum. A challenge. A declaration of war. His voice booms. "Go, and challenge Rappan Athuk! Succeed or fail, live or die, Valhalla awaits you!"

Ingulfr awakens, "Valhalla awaits you!" echoing in his ears.