"Harshnag, may we borrow your axe to test a theory and potentially open a portal? We found a statue of a frost giant in a pose that indicates he is offering a weapon. That weapon is missing..." Ilezenya asks. If the giant agrees, and after their rest, the half-drow suggests the party put the giant axe in the statue's hands and see what happens!

Illezenya attempts to persuade Harshnag to surrender his great axe so that it can be placed in the hands of Frost Giant statue (Persuasion roll = 19))

Harshnag picks his axe up and then looks over at Illezenya as if seriously considering his proposal before replying "this is Gurt's great axe forged over a millennia ago for the Frost Giant Lord Gurt. When he died in battle with Uthgar Gardolfsson—leader of the folk who would become the Uthgardt barbarians—the humans took his axe as a symbol that the Gods supported their claims to the Dessarin Valley. It has been trusted to me by the Lord's of Waterdeep to protect humans and I do not think - that even if you could lift it - they would think kindly of me giving it up no matter how important the cause!"

Spoiler - Mullo 

At the mention that Harshnag's axe is Gurt's great axe, Mullo looks up in surprise, her many beads and bones rattling. "Harshnag!" she exclaims, sounding almost angry. "Is what you say true? Surely Gurt's axe is still buried in Morgur's mound!" She is immediately at the giant's side, scrutinizing the axe and reaching out toward it, but not daring to touch it.

As more voices are raised even D.O.R.K could not help but look up from self-maintenance to regard the small commotion. However, she remained mute for the time being, and simply looked to Devin as if he seeking some context for the latest conflict. If details are not forthcoming though, the construct goes back to quietly observing the conversation far more closely than before. 

At Mullo's obvious concern Harshnag turns and replies "I was not aware the axe had ever been placed in Morgur's mound and I do not know when it was taken from there. While I am obviously the beneficiary of the desecration, all I can do is apologise for it!"

Mullo takes a step away from the giant, looking for all intents and purposes as though she is a cat ready to pounce. "I thought it looked familiar when I first laid eyes on it, but never dreamed it could be the actual axe of the Lord of the Pale Giants," she says, still sounding on edge. There is a single pop of electricity. "Where did you get it?"

“Pale giants, I’ve heard that term before but not for some years. As to your question, I have been a member of Force Grey for well over a century now. Force Grey was formed by the then Blackstaff of Waterdeep to deal with threats to the city  The Guard and The Watch could not handle without risking significant loss of life. We’ve often been called upon only as a last resort, since the Lords tend to not be terribly fond of our methods – even though we try as much as possible to minimize loss of life and damage to structures. But to return to your question about 100 years ago the then Open Lord Piergeiron the Paladinson gifted me with this weapon” Harshnag tells Mullo.

"Perhaps-..." D.O.R.K cuts in immediately after Harshnag finishes answering. "It would be better to further inquire into the means by which it has been removed from its burial back in Waterdeep, and speak with this Piergeiron or their successor at a later time." She suggests, getting to her feet at that point and more pointedly focused on Mullo. "For now, we should stay focused on our main objective at the moment, and not let potential misunderstandings distract from this mission."

Ebonitus chimes in: "I agree with D.o.R.K. on this matter. Harshnag has been gifted with this axe and is using it in good faith. It's providence is not our concern at this moment, but something that should be followed up later. Once we are rested, we need to investigate further the crack in the wall. Mind you, if this is the size of axe we are looking for, we might need to investigate some of the other paths."  

Mullo is at first confused by Harshnag's answer, but before she has a chance to reply, Dork and Ebonius speak words of peace. The shaman pauses, still scowling. She looks at the others for a few moments and finally nods her shaggy head. Wordlessly, she moves away from Harshnag, turning her back to the giant, and now appearing to not want to even face the axe.

When D looks to Devin for understanding he merely shrugs his shoulders.  "Can't say I know anything about it.  I've heard of Force Grey, but they don't concern themselves with street rats of the Field Ward.  As for axes I know even less.  Sorry." 

As Ebonitus speaks of the cracks.  "I am not sure that is where we need to focus our attention.  We need to understand the portal, which I assume the archway is, and how to pass through it to get to the Eye of the All Father. We need to explore the rest of the temple first."

Seeing Mullo's reaction, D.O.R.K's gaze is drawn again back to the axe. Though after canting her head this way and that not unlike a bird while studying it again, she eventually lowers her gaze to the ground for a few moments. "There are the other unopened doors in the offering chamber." She confirms for Devin, glancing up to the human, and then over to the main doors. "We shall try them next, once everyone's finished their repairs." With that, she walked off just a little ways so that she could continue observing the others while also making some much needed self repairs.

(OOC: If you haven't already, don't forget to roll any hit die for the short rest.)

Once the hour is up and all at least appeared well enough to continue, D.O.R.K wordlessly takes point reentering the multi statued room, intending on reaching the other unopened door and seeing to its opening with the help of others. Even if frozen, she at least wasn't above putting in the elbow grease to break the ice.

Hit dice: 11 10

After a short rest (roll HD as appropriate and desired) the party makes their way back into the complex. By working in two teams of two it only takes them a bit over 15 minutes to chip and lever enough ice off the southern doors that they can open them. The room on the other side of the doors - like everything else in the complex is vast. in the middle darkness for everybody except Illezenya, the party can see a large fire pit with a flame burning in the centre. The fire is throwing out light to a radius of about 100 feet. Surrounding the fire the party can make out at least four tables and two large stone slabs.

Even Illezenya with his superior dark vision is unable to make out the full size of the room. What he can tell is that the room is 240 feet wide by more than 300 feet deep. He can see four pillars each 20 feet in diameter and 60 feet tall, support the vaulted ceiling. The walls are lined with niches and sconces identical to the ones the party has seen previously. About 120 feet down on the eastern side he can see what looks like a large alcove.

Ilezenya will investigate the edges of the vast room using his darkvision, including the alcove on the eastern side. "I'm going to check the dark edges of the room - you all check out the fire and objects in the light."

Mullo feels she is more of a protector than a leader and will spend her time keeping watch for the danger she was warned of.

Perception: 24

"Affirmative. But do try to avoid getting too far away from us, as it may be difficult to respond appropriately, and most of us can no longer perceive things in the dark." D.O.R.K requests. But despite agreeing to Ilezenya's suggested course, she looks to Devin and Ebonitus as if seeking reaffirmation of the plan. Even if one of them also agreed, it is enough for the living construct to nod, before then begin the trek to the fire at a cautious pace. "It is most strange. Acolyte Devin? Do you think it is possible that those flames might be of a magical source?" She asked offhandedly on the way closer to the fire pit for a closer examination.

It takes the party a bit over a minute to carefully make their way to the edge of the firepit. In the middle of the alcove both Illezenya and Mullo can spy movement as some sort of mult-legged creature starts rushing towards the party. It will take the creature one round to reach Illezenya on the edge of the light created by the firepit. Both Illezenya and Mullo estimate that at the speed it is moving it will reach the rest of party - which includes where Mullo is standing a round later.

(OOC: see map in discord. While the area between the where the party is standing and the door is actually in darkness I've shown it as the party has seen it. I can't find any rules on whether darkvision starts at the character or the edge of the darkness beyond the lit are - I'm choosing to interpret it as being from the edge of the darkeness (e.g. Mullo can see 60 feet beyond the lit area).

I see no new map in Discord.

(I don't see any current maps, but I did get into the Discord server!)

Ilezenya instinctively calls forth the drow magic of his ancestors, illuminating the creature in a violet light (if it fails a DC15 Dex check! For the next minute, objects and affected creatures shed dim light in a 10-foot radius. Any attack roll against an affected creature or object has advantage if the attacker can see it, and the affected creature or object can't benefit from being invisible.)