// History 8 //

... Ink assuredly has knowledge of the axe, as he knows of the stories of Harshnag of the Gray Hands and has studied extensively giant lore in Silverymoon, but cannot recall it at the moment given his singular focus. 

Marav follows quietly, Steele remaining on his shoulder his sharp eyes looking everywhere. He will occasionally fly up then land on Marav's shoulder. He is wary of this place.

Looking at the axe Marav tries to remember if he knows anything, stories from his childhood.

Knowledge History: 21

Marav knows of the legendary Gurt’s Greataxe. As the story goes, in the Year of the Icy Axe (123 DR), the frost giant lord Gurt fell to Uthgar Gardolfsson—leader of the folk who would become the Uthgardt barbarians—in a battle that marked the ascendance of humankind over the giants in the Dessarin Valley. Gurt’s greataxe was lost for centuries until it was brought back to Waterdeep during the Second Troll War. After laying in the city’s vaults for some time, the axe was given to Harshnag in recognition of his service to Waterdeep over 100 years ago, as a member of the Gray Hands.

The double doors leading south are tall granite doors, similar to the front doors now that you can see them without the thick ice and frost covering them. They are granite, adorned with bas-reliefs that (like the front doors) depict regal giants fighting and slaying dragons. The doors are designed to be pulled open from this side; the handles are 12 feet off the floor, and require someone to reach them to unlatch them.

Harshnag waits patiently behind you.

Rip will explore with Ink and Flint

Rip stands before the closed doors several times as tall as he, with ornate carvings of giants in battle with terrible dragons. 

"Umm, Harshnag," Ink begins, "I don't suppose you would mind opening these lovely doors for us?" 

"Also, is there any generational knowledge left as to why giants and dragons are such bitter enemies?" 

Harshnag shrugs as he pulls on the handle. The door unlatches and swings open, revealing a long, well-lit room beyond.

"It goes back to the age of dawn," he rumbles, holding the door for you to enter. "Many thousands of years ago, in the days of Ostoria. When giants and dragons ruled the world. Or so they say."

The room (the "Feast Hall," as Harshnag explains) is warm and dry. Bright light emanates from a raging fire contained within a bowl-shaped basin in the center of the chamber. 

Arranged about the fire pit are six giant tables carved out of granite, with matching benches, and two 9-foot-tall stone slabs inside the space outlined by the tables. From what you can see, atop the southernmost slab, giant-sized plates and goblets are neatly stacked, while the plates and goblets on the northernmost slab have been knocked over, creating a mess on (and around) the slab.

"Seems like there was quite the party here," Ink comments. 

Then snapping his fingers, Quill reappears in flight nearby - she immediately flaps her wings, pulling up to a comfortable glide forty feet above them.

Ink tells her, "Scout the room, Quill. Screech if you see anything moving or dangerous, so stay high and keep safe."

"we might find the fire rune here given that" Rip points to the 'raging fire contained within a bowl-shaped basin in the center of the chamber.' he starts looking around

investigation 17

Marav walks up to the basin. // A few feet away // He studies it.

Perception: 6
Investigation: 5

// Not sure which one you want //

Crownsguard will also assist, Investigation: 19. Also Dog will help out, Perception: 18

Cat remains content.

Ink, last night's activities still fresh in his mind, doesn't go too far into the room until Quill gives him the all clear. Noting his companions moving forward, he hesitantly moves south climbing on to the top of the first of the tables. 

Flint moves towards the northern slab, thinking to look through the debris

Perception: 12 guidance: 3

// Whoever wants to try climbing the 9-foot stone slab, please make a Strength (Athletics) check. //

The room is 240 feet wide by 440 feet deep, with a 200-foot-wide alcove in the center of the east wall. Six 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 in the entry hall and the temple main chamber. 

Leaning against the southern stone slab, past the blazing basin, you see a giant, steel greataxe blade.

In the alcove to the east, there is a huge rubbish pile, bones picked clean and other dry waste.

Athletics: 17

The stone slab is easily twice Flint’s height, and won’t be possible for him to climb without some sort of aid or implement. 

Crownsguard will climb: 22!

Ink jumps down the northern table, then makes his way to the table on the east side, climbing from bench to table.

Ink comments, "There - an axe."

Quill circles the room, starting on the west end and moving counterclockwise, surveying for danger or perhaps shiny objects. 

Marav will help Flint up. Then he will climb up himself.

Athletics: 11
Athletics: 3 (second if needed to help Flint)

Also if I can use Acrobatics instead I can add 2 to each of these. Not sure it would work, maybe to swing myself up.