Crownsguard points across his chest to Ink and nods, “He makes several excellent points. Also, when did you die? Before or after the fall of Netheril?”

“Netheril? The small folk empire? It is extinct, yes? Forgive me, I do not follow small folk history, but I believe that Netheril was well before my father’s time, and even before that of his father.”

At Ink’s words, the ghost sighs once more. “I have nothing to offer but my help, which I am happy to give. I would request that you visit vengeance upon my evil father so that I can at last find rest. I cannot leave this chamber, nor can I speak directly with the oracle, so I have no idea where my father currently is. Perhaps the oracle has the answer.” The ghost then explains, indicating the six impressive giant statues holding lanterns aloft, "The oracle will answer only up to six concise questions per day, and will do so truthfully, but the answers are often...cryptic in nature." He points out the runic circle, which is all but buried in frost, where one must stand in order to be heard by the oracle.  

At the mention of the breastplate, the spirit nods sadly. “I can no longer use my belongings, and have no attachments to them. Use them as you will. The breastplate is dwarvenmade, and has magical properties. You may also take my opal, if you can find it. I had it with me when I was slain. It contains ancient runic magic. But a warning...trust in even the most powerful magic items to protect you is no shield against betrayal from those people in whom you trust.”
​

“I see. Understandable. Perhaps more time has passed than I initially thought.” At his allowance, Crownsguard will retrieve the opal. Better he enter a trap than the squishies.

Crownsguard is able to pry a triangular fire opal from Eigeron’s frozen clutches. The gem measures about three inches on each side and is half an inch thick. A runic symbol shimmers within its core, and it feels slightly warm to the touch.

Does it seem similar to the Ise Rune we encountered before with the... creature that will not be mentioned?

Quote from JcAndD >>

Does it seem similar to the Ise Rune we encountered before with the... creature that will not be mentioned?

 This is a different rune entirely, but it obviously has magical properties like the shard of ice. 

Interesting! Time to hand it over to resident magic man... Flint!

Harshnag speaks up. “We have a limited amount of time...I would like to offer you all the chance to ask your questions before I ask mine. You have earned it.”

Flint dutifully casts ritual identify on the Opal then turns his attention to the breastplate. "Sounds like we need ta think through what we're ta ask. We need ta know about Rip's kin, an' th' ordnin'. Should we ask how ta find more o' these runes? Other gate locations?"

"would we each get six questions?"

Time Spent in the Eye of the All-Father: 10 minutes

Flint begins to ritually cast Identify on the opal, which requires concentration and his action each round for the next 10 minutes.

In reply to Rip, Harshnag says, "There's one way to find out. Go ahead with the most pressing question first."

"Right, okay Specter boy... how does this work?"

Ink, picking himself up from the ground after Crownsguard pushed him out of the way to get the opal he was looking at quips, "Well, then, someone is taking on some very human qualities it seems."

Ink brushes himself off and goes to Harshnag, asking, "While the rest of them are asking their questions, and Flint is looking at that opal, could you quickly help me get that armor off of Eigeron’s non-spiritual body?"

"Rip, you should go first, ask them about your family. That's the priority."

Then, to the group, "We know the ordning is broken, so we should ask how to restore it. We know King Hekaton has been lost, we should ask where he is. If we suspect foul play, and one should always suspect that, we should ask who orchestrated it."

"With Rip's question that's three maybe four questions. Two more after that and the oracle is done for the day. Perhaps we could ask what the giant lords are planning - because they are definitely up to something."

"Thats five - we leave the last question for Harshnag."

"Harshnag, let's move the body so that Rip can ask his question. Once we have six questions asked we'll find out if we can ask more, but let's assume it's six questions per DAY, but hope that it's more. Also, I don't want to find out what will happen if that portal closes with us on this side... So, everyone, hop to it!"

Military Ink has shown his face once more. 

Looking up at Eigeron as Ink helps Harshnag with moving the body, using fire to melt some of the frost and levitate to make it a bit lighter to carry, he asks, "Eigeron, can the portal be opened from this side?"

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

Ink, picking himself up from the ground after Crownsguard pushed him out of the way to get the opal he was looking at quips, "Well, then, someone is taking on some very human qualities it seems."

 

 Crownsguard tilts his head, “In what way, Ink?”

Time Spent in the Eye of Annam: 12 minutes

Eigeron’s ghost turns slowly to Rip, and simply gestures towards the ground in the middle of the room, as if inviting Rip to stand there.

Harshnag helps Ink remove the golden breastplate, which proves not to be difficult for him in the slightest. Whoever Harshnag hands it to can receive it; as they do, it shrinks to the size of the receiver. 

Ink’s flame magic melts the frost in the immediate area, revealing the floor beneath the corpse: etched into the floor (and no longer hidden under the frost) is a 20-foot-diameter, mithral-inlaid circle inscribed in dwarven runes (giantish words in the Dethek script), the words of which encircle what looks to be another magical giant rune. 

Eigeron answers Ink, “I do not know. We simply did not stay any longer than necessary here. Giants are warned from youth against lingering overlong and growing complacent.”

Rip will stand where indicated

"Noted," says Ink. 

"Well, you heard the man, it's been about a quarter hour since we got here, so start asking questions - Rip: you first."

Ink stows the Breastplate in the bag of holding for the time being. 

While waiting for his turn to ask a question (after Rip, Marav and Crownsguard, but before Flint and Harshnag who asked to go last), Ink sketches the room, especially the Mithril-inlaid circle and all of its runes.

""Ask Your Question and Know Truth” are what the runes beneath you say, Rip - so..... Ask your question," Ink instructs calmly after reading the runes on the ground. 

"okay here goes!" Rip pulls out his map "Oracle, where are my children located?"

No sooner do the words leave Rip’s mouth, than a buffeting wind blows through the chamber, extinguishing one of the lanterns held by the six giant statues. A voice thunders a response in giantish.