We played the Heroquest last night that was designed to get Mykka her body. The heroes were at Skullpoint when a trickster turned up, and the Skullpointers intended to have the trickster 'put down' (killed). However, it turned out to be the heroes home clan trickster. They planned to save the trickster, and told the Skullpoint clan ring that they would deal with this matter. Having no wish to involve themselves with a trickster, they readily agreed.
The trickster made contact with the character Aren and informed him that he must search for Mykka's body in the Grandmothers hiding place. Aren went to the Loom House and there he learned the First Kite myth, and that the grandmothers hiding place could be therefore Asrelias cavern.
The heroes resolved to Heroquest and ask the grandmother if she had a body for Mykka. But what to do for support? They didn't imagine that they would get much help from the Skullpointers as they hadn't been ingratiating themselves too well of late. They thought to go home, but then they had been away so long. They thought that the blackspear clan who they saved from an ancient vampire might help, but decided instead to go and ask King Broyan, as they had rendered service against the bat and they felt the king would honour that service.
Thus, following the steps of desemborth the heroes made it into Whitewall despite the ever growing Lunar army besieging what many were calling the last city of Orlanth. They were recieved well by the notables of Whitewall. Broyan didn't hesitate to lend his cities aid to the Chosen One heroband in their endeavour. Kallyr remembered them and their service and provided some of the items that Aren would use in the arming of orlanth ritual.
In the Quest Aren was to take the position of Orlanth; Gynhild would be Heler; Drenyen would be Mastakos; Kurash would be the knowing man; and Mykka would be Ernalda.
They each dressed for their parts. Although youth is now but a memory for Gynhild, she gamely went skyclad, painted in woad, as Heler. Kurash suggested that a bit more woad would not have gone amiss!
The heroes had no trouble entering the hero plane. They were all amazed at the rich colours and textures of the heroplane. How sweet the air and how strong the wind! Orlanth was struck by dung in the face. They saw a strange little man who chucked yet more dung at Orlanth. When the heroes gave chase and caught him, they found only a bag of leaves. Concerned that this might be an incarnation of Eurmal, they kept the bag of leaves with them.
At that moment the Vadrudi attacked. However, Orlanth would not spare time to fight, thus chose to avoid crossing swords with kin. Crisis and rage, the steeds who draw Mastakos' chariot, sped away. Heler called forth a blizzard the confound the vadrudi and the heroes escaped for the time being.
They arrived at Grandma's house on the edge of the dark forest and she listened to their request. She said that a fell winter was drawing nigh and that they could take one precious thing from her cavern, but must leave something of equal value behind.
In the cavern Orlanth and Ernalda looked about for a body for Mykka. Aren found it as Ernalda/Mykka found a curiously familiar box. The grandmother revealed that the box contained Mykka's true name, and the memories of her family and her ancestors. Thus the choice before Mykka and Aren was the future or the past. Take the body, marry and take what the world would give them, or give Mykka back the memories of the family that she did not now remember. Mykka bade Aren choose for her, but he would not. He said that this was a choice that she alone could make. After some soul searching Mykka chose the possibility of a future, and the body.
The grandmother said that leaving the fond memories of her family would be all they needed to leave. However, she had no mastery over the spirits, which was her sisters domain. To join the spirit to the body they would have to seek Ty Kora Tek, who had her abode in the underworld. The grandmother said that they must find their own way there, for only the dead know that road.
Thus the heroes took their leave of the grandmother. The trickster said that he could take them to the underworld, no problem, he went there all the time. The knowing man cautioned Orlanth, and suggested that he bond the trickster, which was not easy, but Orlanth succeeded.
Thus they followed their dangerous guide. He lead them passed the Obsidian Palace which was guarded by trolls. They attempted to sneak past, but were betrayed by the trickster. Orlanth fought a duel with the hungry men, winning. The priestess offered guest right to Orlanth, and he accepted.
In the hall of the dark mistress he was betrayed again by his trickster. He was stripped, beaten and cast in to the pit of despair. A place of utter blackness and woe. The other questers were cast out of the Obsidian Palace. The remaining questers refused to continue on the quest, no matter how the trickster urged. In fact they had resolved to take ultimate revenge on him. As they were to strike the telling blow the trickster revealed that if they let him go he would bring Orlanth out of the darkness. With no hope, the remaining heroquester chose to trust a madman!
Thus Orlanth was rescued by the trickster and they continued on their way to the cavern of Ty Kora Tek. Once there they bargained with her, to join Mykka's body and spirit. She said that she would do so on the condition that Mykka stay in the underworld with her, for eternity. The heroes refused, so Ty Kor Tek made a counter offer; he must not look back as he was conducting Mykka to the surface. If he looked back to make sure that Mykka followed then Mykka would remain in the underworld, brought back to Ty Kora Teks cavern by Babeestor Gor herself.
Aren the steadfast did not falter and his persistence paid off. They made it back to the world of the living, and in time back to the temple of Orlanth at Whitewall amidst great celebration. The Chosen One Heroband would now need a new guardian, and new members, as Aren and Mykka planned to settle down and leave war and strife to others.
Regards
Rob
PS: Thanks to all the people who gave advice and ideas. This was a memorable session for all of us, thanks again.
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