Wardens of Heroes Gate

Arrival at Bryn Shander

] You left your home of ten years in the Treyvigg Monastery 6 days ago and have been making your way to Icewind Dale to compete in the annual Frozenfar Fray Games at the suggestion of your teacher, Guide Riandyl. She also thought you might be able to learn something of your past and maybe even find some of your own kin or kind here in Icewind Dale. The truth of who and even what you are has been a mystery under your skin for your entire life, and while you do not have your hopes high… there is something about the brisk cold that feels like a call to come home.

] This morning you awoke, as you have the last several mornings, on Shent boat in the Fireshear docks. Thanks to a portal device he carries, you have been reasonably safe and warm overnight as you have traveled during the day to Tentowns. You have been walking in snowshoes for over four when Shent points ahead.

] Shent “Bryn Shander rests atop that hill there. Always a welcomed sight after miles of trudging through snow.”

] As you get closer, the city becomes more visible. You can see the 30′ high circular wall that surrounds it and far in the distance behind it, you see the peak of Kelvins Cairn. Just ahead, near the foot of the hill, Shent directs your attention to something.

] Shent “There… it’s a sled covered in snow. It looks like wolves are making a meal of somebody.”

] He picks up the pace. Getting closer you see a pack of 5 white wolves picking and tearing at the corpse of an Axebeak and another… a Dwarf.

] Shent pulls his axes out. “Git!” He charges forward to scare off the wolves

[()]

] The wolves stop and look at the oncoming threat. They apparently decide not to fight for the rest of their meal and they run off into the white landscape. Shent turns the half-eaten corpse onto its back.

] Shent “Hlin! No no… Hlin.” He bows his head and places a hand on the frozen head of the female dwarf. “This is… this was… Hlin Trollbane of Bryn Shander. She was a close friend of my fathers. We must find him and arrange for burial observances.”

Dawndra] I look more closely at the body.

] You notice a dagger in the chest of the dwarf. It appears to be made of ice.

Dawndra] “Shent – look there. She was not killed by wolves. The dagger there… may I remove it?”

] Shent nods as he stands and steps back. Pulling the dagger from the body, you see that is indeed made of solid ice. You notice intricate designs in the handle and blade, as if carved by a craftsman. They appear to be runic symbols of some sort but you cannot tell what they mean.

Dawndra] “Do these symbols mean anything to you? Are they Dwarven runes?”

] Shent “No, not dwarven in the slightest. I can’t say I have any idea. Why would someone spend so much time carving ice this way?”

Dawndra] “I doubt this is mere ice.” I tap the side of the blade hard against the sled.

] The ice does not break – it feels strong as steel. Stronger maybe.

Dawndra] “Enchanted. Surely the symbols mean something and might help explain her death somehow.”

] The two of you load the body onto the sled and begin dragging it up the hill to the Bryn Shandor South Gate. The two guards wave you through without hardly noticing that you were pulling dead body into the city.

] Shent “My fathers house is by the East Gate… less than a mile from here.”

] There is a light snow falling and the cold ground crunches under every steps. As you pull the sadly-burdened sled through the city streets, you notice a wide array of buildings. Some are simple wood A-frame structures while others are circular – made with stone and mud walls and covered with steep pointed roofs. After a short while you enter what is obviously the main market district. There are a few tents with tables out front but most of the merchants appear to have stalls inside more permanent stone structures. The marketplace is busy with trade and commerce. Most folks appear human or dwarf, but you see a surprising number of halflings and a few other odd sorts for the far north. You turn east and almost reach the city walls when Shent directs the sled down a small walkway.

] Shent “Here we are. If you don’t mind waiting out here for a moment, I’d like to break the news of Hlin alone.”

Dawndra] “Of course. I will be right here.”

] He steps into the round stonehouse but re-emerges moments later.

] Shent “He’s not here, and he wasn’t at his market stall. Probably fishing… or drinking at the tavern. I will have to find him before I can do anything else.”

] With your help he pulls the sled around the side of his fathers house and covers it with a canvas. Then he invites you to stash your heavy gear inside the home in a storage room.

] Shent “I would have said my father was always glad to have company and you could sleep here. But perhaps not now. We will still portal back to the Kirn Kuldihr from here though. Your things should be safe. The folk in all of Tentowns considers father a local legend… and really he is. He has been in Icewind Dale since the dwarves first left Mithril Hall nearly 400 years ago. He was among the famed dwarven protectors of Tentowns when the barbarian horde threatened to wipe them off the map. Lost two sons in that battle didn’t he.”

Dawndra] “Barbarians? You mean the Tribes which put on the Frozenfar games?”

] Shent “The same, though generations of them have since passed. Things have changed. In fact, the Fray Games were started in Tentowns as a way to keep some peace.

Dawndra] “Sorry to hear you lost brothers to the conflict.”

] Shent “So was I. It was well before my time. I was born in the Spine a few years after Clan Battlehammer returned to Mithril Hall.”

Dawndra] “Forgive me, I know very little of the ways of Dwarves… but are you saying you have blood rights to live in Mithril Hall?”

] Shent “I suppose I do. Father was a blood member of Clan Battlehammer. He started Clan Spinedelver when they left – he wanted to stay where his sons fell.”

Dawndra] “Oh, so there is a whole clan of Spinedelvers then?”

] Shent “Was… far as I know, father and I are the only ones still alive to carry the name. He doesn’t talk much about it… but if you look through all the scrimshaw he has created, it tells the story pretty well. There will be time for stories later. I need to go and find him. You can wait here or explore the city some. I know you have your goals for this time – I will burden you with mine. You might ask Myrtle at the Rest – she knows everything there is to know and would help you for a coin or two. Geldenstag’s Rest is just across the way, near the East Gate. Also ask around the Northlook, near the North Gate.  Just watch your back in that place… and don’t extend any trust to Scramsax… the keep there… and perhaps… just to stay safe… do not exit the city gates without finding me first? I will meet you back here at Last Shadow.” Then he departs.

Dawndra] I think I will explore the city a bit first, get some orientation for things.

] You walk for a couple of hours and locate the inns and taverns, the armory and town hall. You find two different temples in town, one dedicated to The Triad and another to Amaunator. You explore the market square and spend a long while admiring all the artwork made from the Knucklehead Trout. Then you lightly browse the Emporium without finding any goods you really need to have right now.

Dawndra] I go to the Northlook tavern.

] Near the North Gate is the Northlook Inn. Stepping inside, you find it crowded and noisy. There are many dressed in full gear and weapons so you rightly assume they not local folk for the most part. Behind the bar is a human who looks to be mid-way aged. His facial expression is hard and dour and you assume this may be the Scramsax which Shent warned you not to trust much.

Dawndra] I go to the bar and place a gold coin on the counter. “Water please.” I ask the human tending the place.

] Scramsax “Water hardly costs a gp – got a copper? Or want some mush with your water?”

Dawndra] “Can I ask you odd question instead? I’m in Icewind Dale looking for kin. Have you ever seen another like myself in your tavern before?” I motion to my face and body.

] Scramsax “Now that you mention it, I don’t think I have… what do you call your kind?”

Dawndra] “I don’t even know that, but I am called Dawndra. I was told my kin might be from around the Frozenfar.”

] Scramsax “It would be a good bet. But you may have to go all the way out to the glacier or the giants hold to know. Wait… you know who might know… Myrtle over at the East Gate Rest. That woman knows all kinds of everything… even things she shouldn’t. Don’t tell her I said that.”

Dawndra] “Thank you, I will try there.”

] Scramsax “Sorry you didn’t get your gold’s worth.”

Dawndra] “Still – I appreciate your time and friendliness.”

] Scramsax “Ain’t every day I get paid fer being friendly… in fact it ain’t even every year. Good look to you.”

] As you turn to leave, you feel your leg bump into something. You look down to see a bald halfling fall to the ground. He is wearing a thick leather cloak over white furs. The skin on his face and head are blacked and distorted, as if recently caught in a box of fire.

Dawndra] “Sorry ser, I did not see you there.” I reach down to give a hand up.

] The halfling slaps your hand away. “Squawk off you mud hag!”

Dawndra] “No harm intended ser. I will repeat my apologies.”

] You notice his eyes are strangely blue and he attempts to glare you into oblivion. “You… will… pay! Mark it you jumbo jitslit! You will pay for this offense!” He storms into the back of the room and you hear him call a name “Kofa!” before his voice fades into the noise of the busy tavern.

Dawndra] “Jumbo Jit… !?!” I feel anger rustle in my gut “Well you can just go slurp slaad spit!” I tamp the anger down with a breath, like I was taught, and I make for the door before there is any more trouble.

] Just you are about to reach the door, someone grabs your robe and pulls you back. You turn to see a thick human woman, likely one of the barbarian tribes judging from her attire and demeanor.

] Kofa “You the giant who hurt my little friend?” she demands

Dawndra] “Look, it was an accident. I turned and…”

[()]

] Your explanation is interuppted by a fist flying towards you, which you instinctively roll away from.

Dawndra] “Hey!” I take a stance and Dodge action. “Step off sister! It was an…”

[()]

] She swings again but misses without you even needing to move – she is apparently deep in her cups. [Reaction Opportunity]

Dawndra] My patience wisps away and I return the blow

] You pop the drunk barbarian in the nose and she laughs as a trickle of blood runs across her upper lip.

] Kofa “You punch like a drunk kobold!”

Dawdra] “Your granddaddy’s a drunk kobold!”

] And she swings at you again – this time with all of her weight [()] but you sidestep and leave one foot out, tripping her. The barbarian crashes into a nearby table of dwarves. The entire tavern seems to erupt at that very moment – chairs and flagons and wet helmets go flying.

] All around you there is a bevy of violence. You are caught up in it. Roll either an Athletics or Acrobatics skill check

Dawndra]

] You dodge and roll, avoiding any damage.

Dawndra] “This is crazy! But you know… it could also be fun!” I join in, attacking unarmed

] You step in to punch dwarf who has a chair overhead in mid-smash. Then you side-kick the human he was about to hit. The mass surges towards you

Dawndra]

] You stop an onrushing half-orc by throwing a table in his way. A knee jab to a nearby barbarian misses but you follow it up with a snap kick which sends the smelly man flying. Someone casts a magical web over the section of the tavern you are in.

Dawndra]

] You smartly escape the webbing by throwing two nearby chairs straight over head, giving you time to dive and roll. Springing up, you clock a drunk patron with one hand and then grab another and throw him over the bar. You notice Scramsax there with a club cocked to hit anyone who comes near.

Dawndra]

] There is a flash of light and heat as some stupid releases some kind of flashbang spell. It explodes near your head, knocking you unconscious. You awake to find the debris of the brawl resting calmly. Laying unconscious on top of you is Kofa the drunk half-orc who started things. Her breath is beyond stink and right in your face.

Dawndra] “Ugh! Get your rot breath out of my…” I push her off of me. Suddenly realizing I’ve been out, I check my valuables hidden under my clothes.

] Your secret pouch is untouched and your ice pin still holds your hair. Suddenly there is an angry human with a club standing over you.

] Scramsax “You! Out! Now! You are banned!” he yells in your face as you sit up.

Dawndra] “I didn’t… but it was… oh dretch it. I’m going.” I step over smashed chairs to get to the door and exit. I head back towards the market center.

[()]

] You hear something behind, like ice scraping across stone and rushing up on you.

Dawndra] I jump forward and roll and attempt to land in a ready stance facing whatever is attacking me with my ice pick in hand. [Acrobatics Check]

Dawndra]

] You successfully roll and leap up into a fighting-ready stance – you take the Dodge action.

You see a large block of ice charging towards you. It is nearly 8ft tall and roughly humanoid in shape – legs, arms, a head – but is entirely ice. Well maybe not entirely… you think you see something inside the torso of the ice monster. It attacks you [()] but is awkward and clumsy about it [Opportunity Attack]

Dawndra] I take the opportunity attack – extending my ice pike to full length, I advance, putting my weight behind a thrust

] Your ice pike contacts the strange frost golem and bores into the chest area. You get a closer look at the torso and see a dark-skinned halfling encased inside the ice. You recognize him as the halfling who you knocked over at the bar just before the fight broke out.

Dawndra] “You! How many apologies do you want?” I take the Dodge action.

] The halfling and the creature are silent. The arms sweep and wave in the air and you see a wave of ice form and rush at you. [Dex Save]

] Dawndra

] You easily leap out of the way of the magical attack. Several people from the Northlook have come out to watch the combat.

Dawndra] I circle the ice man but hold my attack (Dodge)

] The halfling in ice charges again [()] but misses you [Opportunity Attack]

Dawndra] I take the opportunity and then unleash a full barrage

] Your attacks punish the ice suit. Chips fly away with a critical strike which you follow up with a spinning back kick. The whole suit falls onto its back and for a moment looks like a turtle flipped over – arms and legs flailing. The ice golem suddenly disapates and turns into steam, leaving the bald halfling lying on his back in the street.

Dawndra] I place the needle tip of my 10′ pike on his chest. “Do I have to kill you to have my apology accepted? I didn’t see you! I didn’t mean to knock you down! I am rhucking sorry! Okay!?!”

] The little bald man screams something incomprehensible and then says. “No! No apologies! You cannot treat Pakbak Cinderfoot like a nobody! No one will ever treat Pakbak like a nobody again!”

Dawndra] “You are not right Pakbak. Perhaps I should kill you for your own sake?” I look around at the crowd. “I did not start this!” I say to everyone watching. “This is the truth! I bumped into this strange little brute by accident and I apologized but all he knows how to do is take offense. Help me out here! What do I do?”

] There various answers from the growing crowd… “Kill him!”, “Spare the little guy!” “Two gold says she spears him!”  You hear Pakbak muttering something. [Intelligence Save]

Dawndra]

] Your head is suddenly spiked with some kind of disorienting energy. It feels like reality is ripped away from you for a moment. You take 1d6 damage (5hp). When you recover, Pakbak is no where in sight and crowd is laughing like they have been watching a jester at the fair.

Dawndra] “I guess I should have killed him…” I say to myself as turn to leave. “Freaky little cinder face…” I go back through the market and towards the East Gate to Myrtles Rest.

] The sky darkens and a sharp wind blows through the streets of Bryn Shander as you make your way back through the market and towards the East Gate. You arrive at the Geldenstag’s Rest just as a blizzard starts to form. Above the walls of the city, you see large chunks of snow flying nearly sideways across the sky. The guards have closed and secured the large gate doors of the East Gate.

Dawndra] I enter Geldenstag’s Rest

] The interior is warm, if exceedingly worn-looking. The commons are nearly full but the room is not loud. You notice that the majority of patrons are either humans or dwarves – most appear to be locals, dressed in simple clothing or utility leathers. A few turn to notice you as you enter but look back to their conversations. A thin grey-haired woman walks past you carrying empty flagon back towards the bar

] Myrtle “C’mon in dove. Can I get you something warm to drink?” she says with a smile

Dawndra] “Yes please. Do you have something without spirits? Tea maybe?”

] Myrtle “I’ve got a nice cider on simmer. It’s quite light on the spirits, but you might feel them after a few. I can also make you a hot peach soup that is perfect for sipping out of a mug. Its got no spirits at all.”

Dawndra] “Hot Peach Soup sounds perfect. Are you Myrtle?”

] Myrtle “Aye. That be who I am. What’s your name pet?”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. I am here in town with Shent, Shenthrik Spinedelver.”

] Myrtle “Thaarnik’s boy? How is the chappie?”

Dawndra] “Well. He’s actually out looking for his father.”

] Myrtle “Thaarnik had his waking meal here as usual, but I’ve not seen him since first shadow. By the sound of whats brewing overhead, I imagine he will be running for home about now – if he ain’t already snug and cozy elsewhere. Go ahead and sit. I’ll be right back with your soap.” She goes into a back room.

] As you are sitting, you hear the voice of a young girl behind you. “So you know Shent hunh?” You sense a sharp, almost caddy edge to the question. She sits down in the other chair at your small table. She is a large human, nearly 7 foot tall. She has thick volumes of long red hair, wildly covering face and shoulders and chest (which is also noticably larger than average). She is smiling at you but something about the look in her icy blue eyes tells you to speak carefully.

Dawndra] “Not much really. I’ve only just hired him as a guide. I am called Dawndra.” I attempt a kind smile. “Are you a friend of Shent’s?”

] Samsam “Oh yes! We have known each other a long time!” she says possessively. “I am Samsam. So where is Shent ‘guiding’ you?”

Dawndra] “Well… here… to Tentowns. I am competing in the Frozenfar Fray Games next month and Shent is my guide for the duration.”

] Samsam “Oh. So you think you’re going to win?”

Dawndra] “I know I’m going to compete. I know I am going to test the skills I’ve spent the last ten years building. Surviving the games may be test enough.”

] Samsam “So you can fight hunh? I can fight too. I fought a crag cat once and I killed it. See look!” She pulls up her robes of fur to show you a mighty scar across her ribcage and belly. “Wanted me for lunch it did! But I stuck my thumbs in its eye” she demonstrates wildly… “and then got my blade into it belly and stabbed around until it weren’t hungry no more.” she violently mockes a repeated stabbing motion. “Maybe I should join the Fray Games too hunh? Wouldn’t Shent be impressed!”

] Myrtle comes up behind her with a steaming mug in her hand “Samsam… listen nectar, why don’t you get back to your chores and allow our guest some peace.” She sets down your Hot Peach Soup.” There you are pet. Get ya anything else?

Dawndra] Having learned this lesson early, I place two gold pieces on the table. “Actually, I was told you might be able to help me with a little knowledge.”

] Myrtle “Oh? Who’s accusin’ me now? And of what?” she says as she pulls on Samsam’s hair – reminding her she was leaving.

Dawndra] “No, nothing like that. Shent said you might know something about my kin. Actually Scramsax at the Northlook said the same, but both were very kind about the suggestion and spoke highly of your connection to the community here.”

] Myrtle “Don’t believe a word out of that Scramsax… but I am a leader in this community… in my own way… What can I help you with?”

Dawndra] “Have you ever seen someone like me? You see, I never have. I don’t even know what I am. I was told I might have kin out here in Icewind Dale somewhere and I’m just looking for clues.”

] Myrtle “Why I sure have! Although come to think… only once. It was about this time last year. She was coming out of that Calishites hideous monstrosity of a tent. I don’t know much more about her than that – but she was just like you… mighty and tall… very… womanly… human but with white fur like a beast. Her hair was just like yours too. In fact, if I had given it any thought, I would have thought you were her when you walked in.”

Dawndra] I fail to contain my excitement. “Really! This is wonderful! You are the first person I have met who has ever met another person like me!”

] Myrtle “Well, I can’t say I met her… I was just in the market and noticed her. You should go talk with the Calishite – Nim Bragos. You can’t miss that scarlet red tent of his, and if you did… you wouldn’t miss that monster he keeps on a leash.”

Dawndra] “Monster? On a leash?”

] Myrtle “Don’t mind me… I like a little exaggeration don’t I… He has a pet Bugbear. The thing is taller than you, and a whole lot less pretty. Still, I guess its done me no harm… not that I would give it a chance to. Nim Bragos and that odd sister of his travel the Sword coast… up and down… every year. Why… This is the fifth year in a row I’ve seen his tent in the marketplace init? Their market stand sells cloth and furs, but I’ve an intuitin’ that he deals in a lot more than warm garb. I’ve seen more than two adventurin’ types walking out of that unsightly tent counting through a large bag of coin.”

Dawndra] “Oh? He hires adventurers?”

] Myrtle “My first thought was just that he pays well for Yeti skins… but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was paying fools to plunder the crypts of them frost giants. That kind of thing is going to require some recompense… if you know what I mean… and all of Tentowns will end up doing the paying while the halfling skips away south.”

Dawndra] “Nim Bragos is a halfing then? Any chance he is bald with charred face and scalp?”

] Myrtle “What? Oh no… Nim Bragos is a fanciable sort… if a woman were so inclined… and rumor is that many in these parts are… inclined to supine… if you catch my meaning.” Someone across the room calls for more drink. “Be right there love.”

Dawndra] I push the 2gp towards Myrtle “I thank you very much. You have given me the only clue I have ever found. I will go talk to Nim Bragos to learn more.”

] Myrtle “With this storm, you can bet your tickles that everyone in the market is closed up tight. It should pass by morning…. If’n Auril is done pissing and moaning that is. Enjoy your soup – second helping is on the house.” She walks away to help the other customers.

] As you are finishing your Hot Peach Soup (which by the way is more delicious than promised) you see Samsam run out from the back.

] Samsam yells “Grangran! Where is my fathers sword? I need to practice!”

] You notice Myrtle shake her head slightly as a look of exasperation forms on her face for a moment. Then she smiles and turns…

] Myrtle “I’ll help you look for it later pet. Now there are chores to be done. Please Samsam… focus your lovely self?”

] Samsam “Ok Grangran!” and she bounces happily, like a young child, into the back room again.

Dawndra] I wish Myrtle a pleasant Nhyx and make my way across the street to Shent’s fathers place.

] The blizzard, even this close to the city wall, shoves you around a bit. Wherever your skin is exposed, it feels like tiny shards of glass are biting in. You arrive at Thaarnik’s house but there is no sign of Shent or his father. The firecove is cold but you see a stack of wood nearby.

Dawndra] I consider starting up a fire, but decide to wait a while. They may return shortly. And I find I actually enjoy the cold for a while – it bolsters my spirits in a strange way. I look around at the scrimshaw on display.

] You find yourself truly impressed by the art of Thaarnik. It is intricate and unique, but also – as Shent mentioned earlier today – it is masterful in its storytelling. You learn about many of the frost giants from the Sea of Moving Ice and the battles they had with the White Dragons within the Spine of the World. You see the long-ago battle for Tentowns told movingly. You see other such stories and find yourself amazed that Tentowns is still standing today.

Dawndra] I find a big enough space on the floor and sleep.