Wardens of Heroes Gate

The Cliff Caves of Xover

] You are in Tentowns with your hired guide, Shent, for the annual Frozenfar Fray Games which will begin in two tendays (Uktar 20). Earlier in the day you discovered that, not only are there other people like yourself in Icewind Dale, but you received information that your own mother lives here and has spent many years looking for you. You agreed to deliver a package to your mother, since you would be going there anyway, from a merchant named Nim Bragos. You will pick up the package and directions to where your mother now lives – a old lair of Frost Giants named Alzvar.

] Shent discovered that the death of his fathers friend,Hlin Trollbane, is connected to 4 other deaths in the Tentowns and that at least two of the victims were slotted to be judges in the Fray Games. Hlin had a suspicion that they serial killer might be traveling between towns with a caravan of merchants. After alerting Speaker Duvessa to the concerns, she was able to provide two militia men of Bryn Shandor – Melthor & Harbert. Melthor is a young human who is eager to help track down and stop the serial killer. Harbert, on the other hand, is a few years older and a lot unhappy about being assigned this detail. He seems to believe it is his role to point out all the reasons why the journey is unnecessary and all the ways it is doomed to fail.

]  The four of you have mounts (Axebeaks) prepped and you have gathered whatever gear you believe will be helpful. Samsam found you as you passed by Geldenstag’s Rest where Myrtle, her “Grangran”, is the owner and keep. She was sad to let you know she had to stay behind. There were chores to be in done at the inn. You offer farewells and depart by the East Gate.

] You make good time given that the Eastway is covered in more than a foot of fresh snow. The wind picked up about an hour into your travel and, although the skies overhead are clear, visibility is limited as you travel the white tundra landscape. Another hour of frozen snowflakes blasting your face goes by, and then another half-hour when you reach the crossroads of the Eastway and the road between Redwaters and Caer Dineval. Here you find a temporary shelter made of stacked stones around a natural outcropping of rocks. There is an oft-used firepit and a large stack of wood left behind by someone.

] Shent “Rest is warranted. We have just over an hour still to Easthaven – maybe a bit longer if this wind keeps up. I wil start us a small fire so we can warm a bit and melt some snow for water.”

Dawndra] “Not that it is my business, but how is your father? Was he okay that we left Hlin behind his house?”

] Shent “He is heartbroken. I think he and Hlin had become more than just friends. And of course he would rather be the one to honor her with a burial rites so we were right to leave her body where we did. Not too many years ago, he would have been bursting with fire to join us and avenge Hlin, but I assured him that the task of vengeance was in good hands and that he could carry the charge of mourning.”

] Melthor “It is justice we pursue, but I see no reason why justice and vengeance cannot sometimes be friends. The only justice for a serial killer should be a shallow grave.”

] Harbert “Where do you think you are Melthor? Baldurs Gate? Waterdeep? Out here in Tentowns, you are probably drinking ales nightly alongside serial killers and worse. Justice will find its own way in Icewind Dale. Shent and Thaarnik have the rights, and while I would rather be sipping rot gut at Ogdens at this moment – I’ll be glad to help cut down killer just to call it done.

Shent] “Right and wrong don’t often factor into anguish, do they friends? But there is more at stake than vengeance… The Fray Games may be compromised and this serial killer may just be a cheat – a daring one, but a cheat still.”

Dawndra] “Cheaters!? Let the Yeti’s have ’em!” I say, remembering the phrase from Saarvins daughter Roller.

] Melthor, leaping to his feet and drawing his sword “Yeti’s!?” is looks around wild-eyed.

] Shent “Relax friend. It was just a phrase. Not a common one, but a clever one.” He says with a chuckle. “And yes, I agree cheaters can be fed to the yetis.”

Dawndra] “The way I see things, you can either compete or you can cheat – you cannot do both.”

] Harbert “Hellspit… them damn games are a nuisance! I still can’t believe Dougans Hole are allowing them mucksucking barbarians into their town. Easthaven I get.. But Redriver folk must be getting a payday.”

] Melthor “All of Tentowns is getting a payday Harbert – in the form of peace with the tribes. Not to mention all the gold brought in by visitors.”

] Harbert “Gah… peace brings its own cursings don’t it.”

] Shent “My father fought in many of the wars to defend Tentowns from the tribes, and he carried an iron hatred for the barbarians for many years, but even he is glad that no more sons or daughters are being lost to conflict between us and them. The Fray Games have helped Tentowns in his view.”

] Harbert “We all heard plenty the stories of Thaarnik the hero of Tentowns… don’t need to hear ’em again do we. And I’ll shut my yapper about it all… Let’s just go kill a serial killer… shall we?”

] After a short rest, you continue on your way to Easthaven. Just as Lac Dinneshere is starting to come into view, Shent halts everyone.

] Shent “Trouble just ahead… Off the road… this way.” He leads you around a raised mound of snow and pulls his mount into a low squat beside him. “Giants… and heading towards us.” he whispers.

] Just as Melthor is about to explain how he saw nothing, three large men, each nine foot tall or more, appear walking towards you on the Eastway. They all carry spears and one has a large keg hoisted to his shoulder. The other two drag a large wagon sled behind them by its dogless tackle.

] Shent “If we are lucky, they will pass by and not notice our fresh tracks in the snow. They seem to have good spoils so they probably won’t care to fight us for meager pickings.”

] They continue their travel, the wind-whipped snow quickly covering your tracks and obscuring their view of the ground beneath them. Suddenly from behind you, you hear a high-pitched yell, like a little girl practicing a war cry. You see an large female charging on an Axebeak  – her brilliant red hair wild in the wind. She draws a long blade for attack.

Dawndra] “Samsam!”

] Shent “Senseless girly! She’s gonna get herself dead!” He jumps up and draws his axes.

Dawndra] I extend my hair pin and run into range for a throw

] Your Ice Pike flies true in the severe wind and strikes the giant carrying the large keg. With surprising speed, he turns and without even dropping the burden on his shoulder, he chucks a spear back at you [()] and hits you for 10 hp.

] Harbert “Bad idea this, but whats to do?”

] He charges one of the other giants (verbeeg2). His longsword finds giant flesh before he leaps around the wagon. Shent confronts the keg-carrier [()] slicing at his legs with both axes. The third giant (Verbeeg3) hurls a spear at the charging Samsam [()] but misses (critically) and his spear sinks somewhere into deep snow.

] Samsam leaps from her running axebeak and flies through the air with a shining blade leading the way in her attack against the keg carrier [()] but she completely misjudges the effort involved and falls to the ground beside Shent. Melthor flanks the lead (Verbeeg1) and thrusts an attack [()] with critical success into the side of the giant.

Dawndra] I retrieve my weapon from the back flank of the ugly man and attack

] You pound away at the bleeing giant. He yells in frustrated anger and raises the keg high overhead. He slams it down on [()] the prone Samsam [()] successfully, nearly crushing her rib cage. Another (Verbeeg2) turns chases after Harbert [()] but his spear attack misses as Harbert dodges to the other side of the wagon. He pops up in front of the wagon and, seeing the backside of the giant who has taken the most blows, he tries another stab and run manuever [()] with success  before he swiftly runs back around to find cover with the wagon.

] Shent yells “He can’t take much more surely!” as he slashes [()]

] The giant is bleeding excessively and does appear about finished as the third (Verbeeg3) steps in, placing himself between the severely injured giant and your attacks. He kicks at [()] Shent [()] successfully, his large foot catching Shent directly in the chest. Samsam manages to get to her feet and with another ear-piercing yell, attacks the giant (Verbeeg3). Surprisingly, she scores a critical hit, her sword ripping into the belly of the maruader. Melthor is insistent on dropping the one most hurt [()]. He slips around the defence and plunges his blade directly up into the throat of the giant. Melthor is suddenly sprayed with a shower of blood as the giant falls to its knees and finally face-first in the snow. The other giant lets out an anguished cry and says something in a language you cannot understand yet somehow seems familiar to you.

Dawndra] “One down!” I yell as I attack (verbeeg3)

] Your attacks are relentless and faultless against the giant.

Dawndra] “We don’t need to kill you. Run and we won’t strike again!”

] The giant circling the wagon appears to consider your statement [()] but he does not run. He turns back again to Harbert and stabs at him [()] missing. He lets out angry words as Harbert expertly dodges and closes distance to make is own attack [()] successfully.

] Shent “The lady means it, run and we won’t follow.” he says as he launches his attack [()] cutting open the side of the giant with two well-targeted swipes.

] The bleeding fellow looks to his fallen friend lying face down and [()] says out loud in Common “Relent! Relent! I will run!” and he starts off northward into the snow. Shent does not take the opportunity attack.

] Samsam “Five against one now! Let’s get him!” she charges in with her blade [()] striking the giant for a fair amount of damage

] Melthor is suddenly behind the giant in attack form [()] but he loses footing in the deep snow and fails.

Dawndra] I square off with the remaining giant – my ice pike trained on his chest. Taking the Dodge action I say “Relent now or die badly.”

] The giant man again considers [()] this time he drops the spear raises both hands. “Okay! Relenting!” He slowly backs away and once confident you will keep your word, turns and runs toward the other retreating giant.

] Shent “Foolish child!” he says to Samsam. “You could be dead now! We could all be dead now! What were you thinking?”

] Samsam “I saw you getting ready to ambush the marauders -I was thinking that I was helping.”

Dawndra] “We were hiding, hoping they would walk by without noticing us.”

] Samsam “Why would you do that? You are heroes! They were Verbeeg bandits! ”

] Shent “We are not heroes but we are smart enough not to pick dumb fights.”

] Melthor “I’m with the ravishing Red here, in fact – we should have put them all down – justice would demand it. And just when it looked like we had our victory, you offer them reprieve?”

Dawndra] “Forgive me. I am an outsider here. Where I am from, justice and murder are not so easily confused. I had no reason to kill them unless they gave me one. And if you can look outside your own perspective for a moment… we were the ones who attacked them – I was the one to draw first blood.”

] Melthor “They were obviously bandits stealing this wagon – we had rights to stop them.

Shent] “Possibly so… and thank you Melthor for changing the subject. Where did this wagon come from?” He climbs into the back.

] Harbert “This keg… its label says its full of Flamebeards Firebrandy! Help me out here Melthor. It would be a shame to let it all go to waste.” He props up the keg. “Anyone got a cup?”

] Shent, stepping back out of the wagon… “This appears to be a merchant wagon. I’d say there’s a strong chance it’s from the merchant caravan we are chasing. We should hurry and follow the tracks before this wind blows them away.”

] You follow the sled tracks along the Eastway for a short while. Soon you come upon three other sled wagons. They all have had their contents torn apart and they lie scattered in the snow. You also see the bodies of twenty sled dogs. Five lay scattered while the other remain tied into their tackle and are mostly covered in snow.

] Samsam “Oh! The poor dogs! They killed them all!” she breaks down in the snow weeping over the loss.

] Shent “I don’t think the Verbeeg killed them. It looks as though they were all frozen to death long before the wagons were raided. It seems quite certain we found the merchant caravan which left Bryn Shander yesterday… but why would they abandon their dog teams like this? We are only an hour away from Easthaven… they must have met with trouble other than the storm.”

] The wailing cries of Samsam become louder than wind around you.

Dawndra] “It is a tragic loss. You must love these creatures very much.”

] Samsam whimpers “Yes… yes I do. They all just died all tied together with no chance to save themselves. Its just cruel.”

Dawndra] “We don’t know exactly what happened here but it is a sad thing to witness.”

] Melthor “So are we thinking the serial killer did all this? Killed the entire caravan? Where are their bodies?”

] Shent “Where indeed. If they were simply seeking shelter from the strengthening storm – they would have taken their dogs with them. If they were attacked by Yeti or cragcats, we would find pieces of them – and a layer of blood under the snow. Maybe a dragon swooped them all away… one by one… but it seems doubtful. No… they walked away from their wagons and their dog teams as if they were spelled to.”

Dawndra] I look around “But where would they go?”

] You can see the flat expanse of Lac Dinneshere to the East from where you stand. Along the Western edge, wrapping around the Northern corner of the lake are large cliffs. To your South there is only miles of rolling snow mounds and the Spine of the World looming large in the background.

] Shent “The Cliff Caves of Xover. If I had to find shelter… desperately… Like really desperately… I would go to the Cliff Caves of Xover.” he says pointing towards the edge of the lake.

Dawndra] “Xover? Who or what is that?”

] Harbert “A Frost Giant. Or so the stories say. Some kind of Shaman with a crazy cult of Frost Giants bent to his every word. Rather than fighting dragons like every good Frost Giant should, they started worshiping them.”

] Shent “No one goes near the Cliff Caves… they are supposed to be haunted. You will hear why once we get closer. It would take a strong man with iron balls to walk willingly into these caves. No offense to those without balls… of course.”

Dawndra] “It sounds like we are going to find out just how hard our balls are then. What do you think Samsam… want to prove we’ve the spirit of Iron Balls – if not the dangly things themselves?”

] Samsam straightening up says “My balls are the ironest!” She unsheathes her sword and holds it high in the air, letting out a yipping war cry.

] Shent “I believe you! I believe you both… but Samsam… I think you need to spend more time training to use that sword before leaving the town walls. Seriously… I don’t think it is safe for you.”

Dawndra] “What can we do? Its not safe to just send her back either. A lone traveler is easy prey.”

] Shent “I will grant you that.”

] Melthor “I will protect you Samsam.”

Dawndra] “Samsam… if you stay with us, you must listen and follow our lead. No more charging attacks, no more war cries (as impressive as they are). You are young and lack the training to keep yourself alive out here. I can teach you starting now but only if you agree to be my student. What do you think?”

] Samsam “You will be my teacher? Oh yes oh yes! I will do as you say and follow where you lead!”

Dawndra] “Precisely? Without faulter or fail?”

] Samsam “Pre-cy-sleey! To my very best ability.”

] Shent “Ok, just remember, I am a guide, not a guard – and especially not a babysitter. ”

Dawndra] “Noted Shent. Guide away to these spooky caves.”

] The five of you mount and ride your Axebeaks downhill around the southern side of the cliffs. As you reach the bottom, the ground becomes slick ice where the lake has frozen over. Towering over you is 100+ feet of rock wall. Icicles the size of Frost Giants hang from the upper reaches of the cliffs. In the rock face – which extends nearly a mile along the lake shore and wraps around the north western corner – you see many cave openings, some just 20 or 30 feet up from the lake shore, others much higher. The lower ones are huge, reaching up 15 to 20 feet at the opening. From the moment you stepped around to the front of the caves, you began to hear the most bone-chilling, soul-shrinking wails and moans coming from deep inside the caves. They sound unnatural, ethereal – otherworldly. You see the faces of Samsam, Melthor and Harbert all freeze over with fright.

] Shent “Trust me – it is truly just the wind. It sounds very different with only a light breeze about but today’s heavy gails are putting on quite a show for us. Look for any signs the merchants walked through here.”

Dawndra] “I trust you Shent… but if you don’t mind… I’m readying my weapon. You know… just in case…” I extend my pike to full length and begin looking, cautiously, along the edges where there is safe walkway.

] About 100 feet to the north you find a small pack dropped to the ground and left behind. Inside are a few personal items and a small locked chest. There are some rations and a full wineskin frozen over.

Dawndra] “Here! Someone left this behind… but it makes no sense why.” I look up to see if maybe it fell while someone was climbing.

] There is a large cave opening 30 feet above where you stand. You see a brief flash of movement as if something ducked back inside the cave as you looked up.

Dawndra] I point at the cave “There! I think I saw something in that opening.”

] Shent “I see nothing now… but let us move quickly beyond range.”

Dawndra] I carry the pack with me and continue to search forward with increased pace.

] After some distance, just before the cliff wall begins to curve around the lake, you find a large ground level cave with a thick stream flowing out of it – most of its edges are frozen over but you can still see the water flowing. There are slick ice-covered walkways on either side of the stream entering into the cliff face. The size of the tunnel is impressive reaching 20 to 25 feet high and at least 20 feet wide.  You notice that you can see a long distance into the tunnel, as though there are internal sources of light.

Dawndra] “I suppose we enter here yes? What might we find do you think?”

] Shent “I cannot more than guess. Yeti’s and Ice Trolls love places like this. I doubt Frost Giants would return here – but I say we run hard and fast if we encounter one. We are no match…. Certainly. Beasts like Cragcats and Direwolves make these caves home as well, and they can be trouble if they outnumber us. Beyond that… anything is possible.”

Dawndra] “Comforting… at least we know we cannot expect to know. Samsam… stay right behind me. Keep quiet and watch each step closely.” I enter the caves.

] The walk way is extremely slick and it feels like you are sledding rather than walking. As you skate deeper you realize that no only is it not getting darker, it is getting oddly… bluer. The ice itself seems to almost glow with a blue light. You catch a slight whiff of burning firewood and cooking meat from deeper in the caves. The scent quickly grows stronger.

Dawndra] “Smell that? Someone is cooking meat. ”

] Shent “You are right – might be a good sign. Perhaps the merchants we seek have holed up in here for some reason.”

] As you wind around a wide corner in the tunnelway, you see a pedestal holding a large wedge of ice. Inside the ice you see a dancing blue flame – the light of which  seems to leap to all of the surrounding ice.

Dawndra] “This is interesting.” I risk a quick touch.

] The ice wedge containing the blue flame is exceeding cold and burns your finger. (1HP)

Dawndra] “Ouch! It is so cold it burns. I guess we won’t be carrying it around with us. Ever seen anything like this before?”

] Harbert “Can’t say I have. It is obviously a magical flame.”

] Melthor “Obviously!” he says with a snark.

] Samsam “Sure is a pretty flame isn’t it. I think it would look just lovely in the Rest. Grangran would like that.”

] Shent “With no wizard among us to confirm, we should assume it is far more dangerous than it looks. These things usually are. Let’s get moving… that smell of cooking is making me hungry… hopefully there is plenty for sharing with us.”

] The tunnel winds again and the sound of a falling water grows louder. Just ahead, the tunnel ends and opens up into much larger cavern. At the opening is a short scarp of about ten feet high. Standing on either side of the flowing stream at the base of the waterfall are two humanoids. They are oddly still – as if frozen in a guard stance. If they see you, there is no indication. They each wear some minimal armor and a rounded helmet and pauldrons that seem to absorb the blue light. Draped down their torsos are blue designless tunics. Although in size and shape, they appear human, you notice that their skin is the blue-green color of a frozen corpse. They have both hands in front  and wrapped around the hilts of sleek greatswords with points at the icy ground.

Dawndra] I find a ready stance – as much as possible on the slick ice. “Samsam. Hold the back.”

] Samsam “Covering!” she says loudly – raising her fathers longsword towards the tunnel entrance. “Nothing will pass!”

] The confident exuberance in her voice echoes throughout the tunnel and, almost as if an enchantment swept through your group, you all feel emboldened. [Inspiration]

] Melthor “They are frozen! Long dead and frozen!” He approaches the left guard somewhat cavalierly, and points his sword at the chest of the frozen guard.

] “You don’t want to do that.” you hear a bleak voice say. Suddenly at the top of the waterfall, standing in the center of the flowing stream, you see another humanoid. This one also has corpse-colored skin but he is wearing only draping robes of blue, and he is not still. His hands pull together  and he looks over your party.

[()]

] Melthor “No I don’t” He backs away

] Shent “He’s a mind worm!” He hurls his off-hand axe at the bluish man atop the waterfall. [()]

] The axe hits and you see a splash of silver metal like blood spray from the creature standing over you all. Samsam fights the urge to charge unbridled, but takes the Dodge action instead. “Covering!”

Dawndra] I jump into the flowing stream where my footing will be better than on ice and I attack one of the blue swordsmen. (1)

] Both of the frozen men spring into apparent life as you begin your attack. Your target attempts to block your ice pike but fails. You see it also bleed silver metal.

Dawndra] “What bleeds metal?!”

] “You want to protect us. Guard us.” The icy voice says [Wisdom Save]

Dawndra]

] You feel an uncontrollable need to defend these bluish men from your own party. You turn your back to the creatures to face Shent and the others, holding your pike like a quarterstaff, ready to repel any attack. Melthor joins you, facing Harbert and Shent and Samsam in a defense posture.

] Shent “Troll spit! What a pizzle-pinch! Pull back! Plug your ears and pull back to the lake!”

] The two guards return to their standing position, swordpoints in the ice and faces frozen like the dead. Harbert heeds Shents words, sticking his fingers in his ears and backing away from the waterfall.

] Samsam “What’s happening!?! We can’t just leave them! Dawndra! Dawndra snap out of it!” She throws down her sword and begins to run towards you.

[()]

] Loosing her footing, she falls hard into the icy stream, splashing both you and Melthor with a wave of water. [()] The shock of the frigid water in your face awakens you from the charm enchantment. [()] but Melthor continues to stand guard with the icemen.

Dawndra] “Samsam!” I pull her up out of the water. “Shent is right, we pull back.” Helping Samsam, we back away from the waterfall.

] As you are backing away, you hear the voice of the robed one say “You are hungry! Join us for a hot meal by a warm fire.” [Wisdom Saving Throw]

Dawndra]

[()]

] Samsam “Lick my knickers! You… you… vilemouthed kacksy! ” she makes some obscene gestures as well but picks up her sword and continues backing up with you.

] Once outside the tunnel you regroup and discuss your options.

Dawndra] “We can’t just leave Melthor behind. ”

] Harbert “Meh. He’s probably having a nice hot meal by a warm fire.”

Dawndra] “You believed the mind worm? Then why did you not join him?”

] Shent “No… we need to rescue Melthor… and my axe. I can’t believe I just threw it like that!”

] Samsam “A warm fire would be nice.” she says visibly shaking from the cold – her clothes still heavy and dripping.

] “Up here!” you hear a voice say. In one of cave openings above – where you found the abandoned pack earlier, you see a young half-elf waving you up. “There is a fire pit here and some wood.”

Dawndra] I walk closer “Who are you?”

Jynelor] “My name is Jyn. I am a holdling of Bastlo Boonlin.”

Dawndra] “A holdling? What is…”

] Shent quietly interupts you “A slave… a holdling is a purchased person.”

Dawndra] “Thank you Jyn. We will join you. Is this pack I found yours?”

Jynelor] “Yes, I dropped it while climbing up and was afraid to go back for it.”

Dawndra] I pull a rope from my own pack. “I will climb up first and help the rest of you.” [Athletics Check]

] You skillfully climb the 20 feet up to the cave entrance where Jyne is waiting. You use your rope to help the others up and minutes later are you all huddled around a stone pit in the back of the cave watching Shent make fire. The howling moans of the wind are much louder inside this cave. You notice there are a dozen or more round bore holes in the rock walls and ceiling.

Dawndra] “We came here Jyn, looking for everyone from the merchant caravan. I assume you were among them? Tell us what happened?”

Jynelor] “Yes. We were returning to Easthaven when the storm struck. We almost made it… we would have made… except for this strange blue-skinned man that appeared suddenly in front of us. I swear he was a ghost or some spector from the dead. He offered us shelter, well not exactly… he suggested we wanted to find shelter. Suddenly everyone in our caravan were just blindly following this bald corpse creature here to the caves. I followed Lord Boonlin without a word because that is all I am allowed but I knew they were all under some spell. Why it did not get me too, I can’t say.”

] Shent “It’s the elvish in your blood lad. Them mind worms have a hard time charming elves.”

Jynelor] “Oh? Well I suppose these odd ears had to have some benefit to me. The rest of my story you probably figured out – I climbed up here as the rest of the mindlessly followed into the cave you all just came out of. I don’t suppose you saw any of them alive?”

Dawndra] “No, at least, not yet. We also encountered the bald blue man – three of them actually. They have charmed one of our number and we have to retrieve him.”

] Shent “And my axe!” he grumbles out the side of his mouth.

Dawndra] “We need an alternate plan of attack. We can’t let them turn us against each other. Plus they hold the high ground – getting up the sides of that waterfall would be tenious so we would have to take out the two below first – or keep them busy long enough to climb up and take out the ‘mind worm’ as Shent calls it.”

] Shent “I call it what it is. You are right however, we need a different plan. There at the waterfall is the worst possible footing to fight. I don’t know that we could draw them out into the open – I got a hunch they wouldn’t fall for it.”

] Samsam “Then we sneak up behind them! Pown! Zang!” she makes sweeping combat motions and then hunches back down and stares into the fire. “I hope Melthor is okay…”

Dawndra] “I have to admit, I like Samsam’s plan the best. Maybe one of these other caves connects to the larger cave we saw? Maybe even this one?” I get up and start pushing at the cave walls to find a weakness.

] Samsam “You called this man “Lord” Jyn… if we find the merchants at all, would you rather we found this Boonlin dead? I’m only curious of course.”

] Jyn “I think I see your question… Lord Boonlin is not a warm man, but neither is he a cruel master. He originally bought me out of Luskan as a servant to care for his infant daughter. Her mother died in birth and Lord Boonlin, well, he did not have within himself to take her place. It has been my joy to be keeper to Thabitha these twenty years. She is a wonderful lady and I would hate to have to inform her of her fathers death… and certainly I would never want leave the Boonlin house.”

] Shent “The life of a holdling is not always bad. Often is… but not always.” He stands and walks towards you Dawndra. “Perhaps you need to push a little lower my dearest giant.”

] The two of you begin pushing together in the same area and eventually you find a spot with some give to it directly north of the firepit.

] Shent “Here! Lets put our shoulders to it!”

] With a couple of combined slams, the rock gives way to another large tunnel. Daylight fills the tunnel from the east and it grows darker towards the west.

Dawndra] “Let us hope it connects and we have a chance to sneak up behind your mind worm. If we enounter more swordsman… I say we swarm them fast – one and then another. If you remember, the bald one did not appear right away… it is my guess that they called him. But if we see him, he must be our first target else any of us be turned again. ”

] Shent “Got it! Samsam… do you want to stay here and protect Jyn from any incoming dangers?”

Dawndra] “I owe you my life Samsam. Although it did not go as you planned… still it was your heart that saved me. But Shent is right, Jyn may need you and we will need to be highly tactical in our approach.”

] Samsam draws her sword “You are safe with me Jynjyn!”

] Shent “Wish us good luck!”

Dawndra] “Luck!?” I suddenly remember my coin of Tymora and pull it out. “Let us ask Tymora herself for some… yeh?” I flip it

Dawndra] “The Lady blesses us!”

] As soon as the words leave your mouth, you feel a mighty rumble throughout the caverns and you hear what sounds like a massive collapse of snow and rock somewhere nearby.

] Shent “What the dretch!?!”

] Harbert “Sounds like a collapse. I think you got yourself a backwards coin, or Tymora got herself cross at us… for some reason.”

Dawndra] “I don’t know what to make of it honestly… but the Elders say the Gods ain’t called Gods for no reason.” We follow the tunnel East.

] After about 50 feet the tunnel opens and you have before you a natural rock bridge crossing over a stream that travels North to South. The bridge leads to another smaller tunnel. From the North, you billows of dust and snowflake and rightly assume the collapse happened in that direction. To the South the stream winds a bit and pours into a much larger cavern. You see another of the strange pedestals holding a chunk of ice with the blue dancing flame trapped within.

] Shent “Unless my directions are broke – there is cavern we saw atop the waterfall earlier.”

] Harbert “Should we cross the bridge and see what is over there first? Or drop down and follow the stream?”

Dawndra] “Best not leave the unknown at our backs.”

] Shent “Agreed – it might be exactly where we were going to end up anyway. Let’s cross one by one… just in case the bridge is not as strong as it looks.”

] The three of you slowly cross over the ice-covered stone bridge. [()] Shent goes first and navigates it successfully. [()] Harbert crosses confidently. [Acrobatics Check]

Dawndra]

] You all enter the tunnel on the far side of the bridge which proceeds east 30 feet before opening up into a large cave much like the previous. There is a long-cold firepit in the center and three packs stacked against the far wall. You notice the ghostly sound of a wailing woman is much quieter in this chamber. Shent has found a dagger of blackened metal near the firepit and he pulls it from its sheath to admire it.

] Shent “Dwarven made… I daresay this is an Ironmaster blade! Made of adamantine no less. What a treasure!”

Dawndra] “Nice find.” I go over and inspect the packs.

] They each include some standard items along with aged rations. In one of them, however, you find a stack of papers bound together with twine. The writing within appears to be dwarven.

Dawndra] “Hey Shent, can you read this?”

] Shent “This page reads ‘These caves are sacred to Frost Giants. The carvings on the wall suggest they would come here to sacrifice themselves to the dragon Winter Fang.’ and here they found a deep pool with a mirror bed. Within the pool are a dozen or more corpses of frost giants.”

Dawndra] “A ‘mirror bed’? What is that?”

] Shent “No idea. This page says ‘The wind is truly frightening… sounds just like a wailing woman… but becomes even more terrifying during a storm.’ We pretty much knew that already… but listen to this… ‘Hunger is playing tricks on us all. We smell the aroma of a hearty stew cooking somewhere in the complex of caves.’ The last entry reads ‘The wailing wind transformed to singing tonight. I heard what sounded like a granny crooning a lecherous tune. The song ended with shrill laugh – utter dread sunk its spiny teeth into my bones. Ye gods! That horrible cackle! We leave at first light whether the storm has passed or not.'”

Dawndra] “Either they left their packs behind… or they never left.”

] Harbert “Its worse than that… the smell of cooking stew… and a horrible cackle! That can only mean… ”

] Both Shent and Harbert say it at the same time… “a hag!”

] Shent “Of course this means… that smell of meat cooking earlier… ugh!”

Dawndra] “You are saying… the meat smell *was* the merchants we are looking for?”

] Harbert “Precisely. We best hurry to kill a hag if don’t want to be smelling Melthor’s bones soon.”

] Shent “I fought a hag once. Near Raven Rock. Barely survived that expedition didn’t I. Don’t trust your eyes, or your ears… and never make a deal. They always want to make a deal. I don’t how how such ugly mouths can produce such pretty talk… but don’t be swayed… hags are all evil and always… and no deal is worth letting it live.”

Dawndra] We go back to the bridge. I use my rope to let Shent and Harbert down to the cavern floor and then climb down myself. We make our way East towards the larger cavern.

] The stream flows into an expansive cavern where it spreads out into a thin covering over sheets of ice. The ceiling is a spectacular sight – huge upside down spires of ice hang down, all of them glowing blue from the nearby pedestal with the ice flame. The eastern wall has a large opening leading to a tunnel. You spot, on the far south east side, the top of the waterfall where you previously met the blue skinned men. You so not see anyone from where you are currently.

Dawndra] I point to the tunnel and whisper. “That must be where we are going.” We cross the frozen cavern to the tunnel.

] The tunnel floor much less slick than the wide pool you just navigated successfully. It is narrow but over 20 feet tall. It winds further eastward until it opens into another large cavern. The ground suddenly drops 20 feet down into a large pit of icy rock. Down inside the pit you see Melthor and 6 others. They are all huddled on the west side of the pit directly across from the remains of a frost giant sat down with its back against the east wall of the pit – as if it were watching them. The frost giant is largely bones but there are still chunks of ancient leathery skin hanging from it. It wears a shiny metal helmet that looks like it is fresh from the smiths polishing. You notice one eye socket is completely empty but the other is not. There is a large unmoving eye trained on the captives. In the hand of the frost giant is an immense war axe – rusted and hoary.

] Harbert whispers down into the pit “Melthor! You live!”

] All of the captives of the pit look up at you and then panic – looking back at the dead giant. They point as if to warn you about it. It remains still however.

Dawndra] I drop a rope down into the pit. “Hurry!” I say just loudly enough.

] It takes several minutes, but all of the merchants and Melthor make it safely to the tunnel.

] Melthor “That frost giant…. It animates. I don’t know why it is still right now but it was like a cat with a box full of mice. It grabbed one of us and lifted him to the ledge on the far side where more of those blue men took him away.”

Dawndra] “Timing is showing us favor… let us not waste the boon… hurry, this way.” We cautious look out into the cavern for threats.

] You see no one. You all slowly and quietly cross the frozen pool and return to the bridge. You are able to give most of them a leg up far enough that they can climb on the bridge at the west tunnel while Shent stands watch. You have just lifted Harbert up when Shent speaks your name and warns you to ready yourself. From the north you see the bald blue man in robes coming towards you. He almost glides across the ice of the frozen edges of the stream.

] “You want to see what I have to show you.” He says as he nears within 30 feet of you, but neither of you are affected by the magical suggestion.

Dawndra] “Suck troll titties!” I close distance and attack

] You gain momentum and then slide into your attack, spearing the chest of the threat. You then use the leverage to repeatedly kick it before swiping your ice pike away in a spray of silver mirror-like metal. Its eyes begin to glow overwhelmingly – the same silvered color [Wisdom Save]

Dawndra]

] Shent calls out “Here come the other two!”

] Melthor appears on the bridge above with a large rock over his head. He hurls it towards the blue man in robes [()] crushing his skull. The Hypnos Magen explodes in a burst of fire and smoke. In its place you see a pile of disconnected bones and a pool of silvery blood which out into the stream and travels down towards the two incoming magen – greatswords drawn.

] Shent “Let’s start with the cute one!”  [()]

] The tricky terrain under Shent’s feet causes him to miss both attacks. Meanwhile Harbert is climbing back down from the bridge above. Shent comes under attack by both of the magen. They attack viciously with their greatswords [()] but he somehow manages to allude every stroke. It is almost comical how his awkward slips and slides on the wet ice actually work in his favor.

Dawndra] “I’d say you are the only cute one here Shent…” I attack the one on the right (magen1)

] You again manage to lodge your pike into the torso of the attacker and then use the leverage against him. You slide yourself towards him and kick him off of your spear. Methor is throwing another large rock from the wall you broke through earlier. Merchants have carried several down through the tunnel to help the combat. [()] the rock splashes nearby, almost hitting you instead of the blue man.

] Shent “Shit sniffer!” he attacks again (magen1) [()] this time successfully.

] Harbert also joins the fray [()] flanking the same magen, he cuts it half-wise and it also explodes leaving behind a pile of bones coated with silvery blood. [()] The other magen targets Harbert from behind with a punishing slash.

Dawndra] I flank and attack with all I’ve got

] You masterfully assault the magen doing critical damage. The others swarm it until it also explodes.

Dawndra] “Whew! Time to go…” I help Harbert back up to the tunnel and turn to Shent. “Ready?”

] Shent “My Axe! I can’t leave my axe. Its not far… and the guards are gone. Get everyone to safety. I will meet you out in front of the caves.” he runs back into the large cavern and disappears around the bend.

Dawndra] I go to the entrance of the tunnel and start lowering folks down.

] Samsam went down first to help catch everyone. Soon everyone is on the frozen shoreline of Lac Dinneshere but there is no sign of Shent.

Dawndra] “Lead these folks back to where we found their wagon. I will go check on Shent.” I go down to the lake-level cave entrance and begin walking in towards the water fall.

] You hear a splash ahead and then running steps in the stream. From around the bend in the tunnel you see Shent attempting  quick exit.

] Shent seeing you says “Run! Giant!”

Dawndra] I turn back towards the entrance and run. [Dexterity Save]

Result Table

Dawndra]

] You successfully speed you way back to the shoreline with Shent on your heels. Behind you the thunderous footsteps of a frost giant skeleton echoes in the tunnel. As you exit the caves you see the group of others are nearing the end of the cliff face on the far south eastern side of the lake.

Dawndra] I ready my weapon and turn to face the oncoming threat.

] Shent “Keep running, we are no match!” He yells as he races past you.

] The skeleton reaches the opening of the cave and stops. The stench of rot assaults your senses and you see it still has chunks of flesh loosely attached to its animated bones. It carries a great axe so large you doubt you could even drag it. It stares you down with one empty eye socket but in its other sokcet, a colorful eye is whipping around wildly searching the area. You feel a sudden blast of cold energy [Constition Save]

Dawndra]

] You hear Shent yelling at you to run. His short legs are skating him across the ice at surprising speed.

Dawndra] I follow Shent and run.

] The frost giant skeleton does not pursue and does not exit the cavern tunnel fully. Minutes later you are reunited with the group. Hours later you arrive in Easthaven with the surviving merchants.

A Clue and a Mystery

] You are in Tentowns for the annual Frozenfar Fray Games which start in just over two tendays (Uktar 20). You intentionally arrived in Bryn Shander early to give yourself some time to explore and hopefully discover something about your past, maybe even meet another person such as yourself for the first time. You got your first hint that there are others who look like you when you were in Myrtles Rest last night. She directed you to a Calishite merchant named Nim Bragos who travels along the Sword Coast and is usually in Bryn Shander this time of year. She suggested you can find him in the market – look for a large red tent with a bugbear standing outside it.

] As you arrived in Tentowns yesterday with your guide Shent, you came across a sled whose dwarven rider was dead – due to a knife made of enchanted ice. The dwarf was Hiln Trollbane – a close friend of Shent’s father Thaarnik. When you arrived at Thaarnik’s house, he was not home so Shent left you to go look for him, saying he would be back by Last Shadow. He did not arrive.

] You awake to the sun peering in thru a small window in Thaarniks round stone home. There is no sign of Shent or his father.

Dawndra] I go outside to find a spot in the sun to practice Heavens Orbit for a while.

] You practice in the space behind Thaarniks round stonehouse. Off to the side, the covered sled which hides the body of Hlin Trollbane remains untouched. The cold air and the bright morning sun combined with your breathing practice enlivens you [+2 Ki]

Dawndra] After my practices, I ready my pack and hide my valuables and head to the market to find Nim Bragos.

] You walk towards the market with the East Gate at your back. As you near, you can smell the product of many food merchants. The market is busy this forecrex. You notice a large number of adventuring parties – armed to the hilt and provisioning for extensive excursions into the surrounding areas. The large red tent of Nim Bragos, as Myrtle said, is hard to miss – even set back into the north-west corner of the market.

Dawndra] I feel a surge of excitement for what is about to happen… All these years thinking I would never discover who I was… and to meet someone who might know… I walk over to the red tent.

] Standing outside the tent is a large bugbear… larger and taller than yourself by a little. He stands behind a set of open shelves which have all sorts of cloth goods, robes and cloaks, shirts and shawls. Some are finely woven and some are crafted from furs with thick white hair.

] Bugbear “You buy?” he says, lifting up the corner of some garment. “Best pelts.” he half-heartedly boasts as he points to a stack of thick white cloaks.

Dawndra] “No, I just…”

] He looks like he suddenly recogizes you and does a little head bow. “You wait” he says and then ducks inside the low entrance of the scarlet red tent. Moments later he crouches back out. “You enter.” he says, holding the tent flap aside for you.

Dawndra] “Thank you.” I step into in the tent.

] You feel like you just walked into another part of the world as step into the dry heat inside the tent. There are silken shawls hanging everyone and the rich smell of exotic spices fills your senses. In the center of the tent there is a ring of large cushions around a low table. Sitting at the table with his back to you is a bronze-skinned halfling with thick black hair. He stands and reaches for a brass pot in the center of the table and you notice that he is nearly naked – with the exception of a silky white loincloth which is not long enough.

] Nim “Shavisala! You are just in time for some White Dragon Black Tea. I know you like it.” He says with just a glance backwards at you. “Your item has just arrived! But I thought we would be sending it to you by…” He turns fully towards you, mid-sentence, offering a cup of steaming white liquid. He stops short as he realizes you are not who he thought. “Oh! Why you are not… Oh my… Please please, sit with me.” He places the cup of tea on the table for you. “I am Nim Bragos – world tradesman and purveyor of fine and exotic soft things. How can I serve?”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. I am here because I am looking for my kin and kind and was told you might know someone who looks like me. Is this Shavisala… is she like me?”

] Nim “Oh dear… I wish I had not her name fall from mouth… but yes. She is, as you say… like you. Except for your age, you look nearly identical. I was not aware she had kin, but looking at you, I would think it obvious.”

Dawndra] I place a stack of gold pieces on the table “I have spent my entire life without the truth… not knowing who or even what I am. Please tell me how I can find this Shavisala?”

] Nim “Please.” he says scooting the coin stack back towards you… “I am no greedy bar keep with a mouthful of rumor. I do know this… Shavisala has been searching for a daughter… many years now. You would not, by any chance, have a rather… special… hair pin? One made seemingly of ice?”

Dawndra] My heart leaps, and at the same time I feel a bit suspicious. “A hair pin?”

] Nim “Yes. Shavisala has had me searching for it… several years now and I’ve had no luck… Which is frustrating because usually… well nevermind me. Really, she has had me searching for the one wearing the hair pin. She has one herself – fantastic article really – I was amazed when she demonstrated. It is made of ice, but hard as adamantine. It never melts and with a whim, she can transform it into sword or spear. Her lost daughter would be carrying the same hair pin she told me. Now normally, I am no people finder. I hunt objects… special objects… and I’m reknown for being good at finding such artifacts. That is how Shavisala and I met. She is among my best customers. She is quite a collector of arcane artifacts and also among the most powerful druids to have ever stepped a foot in Icewind Dale.”

Dawndra] I pull my hair pin and let my hair fall. “Does this mean Shavisala is my mother?” I hold out the pin and transform it to sword length.

] Nim “My my… does it ever. Four years now I’ve been searching and here you just walk in. I would say that does indeed prove that you are the lost daughter. That… plus your striking resemblance.”

Dawndra] “Tell me… where is my mother? How can I find her?”

] Nim “She lives in the Spine, in a stronghold called Alzvar. I’ve not been there myself but I’ve had many deliveries sent there by messenger. In fact I have one to send even now – I’ve been looking to hire a messenger to deliver something to Alzvar. The Red Drakes, my usual messengers, have not yet returned from the last delivery.” He pauses dramtically… and then stands up quickly, his loincloth flapping “I’ve had an idea! You can deliver the item to Alzvar! If you are the adventurous type that is… ” He looks you up and down smiling. “Of course you are! And of course you will be wanted to go there anyway.” He turns towards the back of the tent and yells “Norli! We need you out here.” He throws a slipper against the curtains.

] From behind the wall of hanging silks steps a female halfling. Her long hair is a soft black which flows over her red silken robes. She smiles and nods as she makes eye contact with you.

] Nim “This is my sister Norli.” He throws his arms up in the sky “We found her Norli! May I introduce Dawndra – the lost daughter! We need to get her outfitted for a journey to Alzvar.”

] Norli remains silent as he begins to look you over. She tugs at your arm to indicate she would like you to stand up. Then she produces a long woven string with beads knotted into it. She has you hold one end as measures your legs and arms and torso. Then she tugs you back down to a sitting position on a cushion. She has to stand on your legs to get face to face close to you. She looks deep into your eyes as small hands softly hold your temples. Then she leaps down and makes a short series of hand motions to Nim.

] Nim “We can have you outfitted by tomorrow.”

] Norli stamps a foot and motions something again to Nim.

] Nim “Nhyx tomorrow. You can leave for Alzvar on Uktar 1 at first light.”

] Norli does more hand-talking.

] Nim “Norli says to bring your dwarf friend? He will need some outfitting too.”

Dawndra] “I am traveling with a hired guide.. He is in fact a dwarf. How would you know that Norli?”

] Norli just points to her eye. Then she turns and rushes back behind the silky wall.

] Nim “Norli has certain special abilities… she is able to measure not only your dimensions, but your needs. It’s not clear if she can actually see into the future, but she can anticipate dangers.”

] The desert-like heat inside the tent is becoming uncomfortable for you.

Dawndra] I shift my clothing “Whew it is abundantly warm in here. Myrtle said you were a Calashite?”

] Nim “Did she now? How is my friend Myrtle? I’ve not had the occasion to… er… visit… Myrtle yet this trip. Don’t let her Grandmotherly bit fool you… she likes some heat herself! But yes, I am from Calimshan… the Scarlet City will always be my first home. I can’t take the cold so Norli found a way to improve our tent walls. I did say she is rather gifted… did I not? You might have noticed the cloth displayed to the public is the finest quality of material and weave. We have other goods inside which are variously enchanted. We don’t really know how she does it… but Norli is specially gifted with the magic. She can take a spell scroll and weave it’s magic into a bolt of cloth and it somehow becomes available to its wearer. Say… if you happen to come across any spell scrolls on your way to Alzvar and can’t make use of them yourself, I will pay you good coin for them.”

Dawndra] “Can I ask… how far is this Alzvar? I need to be back in Bryn Shander by Uktar 20. I am participating in the Frozenfar Fray… and while I will certainly be traveling to find this Shavisala, I may need to wait until after the games.”

] Nim “Oh, you will arrive at Alzvar in 2-3 days depending on conditions. Even if you stayed there a full tenday, you would be able to travel back in for the start of the games. Tronk is going to compete this year …” He leans towards the front of the tent and yells “Aren’t you Tronk!?!”

] Tronk poking his head in to the tent, “Yes Nim?”

] Nim “You will be competing in the Fray Games this year, won’t you?”

] Tronk grunts an affirmation and says “Tronk win” somewhat flatly before turning back.

] Nim “He is so excited about it! ”

Dawndra] “I can tell.” I drink down the milky white tea.

] As the hot liquid reaches your belly, you feel yourself energized (2d6+2 = 11 Temp HP)

] Nim “Now… Normally I pay a delivery service 22gp per day, and assume 6 days for this trip. However… as it seems you would be making the trip regardless… and if I know Norli, she is going to insist that we do not charge you for the outfitting… I will even throw in some enhanced tea to bolster you during the trip… perhaps we can call it even?”

Dawndra] “Of course. If anything, I feel I owe you some recompense for helping me find my kin… my own mother even. I am a little afraid that I still sleep and this encounter has been but a dream.”

] Nim “The reverse is true as well… Shavisala will certainly favor me for the events of this day… and the favor of Shavisala is worth much gold. Did I mention she was a powerful druid? Alzvar is the home of a clan of Frost Giants… was… actually… but I will allow her to tell you her stories. Just know that tentowns would not be here today were it not for your mother… and she insists that the towns people not know the fact.”

Dawndra] “Could I be any more excited to meet her?! I think not! You have my gratitude and, for whatever it is worth, my favor as well.” I stand to make an exit.

] Nim “We shall see each other again tomorrow. We close up before Last Shadow, but Tronk will keep a watch for you.”

] As you are standing up to leave, Tronk again pokes his head into the tent.

] Tronk “Hocus here.”

] Nim “Ah! What timing! Please show him in after our new friend Dawndra exits.”

] Tronk “Dawndra leave.” he says, holding the tent open.

] Nim “Don’t mind Tronk. He is not being rude… well… at least not as rude as he sounds. He may seem simple but he doesn’t miss a thing – especially once you put a battleaxe in his hands. See you Nhyx tomorrow Dawndra.”

] As you step out of the sweltering heat of the tent, the icy air of Bryn Shander feels like an assault. Standing there at the merchandise tables is a male elf dressed in full leathers which have been extravagantly dyed white as the surrounding snow. His shoulder-length hair is copper-blonde. He looks up at you and you see his eyes are similarly copper in color – almost like deep fire.

] Hocus “Greetings!” He says with a lavish bow. “We are unmet it seems. My name is Hocus.”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. Well met Hocus. ”

] Hocus “Dawndra! What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman! Perhaps later we can share drink at the Northlook and get more fittedly acquainted?”

Dawndra] “I’m afraid I’ve already been banned from the Northlook.”

] Hocus “Beauty and trouble all together! I like it! We should find you another place to get banned from then. I was thinking of switching rooms to Kelvin’s Comfort anyway. It is just there.” He points to inn on the far corner of the market area. “Should you wish to share some time, and perhaps some Firebrandy, please ask after me there – Hocus the Custodian – as I am known. But now there is business and I wish you all the pleasant pleasantries dear Dawndra.” He bows once again but his eyes never leave your person until he steps into the scarlet tent of Nim Bragos.

Dawndra] I am suddenly hungry… I look for a merchant selling something hearty.

] Your keen smell leads you to a stand with a large simmering pot of something delicious.

] Merchant Cook “Good waking friend. You look hungry. A bowl of Sapidi Elk Stew is only 5 silver. I’ve got some fresh Bloodhawk Eggs too – rare in these parts. 1gp each while they last.”

Dawndra] “Your stew smells good. Just what I was hungry for I would say.” I put a gold down. “The spare is yours.”

] The merchant thanks you kindly as he fills a deep iron-cast bowl with the stew and hands it to you. There are three small standing tables which are a bit short for you, but functional. As you are just finishing the last few chunks of meat and vegetables, you hear a familiar voice behind you call your name.

] Samsam “There she is! Dawndra! Hey Dawndra!”

] You turn to see Samsam hurrying towards you, her bright red hair flying wildly in the breeze and her clothes hanging loosely from her oversized body. She is dragging Shent by the arm. He looks tired and embarrassed but smiles when he sees you.

Dawndra] “Shent! How glad I am to see you safe. I feared the storm took you last night.”

] Shent “It would take more than a storm… but we did stay the night in Targos rather than travel. I have learned some things about Hlin which we need to discuss.”

Dawndra] “I have learned some things too! My mother is here! Well not here in town… but she lives in the Spine, in a place called Alzvar!”

] Shent “The frost giants stronghold? That Alzvar?”

Dawndra] “Yes, though apparently the giants no longer call it theirs, or are not there to call it theirs… whichever… we will find out soon. We travel there Uktar 1. ”

] Shent “Ok, we can do that. That gives us some time to deal with another matter.”

] Samsam “Shent’s going to get the Ice Rune Killer! Aren’t you Shent!?! What are you eating Dawndra? That smells good. Can I have some?”

Dawndra] “Good to see you again Samsam.” I dig out another gp and give it her. “Have some Sapidi Elk Stew… on me. Want some too Shent?”

] Shent “Why not? Stew for me too Samsam.”

Dawndra] “What is this about the Ice Rune Killer. Did you find out who killed your fathers friend?”

] Shent “Not exactly. But I did learn there have been four other murders. All of them found dead with the same ice dagger in their heart. Hlin had told my father she was investigating the murders and had put a bounty out – 100 gold for anyone who discovered and stopped the killer. She didn’t live another day after that. This part should interest you though… two of the victims were to be judges in the Frozenfar Fray. Hlin was on her way to Dougans Hole to warn another judge that his life might be in danger… she did not get far beyond the South Gate as we know.”

Dawndra] “So she thought someone was killing the judges of the games? Why I wonder… maybe they will be replaced with bought judges?”

] Shent “There is surely a lot of gold in stakes. But cheating in the games will get you killed faster than competing in them drunk off your whiskers. It might be just the opposite of what you say… perhaps these judges got caught taking bribes – that could get one cut into bite-sized pieces too. There is something else. I just found it in Hlin’s pocket… it’s a list of towns and dates. Look – it matches up with the four of murders. And here… in the corner she wrote ‘Merchant Caravan?'”

Dawndra] “What does that mean?”

] Samsam “Oh! I know!” She says, setting Shents bowl of stew in front of him. “There is a group of merchants which all travel together from town to town! Maybe the killer is traveling with the merchants?”

] Shent “Right. Its not safe to travel alone – and as a group they can afford to share the cost of wardens.”

Dawndra] “Then we need to discover the schedule of this merchants caravan and see if it matches up with the killings… then, if it does, find out who in the caravan is the killer. Easy.”

] Shent “We know Hlin was killed early yesterday… so let’s ask around the market to see if any of the merchants are with the caravan and can confirm it was here yesterday.”

Dawndra] “You guys finish up that Elk Stew. I will get started asking around. Meet back here.”

] You visit several merchants, being generous and offering 1gp for some information. You discover that there are actually two groups which generally caravan around Tentowns together. One of them has been in Bremen and Targos for nearly a tenday. The other left Bryn Shandor for Easthaven yesterday – not long before the storm swept in.  More than one merchant mentioned they were going to join the caravan to Easthaven but saw the skies had whispers from Auril and decided to stay behind. They are worried the caravan may not have made it safely to Easthaven.

] Meeting back with Shent and Samsam, you share what you learned.

] Shent “I heard the same about the Easthaven bound group. I learned there are one or two other merchant companies which don’t join the caravan but have full-time muscle of their own.  One of these is a shady bunch… other merchants have been victim of their lazy extortion threats… ‘We will protect you if you pay.’ they tell them… ‘we will protect you… from us!’ Can you believe the gall. I say we put them on our list even if they do not harbor Hlin’s killer. What say you?”

Dawndra] “Are you worried they will pull this on your father? It is a reasonable worry… I say yes. However we have a schedule to work within. Tomorrow we will receive some outfitting and wil leave early the next morning for Alzvar. We should be back inside a tenday, leaving another completely open before the Fray Games.”

] Shent “We should tell the Speaker Duvessa what we know. Then we travel to Easthaven to investigate the caravan.”

] Samsam “I’ll get us some Axebeaks!”

Dawndra] “I think you want to talk with your Grandmother Myrtle first Samsam.”

] Samsam shrugs “Ok… Then I will get us some Axebeaks!”

] Samsam hugs you bruskly and then hugs Shent… with a prolonged and somewhat awkward hug, and then skips through the market towards East Gate.

Dawndra] “I’m afraid to ask but…”

] Shent “I’d rather you didn’t. She has taken a liking to me it is true… but do not get any ideas about what that means. She is still a child… and twice my size. I’m not that kind of dwarf.”

Dawndra] “Oh, well I was going to ask how are we going to ditch her behind. I cannot see trying to keep her safe from whatever peril we find beyond the gates.”

] Shent “Absolutely we are going to ditch her! You were tactful with the recommendation to speak with Myrtle – I would have choosen something more… well… sneaky I suppose. But absolutely she would not be safe and I don’t want to find ourselves on Myrtle’s bad side… no one ever wants that.”

] You go to the Town Hall just south of the market. It is still well before the Crex midday. Entering the large one-story building you are directed to the office of the Speaker, Duvessa Shane. She is a young human female with long brown hair and a hardened face. She recognizes Shent as you approach.”

] Duvessa “Greetings. How can I help you Shent? ”

] Shent “We are here about the recent killings… the Ice Rune Killings.”

] Duvessa “I see. Let us sit. Can I get you a hot cupper?”

Dawndra] “I am fine thank you. We think there might be a connection between the killings and the Frozenfar Fray Games.”

] Duvessa “Oh? I heard one of the victims was a judge for the games. But why do you think they are connected?”

] Shent “Two of the victims were judges. I’m not yet sure how the other two are related but Hlin was also killed yesterday – just after putting out a bounty.”

] Duvessa “Hlin is gone!? I did not know. I am so sorry for you father, I know they were close friends. So how do you know she was killed by the Ice Rune Killer?”

Dawndra] “We found her at the bottom of the hill outside the South Gate. The ice dagger was still in her chest. It is an enchanted thing… no mere spike of ice.”

] Shent hands her the paper notes from Hlin’s body. “She had this on her. She was investigating the possibility that the killer travels with a merchant caravan between towns. We are heading to Easthaven after this to see if we can track the killer down.”

] Duvessa “I don’t know if Bryn Shander can match what Hlin was offering, but you will be rewarded if you can solve this mystery and stop the killings. If it keeps up, all of Tentowns may see panic. The Fray Games may be not bring the crowds or their gold to the towns.”

Dawndra] “A reward would be appreciated, but that is not our concern. We think it too much of a coincidence that two judges have been killed. Either someone is trying to replace these judges, or… possibly…. Punish them. We will try to learn the motive of the killer if possible but perhaps some caution is warranted in selecting their replacements.”

] Duvessa “Yes, I think I understand. Speaker Danneth would be one selecting replacements. If you are heading to Easthaven, please share your news with him as well? Let him know someone may be trying to fix the games. We don’t have another council meet until just before the games start up here in Bryn Shander. Now I’m sure the two of you are quite capable… but you are only two. I’m sure we could arrange to have a few members of the town militia join you.”

] Shent looks to you “She is not wrong… some extra blades could improve the odds of success.”

Dawndra] I look to Speaker Duvessa “Thank you, we will accept the offer if it can be arranged quickly. We would like to be underway before Crex.”

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.

Dawndra on Ten Trail

] You are in Fireshear preparing to make the dangerous trek North to Tentowns. You have just finished a long rest aboard the Kirn Kuldihr – the sailing vessel of your guide, Shenthrik Spinedelver. You are making this journey to compete in the Frozenfar Fray Games, an annual competition in the Tentowns area. Last night you arrived in Fireshear and discovered a raiding party of Duergar from Clan Grackleback were stealing a cache of weapons and other valuables. Who joined in the battle against the “Gracks” but Saarvin – a Gold Dragonborn native of Fireshear and long-time friend of Shent. Over a meal, he shared some guidance for competing in the Fray Games, seeing as how he has been through them four times as a competitor and several times before that as a guide to contestants. You also visited a local alchemist and stored up some healing potions and some vials of acid for fighting Frost Trolls.

] You awake to a soft silence. The waters at the docks of Fireshear are calm. You climb out of the hull to find a thick blanket of snow covers everything . Large dry flakes are falling, clouding your vision of the rest of the ships in dock and of the town up on the hillside.

Dawndra]  The cold snowy air invigorates me. I go out onto the end of the pier and, looking out over the sea of swords, I drop my robes and practice my forms before the day begins. Rising…. Sinking… breathing in, I breath… breathing out, I breath… Arms rise… arms sink… opening… clearing…

] 30 minutes pass without your notice, so deep is your medititation. The cold temperature give you an added +1 to your Con modifier, increasing your hp by +3.   As you complete Heaven’s Orbit, you notice the smell of pipe smoke and turn to find Shent sitting on the bow of Kirn Kuldhir watching you.

] Shent “Good Waking Dawndra”

Dawndra] “Good Waking.” I pick up my clothes, shake the snow off and cover my body.

] Shent “I hope you slept well enough… it may be a bit small but its where you will be sleeping for the next several tendays.”

Dawndra] “What? I expected we would be traveling by foot from here.”

] Shent “Oh we will… We can make our start as soon as you are ready. We will travel as far North as we can get today in this snow. But, and I will just have to show you, we will return here for safe rest each night. Unless, of course, you want to sleep in the wilderness. ”

Dawndra] “There is something I don’t understand, but you are my guide so I will trust you know what you are talking about.”

] Shent “You will see… and I think you will be happy to start each new day here as you have today. Speaking of being your guide… I want to make something clear – even if I don’t need to. I am your guide – not your guard. My job is to direct you, not protect you.”

Dawndra] “That sounds rehearsed.”

] Shent “It is. Point being, I will fight alongside you should the need arise but I am not your shield. And if I say run, I’m running whether or not you run too. Clear?”

Dawndra] “Of course. I would not have expected any different.”

] Shent “The dockmaster here is a friend, he will do his best to ensure the Kirn Kuldhir is left to itself while we are gone. If you want to store anything in the hull, it should be safe enough… unless giants attack Fireshear again… then… well… lets just hope for no giants right?”

] The two of you ready and depart. After a quick meal at Crotta’s  you strap on your snow shoes and begin your northbound journey on the snow-covered Ten Trail. Travel is slow but uneventful. Somewhere around Crex (midday) the snow stops falling and the sky brightens – affording you some spectacular views of the Spine of the World.  The mountains are larger and more striking than any can imagine. You do not see sign of any other persons the entire day and only hints of movement in the foothills. As Last Shadow nears, Shent is looking to call it a day.

] Shent “We have traveled just over six miles I would say. Not bad for a first timer in heavy snow. I say we call it a day and go get some grub at Crotta’s.”

Dawndra] “Crotta’s?”

] Shent “Over there, we can lose our tracks among the small copse of trees.”

] He leads to you offtrail to a forested area where the trees are so heavy with snow that the ground beneath them is mostly frozen gloam rather than fresh snow.

] Shent “This should do nicely.”

] He pulls out a gem from a pouch tied around his neck. It is a blue star sapphire similar to the one Guide Riandyl gave you to pay Shent with. He tucks it into the ground and tries to hide any trace of it. Then you see him reach a hand to the pendant braided into his snow-crusted beard. A moment later, a blazing blue portal opens up directly above where he buried the gem.

] Shent “After you friend. Don’t worry, as long as the Kirn Kuldhir is still afloat in the docks, it is perfectly safe. Just take a couple steps forward on the other side so I don’t knock into you.”

Dawndra] I step into the portal.

] As though stepping through a doorway, you find yourself inside the hull of Shent’s boat. A moment later Shent also steps through.

] Shent “Hungry? I sure am!”

] Inside Crotta’s you meet up again with Saarvin and Roller. The young dragonborn girl is overly excited to see you again and she talks your ear off whenever her father is not telling his own fantastic stories. He might embellish things a bit for flare, but you sense he truly is a legend of a Ranger in these parts.

] You sleep for a long rest in the Kirn Kuldhir. In the first shadow of day 26 you repeat your practices, have a quick meal and then step back into a swirling blue portal to find yourself back in the copse of trees where Shent buried the gem. He tucks it back into the pouch around his neck and you strap your snow shoes back on. Somewhere past Crex, Shent stops.

] Shent “Here we have a decision to make. You can’t tell with all the fresh snow, but if we head north and west from here we will be on The Iron Trail towards Ironmaster. If we continue north, we will soon see the city of Hundlestone. Given that the Gracks would not spare us an extra breath, I think we want to avoid Hundlestone. We can either go off-trail and give the city a really wide berth… or we can go underground. How do you feel about dark tunnels and tight spaces?”

Dawndra] “I can’t know I really know. The one time I tried to enter into a mountainside mine, I couldn’t… well… I couldn’t fit. It was a small crevasse. Even the gnome had to squeeze if I’m honest.”

] Shent “The path for the next 10 miles or so is the most dangerous regardless. If we enter into the old mining tunnels, we can skirt right around all of the drama at Hundlestone – and probably make much better time without snowshoes. Honestly I’ve travelled twice as many miles in these tunnels without encountering so much as a Bandicoot… but I’ve also nearly lost my life in these tunnels a few times too. There are more than few Remorhaz in these parts. Of course, when I want to find one, they are nowhere to be found. That was my last expedition… the one I had just got back from when you showed up at the Cutlass. I was guiding a party on a Remorahaz hunt. They had strong numbers, and I was worried about outcomes. With just you and I, we would be outmatched by an adult, and there is nowhere to run in the tunnels. Still, the odds are probably better for us there than anywhere near Hundlestone right now.”

Dawndra] “Tunnels it is then.” I feel for the ring on my finger which allows me magical light. I am not afraid of darkness – but I would be completely blind without some light and I don’t know if I can fight blinded. I find myself thinking about Olirasi and wishing I had spent more time taking lessons from her.

] Travel gets a little easier along The Iron Trail – the snow has stiffened and waymarkers are clear. Ater a few miles, Shent leads you off-trail into a region of rocky spikes and spires. He winds through the unique landscape – obviously quite familiar with the terrain.

] Shent “Here we are. Best light a torch, its going to get really dark really quick.”

Dawndra] I pull a torch from my pack and cast Light on it using my ring. “There’s more than one way to light a torch! eh?”

] You follow Shent into the tunnel which winds around and down into the ground a hundred feet or more deep. The spiral drops out into a surprisingly large tunnel running north and south from you. You see ancient support beams made of black timber. There is some detritus along the edges but it appears as  though the tunnel has seen recently foot traffic – perhaps quite a bit. The air is cold and smells of mineral and dirt.

] Shent whispers “We will likely hear trouble before we see it, so keep as quiet as can be.”

] You have been walking behind Shent for almost an hour when he motions to stop. He reaches out and feels the rock wall of the tunnel.

] Shent “What is that!?” he says softly. “Can you feel it?”

Dawndra] I put my hand on the wall.

] You notice a very slight vibration but probably would not have if Shent had not called your attention to it.

] Shent “Boots on ground. Lots of boots… hundreds. That is an army!”

Dawndra] “Where would an army come from out here?”

] Shent “Only one place… Ironmaster. And if Ironmaster is marching… the only reason will be Hundlestone. They are going to strike down the Gracklebacks!”

Dawndra] “Then Hundlestone will should be safe to travel thru on the way back then?”

] Shent “I would bet my blades on it. If Ironmaster has left their gates in force… the duergar clan does not have much of a chance to hold the city. Although honestly, no one knows how they even managed it in the first place. We have another choice to make I’m afraid…”

Dawndra] “You want to go back and join the march on Hundlestone?”

] Shent “No, I’m not the army-Dwarf sort of Dwarf… but to watch Ironmaster forces in action… that would surely be a story one could tell for years upon years. It would cost us a day extra… at most.”

Dawndra] “I have time before the games start. Let us go watch a war!”

] Shent “There is a connecting tunnel, maybe a mile ahead, which leads east and eventually into the mines beneath Hundlestone. I know a way through which might just give us the best view of the action if we can get there ahead of Ironmaster.”

Dawndra] “Lead on then Ser Spinedelver.”

] You continue forward in the tunnels for a distance before turning east down the connecting tunnel. The eastbound tunnels are a tighter fit for you and you need to duck to enter them. Before you walk more than a hundred feet, you hear echoes of conflict from the tunnels ahead. There is a ear-piercing shriek, followed by another, which make you reach to cover your ears.

] Shent “Trouble ahead. I cannot make out much.”

Dawndra] “If it is coming our way, I’d rather fight in the larger tunnel behind us.” I ready my ice pike at about half full length so I can use it in the tunnels. I carefully backtrack.

] Shent “There is someone running towards us, several someones… and fast.”

] Just as you reach the junction, five duergars appear running at full speed towards you.

Dawndra] I drop the torch and ready a defensive position.

] The under dwarves seem panic’d. A second later you see why. Chasing them is a snarling beast with a spiked horn on it head and giant tri-claws. Its head and neck are plated with shimmering white scales but the rest of its body is covered in dirty-white fur. Five duergar quickly become four as the monster shreds the backside of the furthest runner. The lead nearly plows into Shent trying to get away. [()] He tries to strike down the running dwarf but misses.

] Initiative

] The four duergar reach the larger tunnel and see you Dawndra blocking their way North and Shent blocking their way South. They apparently decide that north is the way they want to escape. One attacks you (03) as the other (04) tries to run around you. [()] The Grack fails to hit, leaving himself open to your reaction.

Dawndra]

] You stab the under dwarf as the other skirts around you and disappears down the tunnel. Shent attacks another duergar (01) as it runs into range. [()] You hear his battleaxe strike thru leather armor.

Dawndra] “They don’t want to fight us.”

] Shent “Keep the fodder penned! Attack the beast .”

Dawndra] I ready an attack for the rampaging beast as soon as it comes into range while trying to block the way north.

] Two of the duergar realize they are being boxed and turn to face the onrushing claws. [()] They both succeed in damaging the beast. It begins to circle them, putting its hind quarter into your range.

Dawndra]

] The ferocious thing squeals with a high pitched cry [()] but is so focused on the duergar it blames them for the pain [()] and takes a bite into one of them. You hear more charging echoes from the eastbound tunnel.

] Shent yells “More trouble coming!” and readies an action.

Dawndra] I repeat my attack on the beast

] The white-crested creature flops forward as your pike pierces vital organs.

Dawndra] I throw a side kick at one of the grey dwarves (03) – if only to prevent him from running around me

] Two Gracks attack Shent together [()] but he ducks and blocks their weapons. Another Ambusher charges into the intersection of tunnels and with strange squeal, like a tea kettle whistle, it thrusts its horned head upwards. [Dex Saving Throw]

Dawndra]

] Your ears being to ring as a burst of magical frost emanates from the horn of the creature, painting everyone and the walls around you in icy white. The duergar engaged with Dawndra falls on the blow but two remain.

] Shent “What was that!?” He attacks the second beast head-on [()] His axes glance off white scales.

Dawndra] I position myself for a flank attack on the creature

] You take good advantage of the flanking position, spearing the creatures side and then driving a heel kick repeatedly into the wound. The Frostspawn Ambusher turns on you – obviously injured and furious. The wounded duergar (01) sees an opportunity and runs past Shent. The other (02) follows.

] The Ambusher attacks you Dawndra, swiping with its giant three-clawed paw for 5 damage. It drops its head and attempt to charge you with its horn [()] but you sidestep the attack easily as it rushes past you into the northbound tunnel. [Opportunity Attack]

Dawndra]

] You deftly drop the creature to the tunnel floor.

Dawndra] I turn back towards the eastbound tunnel. “Any more coming? Can you tell?”

] Shent is quiet a moment. “I hear nothing. But m ears are ringing. Let us stay on guard to be sure.” After remaining still and quiet for nearly two minutes, he relaxes his fighting stance. “Did you see what this beast did?”

Dawndra] “Yes, but I have no idea how. Any idea what kind of beast it is?”

] Shent “Just a guess… but that kind of magic… it felt like a breath blast of a White Dragon. Plus, look at these scales… Ever seen a creature with both fur and scales?”

Dawndra] “Feathers and scales… but no… not fur and scales.”

] Shent “I’ve seen feathers that are scales… just south of Mirabar when Faernina and I were… oh… now is no time for those stories. These beasts… they must be dragonspawn. Some kind of cross between a White Dragon and… what do you think… a badger? A dire badger? And that squeal… it was… unnatural. My ears are still ringing.” He digs through his pack and pulls out a small sawblade. “If my guess is right, their magic is somehow in their horns. Help me out a minute. Hold the horn still.” With your help he begins to saw the horn from the corpse.

Dawndra] “Are you thinking you can use the horn to cast the same blast of frost?”

] Shent “Right. And if not, it may have other uses. Kinyalo will pay us well just for the opportunity to experiment with it.”After a few minutes, the major portion of the horn comes free. “There! Its not too heavy… I can pack it with us until we return to Fireshear tonight.”

Dawndra] “Do you want the other one?”

] Shent “Might as well. We will split whatever gold I get for them. Speaking of coin, we might as well loot that Grack too – no sense leaving his pocket change to rust down here.”

Dawndra] I search the corpse of the duergar.

] You find a few gold worth of coin and a small pouch with 3 gems (Onyx 50gp ea). After you remove the horn from the second creature, Shent packs up and starts back down the smaller eastbound tunnel. Several hundred feet in, you start to see more bodies of duergar slain by beasts. Some have been fed upon. Ahead the tunnel is nearly blocked by the corpse of a horned, white-scaled beast.

] Shent “There must be 20 more here. No way only three of those dragonspawn did all this. ”

Dawndra] “If the Gracklebacks were traveling west in such a large group, do you think they knew that Ironmaster was marching on them?”

] Shent “Hard to say… but you are correct – it does seem a large group. Could be several raiding parties going out of the city together… or maybe they were fleeing the city knowing that war was upon them. Let’s pick them clean and take what we can carry.”

[()]

] As you are digging through the bloody packs and pockets of the slain duergar, suddenly a Frostspawn Ambusher charges out of a hidden whole in the side of the tunnel wall. [()] Shent is hit hard by the horn of the creature. He flies into the wall and falls to the ground. The ambusher grabs his feet in it mouth and begins dragging it back into the hole.

Dawndra] “Shent!” I attack the creature

] You get one strike against the creature before it backs into the hole – with Shent in its jaws. Just ahead, another ambusher appears from another hidden hole and starts towards you.

Dawndra] I extend my ice pike to its full 10 feet and through it to the ground long-ways. “Shent! Hold on – don’t let it pull you all the way in!” I prepare a stance to face the second beast.

] Shent is able to grab hold of your weapon which is plenty long enough to cross the hole. He struggles and yells with the pain – his legs being torn by teeth. The second beast stops short of an attack then raises his horned head upwards. Your ears are once again assaulted with a high-pitched squealing and a burst of cold energy radiates out. [Dexterity check]

Dawndra]

[()]

] The cold blasts the both of you. Shent nearly loses his grip. You can see his legs are being tugged at from inside the hole.

] Initiative

Dawndra] “Hang on Shent!” I unleash all I’ve got against the beast in the tunnel.

] You perform a sweeping advance and raise your knee into the throat of the ambusher. Then you slam your elbow down into the scaled skull repeatedly. The creature is clearly injured and lets out a series of odd chirping sounds. Then it attacks you. [()] It misses with a bite attack but catches you with its claws for 7 dmg. You hear another yell from Shent, now behind you.

] Shent “It has released me. Watch out – it’s probably circling to attack you.” he says as he slides your weapon towards you. “Here, your pike!” He begins pulling himself out of the hole.

Dawndra] I don’t want to risk having that horn rammed up my backside so I continue to beat on the beast unarmed.

] You pound on the skull of the creature until its brain staggers and its eye go empty. It falls before you.

Dawndra] I pick up my weapon and ready for another attack from behind.

] You see Shent has pulled himself out into the tunnel but remains prone. His legs are mangled and bleeding. From another hole about 20 ft west of you, you see the other ambusher emerge.

Dawndra] I step over Shent to place myself between him and the creature. Then I ready a Dodge action.

] The ambusher charges with its horn [()] you feel a blast of cold force energy throw you backwards and you land atop Shent, taking 4 cold damage.

Dawndra] I try to throw my pike as a spear from my prone position

] Your desperate throw is successful, piercing into the left forward shank of the beast and sticking there. It howls in pain and raises its horn. [()] There is no squealing sound however. As it moves forward, your ice pike is jammed further in by the corpse of a duergar. The beast yelps and looks confused for a second before it begins backing away from you, taking your weapon with it.

Dawndra] “Oh no you don’t! Get back here!” I get to my feet and go after it.

] The creature attempts to turn around in the narrow tunnel but again, the long spike sticking out of its chest gets caught on the tunnel wall and it cries out again. As you approach, it again attempts to blast you with cold burst [()] but the magic does not recharge.

Dawndra] I grab my ice pike and attempt to shove it even further into the creature [Strength check]

] You succeed and punish the beast with pain (-10 hp). It attempts to slash at you [()] twice but you  hold it out of reach with your weapon. Another shove and the needle sharp point finds the beasts heart. It falls dead.

Dawndra] I turn back. “Shent! You still alive?”

] Shent is laying on the ground, digging through his pack. “Still here. A bit hobbled… not sure if I can walk.” He pulls a potion out and drinks it down. Then he hands you one. “Here – you are not looking great yourself.”

Dawndra] I drink it down (4d4 +4 = 10hp)

] Shent “I can stand at least. Not sure how many miles I can risk without some rest… we may have yet another decision before us.”

Dawndra] “Back to northbound tunnel? I wouldn’t mind… this one is a bit tight for me anyhow.”

] Shent “We will just have to hear the story of Ironmaster at Hundlestone from the bards I guess. Oh well. Let’s see how much coin we pick from this lot.. We will probably need it to replenish our supply of healing potions.”

] You find several coins on just about every corpse, amounting to just over 100gp. Every one of the Gracklebacks were carrying the same black Onyx gems. You tally up a total of 42 Onxy gems (42x50gp = 2,100gp) . Aside from these, you find some other mundane items, some daggers and common weapons and armor. Most weapons are hammers or war-picks much like the ones you saw on the docks when you fought the Grackelback raiding party. In one pack, you find a strange shaped rock with 8 even sides. Each side has some sort of rune carved into it.

Dawndra] I show it to Shent “What do you make of this?”

] Shent “Careful not to drop that… it looks like a Thunderstone. I’ve heard about these. Basically you throw it, it breaks open with a really loud bang. Might come in useful… might break in the pack too… you choose.”

Dawndra] I roll the Thunderstone into one of the side holes. I keep looting.

]  The pack on the back of one corpse has some rope and torch and some kind of toolkit. There is also a small sealed bag of something mushy – you assume food of some kind.

Dawndra] I open the bag of mush out of curiousity.

] The area is suddenly filled with the foul smell of rancid fat.

] Shent “Whew! What is that? I can smell it from here!”

Dawndra] I close it back up quickly. “Looks like a bag of rancid fat? Why would they carry this around?”

] Shent “Some questions are better not to ask.”

] You find on the body of the Grack carrying the rancid fat, a smelly filthy rag wrapped around a small pocket tin. It is rusted and dinged-up, but appears to be sealed tight.

Dawndra] I take the toolkit and the pocket tin. Being curious, I open it and look inside.

] Inside the pocket tin is some kind of ointment which smells to be made of the same rancid fat.

Dawndra] “Look… That fat is like some kind of ointment? I found this in his pocket. What do you think it is?”

] Shent “Nasty business! That is what I think it is! But if I took a serious guess, I’d say it was some kind of healing ointment. Try it and see… just stay downwind from me righto?”

Dawndra] “You think it is enchanted? Like a potion of sorts? Hold on…” I pull the bag of mush from the backpack and open it, slightly.

] The contents of the sack reeks as does the ointment in the tin except the smell from the tin has a metallic or medicinal taint.

Dawndra] “Whew!” I quickly close the bag. “I think you are right… now why would he carry rancid fat in a bad and in a tin… unless the tin somehow transforms the fat. I’m going to try it… sorry…” I open the tin and smear the contents on my skin… down on my ankles… far away from my nose.

] You regain 4d4+4 HP.

Dawndra] “Yes – it is a healing ointment. I may need a wizard to confirm it… but I will hang on to this tin.”

] Shent “Here… let me carve you off some fat from this dragonspawn to use instead of that smelly bag of smell.” He digs a blade into the belly of one of the ambushers and drops a handful of fat on the ground. “There… see if that works instead. ”

Dawndra] I wipe out the tin with the foul rag and fill it with the beast fat.

] Nothing happens.

Dawndra] “Well, it might need some time. I close it up and tuck it in my pack.”

] You gather everything else you might want or need and then head back to the northbound tunnel. Travel is slow but uneventful. After several hours, Shent decides to find a safe place to open a portal within the underground chambers. The next day (day 27) you are both back to full strenghth and exit the mining tunnels about ten miles north of Hundlestone. You travel the Ten Trail throughout the day. Along the way you have several small encounters with the local wildlife – including an attack by two hungry Crag Cats – which you defended against easily enough. You again portaled to the Fireshear docks just as Last Shadow started. Shent says you will be in Bryn Shander by Crex of day 28.

Dawndra in Fireshear

] You left Luskan early this morning with your guide, Shenthrik Spinedelver aboard his sailing vessel – the Kirn Kuldihr. Your destination is Icewind Dale, specifically Tentowns, to take part in the annual Frozenfar Fray Games as a contestant. You hired Shent as your guide – not only for the journey to and from Tentowns, but also thru the games themselves. He was guide to your teacher in the Treyvigg Monastery a few years ago. Guide Riandyl did not take home prize money from the contest, but she took home skill and experience which she wants you to have as well.

] Guide Riandyl gave you a Blue Sapphire worth 1,000gp to offer Shent as payment for his services. When you boarded Kirn Kuldhir at First Shadow, Shent produced a small chest he called a Trust Box. On top of the chest were four flat slots – two on either side. You placed the payment – the Blue Sapphire – within the chest and closed it. Then each of you place a single coin in the farthest slots. This locked the Trust Box magically. Shent explained that when you consider his services completed you will place a second coin next to your first. This will release your hold on the contents. Having placed the first remunerator coin, only you can place the second. Same with the recipient… having placed the first recipient coin, only Shent can place the second and open the chest. Guide Riandyl assured you that Shent could be trusted and relied upon, but still you felt increased confidence in the arrangement. You also decided to give Shent the Ring of Evasion you found on the slavers boat. (Potentially worth ~1-5k)

] It is dark and snow is falling lightly as you moor the boat at a dock on the far western side of the waterfront of Fireshear. You walk out onto the deck to view the town as Shent secures lines. The town of Fireshear is a short uphill walk from the piers and you see lanterns along the switchbacks. The town itself it difficult to see from the docks except for the maybe lights. There is activity among many of the other boats docked to to your left in the large port. The water is calm behind the breakers but you hear the sound of a boat rocking off the starboard side.

Dawndra] I am curious so I take a look.

] You see a flatboat with its deck loaded with crates and barrels. You do not see any persons aboard the small hauling vessel. The ship suddenly rocks again, slapping water against the dock it is tied to.

Dawndra] That’s strange, I think to myself. I wonder if there is something under the docks. Can I determine the reason for the movement? [Perception Check]

] You cannot determine the cause of the irregular movement.

Dawndra] “Shent.” I call. “Over here a moment. That hauling boat… it moved as if something moved it. I wonder… is there is something large underneath us?”

] Shent “Impossible to tell in dark waters.”

Dawndra] This reminds me that I have a new ring. “I have an idea. Find me an object you don’t mind tossing into the water.”

] Shent hands you a loaf of bread. “Like this?”

Dawndra] “That could work. I might float – but maybe that is what we need.” I use the ring to cast Light on the loaf of bread and then I try to throw it into the water on the far side of the flatboat so it will illuminate the waters underneath.

] You throw the glowing loaf of bread but it bounces off of something you cannot see and it lands inside the flatboat.

] Shent “What the… wait…” He says quietly.

] With the added light you can see that the falling snow is landing on invisible objects the shape of short people.

] Shent “Gracks! Arm yourself.” He runs to a bell near his ships helm and starts ringing it “Gracks!” He yells repeatedly.

[()]

]  As you look to see what Shent could be talking about, the boat shifts again and you see an odd movement of apparently floating snow. A javelin flies directly at you

Dawndra] I use my reaction to try to catch it (Deflect Missiles)

] You successfully snatch the javelin out of the air before it strikes you. You notice the shape which threw the weapon is now visible. You see a hairless Dwarf with dark grey skin.

Dawndra] Without really considering possible complications, I leap over the side of Shents boat and attempt to land in the flatboat while attacking the hairless Dwarf using his own javelin. [Acrobatics Check]

Results Table

Dawndra]

] You misjudge the leap but land deftly on the snow-covered wharf. The Dwarf is too far away for an attack.

] Initiation

] You see one completely hairless Dwarf – what Shent called a “Grack” – about 10 feet away from you inside the flatboat pulling a war pick from a holster on his back. You see another shape, dusted with snow, also inside the flatboat. There are words in a language you cannot understand and you hear a reply come from the shore.

Dawndra] I decide to throw the wooden spear back at its owner (Grack01). I’m not sure I want to actually attempt manuevers from inside the boat.

] The spear makes a splitting sound as it sinks into the belly of the Grack. He staggers backwards but keeps his footing. The boat rocks. You see the other shape begin to move from the boat to the dock. The Grack with its own spear in its belly and a war pick in its hands begins to grow in size. It nearly doubles in size. There are footprints in the snow on the dock between you and the shore. Suddenly you see a second Grack become visible and enlarge in size.

[()]

] A javelin flies toward you from the shore but misses. It skitters to end of the dock and splashes into the water. [()] ] Another is thrown but strikes the back of the enlarging Grack on the dock. [()] A third lands near you and bounces into the water.

] Shent has stopped ringing the bell and you hear him yell on the shoreline. [()] He has engaged one of the now visible Gracks. You hear others from the docks responding to Shents alarm bell. The two, now giant Gracks look at you with what anyone would call extreme hatred. The one on the dock towers over you and the other has begun to move off the boat. It shifts hard under the increased weight.

Dawndra] “I’m not used to being the short one.” I attack the one on the dock (Grack02)

] You combined attack is punishing and the Grack falls [()] into the boat, shifting it hard. [()] but the other Grack (01) manages to keep his footing. He steps onto the dock and swings the war pick at you [()] successfully. You take 7 damage as the giant weapon hits you.

] You barely notice that the fighting continues on the shoreline. [()]

Dawndra] “Ogreballs! That hurt!” I attempt to return the pain

] The Grack with the spear in its belly falls [()] to the slick dock. You see it begin to shrink back to its normal size.

Dawndra] I move towards the shoreline to backup Shent

] The other three Gracks have all begun changing shape, growing into near giants. Shent continues his attacks [()] felling one of them before it can finish enlarging. Two remain. As you are running towards them, you see a Gold-scaled Dragonborn taking aim with a bow [()] but his arrow is off-mark.

Dawndra] “Three down Shent!” I attack the closest (5)

] You lunge your ice pike into the giant sized Dwarf with both hands. You sidestep as you withdraw your weapon and attempt to land a spinning back kick which misses but you follow with a snap kick into the body of the Grack.

] The other Grack says something – apparently a recommendation to flee, because they both turn towards the sparse forest behind them [Opportunity Attack]

Dawndra] I take the opportunity

] The Grack only makes it a step when your ice pike spears him through the back. He falls forward and is dead before he hits the ground. The other gets away but not before the golden Dragonborn sticks an arrow in his back.

Dawndra] “Do we chase him down Shent?”

] Shent “Let him go. His mission failed.”

] Dragonborn “Shent!? Is that you?”

] Shent turns to look “Saarvin! I thought you were in Waterdeep living the easy life!”

] Saarvin “Nothing easy about life anywhere if your friends aren’t there! How is my favorite snow-crusted Spinedelver?”

] Shent “Thirsty! What else!?”

] A handful of others from the docks further down have arrived. Saarvin explains that the Gracklebacks have attempt another raid but were stopped. They find that the flatboat was loaded with stolen weapons and supplies. Saarvin digs through the pockets of the dead dark Dwarves and hands Shent several items.

] Saarvin “No telling where this coin came from, so consider it the towns reward to you and your friend for shutting down them Gracks. Now about that thirst of yours Shent, why don’t the two of you join me ‘n Roller at Crotta’s?”

] Shent “See you there Saarvin!”

] You finish gathering your things from the Kirn Kuldihr as Shent secures moorings and locks down this hatches.

Dawndra] “So these Gracks… distant cousins of yours?”

] Shent “So say some. They are Underdark Dwarves…. Known as Duergar by most. Never seen one on the surface until recently. There’s lots of stories – and you can bet your loot that Saarvin’s gonna tell us a few of them over cups – but this much I do know. They invaded Hundlestone a few months back, came up from beneath the city and somehow took it over. It used to be a nice spot to stay over between Fireshear and Bry Shandor… but we will be going well round it on our way.”

Dawndra] “I find it difficult to forget the look on their faces – such pure hatred.”

] Shent “They hate everyone and everything. But then… pretty much everyone hates ’em back. These raids are now common in the Frozenfar. It started with things going missing – arms mostly but any sort of wealth could disappear while folks slept. They burned down the blacksmith shop and forge here in Fireshear a week back. I think they are just trying to terrorize all their new neighbors.”

Dawndra] “Well… I might guess it’s working well. How do they turn invisible like that? Or giant for that matter? Magic rings?”

] Shent “I couldn’t tell you. I have fought them once before – nothing magic found on them. Stories say that all Duergar have dark magic in their dark blood. Speaking of stories, let’s make way for the Leaping Leucrotta.”

] You follow the switchback trail up to where the town of Fireshear begins. The Tavern is the first  building you come across, but you can see dozens along the hillside. The shops and homes are all dug out of the rock and made of stone with sloping, almost round roofs. Several inches of covers everything, but you get the impression that the town is accoustomed to handling a lot more than this. Stepping inside Crotta’s, you notice the majority of patrons are Dwarves but there is still great diversity – including some folk like you have never seen before. No one seems to give you and Shent a second look at you walk thru. Against the western wall, you see two golden Dragonborns at a table for four.

] Saarvin “Welcome friends! This is my daughter, Roller. And this is my old friend and fellow Spine ranger – Shent. And his friend… say… I did not get your name down at the docks.”

Dawndra] “I am called Dawndra. Well met Saarvin, Roller.”

] Shent “Dawndra is competing in the Fray games this year. What about you Saarvin? Or are you getting too old for the cold?” He laughs.

] Saarvin “I thought I might… old or not!”

Dawndra] “Have you competed before Saarvin?”

] Roller “Father has won the games twice!”

] Saarvin “And lost twice… but we don’t tell those stories.

Dawndra] “Maybe you could share some wisdom? If you don’t mind aiding the competition some…”

] Saarvin “But you are not just any competition are you… you are a friend of Shent and therefore a friend of ours. I obviously don’t need to teach you how to fight, judging from the dead Gracks on the docks and you with barely a scratch.”

] Shent “She was wise enough to notice the smallest of things – a boat rocking unnaturally in the water.”

] Saarvin “Wisdom is the better part of whats needed in the Fray games. The first round is there to weed out the ones who never should have entered… but still add their gold to the pot. The Stones Throwdown is an unarmed and unarmored wrestling match. The objective is simple… don’t get thrown out of the circle of the Twenty Stones of Thrunn. And then do it twice again if you can. If you can survive all three matches, the next Round is a lot easier… you only need to win one match to win the round. At first it is going to seem like chaos… I think they have shoved upwards of a hundred and fifty competitors into the circle. The horn sounds twice to start each match. At the first horn, every competitor enters the circle and fights to get to the center. At the second horn no one else can enter but many start leaving the circle in a hurry, on their heads.

Dawndra] “Why the center?”

] Saarvin “It is furthest from the bounds and so hardest to shove one out. You have to survive within the circle for five minutes – until the third horn sounds. That is a long time – trust me. If I were you, I would find someone who seems an even match and drag out the time. If you are engaged, expecially with another of your size, others are likely to find a single target and you can ride out the time. This might be a bit underhanded but it is not against the rules. You do not have to beat your opponent, you just need to survive the time within the stones. Now… at the third horn, the fighting stops and everyone that is still within the circle by both feet win the match. Oh… almost. At the third horn, the priests cast a magic test… anyone caught with an enchanted item will be disqualified and thrown out by the judges. ”

] Shent “I will be there to hold keep for your things Dawndra.”

] Saarvin “Yes – you will need someone you can trust. Theives are dealt with most severely in Icewind Dale but that does not stop some of them from trying. Now… if you win a match and pass the magic sweep, the priests heal all the winners. That allows you to go into the next match fresh. If you are thrown out with injuries, you can still compete in the second or third match, but at a disadvantage. You only need one win at the stones to be entered into the next competition – The Ice Pit Riot. It is better, of course, if you win two or three times… because the ice pit is far more difficult than the stones.”

Dawndra] “I understand we fight on solid ice?”

] Saarvin “Yes. The fighting arena is a large hole that is filled with water from the Redwaters. It is probably frozen hard even now. In this Round, you can use whatever magic or weapons want – there are no restrictions. You probably will not face any powerful wizards however… they usually don’t even enter, and if they did… they would hardly pass the Throwdown without their magic. Most of the barbarians of the dale are distrusting of magic anyway… mostly you are going to face men and dwarves who are extremely skilled with an axe or sword… The objective in Round two is also simple… kill both of our opponents without getting killed yourself. At the first horn, three contestants enter the ice pit, at the second horn they fight until only one remains able to stand.”

Dawndra] “The Priests of The Winter Palace can heal any I kill right?”

] Saarvin “I like how you are more concerned about your opponents than your own self.” He smiles at Shent… “Where did you find this one?” Then he turns back to you to answer your question. “Yes, they are there to heal any who fall. Well… mostly… There have been fatal deaths from the Ice Pit Riot. I saw a man cut literally in half. The clerics of Auril tried but nothing they could do would glue that one back together. The trick to this competition is to be quick and brutal. Size up both of your competitors and take out the biggest one first. That means, unfortunately for you, your opponents are likely to both start out against you. However, they go for each other, pick the greater challenge and double-team him until it is only two of you. If you are not accoustomed to fighting on ice, you might want to practice that. Combat without solid footing is far more difficult than you might imagine. You can get claws for your feet – many do. But I’ve also seen feet chopped off in the battle to remove the advantage. There really are no rules in this round. If you get shoved out of the arena, you will probably get shoved back in by the crowd. If you have to fight more than once, and most do, you are going to want some potions in between. I can direct you to an reliable Alchemist here in Fireshear… if you wait until Bryn Shandar you won’t find any. ”

Dawndra] “I appreciate that. So if I win three times in Round one, I only need one win is Round Two?”

] Saarvin “That is right. Think of it this way, you need a total of four wins between both Rounds. If you win two in the first, you need two in the second.”

Dawndra] “How are the matches determined in Round Two? I mean… how are my opponents selected?”

] Saarvin “Ah… perhaps you have heard some of the rumblings over past years?”

Dawndra] “No, just curious to know.”

] Saarvin “Well, the contestents of each battle are supposed to be randomly selected. You might even have to fight two rounds in a row if your number is drawn. Some results, especially last year, started rumors of cheating and corruption.”

Dawndra] “You mean the judges can be paid to shift outcomes?”

] Saarvin “So say some. I’m not sure I believe it, but neither am I confident of their character.”

] Roller lightly slams a fist down on the table “I hate cheaters! Let the Yeti’s have ’em! I say.”

] Saarvin “Right you are Roller!” He mimics her fist slam for effect. “But speaking of Yeti’s… they might be the most dangerous part of the Fray Games. In Round Three you hunt down and behead a Frost Troll, but you are far more likely to find a Yeti first – and just hope it is not a big one.”

Dawndra] “Contestants take on Trolls and Yeti’s by themselves?”

] Saarvin “Some do. They usually don’t survive. The priests are not there to heal anyone in Round Three. The rules for the Frost Troll Head Roll are minimal. You have three days to hunt down and kill a troll. All contestants must return to Easthaven by the end of Lastshadow on Day 30 else be disqualified. You can team up with other contestants but only those stepping into the winners square in Easthaven with a fresh troll’s head in their hand will win. If you team up with another and you both want to win, you need to take down two trolls. Just finding one troll can be difficult and they are rarely found together with another. Many of the barbarians will have the support of a few others from their hunting parties. It’s not against the rules for a dozen men to kill a troll and allow their champion to carry the head into Easthaven, but these Reghedmen have their own sense of honor. It’s the outsiders that are more likely to use these kinds of tactics. Speaking of underhanded tactics and cheaters… some will merely wait in the outskirts of Easthaven and attempt to kill any returning contestant to take the Trolls head from their dead hands. Watch yourself as you return, if you return. You will likely be ambushed. The second time I took a prize, I circled round and took a fishing boat into Lac Dinneshere. I rolled into the docks looking like a Knucklehead fisher and no one gave me any trouble. No guarantees that play will still work.”

Dawndra] “You are right Roller!” I slam my fist down, gently… “Let the Yeti’s have the cheats! I am here to prove my skill.”

] Saarvin “If you get ambushed, show no mercy I say… let their frozen corpses speak for you.”

Dawndra] “Question… I’ve heard that trolls will regenerate lost limbs or even grow new bodies from a decaptitated head? How do you stop the head from become a whole troll again?”

] Saarvin “Fire. Or acid. Or both. Once you have chopped the head off, use a torch or a firepit to scorch all of the exposed flesh… simple enough once the fight is over – but it is not so simple while ducking its long-ass claws. Be careful though not to scorch all of the flesh off… the judges need to see that it is a fresh kill – that – and everyone in Easthaven wants to see you holding your prize up high in the winners circle.”

] Shent “I will help you track and hunt down your troll. Saarvin is correct about the fact that we are just as likely to find a Yeti as a Frost Troll. Yeti’s travel on all fours so if the tracks are fresh, we can avoid them, but if we need to start poking our heads into caves and caverns looking for their dens, we could find either. When I was guide for your teacher, Riandyl, it was a Yeti that caused her loss in the games. We were exploring a narrow cave that looked and smelled like a Frost Troll lodge, but a Yeti followed us in. They have powerful smellers… Yeti’s. Even in a blizzard they can track you by smell if they are hungry enough.”

Dawndra] “How did you defeat the Yeti?”

] Shent “Only by a hair. Riandyl and I both were badly injured and spent over a day in that cave just trying to regain the strength to return empty-handed.”

Dawndra] “Too bad the Yeti’s head would not substitute.”

] Saarvin “That is, I think, the real part of the challenge of Round Three… there are more Yeti’s in the Spine than there are Frost Trolls, and while you are tracking one, the other is likely tracking you. This is why it is foolish to hunt alone. Most have the support of someone like Shent or myself.”

Dawndra] “Oh, you have been a guide to other contestants?”

] Saarvin “Many times… that is how I gained the experience to compete myself four times.”

] Roller “And win twice!”

] Saarvin “And win twice! And loose twice… but to be honest, that first loss turned out better for me… financially… I happened into the lair of a White Dragon. I told you this story once Shent.”

] Shent “At least. But please tell-tell again… it is one of my favorites.”

] Saarvin “I knew by the way my scales tingled that there was a dragon nearby. I lost sight of my goal to find a Frost Troll as we went deeper into the Spine… Relgar was certain we found a lair. It took several hours to find it, but sure enough – we walked into the treasure hoard of an adult white dragon as it slept on a massive hoard. ”

] Shent “And you stole a whole pouch of coins from under the sleeping dragons chin…”

] Saarvin “No, that was another time and another dragon. This dragon was clever and  kept every last coin frozen inside a giant mound of ice.”

] Roller “Then father made fire. I can almost make fire.”

] Saarvin “We’ve been practicing… haven’t we Roller. And you are right, I used my flame breath to melt away some ice along the far edge of the hoard. We barely each pulled some treasure from the ice when the dragon stirred. I escaped with just a silver ring. Relgar and Gryna each nabbed some gems. Just tokens really, we thought… but I later discovered the ring was quite valuable. I never did tell Relgar and Gryna how much I sold it for… so if you happen to see them… ”

] Shent “What made you leave the comforts of Waterdeep and return to this ice hole?”

] Saarvin “Yarinn and I left Fireshear when Roller was born. We thought a big city behind big walls would be a safer place to raise our child. It wasn’t though… was it Roller?”

] Roller “Mother was killed by bad men. We lost her.”

] Saarvin “I realized I would rather fight off crag cats and yeti’s than fight the politics of the big city and its scheming power mongers. Besides, Roller is almost four now – she needs to learn to survive in the Frozenfar like her father and mother before her.”

] Roller “I’m going to be a Spine Ranger!”

] Shent “We will be lucky to have you Roller.”

Dawndra] “I’m certain of it. So are ‘Spine Rangers’  a collective of sorts? Like a guild or something?”

] Shent “Informally. We thought about making things formal, years ago… didn’t we Saarvin?”

] Saarvin “Perhaps we still can. The Fray Games are bringing more visitors from below the Spine. It used to just be The Tribe of the Elk and some Tentowners, but I’ve heard that the last few years have brought folk (and their gold) from all over the Realms.”

] Shent “I keep busy all year round as a guide for hunters and delvers in these parts. You are correct though, the games draw a lot of outsiders who don’t know the first thing about surviving the Frozenfar.”

] Saarvin “What was the total purse last year Shent?”

] Shent “There was over 200 competitors in the Stones Throwdown. At 150gp apeice, that’s what… 30,000 in the purse? Only three returned to Easthaven as winners last year, so ten each? Not bad.”

Dawndra] “Wow! Over 200 competitors?”

] Shent “Like Saarvin said, that first day of the games is chaos. Less than half of ’em made to Round Two. There were less than twenty competitors in the hunt and most of them are probably still out there buried under snow and ice.”

] The four of you continue to talk over a meal and more ale. Afterwards, Saarvin takes you to an alchemist where you purchase as many healing potions as you think you might need for the games.  Shent also suggests some vials of acid for dealing with the Trolls. The four of you head back to the docks to get a long rest before morning.