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Previously on Rime of the Frostmaiden
Starring:
Valravn, level 11 Eladrin Bard of Eloquence
Fray, level 11 Halfling Barbarian of the Beast
Celeste, level 11 Half-orc Sun Soul Monk
Edmond, Level 11 Human Alchemist Artificer
Thimbleweed, level 11 Thri-kreen Swarmkeeper Ranger
A group of frost druids and awakened animals were not about to let newcomers pass through the island. As if commanded by the Frostmaiden herself, a polar bear, a saber-toothed tiger, an awakened tree, a giant walrus, and four mounted frost druids snap their heads up, claiming they must test the resolve of the Marshals.
It turns out the Marshals were itching for a fight with some room to maneuver!
Fray kicks the action off by rushing to the side of the battlefield near the tree, and hurling her Javelin of Lighting across every single enemy. Ouch!
Edmond goes to the other side and beings powering up his arm cannon. Valravn takes to the air atop his trusty flying steed Lord Marbury (pegasus), while Celeste hurls a sunburst into the middle of them.
By the time the Frostmaiden worshippers have a chance to react, they’re nearly half-dead! The party has effectively scattered, rendering many of their AOE cold spells ineffective.
One druid summons another pair of tigers, while the others try to use various spells to knock Valravn off his perch from above.
But when Edmond’s arm cannon goes off, another devastating volley of lightning damage, turning off the summoned creature.
Valravn’s Synaptic Static is the dagger in the heart of the enemy, killing half of them outright. Fray climbs the tree to hack away at a frost druid, who receives an arrow in the head from the kill-stealing Thimbleweed.
Just like that, only a single frost druid remains. The Marshals interrogate her, learning that the Frostmaiden is aware of them. She also confirms that it was the Frostmaiden who shrouded Icewind Dale in darkness, but as a response to Gant and Lantomir discovering the ancient city beneath the glacier.
The Frostmaiden can feel them here on the island but can’t see them – some kind of magic is blocking her. The Marshals admit that they’re goals may align in stopping them, though the druid maintains the Frostmaiden’s neutrality and survival of the fittest.
The druid transforms into a wolf and disappears into the darkness. The Marshals continue their trek across the frozen island toward the skull-shaped mountain.
Near the base of the mountain they come across a garden of life-like ice statues. Arctic beasts, monsters, and people all standing around in frozen beauty. The party begins to recognize figures they’ve met before, people who have died, such as the Speaker and druid in Easthaven.
They look around and realize they’re separated from one another. The Icy figures lurch and move with unnatural grace as a chill voice speaks:
“Beauty kept in all its grace. None can escape the cold embrace. Behold those trapped in time, and witness the everlasting Rime.”
Each Marshal tries to escape this psychological nightmare in their own way. Some yell and fight back, others sneak or try to talk their way out of it. Some succeed, while others suffer psychic damage or exhaustion. Eventually everyone is deposited on the other side of the garden, looking up at the looming mountain.
Giant-size stairs create a towering staircase somewhere near the summit of the skull-face. But first they’ll have to climb the slopes in the cold fog. Did I mention the blizzard descending upon you?
The Marshals try to find a cave to hide out from the furious storm. But the caves are occupied — yetis! The yetis are adept at hunting in a blizzard, surprising the Marshals with their Chilling Gazes and rending claws.
Five yetis ambush the party. Thankfully almost everyone makes the CON saves against their paralyzing gaze as they’re quickly surrounded.
Celeste is the only unlucky one, only saved by her Relentless Endurance. Valravn uses Dissonant Whispers, Edmond wields his Green-Flame Blade and the martials do what they do best as they fight back against their hunters.
With nearly all the yetis dead after a round and a half, a huge abominable yeti emerges, spewing freezing cold breath across half the party.
Shaking it off, the Marshals quickly surround and kill the massive yeti.
Heavily bloodied and weakened, the party crawl into the now empty caves for a much-needed short rest before reaching the top of skull mountain.
MVPC – Celeste
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