Icewind Dale is an arctic tundra located in the Frozenfar region of the North, known for being the northernmost explored region in all of Faerûn. It earned its name from the harsh winds and icy storms that destroyed buildings and scoured the landscape.
The dale is a harsh, near-inhospitable land that regularly plunges below freezing temperatures, and receives little sunlight, particularly during the severe winter months. It is home to only the most hardened of frontiersmen, pioneers, and barbarians. Beyond the sporadic dots of civilization dwell terrifying beasts and deadly monsters of the North. https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Icewind_Dale
Like the famous Drow Drizzt Do'Urden, many people who come to Ten-Towns are outcasts, fugitives, or pariahs in search of a place where they can be tolerated, if not accepted. Some came here determined to make their fortunes. Others come for the solitude, or to escape notice and stay out of the reach of the law of the southern cities. Today, four hundred years after the formation of Ten-Towns, most folk are here because they were born here, grew up here, and expect to die here. They're fishers, loggers, miners, hunters, trappers, furriers, and traders accustomed to the harsh climate, the slow pace, and the isolation. Like the hardy lichens and determined reindeer of the tundra, residents endure and do what's needed to survive.
Icewind Dale has few trees, so lumber is cut from the slopes of the Spine of the World or the depths of the Lonelywood Forest. Stone from the hills and valleys surrounding Kelvin's Cairn supplements wood as a building material in Ten-Towns. Homes have sharply pitched roofs to prevent snow from accumulating on them.
The people of Ten-Towns wear layers of woolen clothing often topped off with fur cloaks. Under these heavy clothes and cloaks, one resident looks very much the same as another. Outdoors, it's hard to tell the people of Ten-Towns apart - and easy for clever monsters to hide in their midst. https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ten_Towns
Icewind Dale player character considerations (if not from far away lands): Ten-Towners Reghed Nomads Mountain Goliaths Valley Dwarves (Ask me if want more info on each.)
Characters start at level 3. Characters have been assigned one trinket. Only you know what trinket you have received, and you are free to keep this information to yourself or reveal it to the party. Characters start with 50 gold in addition to the starting gold based on background.
Characters start with a set of cold weather clothing in addition to regular starting equipment.
Clothing, cold weather
Type: Adventuring Gear Cost: 10 gp Weight: 5 lbs This outfit consists of a heavy fur coat or cloak over layers of wool clothing, as well as a fur-lined hat or hood, goggles, and fur-lined leather boots and gloves.
As long as cold weather clothing remains dry, its wearer automatically succeeds on saving throws against the effects of extreme cold (see “Extreme Cold”).
Icewind Dale has become trapped in a perpetual winter. Ferocious blizzards make the mountain pass through the Spine of the World exceedingly treacherous, and this land has not felt the warmth of the sun in over two years. In fact, the sun no longer appears above the mountains, not even in what should be the height of summer. In this frozen tundra, darkness and bitter cold reign as king and queen. Most dale residents blame Auril the Frostmaiden, the god of winter's wrath. The shimmering aurora that weaves across the sky each night is said to be her doing - a potent spell that keeps the sun at bay.
Dalefolk live in a scattering of settlements known as Ten-Towns. The drop-off in caravans coming from the south and travel between settlements in this never-ending winter has left everyone feeling isolated. Although each town has resolved to appease the Frost-maiden with sacrifices of one kind or another, no respite from winter's fury seems forthcoming. For adventurers such as yourselves, Ten-Towns is a place to test one's mettle and, in the spirit of heroes who have come before, leave one's mark on this frigid, blighted land.
Four adventurers find themselves outside a tavern in Bryn Shander. Because of the frigid weather outside, everyone is currently covered in cold weather clothing. This makes it hard to discern any specific features.
Errona stands out in frigid cold looking at the other three people. She easily recognizes Roc, but the other two are unknown to her. She begins to look closer at them but a strong gust of frigid wind blows, slipping through the wrappings near the back of her neck, and at that moment, she no longer cares for any of the lot. Honestly, if the cold took Roc, it would just make her life easier... With that thought still dangling in her mind, she smiles and moves to the tavern door and warmth that awaits inside.
Roc follows Errona inside the tavern. Upon entering he coughs twice very hard wipes hand mouth with his gloved hand. He looks around the tavern.
"You never get used to this blasted cold."
Roc looks to Eronna.
"Come Errona.... Let's see what type of ale these Shandies have in stock."
Roc walks up the bar and first removes his longbow and sits it down next to his stool. He then removes his cold weather gear revealing a stringy human with short black hair and blue eyes. Two scimitars hang from his waist. He motions for the barkeep.
"Two glasses of something warm if you don't mind."
careful not to rip the door from its hinges again, a23 reaches out with a mechanical hand gripping the tavern door and swings it wide open with a crash! he looks to the door pausing for a brief moment and reflects on the calculated adjustments.
too much force...but still an improvement from last time...
*bzzzzt* *wiizzzt* the soft hum of gears and pistons working tirelessly can faintly be heard as a23 follows one foot infront of the other, making his way to the bar. he greets the barkeep with an exaggerated smile.
”one. beverage please...and something to nibble on.”
Errona turns around upon hearing the door slam. Seeing the mechanical humanoid figure approach the bar with barely a winter coat covering him, she says to Roc "Look at that.. Must have hot oil running to not freeze up in a place like this."
She stares at him while he orders and continues to study this new mechanical creature.
a23 reaches for the bowl of bar nuts, grabs a handful, and smashes them on his “mouth”. crumbs litter the floor. Being used to curious onlookers he spins his head 90degrees toward the staring figure.
“Hello....*INITIATING SCAN* ...female elf! Would you like a tasty treat?”
With his face covered in bits of food, a23 offers the woman the bowl of nuts.
Errona says "I might have some later but my dear friend Roc is starving! He would love to taste them..." she whispers Roc "They might be poisonous so it's a win win. Either it ends here or I get to eat some free snacks...." Errona sits up and urges Roc "Well go on!"
Lumen stands out in the cold still politely waiting for the others to enter the tavern. He is a tall, fairly broad man and he chuckles quietly to himself in the cover of his clothes as the door slams open.
"Amunator seems to have truly led me here for a reason, and this is certainly not something I see every day."
He tries to follow into the bar, checking to see if the door is still in a working state, and closing it behind him if it is. He slowly begins to unwrap his head, and from the hood and scarves and let the warmth touch his skin. As he does, the light reflects off of his well-polished bald head. A mark in the shape of the shining sun adorns it, and as his clothes are loosened, a bright light shines from his neck where a holy symbol to Amunator continuously glows brightly like the flame of a blazing torch.
He enters and sits next to the three other travelers who have just entered.
" A warm brandy if I may. It is so hard to stay warm in these lands, even after all these years."
After placing his order his listens. To the exchange between the other travelers and this walking automaton.
" He certainly doesn't seem to be from around here. I don't think I have seen anyone of his like in my time."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Errona watches intently to see if Roc turns blue after ingesting the nuts. After that, she attempts to remove the bowl of nuts from the center of the bar towards herself without anyone noticing.
Sleight of hand: 7
OOC: This could canonically be before a23's last attempt to eat nuts.
"Now that is an odd land I don't think I've heard of. For myself, I grew up in this frozen wastland." If he is still waiting for a brandy he will take a small flask from deep within his coat and drink a swig from it. " Have you heard of the Morning Lord? Doing my best to spread his warmth and light."
With a pieces of nuts still stuck in her teeth, Errona replies to Lumen "Warmth you say? Sign me up for some of that in this frozen hell hole... Is that your plan? Make this place all cheery deery??" She then turns her back and shoves another handful of nuts in her mouth.
At confirmation of A23's drinking ability Roc orders.
"Barkeep! Add another to my tab."
Roc turns to Lumen.
"You got that right... These past couple a years with no sun is maddening! I've got half a mind to give up my donkey farm just stay in Luskan next time I make a trip. Surely this darkness has to let up some time... Which town did you grow up in? My name is Roc Shallow, I grew up in Targos. Got a small miniature donkey farm there. Problem... Little donks aren't really good for anything but being cute to look at. Every since it's been dark people haven't been able to see the donkey's and quit buying 'em. I'm just barely breaking even with that thing. I've never heard of the Morning Lord but we could all use a little light."
The bartender flashes an annoyed look at a23's treatment of the establishment's door, before motioning for a nearby server to check on its integrity. He otherwise gets back to work without saying much, handing everyone their requested orders.
Errona successfully palms a23's nuts, which leads the bartender to glance over while rubbing a glass in his hand with a cloth. He remains silent while serving other guests. While it is extremely odd to see such a machine in the bar, everyone seems to be too distracted by current events to mind much attention.
Just another gruesome day in Ten-Towns: howling wind, bitter old, foul tempers, and snowdrifts big enough to bury a herd of moose. But today the local tavern is abuzz with news about a series of recent killings. Before the murders, the only question on everyone's mind was, "Will summer ever return to Icewind Dale?" Now the question is, "Will I be the killer's next victim?" Nothing breeds fear and paranoia like a murderer with no face.
Three cold-blooded murders have been committed in the past month: a halfling trapper in Easthaven, a human shipbuilder in Targos, and, three days ago, a dwarf glassblower in Bryn Shander. Each victim was found with a dagger of ice through the heart.
What's the connection? The drunken lot huddled in the tavern offers no credible ideas, but sitting apart from them is an elderly shield dwarf with a nasty scar across her nose who looks like she has something worth knowing. She's been smoking her pipe and eyeing you ever since you walked in.
”What do you all think about this ice dagger murderer running around? Took one of Targos’s own a bit back. Now I hear they struck here in Bryn Shander.”
Roc taps his bow.
”I’m always keeping this one close to me. This murderer is going around targeting tradesman. I hope he or she mistakes me for a common farmer so I can have a nice duel.”
Rob rubs his brow.
”Cold blooded murder with a dagger though... That’s something else... That’s up close and personal.”
" Whoever they are will regret coming face to face with myself if they try, but it is troublesome to spread thoughts on the lord of sunlight with these murderers running amok with local tradesmen."
He sips his drink.
" As for your poor donkey farm, terrible shame to hear about, it grieves me greatly the loss of his glory in these months. I will find and strike down whatever infernal force repels his beauty. Or maybe these murderers first. You say they are trapped here with us did you not? If they wish to be up close and personal I shall be there to see the life drain from their eyes."
Chapter 01: The Ten-Towns
Chapter 02: Icewind Dale
Chapter 03: Sunblight
Chapter 04: Destruction's Light
Character information:
Icewind Dale player character considerations (if not from far away lands):
Ten-Towners
Reghed Nomads
Mountain Goliaths
Valley Dwarves
(Ask me if want more info on each.)
Characters start at level 3.
Characters have been assigned one trinket. Only you know what trinket you have received, and you are free to keep this information to yourself or reveal it to the party.
Characters start with 50 gold in addition to the starting gold based on background.
Characters start with a set of cold weather clothing in addition to regular starting equipment.
Four adventurers find themselves outside a tavern in Bryn Shander. Because of the frigid weather outside, everyone is currently covered in cold weather clothing. This makes it hard to discern any specific features.
Bryn Shander Map
Errona stands out in frigid cold looking at the other three people. She easily recognizes Roc, but the other two are unknown to her. She begins to look closer at them but a strong gust of frigid wind blows, slipping through the wrappings near the back of her neck, and at that moment, she no longer cares for any of the lot. Honestly, if the cold took Roc, it would just make her life easier... With that thought still dangling in her mind, she smiles and moves to the tavern door and warmth that awaits inside.
Roc follows Errona inside the tavern. Upon entering he coughs twice very hard wipes hand mouth with his gloved hand. He looks around the tavern.
"You never get used to this blasted cold."
Roc looks to Eronna.
"Come Errona.... Let's see what type of ale these Shandies have in stock."
Roc walks up the bar and first removes his longbow and sits it down next to his stool. He then removes his cold weather gear revealing a stringy human with short black hair and blue eyes. Two scimitars hang from his waist. He motions for the barkeep.
"Two glasses of something warm if you don't mind."
careful not to rip the door from its hinges again, a23 reaches out with a mechanical hand gripping the tavern door and swings it wide open with a crash! he looks to the door pausing for a brief moment and reflects on the calculated adjustments.
too much force...but still an improvement from last time...
*bzzzzt* *wiizzzt*
the soft hum of gears and pistons working tirelessly can faintly be heard as a23 follows one foot infront of the other, making his way to the bar. he greets the barkeep with an exaggerated smile.
”one. beverage please...and something to nibble on.”
Errona turns around upon hearing the door slam. Seeing the mechanical humanoid figure approach the bar with barely a winter coat covering him, she says to Roc "Look at that.. Must have hot oil running to not freeze up in a place like this."
She stares at him while he orders and continues to study this new mechanical creature.
a23 reaches for the bowl of bar nuts, grabs a handful, and smashes them on his “mouth”. crumbs litter the floor. Being used to curious onlookers he spins his head 90degrees toward the staring figure.
“Hello....*INITIATING SCAN* ...female elf! Would you like a tasty treat?”
With his face covered in bits of food, a23 offers the woman the bowl of nuts.
Errona says "I might have some later but my dear friend Roc is starving! He would love to taste them..." she whispers Roc "They might be poisonous so it's a win win. Either it ends here or I get to eat some free snacks...." Errona sits up and urges Roc "Well go on!"
Roc turns his head toward the buzzing.
"Whew... I feel like nothing can surprise me anymore then in walks some wizard... Or tinkerer creation."
Roc takes a handful of the nuts places one in his mouth and talks with it in his jaw.
"Appreciate the nuts... So do you drink?", Roc asks inquisitively.
Lumen stands out in the cold still politely waiting for the others to enter the tavern. He is a tall, fairly broad man and he chuckles quietly to himself in the cover of his clothes as the door slams open.
"Amunator seems to have truly led me here for a reason, and this is certainly not something I see every day."
He tries to follow into the bar, checking to see if the door is still in a working state, and closing it behind him if it is. He slowly begins to unwrap his head, and from the hood and scarves and let the warmth touch his skin. As he does, the light reflects off of his well-polished bald head. A mark in the shape of the shining sun adorns it, and as his clothes are loosened, a bright light shines from his neck where a holy symbol to Amunator continuously glows brightly like the flame of a blazing torch.
He enters and sits next to the three other travelers who have just entered.
" A warm brandy if I may. It is so hard to stay warm in these lands, even after all these years."
After placing his order his listens. To the exchange between the other travelers and this walking automaton.
" He certainly doesn't seem to be from around here. I don't think I have seen anyone of his like in my time."
“yes. I quite enjoy the pleasures of regular hydration as well as the recreational intoxicant.”
*bzzzt*wiizzzzt*
his head spins 180degrees to face the taverns latest patron
“correct! I have put many miles between where i am currently and where I was activated, the far off land of...*REDACTED*
a23’s face momentarily goes blank before resuming his conversation.
“what brings humanoids like yourselves to this far corner of the world? the frigid climate seems incompatible with your organic needs?”
He smashes another handful of nuts onto his face
Errona watches intently to see if Roc turns blue after ingesting the nuts. After that, she attempts to remove the bowl of nuts from the center of the bar towards herself without anyone noticing.
Sleight of hand: 7
OOC: This could canonically be before a23's last attempt to eat nuts.
perception: 13
"Now that is an odd land I don't think I've heard of. For myself, I grew up in this frozen wastland." If he is still waiting for a brandy he will take a small flask from deep within his coat and drink a swig from it. " Have you heard of the Morning Lord? Doing my best to spread his warmth and light."
With a pieces of nuts still stuck in her teeth, Errona replies to Lumen "Warmth you say? Sign me up for some of that in this frozen hell hole... Is that your plan? Make this place all cheery deery??" She then turns her back and shoves another handful of nuts in her mouth.
At confirmation of A23's drinking ability Roc orders.
"Barkeep! Add another to my tab."
Roc turns to Lumen.
"You got that right... These past couple a years with no sun is maddening! I've got half a mind to give up my donkey farm just stay in Luskan next time I make a trip. Surely this darkness has to let up some time... Which town did you grow up in? My name is Roc Shallow, I grew up in Targos. Got a small miniature donkey farm there. Problem... Little donks aren't really good for anything but being cute to look at. Every since it's been dark people haven't been able to see the donkey's and quit buying 'em. I'm just barely breaking even with that thing. I've never heard of the Morning Lord but we could all use a little light."
The bartender flashes an annoyed look at a23's treatment of the establishment's door, before motioning for a nearby server to check on its integrity. He otherwise gets back to work without saying much, handing everyone their requested orders.
Errona successfully palms a23's nuts, which leads the bartender to glance over while rubbing a glass in his hand with a cloth. He remains silent while serving other guests. While it is extremely odd to see such a machine in the bar, everyone seems to be too distracted by current events to mind much attention.
Roc drinks his beverage with a smile.
”What do you all think about this ice dagger murderer running around? Took one of Targos’s own a bit back. Now I hear they struck here in Bryn Shander.”
Roc taps his bow.
”I’m always keeping this one close to me. This murderer is going around targeting tradesman. I hope he or she mistakes me for a common farmer so I can have a nice duel.”
Rob rubs his brow.
”Cold blooded murder with a dagger though... That’s something else... That’s up close and personal.”
" Whoever they are will regret coming face to face with myself if they try, but it is troublesome to spread thoughts on the lord of sunlight with these murderers running amok with local tradesmen."
He sips his drink.
" As for your poor donkey farm, terrible shame to hear about, it grieves me greatly the loss of his glory in these months. I will find and strike down whatever infernal force repels his beauty. Or maybe these murderers first. You say they are trapped here with us did you not? If they wish to be up close and personal I shall be there to see the life drain from their eyes."
a23 takes the beverage and splashes it about his face adding to his mess on the floor.
“ah, refreshing.”
the automaton briefly scans the tavern and offers a friendly wave to the roughed up dwarf across the room
”companion of yours? she has been eyeing you sense you arrived.”