Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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You will be Smited for this…
A new day is upon you. The shattered ruins of Illiandil's mountain tomb are exposed through the broken door. The warmth of the sun rising over the eastern peaks has not yet hit the valley floor. Aldric returns from his morning forage, and whatever firbolg druids do in the morning. His raven, Raya, sits upon a low branch of a nearby tree. She calmly watches you with her beady, black eye. It crosses several of your minds that you 'thought' Cyrus has beady, little eyes. You are now corrected. Raya has the beady eye market cornered.
Aldric sets to brewing a morning tea with the herbs he has collected. Wes and Brock have scampered off somewhere, fooling about. Varr returns with Aldric and sits with her back to him, facing you.
/plans?
"This tea is very pleasant, thank you."
Chadwick looks around the camp at the other members of The Company.
"So what are y'all's thoughts on if we address the Very Angry Wizard first, or head straight to Waterdeep to finish our current quest?"
Starker:”Waterdeep, if it were up to me, Cyrus, Jievs, Smogmorthan, the onyx dog, and the Jade Lion.”
Xymox: "I believe that Starker has it right. We have urgent business to complete in Waterdeep."
Aldric serves everyone a steaming mug or bowl of tea. It is refreshing, slightly minty and has a real eye opener quality. He passes these amongst The Company as you deliberate. Wes and Brock get mildly scolded when they fall into a pile of fur onto Chadwick’s boots. Cyrus wistfully watches them play. Varr, a very large she-wolf, sits and watches the camp. Her gaze is steady and penetrating. Once all have been served the tea, Aldric settles down to serve himself. Despite his large size he drinks gracefully from the bowl.
“Thanks to all of you for sharing your camp with all of us,” Aldric addresses The Company. “We appreciate the companionship. I must be off again soon to see where the wizard’s men have regathered. They typically do something destructive following a losing fight,” he adds.
"Thank you Master Aldric, your comaony and genrosity area welcome respite for this weary group. Good fortune in your campaign to address this scourge in your lands. If we were better conditioned and provisioned, we may have been able to provide assistance. As it is, we have urgent business to attend and must be about it." Smiles at him " wondeful tea, i hope i am able to share camp and tea with you in the future. Good fortune to you, Sir!"
Kragen begins to gather up his backpack, shoulders The Judge, fashions his shield and looks at the others.
Aside to the group when we are alone of on our journey
"I have been in contact with Cleggor Stonejaw to see how he fares and our interest in the deep wave mine. He has responded, i will let you know when i hear more. We probably should setup means, in Waterdeep, on collecting on our interests, once the mine becomes productive. I am sure a reputable banking establishment and agreement can be negotiated."
"Ill also contact Xygag and let.him know we are in route."
Xymox: "If we are agreed that we are to head for Waterdeep, should I prepare the teleportation circle for Neverwinter? Serethia was kind enough to share with me the circle of a wizard guild there. Starker may enjoy the visit. I have never been to Neverwinter, but I assume it to be safe enough."
"Please do Bard Xymox. These dwarven feet" motions to his legs "could use some rest!"
Xymox rummages through his backpack, sorting out various parchments and writing utensils. The drow stands up and looks at the local landscape, clearly considering a proper location to conduct his craft.
"There" He points to a small shaded area nearby, grabs his writing utensils and walks to the clearing.
The bard removes one glove with deliberate ceremony and kneels upon the earth, producing a vial of shimmering ink the color of twilight. From within his sleeve he draws a slender silver stylus, spinning it once between his fingers like a conductor’s baton.
Then he begins to draw.
Not merely sigils —
music made visible.
Curving runes bloom across the ground in graceful spirals, elegant Drow calligraphy intertwined with precise arcane geometry. The stylus moves in sweeping arcs guided by a soft melody he hums beneath his breath, each note shaping the ink’s flow. The symbols respond to the tune, settling into place with quiet purpose.
The ink glows faintly violet as the circle grows — a perfect union of artistry and exacting control.
He murmurs gently as he works:
The air grows still.
The wind bends inward.
The world seems to pause to listen.
When the final sigil is completed, Xymox rises smoothly and lifts his violin. The bow touches string.
A single clear note rings out.
Reality answers.
The circle ignites in soft radiance, a ring of whispering light that hums like a plucked chord. The runes shimmer in harmonic sequence, and within their bounds a gateway blossoms — swirling with distant stars and steady, controlled power.
Xymox lowers the violin and offers a graceful bow.
The shimmering portal holds, patient and precise, awaiting its travelers.
Starker <he thinks inaudibly under his breath>: “harrumph. It is a simple scientific demonstration of the use of folding reality, not a poetry exhibition. Let’s hope his need for an extra syllable for proper scansion doesn’t send us back into the maws of the mukdaks or Menlor’s tempestuous embrace.”
steps through.
Kragen grabs his gear and follows Starker through the portal, looking about oddly as he does.
Chadwick, always supremely confident that Tur will project him, waits just a bit to make sure Starker doesn't explode since this is Xymox's first attempt. Then follows through.
Aldric bids you farewell as you depart through the Teleportation Circle. He stands silently with his companions around him. You can’t help but wonder if this old Druid is up to the task before him…
Stepping through the circle snaps you to a great stone, rotunda with a vaulted, domed ceiling. The floor is marble with a magic circle etched into it. The runes flare as each of you enter and then wane after Xymox enters. There are six buttresses equally spaced about the perimeter. No windows are seen. A set of very large iron bound wooden doors is the only exit.
Starker:”A sensible precaution. I must remember this for my bastion.”
Xymox: "It may be prudent to enquire the whereabouts of Serethia." Looks around at the group.
Chadwick checks to see if the doors are locked.
Chadwick investigates the door (no Investigation roll, so just things found with Passive Perception = 10). The doors are heavy and stout. They are bound with large iron bands. No Lockes, handles or hinges are seen on this side. There is no obvious method to open them. There is a sliding panel on one of the doors that measures 10" long by 6" high.
A female voice then speaks. It sounds as though it is coming from all around you, "Welcome. You are unannounced. State your names and purpose for using the portal."
Xymox steps forward, one gloved hand resting lightly over his heart.
“Esteemed keeper of this circle, we thank you for receiving us.”
A graceful bow.
“I am Xymox Xel’Mizzrym, bard and traveler.
My companions and I seek lawful passage and temporary sanctuary within Neverwinter.”
A measured pause.
“We arrive by sanctioned sigil, bearing no hostile intent, and request audience with the steward of this circle or the wizard guild who maintains it.”
His tone softens.
“We submit ourselves to your protocols.”