Sobek nods sadly to Shrek. ‘We’ll hope to spend it later, help people rebuild..?’

He follows Shrek to the iceberg.

I4 - THE ICE STATUES

You are able to raft back carefully, this time, back to the Island, where Vellynne is waiting for you anxiously. "Oh good! You're alive!"

Through the blowing snow, you see a grand assembly of ice sculptures across a snowy field at the foot of the mountain in the center of the island. Closer examination reveals that the sculptures are completely faithful to their subjects: bears, elk, saber-toothed tigers, wolves, yeti, remorhazes, white dragons, and other creatures of the North. No mortal hand could create such wondrous works.

You feel a terrible, awful chill as a brief gust of icy wind blows through them, and past you all. After a moment, you can sense that something very powerful is now among them, but remains unseen. One of the elk ice statues slowly turns it's head and speak to you all, like a marionette. 

"INTERLOPERS. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOU. YOU ARE BRAVE TO HAVE COME THIS FAR. WHY? WHY DO YOU TEST MY PATIENCE?"

Vellynne gasps, recognizing the voice.

Shrek looks confused as always, but this time the hair on the back of his neck is standing on end.  "Who dat, Vellynne?"

"I'm going to make a bold guess and say that we're talking to the Frostmaiden. Am I correct?"

She nods nervously, shrinking back. 

Vetis takes a deep breath and steps forward. "We are only here for two items. The Codicil of the White, and a professor orb. Once we have them, we will leave you in peace again, to your work." Her eyes trail over the frozen creatures.

"I SEE. AND OF WHAT IMPORTANCE ARE THESE ITEMS TO YOU - THAT YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO RISK YOUR LIVES AND ENTER MY ABODE..UNIVITED?"

"I believe that she wants them to uncover an ancient city and its artifacts," Vetis says calmly, indicating Vellynne with her head.

"INDEED? HMPH. IT IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE. I SHALL BE KEEPING MY EYE ON YOU. ESPECIALLY YOU. THE COLD WILL FREEZE YOUR VERY SOULS, YOUR BODIES WILL JOIN MY TROPHIES, AND MY EVERLASTING WINTER WILL BE ETERNAL."

And that that, the statue stops "talking".

Vetis lets out a soft breath of relief. "I see she was in a good mood today," she mutters. "Luckily." Louder, she adds, "We should try to pick up the pace."

Lucas nods in agreement and adds, "The cold is killer enough when it's not being enhanced by the divine. Make sure to stretch your fingers, frostbite likes to set in quietly." He will keep leading the party north, off the road this time, taking the Frostmaiden's message as a warning from getting to close to whatever the path led to.

"Shall we press on?" Vellynne asks.

"Yes."

Shrek comments out loud "Shrek like land.  Pretty snow.  Don't mind cold!" as they trudge along the trail towards whatever destination they're heading towards.

Sobek nods in agreement, disturbed by the Frostmaiden’s ‘collection’.

’It must be a terribly lonely existence.’ he muses, while keeping an eye out for trouble.

You all head towards I3, coming to I6 along the way.

I6 - A ten-foot-tall wall of ice has broken down in a few places, leaving gaps through which you can see what appears to be a huge garden of ice sculptures. Where before you were dealing with ice sculptures, this area is a frozen graveyard. It seems to be a display of creatures that have died from the extreme cold. Each creature is encased in a thick coat of ice, preserving its remains. Amid scores of humanoid cadavers—pirates, hunters, adventurers, worshipers — are the frozen forms of hares, foxes, and other small animals. Among them is a massive ice troll, but this one is alive and well.

"OH, TOONKA? YOU HAVE GUESTS. MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME."

The ice troll stops it's behavior and lumbers towards you all.

Roll for initiative.

Lucas: 12

Percival:5

Shrekitive: 5

Kaznitiative: 13