You finally found what you believe to
be the iceberg mentioned in the final communications with Maccath the Crimson
and the indigenous people who call it home.
Book Two, Chapter 1.3 (session 33, 30 th November
2017)
You continued your search of the ice floes hunting for the
distinctive iceberg. Following your encounter with the merrows you later
encountered a polar bear chasing down what looked to be a small fur clad
humanoid. Intervening successfully (Carharvilios calming and befriending the
bear; Naergon and Dilon chasing down and capturing the humanoid) you found a
small human, part of the indigenous peoples of the ice sea. You struggled to
communicate but eventually with Naergon’s spells and Dilon’s artistry a form of
communication was established. The Ice Hunter (Urkturfarghort) indicated you
should stay away from the iceberg but once befriended (charmed) by Carharvilios
agreed to take him (and his followers) to his hunting party. A rudimentary
discussion with this small group, revealed that the iceberg was about 9 days
travel across the floes, approximately in a northwest direction. You exchanged
gifts and went on your way.
Seven days later you spotted the distinctive shape of the large
plateaued iceberg in the distance, surrounded in low mists and fog and the
centre of a perpetual fall of snow and sleet. Circumnavigating in Frostskimmer
you see an ice shelf with boats drawn up on it in front of a 100 foot cliff
with a plateau above – a dark chasm splits the cliff face. Beyond the plateau
and enclosing the other sides of the vaguely triangular berg the cliffs and
peaks rise to over 200 feet.
The next day you leave Frostskimmer and land on the ice shelf
amidst the bones of vast creatures, ribs standing taller than any of you litter
the shelf – Franz is convinced they are the remains of huge whales and giant
sealions. You make your way to the chasm in the cliffside, discovering steps
carved into the side and zig-zagging up the chimney which narrows dramatically
at the top.
Ascending the stair you emerge on the windswept and exposed
plateau, snow and ice flurries conceal much but it is clear the terrain is
rough and broken by huge drifts, frozen rills and crevasses. Immediately at the
top of the stair is a distinctly artificial wall of ice in which are embedded
the preserved corpses of 3 Luskar warriors, a dwarf and 2 locals. Dilon spends
sometime trying to dig through the ice but gives up in frustration – it’s
preternaturally solid and resistant. Franz scouts around and finds what looks
like a faint trail on the windswept snow and ice.
You follow the trail for a half mile or more finally coming into
sight of a cluster of ice hovels and yurts – a larger central longhouse
and a coral of what you think are dogs, though it’s hard to tell in the
constant fog and snow flurries. Cautiously advancing your presence is revealed
by the barking of the dogs and the village emerges form its various huts to
stand in front of you – they do not look particularly pleased to see you.
A tough older man (presumably the chief – you learn he is called
Barking Seal later) greets you and tells you to leave, he is backed up by a
very large, by their standards, warrior (Orcaheart) and by what you assume is a
female shaman (Bonecarver). Whilst behind him about two dozen
warrior/hunters spread out on a loose semicircle between you and the
interior of the village where a number of young and old scurry into the central
large longhouse.
Barking Seal, speaks broken common (although of an odd inflection)
and keeps insisting you leave. When questioned he claims that Old White Death
is dead – killed by frost giants. He believes the bones on the shelf are his
remains. Pushed into a corner by Naergon and to avoid an all out fight he
offers a trial of champions – Orcaheart against Mads, if Orcaheart wins you
leave, if not you stay for one night and he will answer your questions.
Mads and Orcaheart fight, Mads wins – Bonecarver comes forward
and treats Orcaheart’s wounds whilst Barking Seal (reluctantly) invites you
into the longhouse for a ceremonial meal and discussion.
XP earnt is now irrelevant as the rest of ToD is based on
milestone XP. No levels were gained this session.
Naergon:
9 th
level
Carharvilios: 8 th
level
Mads:
8 th level
Franz:
8 th level
Jamna
8 th level
Dilon
7 th level
In-Game the session ended at 16:00 on 14 th Hammer
1485 DR as you prepare to enjoy the hospitality of Barking Seal and his tribe
of Ice Hunters