Pwnitive Damages

Armed with nothing more than a general indication – “The frost giants live in the frozen wilderness” and some general pointing – “over that way”, the group sets off to discover how many days they can wander about without freezing to death. Luckily for the slightly frozen party members, Dalliance likes to travel in style – and the hut makes a nice refuge at day’s end. Within a week, they latch on to some indications of travel, and eventually spot a quartet of the frosty ones trudging through the glacial passes. The group follows and sees the giants enter into a large glacier through a crevasse in the side. Invisible to the eye, but not to the ear – the group ‘chuff chuff chuff’ through the snow and descend into the rift. A gigantic open space awaits, with a trail that runs along the sides of a crevasse filled with mist and vapor. Sneaking about, they come face to snout with a pack of winter wolves that have climbed out of the crevasse. The group slams it into high gear and begins systematically slaughtering everything in view. The wolves are the first to go in an explosion of fire, then a couple of snow leopards, a dozen or so ogres, about a baker’s dozen frost giants are fired up and dispatched in short order. Having expended the bulk of Dalliance’s assault capabilities, the group retires to the hills for another day or two in the hut.

They return, this time taking an alternate route through the entrance and start sneaking in again. This time, the occupants are ready and have planted several deadfall traps. The group triggers one and seals off a likely avenue of exploration. Some combat ensues – more frosty ones are dispatched and the group finds themselves in a large room of frozen trophies. Debate is offered about a likely course of action – and the decision is made to exit and renter through the first opening.

This is accomplished and the group finds signs of activity – the bodies from the first raid are gone and an alerted pair of giants stands guard with a pair of winter wolves to alert them to invisible sneakers. The wolves detect the party and earn a pair of fireballs for their good work. The guardpost is now the party’s. Exploration reveals many branching passages and a ledge that overlooks some sort of frost sinkhole. The decision (long and arduous as it was) was made to descend and see what can be seen. Reiza Bullar, TBA, Dr. Mingus and Dalliance descend to the floor of the crevasse to check out what appears to be a large igloo. Distracted by shiny objects, the group is surprised by the charging attack of the Remorhaz – into whose lair they are venturing. Enraged, the ice worm inflicts terrible damage on the group – swallowing TBA whole and killing him instantly. Dalliance and the rest finally dispatch the beast and recover TBA’s body. They beat a hasty retreat with what loot they have and set up camp in the hut.

Sadly, TBA’s soul does not heed the call to return to his earthly shell. Reiza buries his littermate in the frozen lands, and the group retreats from the Spine of the World – a lot colder and a bit wiser. Heading into Mirabar, the party remnants seek employment of a more lucrative nature. Perhaps they will find a brave soul that will accompany them on their travels…