The return to Bryn Shander after the party’s successful heist of the Codicil was a somber one. The town continued to languish under the Everlasting Rime and there was talk among the leadership of beginning ritual sacrifices to Auril as some of the other villages of Ten Towns had done. Vellynne desired to immediately depart for Reghed glacier, and after purchasing provisions and some healing potions the band headed north, hoping that the necromancer was correct in thinking a solution to the Rime would be found there.
Closing in on the glacier, the party encountered members of the Elk tribe, led by Mjenir, a shaman who had experienced visions leading him to meet the adventurers on their journey. His offer to help guide and protect the group was quickly accepted, and the warriors of the Elk tribe began what would prove to be their last long march. Not a mile later they were ambushed by over two dozen warriors of the Tiger tribe, led by their queen Bjornhild and her saber-toothed tiger.
While the Tiger warriors drew first blood, Ferus’s fireball obliterated a large portion of the enemy. With victory seemingly secured, the Elk champion Henger ran toward the Tiger queen to engage her.
Horror then commenced.
From behind Henger rose a seven foot darkened figure, with the head of a white owl and horns of a goat protruding from its head, its talons embedded themselves in his back allowing the figure to lift the barbarian off the ground. Henger attempted to scream but a layer of ice enveloped him, silencing him forever. Two skeletal frost giants then rose from the snow, as did long dead corpses, approaching the Elk warriors.
Mjenir yelled toward the group: “Auril is here! You must get to the glacier! We will cover your escape! FLEE NOW!” The remaining Elk warriors charged toward Auril, her minions, and certain death. The party broke for the glacier, Mjenir close behind preparing a hallow spell.
“I can’t hold them back for long,” said the shaman. “Recite the spell, enter the glacier!”
The party obeyed.
The codicil’s spell, recited by Ferus, opened a rift in the glacier, a passage descending into absolute darkness. Leaving the shaman behind to hinder the pursuit, the adventurers swore to honor the Elk tribal member’s sacrifice and end the everlasting Rime.
In the tunnels, the party came across the remains of a Netherese skycoach. Searching the debris, they found a safe which Haryk opened, and were rewarded with a bag of holding, four gemstones and an unusual ring made of chardalyn, with the head of a ram as its crown. Even the slightest noise echoed in the icy caverns, and their exploration of the ship drew the attention of four flameskulls, which the party dispatched ably.
The most worrisome encounter came with the discovery of a kobold, not normally a threat but the professor orb noted its elongated fangs and bloodshot eyes: a vampire spawn! It skittered away (easily climbing along the walls and ceiling) before the party could react.
In another area of the caves, the party heard an elvish voice cry out, telling a beast to stay back, and then the voice was cut off. A maniacal, guttural laughter then echoed throughout the caves. Moving cautiously toward where they thought the voice originated, they found the body of a drow fighter, and after some careful, extended inspection, noted his throat had been bitten and the corpse was bloodless.
More laughter in the dark.
The party often wondered about the Netherese artifacts and crumbling buildings they found. Professor Skant proved valuable in his explanations. One area allowed spellcasters to regain a spell after a short rest (they found a skeleton there – the remains of a priest, judging by an untarnished silver four pointed star, they symbol of Mystryl). Another fallen tower held a frieze which depicted the Netherese House of the Arcane, where mages would choose their arcane tradition (represented by eight towers). Here they also found what appeared to be two potions of healing.
Still, the laughter echoed in the darkness.
