On the Sea of Moving Ice, one of the most remote regions in all Faerun, the Ice Witch sits in her tower of black ice. There, she directs her army of beasts, barbarians, and cultists against the people of Icewind Dale in Auril's name...

Spurned from her tribe, the outcast Reghed woman hopes to visit ruin and disaster upon the scattered people of the dale. If the dale is to be spared the bleak fate of unending winter, the party, Arnan Aldwynne, Dalgura and Morgrim Ironhammer, Kira, Thane Harkensen and Hengar Aensvaard, must confront the witch, Hedrun Arnsirth, in her tower.

Girding themselves for the trials that lie ahead, the adventurers step through the silver mirror, in the Ice Witch's tower!

Led by Morgrim, in bear form, the party passes through a pointed black archway and arrive inside the tower's audience hall. There, King Gunvald holds court over a small contingent of his Bear Tribesmen and a few of their orc allies from the Spine of the World. This motley group of the Ice Witch's vassals are in the midst of a heated discussion on the proper method of sending raiding parties into Ten Towns, when Morgrim, followed by his allies, steps through the void and appears at the edge of the room.

The large bear is not difficult to spot, as the tribesmen were already on edge in no small party due to the presence of such a large amount of black ice.

King Grunvald takes in their sudden appearance as something of a good omen. Already chafing at having to stay in the tower while his warriors range across the dale, he is spoiling for a good fight and one just seemed to appear, out of nowhere!

"Who are you, who have come to the Ice Witch's tower, unannounced and uninvited!?" the middle aged king roars in a violent tone.

His small force of men and orcs likewise show their hostility toward the adventurers. Their body language is quite easy to read and it seems they are all ready to take up arms at a moment's notice.

For the moment, party has caught them flat-footed...


OOC: Let's assume the party appears in the audience hall about 20 feet from the tribesman and orcs and maybe 30 feet to King Gunvald, whom is presently surrounded by his forces at the moment.

King Gunvald of the Bear Tribe
AC: 13
HP: 67/67

Bear Tribesmen, 6
AC: 12
HP: 11/11, 11/11, 11/11, 11/11, 11/11, 11/11

Orcs, 3
AC: 13
HP: 15/15, 15/15, 15/15


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   30/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   31/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!

Kira didn't waste any time, stepping through and peeking around BearGrim.  The one who was bellowing was obviously important so she let loose an arrow to try to shut him up as quickly as possible.

---

19:30, Today: Kira rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  Attack Bear King.
19:31, Today: Kira rolled 4 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage.
19:31, Today: Kira rolled 11 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,5.  Sneak Damage.

Morgrim roared as he barrelled towards the front line of warriors, landing a savage blow across the chest of nearest orc before finishing him off between bone crunching jaws. Casting the broken body aside he leered at the next in line.

Move to engage
Multiattack hits AC 15 for 6, AC 17 for 12 damage. Nearest orc takes 18 damage total, dies.


21:24, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 6,12 using 1d8+4,2d6+4 with rolls of 2,6,2.  Damage.
21:24, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 15,17 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 10,12.  Multiattack.

Hengar emerges through the magic portal with weapon in hand, ready for what may come. He scans the audience hall and settles his sights on the presumed leader of the group and recognizes him for who he is: King Gunvald of the Tribe of the Bear!

Knowing him to be an honorable, if not bellicose king, Hengar struggles to understand what could have caused him to stoop to such depths so as to cast lots with the likes of orcs. Then, his mind draws back the black ice walls surrounding them and it dawns on him the king has been compromised by the taint of this fell ice. The same as the dwarves and the men and women of Ten Towns.

A race of jumbled thoughts flit through the barbarian's mind but seeing Morgrim move to engage orcs helps pull him out of his confusion. He moves up behind Morgrim and attempts to strike one down but, with mind reeling, is unable to land a blow.

Calling over his shoulder, "This isn't right. Something's...not...right..." he calls out shakily.

Thane charged in after many of his fellows had gone before, but his intent is not to attack.  He saw Morgrim and Kira draw blood on an Orc and then the leader, respectively, and while his blood was up, the fact that the Ice Queen was not present made him question if this fight had to happen or not.  He was no diplomat but he did know how to use violence, or the threat thereof, to his advantage.

"We be your DEATH, unless you hold fast your warriors and cast aside your own weapon!" Thane shouted at the wounded King, seeking to intimidate him into compliance.  “We are here for the Ice Queen, not you!”

All the same, Thane had his own weapon ready, and took station near Hengar to protect the barbarian with his shieldplay if necessary...

---

Move: Advance at Hengar's speed
Action: Intimidate King Grunvald
13:52, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 11 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 9.  Intimidation Check: King Grunvald.
Meh, might work on a drunkard, but likely not a tough old bastard of a King...
Other: Use Protector stance to benefit Hengar (attacks vs him suffer disadvantage so long as he is adjacent to Thane.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Tue 21 Aug 2018.

Since Thane had called out to the barbarian king, Arnan held his shot, his arrow nocked and bow aimed, to see how those in the chamber would react to the arrival of the adventurers. The scout felt almost certain that they would be met with force, but on the off-chance that they were not, he did not immediately shoot the arrow . . .

---

OOC:

Move: Arnan will pass through the mirror and position himself so that he has a clear shot, unimpeded by any of his companions.

Readied Action: Arnan anticipates that those in the chamber will react in a hostile fashion, and he will ready an Attack to shoot at one of the Bear Tribesmen if his suspicions prove to be correct.

21:20, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 20 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 13.  Readied Attack (Longbow) vs. Tribesman. Hit! (if shot).

21:21, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5.  Damage (Longbow).

Dalgura steps through the enchanted mirror and calls a flame-like radiance down upon the presumed leader of this rag-tag group of miscreants. Unfortunately, the cleric is momentarily disoriented from the teleportation and she is unable to focus the beam of energy of the Bear Tribe King.

19:32, Today: DM Shard, on behalf of Dalgura Ironhammer, rolled 9,8 using d20+5,d8 with rolls of 4,8.  sacred flame.

With one of Kira's arrows protruding from his shoulder, King Gunvald spins around to take measure of the sneaking bastards that just attempted to assassinate him. Then, he notices a large bear and two warriors, one of them an Elk Tribesman no less(!), charging into the room.

Though still surprised, he hears enough of Thane's challenge to respond, "Ha! You have cast dishonor upon yourself, and now you ask I throw my lot in with you, you cowardly dogs. May Tempos, the Lord of Battle have mercy upon your spineless, miserable souls!"


The Bear Tribesman roar their approval at their leader's rebuke of Thane's attempt to cow King Gunvald into accepting surrender.


OOC: Let's assume the party appears in the audience hall about 20 feet from the tribesman and orcs and maybe 30 feet to King Gunvald, whom is presently surrounded by his forces at the moment.

The party had surprise last round and gets another round to act.

King Gunvald of the Bear Tribe
AC: 13
HP: 52/67

Bear Tribesmen, 6
AC: 12
HP: 11/11, 11/11, 11/11, 11/11, 11/11, 11/11

Orcs, 3
AC: 13
HP: 0/15, 15/15 (Morgrim, Hengar, Thane), 15/15 (Morgrim, Hengar, Thane)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   30/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   31/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!

Hengar shakes his head in disbelief. Something is wrong with King Gunvald and he indicates as much to his companions while thrusting his weapon at a nearby orc. Unfortunately, he fails to score a hit against the flat-footed orc.

"The King must be ensorcelled, poisoned by the black ice!" he calls out. "There is no honor in casting lots with orcs. Any Reghedsman knows this to be true!" he says to his companions.

Now, seeking the King's attention through the chaos, "King Gunvald," he cries. "Though our clans have not always enjoyed peace, I know you to be an honorable king..."

Beargrim keeps his rage focused upon the orcs, savaging the next in his jaws and leaving it on the brink of death.

Bite hits AC 23 for 11 (orc)
Claw misses (AC 9)

20:55, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 11 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 7.  Damage.
20:54, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 23,9 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 18,4.  Multiattack.

In Arnan's judgment, he was receiving conflicting signals. Hengar seemed to want to parlay with King Gunvald, the leader of the Bear tribesman. GrimBear, on the other hand, continued to tear into the Orcs.

~Mayhaps 'tis best not to shoot at the tribesmen 'til we see how this plays out,~ the scout thought to himself. ~Unless the Black Ice has fouled the minds of the Bear tribesmen, they can have no objection to our killing Orcs.~

Arnan nocked an arrow and waited a moment until he had a clear shot at the Orc that the Dwarf-in-bear-form was fighting, then loosed the shaft. Unfortunately the Orc moved just as Arnan fired, and his arrow missed its target.

---

OOC:

Move: As necessary to gain a clear shot at the Orc fighting BearGrim.

Attack: 19:19, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 11 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 4.  Ranged Attack v. Orc Fighting Morgrim (AC 13). Miss.

Thane grimaced at the lost opportunity to sway the King, but his naming of the God of Battles turned the fighter’s face red.  “Tempus is a deaf god, he’ll not hear your call!” Thane retorted with heat.  He lashed out at the wounded Orc and smote it a glancing blow without taking his eyes off the King.

“Hengar thinks you’re a good man so why have you taken up with the Ice Witch?!?  She’s killin’ innocent folk!”

---

20:04, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 14,5 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 ((9,2)).  Struck for 5 damage
Thane will use his Protector stance to benefit Hengar (attacks vs Hengar will be at disadvantage).

This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Sat 25 Aug 2018.

Dismayed to see one of his people, albeit a different clan, under the powerful sway of the black ice, Hengar directs his frustration at the nearest orc. But, the orc bats away Hengar's blow.

Though it went against Kira's gut, Hengar's plea to the bear king drew her aim away from him and she tried to hit one of the orcs engaged with her large teammates.  "Dammit," she hissed as the arrow whizzed past its head.

---

08:47, Today: Kira rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  Attack Orc.  Missed so didn't roll damage.  :(

Dalgura calls forth another jet of sacred flame but once again is unable to effectively target a foe in the chaotic melee that has broke out in the audience chamber.

21:41, Today: DM Shard, on behalf of Dalgura Ironhammer, rolled 2 using 1d8 with rolls of 2.

21:41, Today: DM Shard, on behalf of Dalgura Ironhammer, rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12.  d20+5,d8.

Gunvald eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets upon hearing Thane blapsheme Tempos. The Bear King throws himself into a reckless berserk, charging headlong across the raised dais and bringing his great axe down crashing down into the Luskan warrior. The axe strikes with a heavy clank, "You will pay for your tongue, outsider!" he rages, his eyes wild and distant.

The Bear tribesmen roar in approval of their King's unbridled vigor and they too are spurred to action.

"Throw down the outsiders!" one yells. This is met with a chorus of approval and curses as the Bear tribesmen take up arms against the party's front ranks. The audience hall rings out in violence!

King Gunvald and two of his tribesmen square off against Thane, the King striking him powerfully. An orc and a tribesman attempt to flank Morgrim, but Morgim rears up and defends himself well. Two tribesmen sneer at Hengar and press the attack using pack tactics to corner their foe, one of which scores a hit despite Thane's attempt to defend his ally. Finally, one of the tribesman throws a javelin at Kira, but she dodges out of the way just in time.


OOC: Morgrim was hit for 12 points of damage and Hengar was hit for 5.

King Gunvald of the Bear Tribe
AC: 13
HP: 52/67 (Thane)

Bear Tribesmen, 6
AC: 12
HP: 11/11 (Thane), 11/11 (Thane), 11/11 (Morgrim), 11/11 (Hengar), 11/11 (Hengar), 11/11

Orcs, 3
AC: 13
HP: 0/15, 0/15, 15/15 (Morgrim)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   25/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   31/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Brown Bear: AC 11, HP: 22/34


PCs are UP!

Roaring with a ferocity that shook the very walls of the cavern Morgrim lay into the remaining orc with tooth and claw, savaging him and casting his broken body aside.

Multiattack
1) Misses (8)
2) Critical hit for 24 damage. Last orc dies.

10:18, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 24 using 4d6+4 with rolls of 6,6,3,5.  Damage.
10:17, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 8,25 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 3,20.  Multiattack.

The Bear tribesman looked and sounded ready to fight, and their leader did, too -- plus, Morgrim-in-bear-form had finished off the last of the Orcs.

~Makes it easy for me,~ Arnan thought with a shrug, shifting his aim to one of the Human tribesman who was facing Thane.

---

OOC:

Action: 16:58, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Ranged Attack v. Tribesman Fighting Thane (AC 12). Hit!

16:58, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage (Longbow).

"He seems awfully deaf to me!" Thane countered King Gunvald's bluster.  He lashed out in retaliation but the wild-eyed king's strong blow had knocked Thane off-balance.  The flail swished through the air, a harmless stroke.

Thane growled a string of dwarven words, curses perhaps, and set his feet firmly to square off against the worthy foe.
[Language unknown: "Entearant, p th nc eccawh-evlo ce, ri saho adet Whwe, iveit elnait re urnd!  Aticwh elter whi urwabe!"]

---

Move: None
Action: Attack King Gunvald in melee
21:09, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled AC 7, 8 damage using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 2,5.  Attack King Gunvald (AC13). Miss

Other: Use Protector to benefit Hengar (as last round).