Icewind Dale has ever been the last frontier in the Savage North. It's the sort of place most know little about, save that it is the last bastion of civilization, if one could even categorize it as such, before reaching endless tracks of frozen waste and ice-choked seas. And rightly so, as it is a hard place to reach, even for those so inclined.
Reaching Icewind Dale requires an arduous trek along poorly maintained roads and through a brutal pass at the westernmost end of the Spine of the World. The journey from Luskan, the usual spot where such treks begin, takes about twenty days--eleven to reach the North/South Pass, three to cross it, and six more to cross the tundra to Bryn Shander. Of course this travel time assumes summer weather in the dale. It's much harder to cross the pass, let alone the tundra when winter snows have choked the roads. A gambit for all but the desperate or foolish. For this reason, very few caravans even attempt the journey once winter approaches.
Except, apparently, for this year, when some combination of moxie or perhaps greed compelled the Seven Fingers Trading Coster, led by one Marlow Hugglesward, to attempt the feat.
The first great winter storm came a full month early to Icewind Dale, blanketing the region with Auril's embrace before the last caravan could get underway. But Master Hugglesward was intent to make good on what he hoped would be a lucrative proposition. Quite a windfall could be had for those daring enough to attempt it, for it would be the last chance to sell much needed winter-over supplies at generally exorbitant rates.
So it is that the last caravan rolls out of Luskan on 30 Eleasias (August), 1485.
The caravan proves to be quite large, consisting of nearly two dozen wagons loaded down with an assortment of supplies, primarily grains and other foods that will be in short supply in Icewind Dale over winter. Presiding over this collection of wagons is Master Hugglesward, a leather-faced man of few words who has spent much of his nearly 50 years plying this hard route. Few know it better than Master Hugglesward and it is through this experience and knowledge his sizable body of loyal drovers and men-at-arms take comfort, despite the promise of hard roads ahead.
While the caravan is led by the Seven Fingers Coster, other merchants are counted in the procession. For the most part, these men and women keep to themselves and have joined onto Master Hugglesward's coat-tails for safety rather than companionship. In general, this is a tight-lipped bunch, with little frolicking or joviality exhibited on many of the caravans plying more hospitable and warmer routes throughout the Sword Coast and Western Heartlands.
Among the caravaners, guards and assorted merchants are a few passengers as well, each coming to Icewind Dale for their own reasons. These outliers are a bit of an anomaly from the otherwise mercantile travel companions, adventurers most likely, in search of fortune and fame perhaps.
One such man,
Thane Harkensen, appears to be a Luskan mercenary, likely skilled in battle if his suit of chain, shield and flail are any indication.
Then there are a pair of gold dwarves,
Dalgura and
Morgrim Ironhammer, drawn far away from their ancestral homes to the North.
A solitary half-elven woman,
Kira, too has joined the caravan.
Then there is the mysterious woman with angelic features,
Ellie Dovehand.
A native outlander of Ten Towns,
Arnan Aldwynne, is counted among these numbers.
***
The journey to the North/South Pass proceeded on schedule, with generally uneventful travel along the Northern Means. After a brief stop in the village of Hundelstone, where the caravan takes a brief respite from the howling winds and swirling snows, all know the toughest postion lies just ahead and none are looking forward to the ascent and descent through the Spine of the World.
After not nearly long enough rest, Master Hugglesward urges the caravan forward, up into the snow packed mountains...
OOC: This is an opportunity for you guys to do some roleplay before I set up the opening scene of this adventure.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:26, Wed 28 Dec 2016.