1007 The Tower of Frost
HexDolmenwood Campaign Book · p.302
Open source p.302Pastoral woods of willow and elm. Golden motes drift in the air, leading travellers south to the swamp.
Pastoral woods of willow and elm. Golden motes drift in the air, leading travellers south to the swamp.
- Terrain: Tangled forest (3), Aldweald
- Lost/encounters: 2-in
The Tower of Frost
A slender, partially collapsed tower stands in a glade of twisted beech trees, encased in a scintillating rime which seemingly holds the ruin in place. The windows of the upper floor are entirely covered by sheets of ice.
Inhabitants: The tower is the recently adopted home of an elf courtier, disguised by fairy magic as a human and going by the name Lady Misthraine. She lives with her 4 servants (as Level 1 thieves— DMB, each carries pp)— young human men, charmed into her service. The servants are unaware of their mistress’s true nature or name (Lady Frost-Dust-Shadow).
Ground floor (entry and main rooms): Double doors of elegantly carved white willow wood lead into a wide hall of cold, white stone. Doors lead from the hall to a dining room, a kitchen, a larder, spartan servants’ quarters, and a stairway to the second floor. During the day, of the servants remain in the tower, while the others are abroad, carrying out their mistress’s command.
First floor (ruins): Entirely empty and in ruins; windblown by an unceasing gust whipping through a large hole in the wall. The stairway to the upper level is blocked by hunks of ice. These are illusory and can be walked through, but hold up against tactile inspection.
Second floor (the Lady’s chambers): Its windows occluded by sheets of ice, the contents of the room are minimal: a slab of ice decked with white furs; books, in High Elfish, recounting the history of the Cold Prince’s dominion in Dolmenwood and eventual exile; a small coffer with 100pp and sixteen frosty quartz crystals (50gp each); several sets of clothing (white silk dresses, wolf-fur cloaks).
Visitors: The servants admit PCs for an audience with the Lady if she is present (3-in chance); otherwise they refuse entry. The Lady receives visitors in the dining room. She attempts to charm any mortals, seeking information on the Ring of Chell (p20). PCs with no useful information are sent on their way.
Lady Misthraine (Lady Frost-Dust-Shadow)
A young woman, tall and slender, clad in white, with eyes of cold blue and hair of silver. Fairy magic completely disguises her as human, though animals are sometimes (2-in) nervous in her presence. Presents herself as Lady Misthraine, a human sorceress from a distant realm, come to Dolmenwood to study its ley lines. A trusted agent of the Cold Prince, she was sent here via perilous, long-forgotten ways, to uncover the means by which her liege’s kingdom is exiled.
Demeanour (Neutral): Dislikes mortals but tries to act genial. Unsure of the social norms of Dolmenwood.
Speech: Stilted, circuitous. Woldish (with a noble foreign accent), High Elfish, Sylvan.
Desires: To discover the locations of the standing stones around Dwelmfurgh (the Summerstones) and any weaknesses in the warding ring.
Combat stats: Elf courtier (DMB).
Possessions: A fairy silver Talisman of Spell Reflection (p398 —6 charges remaining).