The Wrath of Auril

[Lollercide]

Damned were the adventurers who dare ascend the Ice Maiden's bitter mountain. Vision was reduced to near nothing against the blizzard ravaging their ill protected bodies. With nothing more to guide them than the subtle puffs of flame exhaled from the small Red Dragon, they pressed on. The Gnome was fortunate for the gifts given to him by nature.. Taking the form of a panther let him tread on top of the snow with ease. The elven ranger stood at the panther's side treading on top of the snow as well with similar ease.The Knight, Hano, was using every bit of his might to force through the harsh snow that covered him knee deep. Keeping up was a task in itself..

He cursed the Ice Maiden in his mind, thinking, "If Auril surely takes presence here in Faerun... Then we must be in her kingdom." A particularly strong gust of wind roars through the mountains, tearing into the adventurers causing all but the dragon to shiver. A cry can be heard out in front from the Red Dragon, "Up ahead! There isss a fire! Keep enduring, we're almossst there!" Hano nodded to himself doubling his efforts to force his way through the snow. The snow that made it's way into his gauntlets and boots began to melt from friction. Burning his flesh with the cold waters as they nearly turned to ice with every pause in his step.

He dare not flirt with the idea, but he knew deep inside, hypothermia was only a stone's throw away for him. In fact, frostbite seemed like a comforting thought compared to what seemed more likely... But he had to continue - He had to make it to that fire with his companions. Still following the red puffs of fire from the Dragon he whispered a prayer to Torm.. He could not muster up enough of his strength or concentration for a blessing, but, should he perish there in the snow at least Torm would have his last thoughts.

Just then Hano caught up with the Red Dragon who had paused in motion, staring into the distance. Hano gave him a quick glance before following his stare out to the distance... "...The fire!" Hano cried under the gusts of wind, pressing forward without hesitation. "No... There isss danger ahead Paladin. The iccce witch isss ahead." Hano gritted his teeth reaching for his blade, but.. Alas. His fingers had begun to fail him and would no longer manipulate to his will.

"Remorhaz..." The word is carried through the blizzard followed shortly by another, "Child of Tempus." A silhouette steps from the fire and without a moment's pause she lets out a wicked laugh as sharp and cold as the ice on the climb herself. "Auril has blessed me by bringing you here before me! No longer do I have to hunt you." She pauses mid sentence looking to the other adventurers, unable to hide her wry smile. She nearly purrs her next words that are stained with her satisfaction, "Oh...?" She flings her hand in delight toward the Paladin now waist deep in snow, fighting for himself against the cold, cackling to the Dragon, "You also bring the Child of Torm as well? Wonderful..." Her words trail off as the blizzard's winds pick up even more.

The Dragon shaped and formed itself into form of a man known as the Snow Hawk. Standing now on his own two legs he roared, "Let us pass! Give my companions the right to this fire! Do not deny them this gift of life, Ice Witch!" Her figure appears once more but drastically closer than before. She purrs again motioning to the fire, "I would not deny them of such... Go then, Children, embrace this gift of... Life." Without hesitation each of the adventurers pressed past the hag making way to the fire.. At least all but Snow Hawk, who stayed behind to confront the vile bitch.

[Lollercide]

The fire gave their bodies warmth and comfort, but not their mind.. They knew what was likely about to start behind them, but were helpless against it if they did not warm themselves for now. Hano closed his eyes, pushing his hands inches away from the fire, and losing himself in meditation. He needed to prepare something to protect them from this harsh weather.. Anything. The roaring wind and whispers of his companions were dimmed out from his concentration. Delving into his memories and sifting through the blessings for something that might protect him and his allies.

"Yes.. There." He muttered to himself standing to his feet. He looked to Pom the Gnome nodding then turned to the Ranger. A dark silhouette peered at the adventurers as he hid behind the tent. A cold chill ran down Hano's spine as he glanced toward the skies... The clouds were coming together at an unnatural speed and the temperature was rapidly declining. The warmth of the fire slowly began to lose its affects on the wary adventurers. The silhouette dashed from behind the tent disappearing into the mist of the blizzard leaving nothing behind but a feint laughter.

Hano stood to his feet calling the Ranger to his side with a gesture, "Quickly!" The Ranger crept over to the Paladin, accepting his palm across his shoulder. Hano quickly muttered the blessing as if he were pressed for time. One palm across the Ranger's shoulder and the other across his own chest. A feint light surrounded the Knight and Ranger for only a brief moment until the blessing was completed. As soon as it was completed a roar was heard from the distance.

"Hano! Everyone! Help!", and without a moments hesitation the skies themselves turned on the adventurers. Shards of ice and hail the size of fists began to storm down on them. It made quick work in scattering the adventurers out as they scrambled for their gear. The blessings did little to aid the Ranger as he was stricken through the chest by a stray shard, bringing him to the ground. Pom formed himself into a Panther and dashed through the horrid blizzard toward the cries of Snow Hawk.

Hano attempted to as well but was easily subdued by the harsh blizzard. Attempting to dash to the side of his allies he stumbled against the soft ground and fell into the snow. Given the depth of the snow and the furious blizzard he was swiftly buried under it. Becoming frantic he fought to pull his sword from the snow to reach the surface.. To no avail. With regret he let loose of his sword to begin clawing at the surface of the snow.

"Damn you Auril!" He cursed in his mind as light began to peek through the snow he was digging through. Though he had broken surface he could not pull himself from the snow... Just then, however, the Hag had dashed over top of him as she fled from a dark oozing blob chasing her. Hano reached in desperation to clutch onto her ankle.. With success. She snarled at the Knight as he pulled at her ankle and she quickly responded by drawing her frigid axe down across his shoulder.

He screamed in pain as the axe tore through his armor and into his flesh. It was not normal steel.. He could feel it freeze the blood within him, splintering his veins and flesh with every beat of his heart. The pain he felt was unreal, but he did not let go. Almost as if it were instinct he cried out to his sword, to Bane Slayer, and it responded to his cry. Darting through the piles of snow and into his hand he unleashed a frantic one-handed blow from his mighty sword.. The motion and swing was frantic and inefficient at best, but by a miracle of Torm it landed true. She kicked the Paladin free from his grasp coughing blood on top of him as she roared, then fled into the distance.

Snow Hawk, taking the form of a Dragon darted over the head of the Paladin shortly followed by Pom taking the form of a Panther. Hano could not make out what had happened as he crawled helplessly across the snow, but he could hear the furious howls of the Dragon and Panther as if they had caught prey and were fighting viciously to kill it.

Hano struggled to his feet praying to Torm that he would not be stricken down by a stray shard of ice in his vulnerable state. "...I hope... I'm not too late..." He muttered to himself as the violent roars abruptly stopped.. Followed by a sharp crack echoing through the mountains.

[Lollercide]

(( Continued* by Snow Hawk's post here and then Braghuru's post here ))

[Swebbs]

Cold, so very very cold. This place was more cold than the look I got from that girl when I said she had a nice figure. Yeah bad joke again. But this icy coldness. It grips at the very soul. We went up tracking a vampire right? Well any tracks were covered by snow by now for sure. Even my fur as a panther didnt help block the bone chilling ice. The Ice witch, we saw her there and a big battle broke out eventually. I wasnt looking to get into a fight but when it happens you got to defend yourself and your friends. It was so frozen cold as snow and hail and ice blew down all around us. We could hardly see her. Hano got blasted by the cold, that metal armor made things worse I bet. I was able to protect myself from it at least, and Snow was changing forms battling the ice witch. I kept trying to heal them, Rellik was too far gone by that point and I couldnt do much for him. I did as much healing as I could for Hano and snow, then I chased after the witch herself who was fairly hurt and I pounced. Several claws later and I had her pinned, was gonna let her live too until Snow smushed her. A terrible fight to be sure, Snow and Hano probably wouldnt have made it if I wasn't there to help. Glad I could because I wouldnt want them to get really hurt or something. The witch though, she wasnt as fortunate.