Chapter Two: The Fellowship of Everfrost

The frozen wilderness of Everfrost had taught Caradawc an important lesson.

He was not yet strong enough.

The deeper reaches of the tundra held dangers beyond his ability to overcome alone. Mammoths wandered the snowfields like living fortresses, snow leopards stalked the drifts with deadly patience, and every excursion beyond the familiar hunting grounds ended with the same conclusion: courage alone was not enough.

If he wished to grow stronger, he would need allies.

Fortunately, Caradawc knew exactly where to find them.

To the south lay Blackburrow, the sprawling gnoll stronghold that threatened both Halas and Qeynos alike. There, barbarian warriors from Halas had joined forces with human adventurers from Qeynos in a common cause. The ancient rivalries and differences between the two cities mattered little beneath the earth where gnolls prowled the tunnels. In Blackburrow, survival depended upon cooperation.

Caradawc travelled south and joined the fight.

The tunnels were as dangerous as ever. Gnoll patrols roamed the passages, hidden chambers concealed unexpected threats, and the deeper one ventured, the stronger the enemies became. Yet it was also a place where adventurers gathered, exchanged knowledge, and forged friendships.

It was there that Caradawc first met Cymru and Izzy.

Cymru, a barbarian beastlord, fought alongside a loyal wolf warder whose instincts seemed almost supernatural. Izzy, an Erudite cleric, possessed a calm confidence that inspired trust even in the most dangerous situations.

Unlike many adventurers in Blackburrow, they were not merely hunting gnolls for experience.

They had a mission.

Rumours had reached both Halas and Qeynos that a messenger from another gnoll tribe had entered Blackburrow. This tribe, known as Splitpaw, was said to dwell somewhere far away in the Karana Plains. If the rumours were true, then the gnolls of Blackburrow were communicating with a much larger and potentially more dangerous force.

The three adventurers agreed to investigate.

Together they pushed deeper into Blackburrow than Caradawc had ever ventured before. The fighting grew increasingly fierce as they descended toward the heart of the lair. Elite gnoll warriors guarded the deepest chambers, and every step forward had to be earned.

At last they found what they were seeking.

Among the powerful gnolls dwelling in the depths was the messenger from Splitpaw.

The discovery confirmed the rumours.

The gnolls of Blackburrow were not acting alone.

Somewhere beyond the horizon lay another stronghold, one powerful enough to send envoys deep into enemy territory. Whatever Splitpaw was, it represented a threat that neither Halas nor Qeynos could afford to ignore.

With their mission complete, the companions began the journey back toward the surface.

Caradawc, however, had business of his own.

His travels took him south into the Karana Plains, where he sought out Einhorst McMannus. The old traveller had two shipments requiring delivery to Halas: one consisting of clover and another of lion meat. Though less dramatic than hunting gnolls, such work helped maintain the trade routes that connected distant regions of Norrath.

When the deliveries had been arranged, the three companions returned north to Halas to report their findings.

Their guildmasters listened carefully to the news of Splitpaw.

If another gnoll stronghold truly existed in the Karanas, more information would be needed before any expedition could be organised.

Before such a journey could begin, however, Caradawc received instructions of his own.

He was told to seek out Sturn Bearjumper in the far reaches of Everfrost.

The veteran shaman possessed knowledge that Caradawc would need if he hoped to survive the challenges ahead.

The journey back into Everfrost proved worthwhile. Sturn's teachings introduced Caradawc to powerful new curses and damage-over-time spells. Unlike the straightforward combat magic he had used previously, these spells slowly drained the strength and vitality from enemies. Their effectiveness became immediately apparent.

While travelling through the tundra, the companions encountered two familiar adventurers.

Kazin, a gnome magician, and Dragoness, a barbarian beastlord, were engaged in a mammoth hunt. Their objective was straightforward: gather mammoth hides and other valuable materials from the great beasts that roamed the frozen wilderness.

Caradawc and his companions had a different goal.

Gigantic ice spiders had begun drawing their attention, both for the challenge they presented and for the valuable spider silks they carried.

The two groups soon reached an agreement.

Kazin and Dragoness would assist in hunting the gigantic ice spiders. In return, Caradawc, Cymru, and Izzy would lend their strength to the mammoth hunts.

The arrangement proved enormously successful.

Soon a fellowship had formed, combining the talents of shamans, beastlords, clerics, and magicians. Together they ranged across the frozen expanses of Everfrost, bringing down creatures that none of them could have tackled alone.