Hunters among the settlements scattered around the base of the mountains have reported something unnatural in the peaks. Their rumors speak of a colossal, sentient ice golem that has awoken within the heart of the Mountains and it is a source of grave concern for the locals. The golem, known colloquially as Frosthammer, was said to have been created generations ago by the long-forgotten arctic race as a guardian of their temple, but it remained dormant for centuries and faded into legend, until now.

The golem’s awakening is accompanied by a series of strange phenomena. Unseasonal blizzards and frosts, one of which so unnatural that it has frozen an entire camp in their tracks. Travelers who once navigated the mountain passes have gone missing, leaving behind strange belongings on the trails or themselves being turned into lifeless statues of ice. Elders of the settlements believe the temple guardian has been angered in some way by the local hunting practices or intrusive travelers. Some believe calling for aid outside the community to be a terrible mistake.

The adventurers are approached by a desperate messenger from one of the hunting settlements, bearing an urgent request for assistance. The hunters implore the party to journey into the Frostfall Mountains, reach the hidden temple, and uncover the mystery behind Frosthammer’s emergence. they arrange a secret rendezvous to discuss details of what they have witnessed. They offer rewards, as well as the promise of knowledge, spells, and ancient relics, to those who dare to embark on this perilous quest.

As the heroes delve deeper into the icy expanse, they must survive the brutal cold and natural hazards, and face strange creatures that have been drawn to the golem’s activity. Along the way, they uncover clues about the ancient civilization that created Frosthammer. They also discover a some unexpected potential allies in a tribe of Sasquatch. The arctic creatures are deeply connected to the temple’s origins and its history. None of the creatures speak a recognizable language and they are extremely distrustful of non-sasquatch beings.

The activated golem is difficult or impossible to put it to rest from outside the temple walls that it has been programmed to protect. What’s more is the temple itself remains a hidden secret somewhere among the most treacherous peaks of the mountains.

Can the heroes decipher the secrets of the temple and the sasquatch? What is the key to pacifying the mindless sentinel?

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Illyndra was raised at the hand of her father, Eloyen, a skilled blacksmith. She displayed an affinity for both combat and magic at a very young age, a “blessed” combination. Eloyen encouraged her development in the arcane and refined combat of the elves.

As the years passed, Illyndra’s training intensified. She spent countless hours honing her skills, her lithe frame becoming a vessel of deadly precision and her mind, a vessel for knowledge. With the aid of Eloyen, Illyndra infused his metal with her magic, creating armor that not only offered exceptional protection but also enhanced her natural attributes.

Fifty years into her training and Illyndra’s idyllic world was shattered one fateful night. Dark creatures known only as the Shadenmaw laid waste to the elven settlement. Their dark powers overwhelmed the defenders of Eldoria.

Illyndra fought valiantly, her enchanted armor reflecting the dark energy and shadow claws alike. Despite her efforts, the onslaught was relentless. Her father fell defending their home and she nearly lost her own life escaping into the canopy. Grief and rage surged through Illyndra’s heart. In a desperate bid, she unleashed a wave of magic that engulfed the remaining shadenmaw, creating a blinding explosion of light. When the brilliance subsided, the Shadenmaw were no more, but Illyndra had paid a heavy price.

Awakening amidst the ruins, Illyndra salvaged what she could of her father’s forge and his tools. As a tribute to their memories together, she named it “Enlightenyen.”

For years, Illyndra wandered the elven lands, seeking to expand her knowledge and discover what drove the Shadenmaw. She sought out reclusive sages and hidden libraries to uncover forgotten spells and ancient enchantments. Her travels took her to distant realms and through perilous adventures, shaping her into a formidable warrior and a skilled enchantress. Her knowledge of the Shadenmaw, still lacking and the creatures shrouded in mystery.

Eventually, Illyndra returned to Eldoria and set up Enlightenyen and began work, hoping the voice of those lost would speak to her. Here in Eldoria she toils, eager to speak with all travelers to tell her tale and hear their own in the hopes of a clue to the dark evil that stole her past.

These short “Story Starters” are background, NPC, adventure, or world ideas that I’ve jotted down and decided to share, or perhaps return to and expand some day when time permits.

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