D&D: Spoilers Show Rime Of The Frostmaiden’s First Chapter
A recent preview reveals four pages from the soon-to-be-released Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Come take a look at the opening chapter…
There’s a chill in the air these days, which is fitting for talking about the upcoming adventure into the frozen reaches of Icewind Dale. Now, our recent spate of weather is likely due to fronts moving in and bringing lots of rain with them, rather than a mystic curse that has caused the sun to stop rising so that winter continues unabated as the world gets locked in a wintry tomb at the will of the Frostmaiden.
But hey, it’s 2020, anything can happen. For instance, just yesterday IGN previewed four pages from the first chapter of the new D&D book, Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. And today we’re taking a look at the towns that set adventurers off on a grand quest that will take them up against Auril herself. It all begins with Ten-Towns.
Now, it should go without saying that spoilers lie in wait, but just in case, here’s your warning. Past this point are Icewind Dale spoilers, so scroll on at your peril.
Alright, let’s take a look. First up, let’s talk Ten-Towns Ten-Towns is a loose collection of ten different frontier villages that are situated up near the Spine of the World, near a region called Frozenfar reach, and the Lonelywood Forest, so that ought to give you a sense of what you’re getting into. These are hardy villages, where fishers, loggers, miners, hunters, trappers, furriers, and traders all move at their own, hardy pace.
What’s interesting to me is that each of the different towns has its own starting quest–and once you make your choice between two main quests, and around five or so town specific quests, the others go unused, ready for the next time you play. So you could have two very different playthroughs depending on what you pick at the outset. Now, some of these quests we’ve seen the associated art with. For instance, here’s a look at the evil white moose terrorizing the hunters and loggers of the Lonelywood:
In this next section, we get a look at some of the rumors meant to help spur adventurers on:
…as well as some good guidance for how to track player reputation across the villages. Ten-Towns adapts to what the players are doing–as they level up, their reputation spreads throughout the town, improving to the point that they might get heroes’ welcomes or an icy reception depending on their actions. There’s also some great teases of what’s coming: like a werepolarbear Goliath,
Here’s a look at one last detail–the Frostmaiden’s Aurora wending its way across the sky, bringing endless winter with it. And a little bit about what life on the Lakes is like.
There’s sure to be more coming–check back tomorrow for a preview of new monsters and other rules.
In the meantime, Happy Adventuring!
