======Forty-first session - 10 September 2004 - Ice in the Long Deep======

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In attendance:

| Jim  | [[Bigby]]    | Wizard/10 |
| Dave | [[Aramil]]   | Ranger/9 |
| Val  | [[Kesi]]     | Monk/10 |
| Kurt | [[Pavo]]     | Dwarf Sorcerer/1, Fighter/7 |
| Dana | [[Drusilia]] | Rogue/4, Fighter/4 |
| Ken  | [[Ursa]]     | Cleric/5, Monk/3 |

//Note: This session comes from the Mini-Dungeon,
[[http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article1.asp?x=dnd/oa/oa20020329a,3|"Crumbling Hall of the Frost Giant Jarl"]],
written by Andy Collins//

Before falling back, the party hears noises from an adjoining room.  They deduce
it is a kitchen and decide to clear out its occupants before resting.  When the
door is opened, however, a Frost Giant female hurls a heavy cooking pot at the
party.  [[Aramil]] deftly dodges, and the pot sails over the head of [[Pavo]], striking
[[Roderick]] square in the head.  In an instant, the cleric is knocked unconscious.

The fighters take care of the Giantess and her three Ogre servants, but when the
dust clears, they find that [[Roderick]]'s state is serious.  Though he is not
gravely wounded, they are unable to revive him.  They return outside to rest and
make plans.

Outside, they are surprised to encounter [[Drusilia]] and [[Ursa]], recent acquaintances
of [[Pavo]].  As a further surprise, they learn that the two have brought gifts from
[[Dhersion]]: A ring of Wizardry for [[Bigby]], Bracers of Armor for [[Kesi]], a Rope of
Climbing for [[Aramil]], and something for [[Roderick]] that the party decides not to
open (since it may be personal).

Since the giants inside are considered an imminent threat, and [[Roderick]] appears
to be stable, it is decided that the party should push on inside.  [[Ursa]] has some
healing magics, and it is hoped that there will not be too many more Frost
Giants to contend with.  A unused room is found near the entrance where [[Roderick]]
can be safely stowed, and the party presses on.

Past the entryway rooms, the path enters a section dug out of the crumbled hall.
A pack of five Winter Wolves stand guard, but the party takes them out without
too much trouble.  To his dismay, [[Bigby]] learns that fire magic in this region
involves a high risk of tunnel collapse.

Beyond the wolves, a 7-headed CryoHydra is chained to the cave wall and blocks
their route deeper.  The party pulls back to use bow and arrow - since [[Bigby]]'s
fireball will likely bring the ceiling down.  However, the CryoHydra manages to
break free of his chain and lumbers forward.  The party has no choice but to
flee or engage, so they surround the beast and eventually kill it.

While [[Ursa]] is a competent healer, he is nowhere near as skilled as [[Roderick]].
Despite this, the party moves deeper.  The tunnel through the rubble opens into
a large, finished hallway where two Frost Giant guards wait.  Around the corner,
at the far end of the hall, is a Frost Giant who must be the Jarl (a title
equivalent to chief or king).

One of the guards runs to a nearby door to summon help, and [[Bigby]] blocks his
return with a Wall of Fire.  The remaining guard wades into the party and begins
ferociously attacking [[Pavo]].  When the Jarl begins casting spells, it becomes
clear that the weakened party is no match for him and his guards.  Within a
minute, [[Pavo]] has been slain and most of the others are in trouble.

Despite this, they manage to kill the guard and flee without suffering further
casualties.  [[Bigby]] teleports the dead [[Pavo]], the unconscious [[Roderick]], and the
elf Dru back to Sorgul's commune to seek medical attention.  The others head
overland back towards Clangdun.  The party has plans to rendezvous at the temple
to Clangeddin Silverbeard on the 13th of August.

XP awarded: 2,800 for [[Aramil]] (who makes 10th level); 2,300 for [[Ursa]] and Dru;
1,800 for [[Bigby]] and [[Kesi]]. [[Pavo]], who died, earns 3,600 for the game, but loses
3,500 for dying.  Thus, he nets only 100 XP.