Everlasting Winter

The heroes of the Sewer-side Squad take on an expedition into Icewind Dale in the Frozenfar, beginning the story journaled in: Rime of the Frostmaiden.

(See also: MAP: Icewind Dale) and (See also wiki: Everlasting Rime)

Zelenn the White of the Arcane Brotherhood hires Zaknalimar to lead the (secretive and unofficial) expedition, which includes two wizards from the Host Tower: Alyks Askaria and Dex.  Zak is assigned three members of the Bregan D'aerthe to assist, including the imposing Shadar-kai recruit, Sudon.

Zelenn also insists on bringing a newcomer to Luskan, a dwarf named h'Rothgar. She claims he is crucial for the success, as foreseen in a vision. (Zelenn's magical specialty is in Divination).  Last, she describes a strange tracker in the town of Bryn Shander to hire as a guide and survivalist, a barbarian who goes by "Phantom".

Rime of the Frostmaiden

The Icewind Dale has in recent years fallen under an Everlasting Winter, receiving only a few hours of dim sunlight each day, despite the change of seasons.  The residents of Ten Towns believe this is the workings of the Goddess of Winter, Auril, and name the effect "The Rime of the Frostmaiden". ("Rime" is "frost formed on cold objects by the rapid freezing of water vapor in cloud or fog").

One objective of the expedition is to better understand the Rime's effects on Ten Towns (such as whether it is growing or coming to an end, what may have been the cause, etc.)

Each of the party members leaving Luskan also has their own sub-quest and motives for beginning this adventure... 

• Alyks, as one of Zelenn's students, has begun to reveal information kept close since the expedition began: there are others from the Arcane Brotherhood active in the Dale, and each may be important to restoring the lands.
• Dex seemed eager to distance himself from the city of Luskan, notably watchful of his surroundings, and continues to be wary of hidden enemies.
• h'Rothgar has endured extremely difficult trials, yet persists in following the dream sent by Moradin, his deity to make some complicated thingamabob.
• Sudon, part of the hired mercenary "muscle" for the team, remains mysterious - yet consistent in his quest to "claim lost secrets for the Fortress of Memory" (whatever that might mean).
• Zak, with the team's success or failure under his leadership, is building ties to people and groups of power - and his own reputation along the way.
• Phantom, the local guide and wintry survivalist shares little about himself, but has proven capable and (mostly) reliable. Like Dex, he too seems watchful for hidden enemies.

When the party was taken to the prison at Revel's End, they were broken out by two who have joined in adventures:

• Agaric the druid of the Circle of Spores (fungi), seeking to end the winter, restoring balance, and his companion
• Aelar the sea elf, also eagerly seeking the return of Summer to the Frozenfar.