The most commonly shared trait of those called or self-identified as the Children of Auril is devotion to the Goddess of Winter, Auril, also called the Frostmaiden. The term is exclusively used in the Frozenfar of Faerûn. The primary sub-groups are:
- The Frost Druids: a circle of druids dedicated to cold, ice, snow, winter, and generally darkness as far as that opposes the sun's meltiness. The Archdruid of the circle is called the White Inquisitor, and she holds even more merciless cold wrath than the other fanatics. She took this position after Gildreban the Timeless departed from the Frozenfar (rumored to have joined Auril in her court.) Others include the sisters Ravisin and Vurnis of Lonelywood, Faash (friend of the giant Garagai), Siovakis (Reghed Bear Tribesman said to have fallen into madness), Augvald the Storm-summoner of Kelvin's Cairn, Drofn (Auril's messenger to the Goliath peoples), and Bitra, who menaces the Redwaters region.
- Shrine-keepers of Auril: In contrast to the wild-ranging druids, there are also clerics/priests of the Frostmaiden who maintain more town-oriented shrines and places for sacrifice. None have risen to the prominence of the druids, however.
- Fanatics of Auril: encouraged by the Frost Druids and the Shrine-keepers, a cult has emerged over the past years without the Spring melt, composed of those driven mad, lost in depression or desperation, and simply some eager to follow what is clearly a divine presence on the lands - for so many other gods remain aloof from the lives of mortals.
Prior to the Desolation at the end of Tarsakh in 1492 DR, the presence of the Children of Auril and their hand on political power were felt most strongly in Good Mead, Targos, and Dougan's Hole - where humanoid sacrifices to Auril were performed regularly for well over a year. Lonelywood's proximity to the deep forest area has also caused it to receive added attention, though perhaps unwanted. Sufficient fear and respect for the Frostmaiden prevailed throughout the towns to ensure compliant sacrifices and influence in the night to night goings-on.
After the Desolation
When the Chardalyn dragon of Xardorok Sunblight burned nearly all the Ten Towns to the ground, all this changed. There may not be any direct connection of these events, but such a consequence was realized all the same. (See Ten little Towns).
- The regularity of the nightly auroras associated with Auril ended the same night as the attacks - adding to superstitious speculation linking the events, And while the colored lights across the skies were a reminder of the wintery grasp, they were still a prominent awe-inspiring phenomenon of beauty.
- Bitter blizzards descended during the attacks on the northern towns: Termalaine, Lonelywood, Bremen, Targos and Bryn Shander - and in all cases the Frost Druids were openly calling forth the weather and unrepentent. These blizzards then persisted for a week, burying the roads and leading to most of the casualties by way of exposure and starvation. Many so dying became Coldlight Walker spirits, further creating fear and death in the aftermath.
- Swift retribution and hatred arose in the people of the Ten Towns against the Children of Auril - and even the creatures associated with her such as Yeti and Ice Trolls. At the forefront of this was Vaelish Gant the Brown, the new Town Protector of Bremen, who nurtured a personal vendetta against the White Inquisitor and several Frost Druids for bad treatment in the past, including the incarceration in and pursuit after escaping Revel's End. Targos and its new-influencers the Zhentarim also pressed for this harsh treatment of Auril's devout.
- The Knights of the Black Sword declared their focus to free those in the grip of this tomb of ice, launching expeditions into pursuit of arcane lore and ancient sites.
- The White Inquisitor herself withdrew from what was once prominent imposition of her indignant demands on the Ten Towners, making only occasional and brief appearances, but often well-timed to spare the followers from deadly wrath. Her whereabouts remain unknown, her power remains as intimidating as anything in the dale.
- Frost Giants, ever-respectful of the Frostmaiden, though perhaps even predating her rise, began to be seen to gather in larger war-ready groups, where previously only seen in lone or paired hunting parties.