Tier 2 – The Frostclaw Beast
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the Frostfire Peaks, where the air is crisp and the ground is blanketed in a thick layer of snow, a village known as Glimmerhold sits nestled among the towering mountains. The village, once vibrant and filled with laughter, now lies shrouded in an eerie silence, its inhabitants gripped by a chilling fear. Whispers of a great beast, a creature of legend, have spread like wildfire. The villagers speak of a monstrous polar bear, larger than any known to man, that has taken residence in the nearby Frostclaw Cave. This creature, they say, is no ordinary beast; it is imbued with ancient magic, capable of summoning blizzards and freezing the very souls of those who dare approach.
As the party arrives in Glimmerhold, they are greeted by the worried faces of the villagers. An elder, her voice trembling, implores the adventurers to help. “Our hunters have gone missing, and the creature has begun to encroach upon our homes. We fear it seeks something hidden within the cave—something that could unleash a winter that never ends.”
The party must gather information from the villagers, piecing together clues about the creature’s nature and the history of Frostclaw Cave. They learn that long ago, a powerful sorceress sealed away a fragment of her magic within the cave, and it is rumored that the polar bear guards this treasure fiercely. The adventurers must decide whether to confront the beast directly or explore the cave for clues about the sorceress and her magic.
As they venture into the cave, the air grows colder, and the walls shimmer with frost. Strange echoes bounce off the icy surfaces, and the party must navigate treacherous paths filled with slippery ice and hidden pitfalls. They may encounter remnants of the sorceress’s magic—frozen spirits of her long-lost guardians, who may offer guidance or challenge the party to prove their worth.
**Encounter: The Frostclaw Beast**
When the party finally confronts the polar bear, they find it larger than life, its fur glistening like freshly fallen snow. The creature’s eyes burn with an ancient intelligence, and it roars, sending a shockwave of icy wind that threatens to knock the adventurers off their feet.
**Boss Stats: Frostclaw Beast**
– **HP:** 120
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Bite (Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 5 piercing damage.)
– **Special Ability:** Blizzard Roar (Recharge 5-6): The Frostclaw Beast unleashes a roar that creates a 30-foot radius of blizzard conditions. All creatures in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 3d6 cold damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn.
As the battle rages on, the party must use their wits and teamwork to overcome the Frostclaw Beast. Should they succeed, they will not only save the village but also uncover the secrets of the sorceress’s magic, potentially gaining powerful artifacts or spells that can aid them in their future adventures.
Will the adventurers emerge victorious, or will they become another tale lost to the icy winds of the Frostfire Peaks? The fate of Glimmerhold rests in their hands.