Session 25: The Fight in the Ice Dome
Canon Summary
- Physical date: 2026-08-17
- In-game date: Session 25
- Starting location: Ice Cave
- Ending location: Ice Cave
- Key locations: Ice Cave
- Major outcome: Bridget Dies.
- Review status: applied, applied 2026-08-17
The session began with the party setting out for a dangerous exploration within The Gale, a region defined by harsh winds and snow connected to the elemental plane of air. They successfully navigated through thin ice to find an Ice Cave, a location marked by ancient wall carvings and symbolic imagery related to early inhabitants.
Inside the cave, the party found evidence of early communication, discovering infernal markings on the walls and floor, which Makani (Mikani) was able to interpret using their knowledge of infernalism.
Using levitation magic, the party gained better views of the terrain and investigated an ice wall, which led them to a hidden chamber containing a summoning circle. Further exploration revealed that this circle resembled one found on top of a tower, with central writing indicating "ice in Demonic," suggesting methods for elemental summoning.
Behind the ice wall, they discovered a route leading to this chamber. This area was immediately dangerous, as it led to an encounter involving an Ice Elemental, three Ice Mephits, and a Polar Serpent emerging from the wall.
Faban initiated combat against these entities. The party utilized powerful magic, including Shatter, to engage the Ice Elemental and associated methods. During this fight, they dealt with complex mechanics involving piercing and cold damage, and discussed the nature of elemental creatures and "Death's Door."
The confrontation escalated into a final sequence against multiple boss creatures, including the Polar Serpent and Salamanders. The combat involved physical grappling, damage interaction with ice formations.
During this intense struggle, the party engaged in complex role-playing math regarding spellcasting rules, dice rolls, and damage calculations, discussing the viability of various healing spells like Mass Healing Word and Revivify.
A critical moment involved a physical struggle where the Polar Serpent attempted to burrow and grapple a party member. A subsequent attack using a lightning bolt spell was aimed at the serpent, requiring Dexterity saving throws to determine if the salamander or serpent dispersed.
The session concluded with a dramatic sequence involving healing attempts, resurrection processes for Bridget and Corvinus, and a final confrontation that resulted in grim consequences. The party discussed the implications of returning souls and the physical state of the deceased. Mikani had a difficult choice to make. She revivified Corvinus. Bridget dies.
Following the combat, a giant named Rastov appeared, who guided the group through a cold, slippery area toward the Monastery of the Open Hand.
Chronological Major Events
- They discovered infernal markings on the cave walls and floor, which Makani interpreted as symbols for a serpent or dragon.
- They found a route behind an ice wall leading to a chamber with a summoning circle.
- An encounter occurred involving an Ice Elemental, three Ice Mephits, and a Polar Serpent emerging from the wall and an Ice Salamander.
- Faban initiated combat against the elemental and associated entities.
- The party used Ice Charge Shatter to damage the Ice Elemental.
- A final confrontation involved boss creatures, including the Polar Serpent and Salamanders.
- A magical effect ("Method") granting cold damage immunity was used during combat.
- The party attempted resurrection/revival processes for Bridget and Corvinus.
- Rastov appeared and led the party toward the Monastery of the Open Hand.
Key Locations
- Ice Cave - The primary location where the party explored, containing wall carvings, a thin ice passage, and a chamber with a summoning circle.
- Chamber/Route - Revealed by shattering an ice wall, providing access to the summoning area.
- Mountain Pass - The route taken toward the Monastery of the Open Hand.
Key NPCs And Entities
- Corvinas - Used infernalism to interpret markings; involved in spellcasting and confrontation.
- **Corvinas ** - Successfully returned to life after an event involving revivify and stabilization.
- Bridget - Involved in the grappling sequence and subsequent revival choices; her fate is set for burial. Bridget DIES!
- Polar Serpent - A primary combatant that emerged from the wall and was involved in grappling and damage application.
- Salamander - A boss creature involved in the final encounter.
- Rastov - A giant who appeared, guided the party toward the Monastery of the Open Hand.
Combat And Encounters
- An initial encounter involving an Ice Elemental, three Ice Mephits, and a Polar Serpent emerging from the wall and an Ice Salamander.
- Faban initiated combat against these entities.
- A final confrontation occurred against multiple boss creatures, including the Polar Serpent and Salamanders.
- The party successfully dealt with the Polar Serpent, which was described as one of the easier targets but still posed a threat.
- Damage calculations involved piercing and cold damage, and specific saving throws were required during combat.
Items Loot And Resources
- Summoning Circle - Identified as a magical mechanism for summoning ice elementals and elemental beings.
- Mass Healing Word - Used to heal living beings (used during resurrection attempts).
- Magical Shield - An artifact possessed by a character, origin unknown.
Character Notes
- Faban achieved high initiative rolls and successfully utilized combat maneuvers like bonus actions.
- Gildas was severely injured during the encounter, noted as being down to 9 HP.
- The party members discussed complex mechanics regarding spellcasting, damage calculation, and resurrection viability.
Party Interpretations Versus World Facts
- The infernal markings were interpreted as symbols for a serpent or dragon, though their full significance remains undetailed.
- The summoning circle was identified as a method for summoning ice elementals and elemental beings.
- The mechanics of spell usage (Mass Healing Word, Revivify) and damage interaction during combat were detailed through player discussion.
Open Threads
- The full consequences of the soul return and the resulting physical state of Bridget are noted as grim, leading to planning for her burial in the next session.
Timeline Seeds
- Ending location: Ice Cave
- Real-world date: August 16th
- In-world date: Session 25
Provenance
- Reviewed narrative from campaigns/farrlind/reviews/session25_review.yaml.
- Draft micro-events and extracted entities were used as composition evidence, not as direct canon.
