Deadsnows Under Siege

Get a behind-the-scenes look by reading Dawn of the Dark Elves.

The siege of Deadsnows concluded the adventures of the Silver Company in the area. But it was not the only event that occurred before they departed. The events leading up to the arrival of the dwarven troop in Deadsnows are themselves a tale of excitement and mystery.

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It was the good fortune of the Silver Company to enjoy 12 days of the Greengrass Festival, which also fell near the night of the high-hunt-eilistraee. Respen Tuin, drow and follower of Eilistraee, long desired to engage in his first High Hunt. A group of roving moondancers in the foothills of Mount Grimfang were met with amity, extending Respen and the other Silver Company men an invitation to hunt with them. The team, though varied in race and creed, were able to embrace the ritual of the hunt with ease. Perhaps it was their wayward nature, or the fact that this was just another adventure, but whatever the reason, the mood was kindred.

The Silver Company and the moondancers set out into the woods to hunt a twisted beast, once a powerful guardian of nature. Ivellios Thornblade and Drago Lundgren naturally found the creature first, but the others were quickly on the scene. The Silver Company quickly tore the creature down; its dark nature was no match for the skill of the company. As their prize for success in this contest, the drow presented Respen with eilistraee's moonblade. Dancing and revelry continued in the woods deep into the night.

The celebration was cut surprisingly short when an unknown drow warrior presented himself from the woods, along with two other strangers emerging from behind, each taking a moondancer by the throat with a knife. His demands for the dancer Gorgozamoth were made with little regard for the clearly out of place Silver Company. Respen approached the stranger, recognizing him as his brother, Bruherd Tuin. It was clear that a diplomatic solution would not be reached and, besides desiring the girl for his matron, Bruherd was not revealing any details. Despite the unanswered questions and a clear lack of understanding of the subtleties of drow politics, Respen and Paron engaged Bruherd. Bruherd called for reinforcements, in the form of spiders large and small and other drow warriors, on a fine silver horn. Zichew Bejiad and Drago engaged the larger spiders in close combat while Thulsa, almost submerged in the nearby bog, threw spells from the reeds.

The attackers were defeated and the moondancers survived with little damage, they explained little, and the Silver Company did not press them for answers. Gorgozamoth retreated into the wilderness alone to protect her friends, but the close relation of Respen to these new enemies did not sit well with the Silver Company. The company returned to the Wyvern's Tail to festive folk and drink and spent the night wooing locals and carousing carefree.

In the morning, Zichew and Drago beheld quite an unexpected site — a column of heavily armored dwarves marching in step right to the town gates! The dwarves of Citadel Adbar received the Silver Company's call for assistance dealing with the orc threat. Zichew welcomed their commander, Thorin Ironhand, and found lodging for his men throughout the town. Without hesitation, a council was assembled: the Silver Company, the dwarven officers, Lady Icespear, and Ashnar the Humble. The company informed Thorin of the breaking of the orc ranks and capture of Ugreth, son of Obould. The dwarves were more than willing, however, to assist in the assault on Agarik's hideout. The two teams spoke of strategy and devised tactical schemes late into the night.

At daybreak, the dwarves made for the mine, following Ivellios, who stalked his way through the woods, on the lookout for anything amiss… the Silver Company would not spoil this opportunity to confront the Outcast! The company found the mine entrance guarded and Ivellios and Drago's wrath was quick and silent. Their enemies had hurriedly clearing a swath of forest for fortifications within the mine. However, that work was rather useless, the inside of the mine was unexpectedly lightly patrolled. A winter wolf mercenary surrendered to the company and divulged the plan of the Outcast — only a few trolls remained inside the mine, awaiting the arrival of the Silver Company so they could signal the Outcast to attack Deadsnows from without!

Thulsa was furious! His planning, the timing, the strategems were supposed to be flawless, especially now, backed by the stalwart dwarven troop. The dwarves were sent hustling back to town, by the same path they had come, hopefully avoiding the Outcast's strike team. Drago remained behind, swiftest of them all, to raise a false alarm when the company decided it was right. Zichew, Paron, and Thulsa followed Ivellios lead, frantically tracking Agarik into the woods.

Slowly, the element of surprise, the tactical advantage of the dwarves, and the fury that had marched from the Deadsnows gates had subsided. The Company had tracked to no avail, losing the trail at the swollen Icespear Stream. They were forced back to town, right where the Outcast wanted them. Several units of dwarves spread into Snowtown, hoping to stay hidden until their enemies were at the gates, to take them from behind. Others were left just behind the gates, with Paron standing in the center. The Respen and his drow took up their bows and spread across the city walls. Ivellios climbed the Morning Watchtower, ready to rain arrows upon any enemy upon which the sun shone. Thulsa took up a position in the second floor of the Wyvern's Tail; it was up to him and Zichew to nullify Agarik's magical protection and take him down before he could bring his full might upon them in melee combat. Drago lighted the false signal fire and made quickly for the town, knowing how direly his strength was needed this day.

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Agarik appeared on the horizon, coming right down the Deadsnows Path, flanked by trolls, ogres, and orcs. These columns broke off into the wilderness and Agarik continued straight into Snowtown, right for the Wyvern's Tail! The dwarves lept into action, surrounding the beast, and many were slain before Thulsa's magical barrage could undo him. The other troll-led groups appeared on the East and West walls of the town and surmounted the walls speedily using the ogres as ladders. Ivellios and Drago punished these troops as best they could before being forced to follow several orcs into the Icespear mansion. Zichew, Paron, and the dwarves made quick work of a couple of ogres and assisted Thulsa in scorching the lesser trolls.

As the dwarves re-grouped and the drow scattered on the walls, the Silver Company turned to the South gate, facing their final foes — orc warriors riding winter wolf mounts. Paron, filled with courage from this clear victory, shouted a stern warning to those who would listen, promising judgement and death, and forced several of the mounts to flee, riders in tow. Thulsa unleashed what was left of his arcane arsenal and Ivellios and Dragon cleaned up the troll's footsoldiers.

Deadsnows was safe. Some citizens were harmed and many dwarves were laid low by the mighty Agarik, but they would be feasting in the halls of Moradin, blessed and spoken of as heroes, even as the Silver Company healed their wounds that night.

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