Assault on the Frozen Fortress
By Sophie Houlden
The terrible Frost King has haunted the winter solstice for many ages. Once a year he flies from his fortress atop the world to wreak havoc and horror upon the vulnerable mortals living below.
In this story, there is no hero who can truly stand against this despicable foe, so our hero must be… YOU!
Read the instructions below to create a character, a hero, and learn what you will need to take them on a quest to defeat the foul Frost King, who waits within his Frozen Fortress.
Content Warning: This story features gratuitous descriptions of violence, gore, and terrifying monsters. It is not intended for young children, or anyone who wishes to have a pleasant adventure. The vast majority of outcomes in this story are the horrific death of your character.
To play, you will need:
- Six-sided dice (you only need one, but having a couple that look a little different would be ideal).
- Pen and Paper (you can also take notes on a computer or phone/tablet)
- This book
That’s all!
The first step on your adventure should be to create a character - a hero for you to play as within the story. Take your pen and paper, and:
- Write down a name for your character.
- Choose a Class from the ‘Character Classes’ section below
- Write down the stats (Health, Dexterity, Power, Magic) determined by your class. Make sure to leave room to change these stats as you fight battles and progress through the story.
- Write down the skills and traits of your character, or just make note of where in this book your character class is described so you can reference it later
- The story will tell you when you may collect items. Leave room to write down what you collect.
Once you have done this, you have made your character! You are ready to take them on
an adventure!
Character Classes:
| Rogue | A rogue is not especially strong, but can make up for that with their great agility and reflexes. They are fast and precise, and adapt as their circumstances require. | Health: 9
Dexterity: 3
Power: 1
Magic: 2 |
Traits:
- Fortunate - Can re-roll an attack (twice per battle).
|
Skills:
- Scout - You spot an enemy’s weak point and your next attack roll against them (that hits) does triple damage. However all enemies get to take an extra action against you this round.
- Evasion - The next three times you would take damage, you instead take none. However all enemies get to take an extra action against you this turn.
|
| Warrior | Warriors are strong and powerful in all things. When confronted with an obstacle, the warrior rarely seeks to move around it, and instead will move straight at it. Be the obstacle a monster, a wall, or an awkward topic of conversation. | Health: 12
Dexterity: 1
Power: 3
Magic: 1 |
Traits:
- Powerful - Can add +1 to an attack roll (once per battle).
- Powerful Lv. 2 - Can add +2 to an attack roll (once per battle).
|
Skills:
- Primal Yell - Your next three attack rolls are ‘Primal’ (when your warrior rolls a die, values below 4 count as 4). All damage that you *receive* is doubled until your Primal attacks are spent.
- Reckless Charge - Take 3 damage, and increase your Power stat by 1 for this battle.
|
| Mage | The mage is studied and wise, and can command powerful magic spells. Comfortable in matters of the arcane, but often uneasy in situations requiring force or speed. | Health: 10
Dexterity: 1
Power: 1
Magic: 4 |
Traits:
- Manipulate - Can decide an enemy action (once per battle).
|
Skills:
- Psychic Barrier - Roll a die, if you roll above a 3 then the damage you receive is halved for the rest of this battle.
- Incantation - You begin an incantation with a magical charge of 1, on each subsequent turn you may either:
- Roll a die and add its value to your magical charge, or
- End the incantation and make an attack roll, adding the magical charge of the incantation.
|
If you are feeling especially adventurous, feel free to try making your own character classes. Adventures are balanced to be interesting with these particular classes, but with a little imagination you can try something else without making your quest too easy or too hard (unless you want to do that!)
To move through the story is relatively straightforward: like most stories you must start at the beginning - but where you go from there is up to you! Read through the story until you must make a choice, and follow wherever that choice takes you.
As you read, you will see
Bold Text which indicates things you should make note of on your character sheet. Such as:
- Picking up an item
- Learning some important information
- Being joined by a non-player character
Bold Text can also indicate times when you must get out your dice and see how a situation resolves, such as:
Sometimes events in the story will test your character, they will usually appear in the format of:
🎲👋 Make a Dexterity Check now!
This indicates that you must roll a die and add your Dexterity stat. The value you get will be used to determine whether you were successful or not.
You will be asked to make checks of your character’s Dexterity, Power, and Magic, depending on the circumstances in the story.
At points in the story you must battle various opponents.
The first step of any battle is to write down the names and health stats of the enemies you face. You may wish to write a copy of your own character’s statistics too, as they can vary a bit during battle and this can save making constant changes to your character sheet.
In some battles, you should also make note of how many rounds the battle will last.
Battles are split up into ‘Rounds’, a round consists of:
- Player Party Turns:
Characters in your party take turns. Often this will just be one turn for your one character, but if you are playing with other people who have made characters, or if you have non-player characters in your party - all of these characters may take a turn now. The order of these turns is up to you, so long as each character takes only one turn per round.
- Enemy Party Turns:
Opponents then take their turns. The order of enemy turns should be the same order they are listed as.
After your party and the enemy party has taken all their turns, a new round begins. Rounds continue until the battle ends.
Battles end under the following conditions:
- You Win:
There are no enemies remaining.
- You are Defeated:
Your character’s Health stat is zero or less.
- You Survive:
The battle has continued for a certain number of rounds, specified by the story. Make sure to count rounds for these battles!
Player character actions:
On their turn, a character or enemy may make
one action.
| Dexterity Attack | Choose an attack type (Dexterity, Power, or Magic). The damage you deal is determined by:
(Dice Roll + Your Stat) - (Dice Roll + Opponent Stat)
The opponent stat must be the same type as yours (so a dexterity attack must be performed against an opponent’s dexterity).
If damage is less than 1, your attack missed or has been parried. |
| Power Attack |
| Magic Attack |
| Use an item | If you have an item in your inventory that can be used in battle, you may use it on your turn. |
| Use a skill | If your character has any skills that can be used in battle, these can also be used on your turn. |
Non-player character actions:
Actions for non-player characters (including enemies) are determined by their character sheets: These show a table of actions, and a dice roll determines which action is performed.
Targetting:
Players can decide who is targeted whenever Player Party members perform actions, you can attack whichever enemy you want.
But deciding which member of the Player Party is targeted by an enemy attack is not so straightforward (unless there is only one party member - in which case they are always the target).
There are three ways you can determine who is effected by enemy attacks and debuffs, and which one you use is entirely up to you:
- Randomly:
Roll a dice, or use some other method to determine who is hit.
- Formation:
At the start of a battle, choose your party formation - from front to back. The character at the front is always the target, but characters can move to another point in formation on their turn.
- Player Choice:
Just choose which character is hit by the enemy yourself.
Rounding:
When working with numbers that aren’t integers (whole numbers), always round to the nearest odd number. For example; both 0.5 and 1.5 count as 1, both 2.5 and 3.5 count as 3.
You won’t often need to round when playing, but when you do (such as when taking half damage), this is the rule.
NPC Death:
When a non-player character in your party has their Health stat reduced to 0 or less, they are unconscious and have no more turns until the end of the battle, when they will regain 1 point Health.
Generally, death for all characters (both NPCs and yourself) will be determined by the story, and not in battle (although losing all your health will always take you to a grim ending!).
Along your adenture, you may find some items that you can collect and use:
| Ration | Restores 4HP outside of battle |
| Dart | 2 damage to target of your choice |
| Toxic Grenade | Deals 3 damage on the turn it is thrown, then 2 damge the following turn, then 1 damage the turn after that |
| Sturdy Needle | It's a long, thin needle |
| Health Potion | Restores 4HP in or out of battle |
| Hunk of half-eaten flesh | ... It's disgusting! |
Some sage advice for new adventurers:
- Pay attention - You will learn many things on your adventure, there is no telling what information might save your life later on, so note anything that seems important.
- Fight smart - study your opponents and choose what type of attack is most likely to deal damage. Don’t try to use magic attacks on an enemy with strong magical defence.
- Stay organised - Your character sheet essentially is you during this adventure, try to keep it tidy so you can clearly see what items and knowledge you have, and be prepared to add, remove, and change things on it as you go.
- Be brave! - It is OK to be afraid sometimes, but an adventurer always acts with courage when it counts!
Nobody can stop you from going back and undoing a choice you have made, or pretending your dice are rolling better than they really are, or giving yourself a lot of potions… and if you want to do that, that is fine!
The rules and story have been made with the intention of providing a fun experience for players, but if you enjoy playing a different way then please do! This is a game of many choices, and how you play is also up to you.
There is no wrong way to play!
~
,,,,,Everyone knows the stories - on the darkest night of the year, within the deepest depths of winter comes the coldest horror, the freezing fright,
The //Frost King//.
You were just a child on that solstice night, many years ago. Living a happy life in a quiet village, until the Frost King flew overhead and on a whim decided that everyone in your village would die.
You still remember the flames, the bodies, the screams, and most of all - the terrible laughter of the Frost King as he and his minions tore apart everything you held dear.
But the Frost King made his greatest mistake on that night - he left a single survivor, you.
[[->PrepareForRevenge]]The snow blasts at you, so cold it feels like knives cutting at your cheeks. But you just pull your coat tighter and press on through frozen tempest.
It is a dark and cruel night, but you know that you must face greater tests than this before your quest is done, and you refuse to be daunted by the mere location of where the Freezing Fortress is said to be.
And so, you [[keep wandering...]]As you walk forward, a shape emerges from the flurries of snow ahead of you - a pole sticking straight up from the ground, red markings smeared in a spiral around it, and a skull placed on top.
This is it, the warning that you can turn back and perhaps the Frost King won't kill you on his solstice night hunts, but if you proceed - your death will be certain.
The Frozen Fortress must be close.
A chill runs down your spine, nothing to do with the freezing cold around you. But you steel yourself and press on.
Unfortunately, with your first step you hear the crack of ice, and the ground beneath you [[gives way!->land in a cave]]Which way to go?
[[crawlspace Check A]]
[[left path towards dark music]]
[[right path towards miasma]]
[[try to climb back up]]follow a tiny crawlspace for a long way, but it crumbles beneath you, you fall into [[the lair of a Tarandus]]You follow the music, entranced, you realise you are losing your senses!
🎲💪 Make a ''Power Check'' now, to see if you can regain composure!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->Resist the music]]
• [[3 or less->Remain charmed by the music]]You try to climb up, and get some way... before slipping on ice and smashing down into the cave.
💔 You ''take 2 points of damage''!
[[survive the fall]]
or
[[don't survive the fall]]you travel on, the miasma getting thicker and thicker
🎲💪 Make a ''Power Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->resist the miasma]]
• [[3 or less->succumb to miasma]]You find yourself in a cave built slightly into the cliffside, there are bones and bloodstains all across the floor, you are almost overpowered by the smell of rotting flesh... but there is no time to worry about that because before you stands a snarling Tarandus!
⚔️ Battle the ''Tarandus'' now!
What is the result?
• [[You win->survive the Tarandus battle]]
• [[You are defeated->lose to the Tarandus]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Tarandus Slasher</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2
3</td><td>Stomp Hooves
<i>nothing happens</i></td><td rowspan=3 width=250>Health: 10
DEX: 2
POW: 0
MAG: 1</td></tr><tr><td>4
5</td><td>Charge with Horns
<i>1 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Stampede
<i>2 Damage - with +1 damage for every other Tarandus present.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>It has huge horns with sharp spikes jutting out in all directions. From its mouth hang hundreds of long, pointed teeth, and you see sharp bone-like protrusions pointing through its furry body.</td></tr>
</table>You stop yourself at the entrance of a room where the Frost King himself is playing the music. You hide behind a pillar in a shadowy corner and try to hold on to your sanity.
By the time your senses return to you, the music has stopped and the Frost King has gone. apparently unaware of your presence.
you can now explore the [[twisted music room]].you keep following the music, right into room of the dark one playing it. It's the Frost King!
He dips you in varnish, you feel terrible pain but continue smiling and making cheery poses, no will of your own remaining.
The varnish dries and he adds you to his collection of dolls!
''Game Over!''Dominating the room is a large organ with many pipes coming from it, snaking their way around the walls and ceiling.
Looking around the music room, you see many life-sized dolls lined around the walls, they appear very realistic, though they are all varnished and are perfectly still. You get an eery feeling from them, and don't want to inspect them any closer.
Leading into the room is a [[large door->music room door]], and through the windows beside it you see billowing snow outside.
You may try [[playing the organ]], or [[just return the way you came]].You survive but the fall has caused you to sprain something in your leg, you pass out from the pain!
when you wake up you find yourself in an [[elven bedchamber]].you freeze in a forgotten hole in a frozen wasteland
you are never heard from again!
''Game Over!''You awake to find yourself feeling much better in a warm bed, soft embroidered cushions propping you up slightly, and the smells of spices and incence fill you with a sense of deep comfort.
You look into a burning hearth set into the wall near the foot of your bed, and feel as though the blizzard and the freezing wastes are a thousand miles away.
You find yourself so relaxed, you don't even think to reach for your weapon when you notice the rooms door begin to open.
[[->elfEntersRoom]]You cough a little, but can hold your breath long enough between the thicker parts of the dark smoke and take no harm.
you continue on through the [[smoggy tunnel]]...the thick miasma seeps into your lungs
✏️💔 Your ''Maximum Health is reduced by 1 point''!
but you continue on through the [[smoggy tunnel]]You hear some mournfully sung music, coldly falling through the cavern rock above, and see the source of the miasma is pipes leading up into the ceiling.
you must be right beneath the fortress' dreadful workshop!
The path leads upwards and [[out of the smog]].Still a little confused from the miasma, you practically walk right into a goblin!
It turns around from its work in this small room and when it sees you, it attacks!
⚔️ Fight the ''Workshop Goblin''!
What is the result?
• [[You win->Survive the goblin fight]]
• [[You are defeated->killed by a goblin]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Workshop Goblin</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Swing & Miss</td><td rowspan=5 width=250>Health: 7
DEX: 1
POW: 1
MAG: 0</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Toxic Scratch
<i>-1 on your next roll</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>4
5</td><td>Goblin Punch
<i>1 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Ferocious Bite
<i>2 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>He wears crimson clothes, you realise they are died with the blood of people killed on past solctices!</td></tr>
</table>The goblin drops to its knees and slumps its shoulders. It seems down but at the last moment it lurches up at you, swinging a rusty knife it had concealed.
🎲👋 Make a ''Dexterity Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->Evade the goblin's knife]]
• [[3 or less->get cut by the goblin]]As you bleed out, unable to move, you watch as the goblin pulls out your guts and starts biting into them. He looks at you and smiles a bloody smile as the world fades.
''Game Over!''You jump to the side and prepare to counter but the goblin is already dead and it hits the floor with a wet, bloody, slap.
You look around the [[small room]].💔 You take ''1 point of damage''!
You turn as the goblin falls past you, but it is dead by the time its blade catches you, and it makes a wet slap as its body hits the cold floor.
You look at your wound, did you [[survive the goblin blade]]
or were you [[killed by the goblin blade]]Fortunately the wound was not too great and you manage to stop the bleeding.
Looking around, you find yourself in a [[small room]].Looking to the wound, blood is pouring from it. You try to stop it but the force of the flow is too much, the goblin must have sliced through an artery.
Blood spraying everywhere, you fight to stay conscious but the world grows darker, colder, and then leaves you.
''Game Over!''The goblin body lays on the floor at your feet, silhouetted by a pool of its blood.
Looking around, you see a workbench where the goblin seemed to have been inventing new weapons and mechanisms that the Frost King might take on his solstice trips. Most seem incomplete or broken, but there is one thing that catches your eye, a 🔸''Toxic Grenade''.
There is a path leading back into the miasmic caverns, but you know if you go back there now you will surely freeze to death.
You can only press onward through a [[small doorway that leads to a staircase]]The narrow stairway leads up and to a door that opens onto the outside.
Before you, for the first time, you see [[the frozen fortress]]Standing outside, you peer through the blizzard and see the dreaded frozen fortress before you. It rises from an icy plane as huge walls and white towers, each growing to viscious points that slice at the night sky. Upon the cold walls you see what you at first think dashes of paint, but a keener glance reveals that it is blood, spilling from bodyparts pinned to the fortress.
Your destination is more daunting than you had heard, a suitable place from which the evil lord may work his terrible deeds.
The blizzard still blows strong but it does not obscure drops of red upon the ground near you, leading to a cave. A sign marking it as [[the lair of a Tarandus]].
You can proceed towards [[the frozen fortress proper]], or travel toward a warm-looking building upon a nearby hill that looks like some kind of [[lodging]].you can try to [[break into the main workshop]]
or [[look for another entrance]]You travel towards the warm-looking lodging, the lit windows like beacons drawing you to safety in the night.
But the blizzard blows colder than ever, and you feel your body growing heavy.
You collapse in the snow, unable to press on.
...
When you return to consciousness, you find yourself in an [[elven bedchamber]].The Tarandus lets out a sickening yelp as you make your final attack, it stumbles and slips in its own blood. Once it hits the ground its heavy breathing begins to slow, and after a minute it stops moving.
Catching your breath and looking around, there is here but a 🔸''hunk of half-eaten flesh''.
You leave the cave and travel to a view of [[the frozen fortress]].With a final charge, the Tarandus rushes at you, skewering you with its horns.
It shakes its head and you are thrown to the floor, your back making a horrible 'crunch' sound. You feel the blood pooling out before you, and cannot move as the beast steps up and sinks its razor-sharp teeth into your neck.
''Game Over!''Years later, you stumble through the snowy wastes at the peak of the world.
All that is left in your pack after the long journey here are 🔸''3 Rations'' and 🔸''3 Darts''.
You have spent your life until now with one goal in mind, travel to the home of the Frost King, his //Frozen Fortress//, and kill him.
Having reached the peak of your training, having studied all that is known of the Frost King, you decided to head out on your quest:
Before the next solstice, the Frost King will die by your hand...
...if you can make it through this [[blizzard->wander in the blizzard]].You try to move the large door but it is bolted shut and you haven't the strength to move it.
You remain in the [[twisted music room]], the only way back being the way you came in.You try to press one of the keys of the organ but it barely moves, you realise the strength required to make even the slightest sound with this instrument must be immense.
🎲💪 You may optionally make a ''Power Check'', to see if you can play the organ.
Or you may ignore the organ, and return to surveying the [[twisted music room]].
If you chose to make a strength check, what was your result?
• [[5 or more->pass organ strength check]]
• [[4 or less->fail organ strength check]]You make your way back down the passage you came from, once again finding yourself at the forking path within the underground caverns.
[[->forking path]]Summoning your strength, you push down on an organ key. It is no small feat, but you manage to bring a deep beelowing note from the organ.
A moment later, you hear a 'click' noise behind you.
You turn around slowly, dreading what horror you may have sprung loose...
[[->musicRoomCompartment]]You press upon the organ keys and they move a little, but only enough to cause a creaking sound. Nothing happens.
You remain in the [[twisted music room]].Which way to go?
[[crawlspace Check B]]
[[right path towards miasma]]
[[try to climb back up]]You see the source of the click, some mechanism has sprung open a hatch in the floor, revealing a secret compartment.
Within you find:
🔸''1 Health Potion'' and 🔸''1 Ration''
You remain in the [[twisted music room]].A beautiful elven person steps into the room, looks to you and smiles warmly.
"You're awake again I see, how wonderful!"
The elf walks over and sits beside you on the bed, their long hair spillng over their shoulders and they look at you kindly with sparkling eyes. They carry a tray upon which is are two steamy beverages.
"I was worried you wouldn't make it, it's such a relief that you're alright. You should have a tea, beat back the last of that blizzard that might be in you still."
The charming elf offers you a cup.
[[take the tea]].
[[don't take the tea]].
- write endings!!!!!
- beating frost king first try would be an AMAZING feat, make ending especially special? Also have mofflepip redeem themselves by having convinced the other goblins to follow you, you tell them to be good and they all become elves. the evil of the frozen fortress vanishes and you become the new leader there, turning it good!
-Artwork (use alchemy stle scribbles?)
- cover
- ALL enemy encounters
- put enemy character sheets ABOVE the win/lose/survive choice links
Credits:
- Put name under title!
- thank all patrons at the end!
- pow/dex/magic checks🔸💔❤️✏️
pow: 4
dex: 5
mag: 4
- add item list/descriptions to rulebook (or end of book?)
- Ration (restores 4HP outside of battle)
- Dart (2 damage to target of your choice)
- Toxic Grenade (deals 3 damage this turn, then 2 damge the following turn, then 1 damage the turn after that)
- Sturdy Needle (it's a long, thin needle)
- Health Potion (restores 4HP in or out of battle)
- Hunk of half-eaten flesh (it's disgusting)You're overpowered by hundreds of goblins and die, obviously
''Game Over.''Looking for another way into the fortress
[[scout left]]
[[scout right]]
[[try to scale a wall]]Fall into a pit of spikes, whoops you're hecka impaled
''Game Over!''There is a small vent hatch with steam coming out, you can crawl in but it's a tight fit
[[through the vent]]🎲👋 Make a ''Dexterity Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->pass fortress wall check]]
• [[3 or less->fail fortress wall check]]Crawl through [[many long vents]]You climb up and in through a window into a balcony high above the workshop.
You make your way over the walkways towards the back, but can you get across these rickety metal paths without alerting the goblins below?
🎲👋 Make a ''Dexterity Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[5 or more->pass walkway dex check]]
• [[4 or less->fail walkway dex check]]You slip, and fall, hitting the cold ground hard.
💔 You ''take 2 points of damage''!
survive? [[look for another entrance]].
No hp left? [[fall to death from fortress wall]]With barely any strength and no dexterity, you tried to climb a giant wall made out of ice? //Of course// you're a pile of slush on the floor now.
''Game Over!''Crawl through [[even more vents]].Crawl through [[yet more vents]].Eventually you reach a dead end, but there is a hatch in the base of the vent, through which you see the [[furnace room]].This is where many older goblins have been chained up, and are burned alive to feed the furnace.
Only two are still alive, but before you can make it to them, the firekeeper sees you and attacks!
⚔️ Battle the ''Firekeeper'' now!
What is the result?
• [[You win->survive firekeeper]]
• [[You are defeated->defeated by the firekeeper]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Firekeeper</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Clumsy Swing
<i>A powerful attack, but it misses completely</i></td><td rowspan=5 width=250>Health: 9
DEX: 1
POW: 3
MAG: 0</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Punt
<i>You are knocked off-balanced and your next attack roll is -1</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>4
5</td><td>Hammer fists
<i>2 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Stunning hit
<i>1 damage, and you cannot act on your next turn</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>Standing at least twice your height, the firekeeper is a huge opponent. Perhaps more menacing than their apparent brute strength, is their strong smell of death and decay.</td></tr>
</table>There are two goblins here asking to be released, each saying the other will betray you. There is also a door.
[[Free the treacherous goblin]]
[[Free the honest goblin]]
[[Leave the furnace room]]You're HECKA dead.
''Game Over!''You sneak to the back of the workshop, there are stairs down into the workshop proper
[[break into the main workshop]]
or take the [[vent by the walkway]]You alert the goblins and they start rushing for you. You run for a vent in the side but are now obstructed by several goblins, the first looks very strong!
🎲💪 Make a ''Power Check'' now to get past the first goblin!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->pass walkway strength check]]
• [[3 or less->fail walkway strength check]]You overpower the strong goblin and force them from the walkway, they fall to their death into the workshop below.
The next goblin blocking your path looks like it has some magical ability
🎲⭐️ Make a ''Magic Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->pass walkway magic check]]
• [[3 or less->fail walkway magic check]]The strong goblin throws you off the walkway and you land in churning machinery below
''Game Over!''You resist the goblin's magic but he doesn't give up! He keeps trying to cast some foul spell but your resistance is too strong, and the strain for the goblin seems to be cauing him a great deal of pain,
his head explodes!
More goblins are coming but you can now make it to the [[vent by the walkway]].the magical looking goblin tears you into two pieces and you watch as your lower body is flung through a window as you rest with your torso upon the walkway, bleeding upon the workshop products below
''Game Over!''As soon as you are in the vent, you start quickly sliding down, the vent is sloped with no way to slow yourself.
You find yourself in the furnace room where older goblins are sacrificed to run the workshop machinery
[[furnace room]] Obviously, the moment you turn your back they leap onto you, climb across your shoulder and bite clean through your throat.
''Game Over!''The goblin joins your party and the other goblin starts swearing profanities at you and that they can't wait to hear of your defeat by the Frost King
🔻 ''Mofflepip joins your party!''
You proceed to [[Leave the furnace room]].
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Mofflepip</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Miss
<i>nothing happens</i></td><td rowspan=5 width=250>Health: 7
DEX: 1
POW: 0
MAG: 1</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Cheer
<i>+1 on your next roll</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>4
5</td><td>Goblin Punch
<i>1 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Curse
<i>You may choose to force one enemy to reroll their action this round</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>Mofflepip is clearly an elderly goblin, but they have no shortage of energy - fueled by anger at being discarded after centuries of service. But more than that, upon hearing what it is like to suffer from the Frost King's deeds, Mofflepip is determined to atone for having helped the tyrant.</td></tr>
</table>In the next corrider you see a sign marked "Retirement!" pointing back towards the furnace room.
At one end of the corridor is a door leading into the workshop, you see goblins still working away. Fortunately they seem to be too busy to be patrolling for intruders. If you want to, you can charge in and try to fight the many goblins there [[break into the main workshop]].
At the other end of the corridor is another door, leading into the [[sleigh room]]There is a sleigh here, with a large magical sack in the back being filled with weapons, both mundane and magical, fed from the workshop by conveyor belt.
You see a Tarandus here, and a second. Both are harnessed to the sleigh with room for more that are presumably being fetched. The sleigh and the beasts are pointed toward a runway down which you see the blizzard outside, blowing harder than ever.
There is a door on the opposite side.
[[sneak around the tarandi]]
[[try to cause a magical distraction for the tarandi]]
[[charge the tarandi]]🎲👋 Make a ''Dexterity Check'' now, to attempt to pass unnoticed behind the sleigh and its beasts!
What is your result?
• [[6 or more->pass sleighroom dex check]]
• [[5 or less->fail sleighroom dex check]]🎲⭐️ Make a ''Magic Check'' now to see if you can distract the beasts!
What is your result?
• [[6 or more->pass sleigh room magic check]]
• [[5 or less->fail sleigh room magic check]]You charge at the Tarandi!
[[sleigh room fight]]You successfully sneak past both beasts, and make your way into the [[back room corridor]]...The beasts notice you trying to sneak by, and they attack!
[[sleigh room fight]]The beasts are distracted by your magic for long enough that by the time they notice you, you have already slipped through the door to the [[back room corridor]].Your magic doesn't create much of a distraction, if anything it only makes the beasts more alert and they spot you!
[[sleigh room fight]] ⚔️ Battle ''both Tarandi'' now!
What is the result?
• [[You win->win sleighroom fight]]
• [[You are defeated->lose sleighroom fight]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Tarandus Blitzer</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Stomp Hooves
<i>nothing happens</i></td><td rowspan=3 width=250>Health: 9
DEX: 2
POW: 1
MAG: 0</td></tr><tr><td>3
4
5</td><td>Charge with Horns
<i>1 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Stampede
<i>2 Damage - with +1 damage to all party members for every other Tarandus present.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>Its hooves are large and thud loudly as it dashes.</td></tr>
</table>
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Tarandus Preyer</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2
3</td><td>Viscious Gaze
<i>-1 on your next roll</i></td><td rowspan=3 width=250>Health: 8
DEX: 1
POW: 0
MAG: 2</td></tr><tr><td>4
5</td><td>Charge with Horns
<i>1 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Stampede
<i>2 Damage - with +1 damage to all party members for every other Tarandus present.</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>You can tell from the bloodstains upon its horns and around its mouth that it has hunted and fed recently, but you see in its eyes a vicious look that tells you the beast is not yet sated.</td></tr>
</table>You make your way down a corridor as an ominious feeling feels you with dread.
At the back of the corridor is a door, you hear a terrible laughter on the other side of the door, a laughter that has haunted your nightmare for years.
You are about to face the Frost King!
//if you freed the goblin [[->back room corridor goblin stuff]]//
otherwise, you go through the door and into the [[back room]]The Tarandi fall down dead, and you can safely make your way to the door on the other side of the room.
Looking in the sleigh first, however, you find:
🔸''1 Health Potion'' and 🔸''1 Ration''
You continue through the door into the [[back room corridor]].Yeah you're getting chomped on by tarandi, and before the world fades completely the frost king steps into the room, laughs, and moves your corpse out of the way so he can take the sleigh out on his night of terror.
''Game Over!''The goblin looks really nervous, you try to calm them down but it's like they can't hear you. Terrified, they run back down the corridor, vanishing before you can stop them.
🔺 ''Mofflepip leaves your party!''
No matter, it is time to face the Frost King yourself, you move through the door into the [[back room]].The frost king is laughing as he tortures an extremely beaten person. The frost king explains this is the last "hero" who came to kill him. He likes to keep one around to torture just for fun.
He crushes the skull of the battered hero in front of you.
"Like I say, I only keep //one// around to torture." He has a wicked smile and starts walking towards you, laughing that terrible laugh.
You must now [[face the Frost King]]!⚔️ Battle ''The Frost King'' for __no more than 4 rounds__ now!
What is the result?
• [[You win in 4 rounds or less->Defeat the Frost King quickly]]
• [[You survive 4 rounds->Survive the Frost King Battle]]
• [[You are defeated->Lose to the Frost King]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>The Frost King</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Nightmarish Laughter
<i>You cannot act on your next turn</i></td><td rowspan=5 width=250>Health: 15
DEX: 1
POW: 2
MAG: 2</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Bulk Up
<i>The Frost King's Power stat increases by 1</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>4</td><td>Magic Barrier
<i>Your next attack roll is -1</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>5
6</td><td>Freezing Fist
<i>Deals damage equal to The Frost King's Power stat, and you cannot act on your next turn</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>The Frost King, the terror from the top of the world, the solstice slaughterer. He stands above you, skin like ice, his features sharp and wicked, he looks upon you with hideous pleasure.</td></tr>
</table>Double-click this passage to edit it.In the middle of your battle with the frost king, he grins and makes a quick movement - you had stood in the wrong place and he was able to snare you in some chains lying on the floor. You have been immobalised and can no longer fight.
The frost king ties you up in the place of the other adventurer and says he will come back to torture you, that you have a long time together to look forward to, but for now he has solstice night business to attend to.
The frost king leaves and you hear him begin to ready his sleigh for a night of slaughter.
//if you helped the goblin before [[goblin escape]].//
//if you have something to pick the lock of your manacles [[lockpick escape]].//
If you have no other hope, you must try to [[break free using brute force]].
The frost king laughs over your body as you bleed to death. "Ho ho ho, I should have gone a little easier on you perhaps."
He picks you up by your head.
"But at least I get to look into your eyes as you die"
And he slices through your kneck and for a moment you feel your body fall away, and you see your horrified expression reflected in the Frost King's icy and cruel gaze.
''Game Over!''The goblin comes back and helps you out of the manacles, you hear the sleigh begin to leave, it's time to chase after it!
🔻 ''Mofflepip rejoins your party!''
[[sleigh chase]]It take a little time, but you manage to unlock the manacles. As you rub your sore wrists, you hear the sleigh begin to leave - it's time to chase after it!
[[sleigh chase]]🎲💪 Make a ''Power Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[6 or more->pass manacle strength check]]
• [[5 or less->fail manacle strength check]]You break free of your bonds, the chains that bind you being pulled straight from their fixings to the wall.
But once the clanging stops you hear another sound - the sleigh is beginning to leave! You must chase after it!
[[sleigh chase]]You can't escape. You hear the sleigh leave and then for the next day... nothing.
But the Frost King returns, and grins.
"Well, for now until the next fool comes to challenge me... let's you and me" He picks up a brutal and rusty looking implement of torture "... let's make every day our solstice of terror."
''Game Over!''The sleigh is getting away, being pulled down the runway!
🎲👋 Make a ''Dexterity Check'' now, to see if you can catch up to the sleigh before it takes off.
Add +1 for every Tarandus you have defeated before now (the sleigh will be moving slower with fewer beasts pulling it).
What is your result?
• [[6 or more->pass sleigh catchup check]]
• [[5 or less->fail sleigh catchup check]]You catch up to the sleigh and climb onto it just as it takes off into the night sky.
The frost king turns around, furious.
You stand face to face with your enemy, standing upon an enchanted sleigh flying high through a blizzard.
⚔️ Battle ''The Frost King'' now!
What is the result?
• [[You win->defeat the frost king]]
• [[You are defeated->lose to the frost king]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>The Frost King</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Nightmarish Laughter
<i>No longer has any effect upon you</i></td><td rowspan=5 width=250>Health: 13
DEX: 1
POW: 2
MAG: 2</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Bulk Up
<i>The Frost King's Power stat increases by 1</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>4</td><td>Magic Barrier
<i>Your next attack roll is -1</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>5
6</td><td>Freezing Fist
<i>Deals damage equal to The Frost King's Power stat, and you cannot act on your next turn</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>The Frost King (still recovering from your previous dual) is no longer amused by you, his wicked rage has begun to grow. He won't let you claim your revenge easily.</td></tr>
</table>
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Loyal Goblin</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1</td><td>Guard
<i>Attack rolls vs The Frost King are -1 on the next turn</i></td><td rowspan=4 width=250>Health: 6
DEX: 1
POW: 0
MAG: 1</td></tr>
<tr><td>2</td><td>Sacrifice
<i>Loyal Goblin loses 2 Health, The Frost King gains 2 health.</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>3
4
5
6</td><td>Ferocious Bite
<i>1 damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>This goblin joined The Frost King on his flight tonight, hoping to prove himself with the amount of suffering he could cause. He is furious that you would get in the way of his chance.</td></tr>
</table>You can't reach the sleigh in time, it pulls up into the sky and you watch as it flies off into the night, carrying the frost king into another night of terrible deeds.
As you stand there watching your quarry escape into the night, in your lament you don't hear the crowd of goblins swarm you from behind.
You feel every one of hundreds of whacks from heavy workshop tools, until one finally caves in your skull.
''Game Over!''frost king has an awesome death, the sledbeasts disintigrate, and behind you the fortress explodes
but the sleigh beneath you starts to fall.
//if you have rescued the goblin [[rescue ending]],// otherwise, you [[brace for impact->ending]]
The frost king kicks you off the sleigh and you land in the middle of a town square, your back broken. You have yourself become a herald of a frost king attack, and there is just enough life left in you for you to watch once again as the frost king slaughters another town before your eyes.
You came so close, but you could not complete your quest, you die cold, broken, and shamed in the freezing cold of a solstice night.
''Game Over!''Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.You place the bucket under the waterfall, it begins to fill but water is slowly leaking out of the hole in the bottom.
If you want to use the bucket to weigh down the contraption, you must get it there before all the water leaks out!
🎲👋 Make a ''Dexterity Check'' now!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->pass bucket check]]
• [[3 or less->fail bucket check]]You reach the contraption quickly, place the bucket down upon the scales (sealing the leak in the bucket's base) and the great door before you begins to slowly open.
After a few moments you can see into the dingy area within, but you see a familiar eyedol!
//If you have the Emerald Orb, [[->survive eyedol]].//
If you do not have the Emerald Orb [[->killed by eyedol]].You rush to reach the contraption before the bucket becomes too light, but in your haste you lose your footing and trip.
You fall off the ledge and slide down towards a pit of large and cruel spikes, which skewer you.
''Game Over!''The Emeral Orb pacifies the eyedol, and you step into the room unharmed.
There is a 🔸''bucket with a hole in the base'' here.
There is also an intricate contraption connected to a door on the other side of the room, seemingly activated by some weighing scales beside it.
You also see a waterfall to your left, and a deep, dark pit to your right.
What do you do?
[[Jump into the pit]].
[[Fill the bucket with water->bucket]].
[[Place the Emerald Orb upon the scales->killed by eyedol]].The figure glares at you and begins to make a high-pitched humming noise. There is a bright flash of light and you feel a great heat and then a sharp pain.
The eyedol stops humming, and you look down to see that its energy beam has burned a hole straight through your chest.
You collapse to the ground, dead before you can contemplate your terrible failure.
''Game Over!''Things seem to be going well, until you slide down further into the pit and see what is at the bottom: a grid of viscious looking metal spikes.
There is no avoiding them, and you are impaled - forever to remain at the bottom of the pit. Your skeleton kept company by a couple of others who arrived before you.
''Game Over!''The Frost King contemplates the riddle you have presented, and after a moment he drops his weapons.
"You're... you're right." He drops to his knees, "What a //fool// I have been! Of course, the love was in my heart all along!"
You approach the Frost King and know now that he has realised the error of his ways - the Frost King poses a threat no more. Your need for revange seems to fade away, and you let it go.
You embrace the weeping Frost King, and a new era begins.
''You Win!''You accept the tea from the kind elf and take a sip.
It is delicious and sweet, with a hint of a mint flavour. You feel completely warmed and refreshed.
❤️ You ''Recover 6 Health'' now.
[[->elfConvo]]The elven person looks slightly saddened by your refusal, but they accept your choice and don't push you on the matter. They simply place your tea at your bedside should you want it later.
[[->elfConvo]]The elf does their best to make you feel safe and comfortable, is there anything you want to say to them?
You may ask 3 things.
[["Why are you helping me?"]].
[["Where am I?"]].
[["How did you find me?"]].
[["What was in the tea?"]].
[["What can you tell me about the Frost King?"]].
[["Will you join me, and help to defeat the Frost King?"]].
[["Can I stay here... with you?"]].
If you have asked your 3 questions, or if you are ready to move on, [[->elfConvoEnd]].You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]You hear a chiming and see it is coming from a clock resting on a mantlepiece above the hearth.
The beautiful elf looks to you and smiles.
"It is time I suppose."
If you drank the tea earlier, [[->drank Tea Result]].
If you //did not// drank the tea earlier, [[->did Not Drink Tea Result]].You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]Your mind has begun to feel... cloudy.
But you notice that the elf's stare and glistening eyes seem to become more and more mesmerising. However, you realise too late that they are trying to control your mind with magic.
🎲⭐️ Make a ''Magic Check'' now, subtracting 1 (due to the addling effects of the tea), to see if you resist the elven mind trick!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->pass elf magic check]]
• [[3 or less->fail elf magic check]]The elf stares at you, eyes glistening. You realise that they are trying to mesmerise you with some kind of magic!
🎲⭐️ Make a ''Magic Check'' now, to see if you resist the elven mind trick!
What is your result?
• [[4 or more->pass elf magic check]]
• [[3 or less->fail elf magic check]]You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]You ask the question and then go back to the previous choice
[[elfConvo]]You resist the elven trickery and leap from the bed, weapon drawn.
Now you see the true grotesque form of the elf - a tall goblin, who lunges at you!
⚔️ Battle the ''Tall Goblin'' now!
What is the result?
• [[You win->Defeat the elf]]
• [[You are defeated->Lose to the elf]]
<table border=1 width=100%><tr><td colspan=3>Tall Goblin</td></tr>
<tr><td width=50>1
2</td><td>Mocking Glare
<i>You cannot use a skill on your next turn</i></td><td rowspan=5 width=250>Health: 11
DEX: 1
POW: 0
MAG: 2</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Mesmerise
<i>-2 on your next roll</i></td><tr>
<tr><td>4
5</td><td>Goblin Jab
<i>1 Damage</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>6</td><td>Poison Blade
<i>1 damage for each time the poison blade has hit you (including this time)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3>Their kind form disgarded, they move around quickly, a wicked look in their eyes!</td></tr>
</table>You can't move and the elf slowly stabs you to death.
''Game Over!''You survive the battle with the elf!
Looking around you find a 🔸''Sturdy Needle'' and a 🔸''Health Potion'' amongst some haberdashery supplies which looks useful.
There is nothing else to do but leave this treacherous lodging, and go back out into the [[blizzard->the frozen fortress]].they hecka kill you
''Game Over!''The Octographer begins to ascend, the bells of attrition cease ringing, and the snowstorm finally stops.
Your foe fades from view, gone from this dimension forever.
It is finally over.
The vilify within your chest withdraws, and from beneath the quaking ground, your welcoming home returns.
You step within and claim your rest for the next thousand years, until you are called upon once again.
''You Win!''The cruel Mister Notnice surrenders, and promises not to be so mean ever again.
You know they are sincere, and that the Candy Village will now be safe forever.
"That was a close one, but I'm glad we did it!"
You nod to Dr. Woofy Cuddles, your dearest companion.
Together, you both turn away, and walk into the arms of a grateful world.
''You Win!''
There seems to be another tunnel here, small enough to crawl through... but it is blocked by frozen ice.
🎲⭐️ Make a ''Magic Check'' now, to see if you can melt the ice with a magical flame.
What is the result?
• 4 or more, you melt the ice and may proceed down the [[narrow crawlspace->through narrow hole]]
• 3 or less, you cannot pass [[land in a cave]]There seems to be another tunnel here, small enough to crawl through... but it is blocked by frozen ice.
🎲⭐️ Make a ''Magic Check'' now, to see if you can melt the ice with a magical flame.
What is the result?
• 4 or more, you melt the ice and may proceed down the [[narrow crawlspace->through narrow hole]]
• 3 or less, you cannot pass [[forking path]]