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A BERENY BUGLE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION
THE GLACIER MISSION … WHAT HAPPENED?
By Jacquetta Anichoson, Investigative Reporter
Dateline: 7-
A few months ago, it was learned from the Children of Ragnarök that there was a mission to the Southern Glaciers that began several years ago. After several interviews, including some correspondence with the Regent, now King, it has been pieced together what the mission was about, how it got started, and who was involved.
Before the idea of the mission was put forth, Duke David Tredach had championed an
initiative designed to unite the people of the Southern Glaciers and grant them autonomous
rule equal to that of the Dwarven and Elven Kingdoms. The process of Glacial Devolution
was to be a long and hard one. The initiative is still being debated amongst the
kingdom’s lawmakers on a monthly basis, with little progress being made. It has dragged
on so long that the idea of Bereny crowning an ‘Ice King’ to rule over the Glacier
Folk is all but forgotten by the general populace. With Kingdom-
Soon after the kingdom’s bureaucracy was set in motion on the matter, Duke Dirk Steadfast (as he was then) put forth the idea of a mission to the Southern Glaciers. His suggestion was made for several reasons. First to drum up support amongst the Glacier Folk in support of Duke David’s initiative. This would illustrate that Dwarf, Elf, Berenian, and Glacier Folk were all equals and allies in the fight against the Kingdom’s enemies. Further, that any enemy of one of these allies was an enemy to all and while each was free to tackle their enemies as they saw fit, they would have the full support of Bereny should they wish it.
For this effort, Duke Steadfast envisioned a collection of adventurers representing many guilds, the Children of Ragnarök chief amongst them, embarking together on a journey to rediscover the Southern Glaciers and face down the enemies of its people. Who those enemies are, or were, seems to be up for debate.
First in line seemed to be the leader of a Vaniheim faction opposed to the Crown of Bereny, Tsor Wolfsbane. Wolfsbane’s rebels weren’t just a threat to Bereny, but to any of the Glacier Folk that didn’t agree with their view. Innocent Vaniheim were being slaughter and the Crown eventually sent in the Royal Army lead by Duke Basil Leonne to prevent further slaughter. Despite a swift victory, including the death of two Chill Dragons in the service of the rebellion, Tsor Wolfsbane was never found. At the time, Tsor Wolfsbane was still free and seeking to revive his rebellious efforts. King Dirk now believes that the Glacier Folk have come together to fight a more pressing foe and that the matter of Tsor Wolfsbane has been quickly dealt with in passing.
Another more public threat came from the statements made by Khe-
A third threat seemed to be kept secret from most of the mission members, but not from the small Dei Viglare contingent that was recruited for the effort. The Dei Eligere at the time, Grey Shadow, sought volunteers from amongst their ranks to join the mission, “to help kill the evil demon wyrm that has been killing glacier barbarians. I have been told that this is one of the last vestiges of the Demon Queen Jennata's power in Myriad.” It is believe by some that the leaders of the mission knew of this threat, but never spoke of it openly.
Of course, general exploration of the Southern Glaciers was also a purpose of the mission. Legend has it that a meteor or comet had crashed in the glaciers. This occurred in the distant past and Glacier Folk lore speak of the crash site as the location of a metal city now trapped in the ice. Periodically, this city disgorges monsters and other strange creatures. Today, it is believe this city is more directly tied to the Two Worlds Citadel reported by the Crown a couple years ago, but back then, its discovery was a draw for the more scholarly recruits for the mission.
Despite Duke David Tredach’s and Duke Dirk Steadfast’s noble intention at the time, the Glacier Mission didn’t really accomplish anything. The desired coalition of guilds united for one purpose never really formed on the scale expected. Before adventurers even began collecting together in Icehaunt, guild leaders began using the effort to further their own political and guild agendas. Because of this, the leadership of the mission was shifted from, then Baroness Kubala Wildfire to her brother, Baron Subetai Wildfire. In the end, the number of adventurers that embarked on the mission was small, with one, two, or three members representing a small number of guilds. The Bereny Eagles seemed most predominant with their leadership role, but even their numbers were small.
While a few members of the Children of Ragnarök were amongst the initial explorers of the Glaciers, the larger force that embarked on the mission lagged behind. Their numbers alone would have nearly doubled the mission roster had they caught up. But, upon reaching an Ice Warden Keep on the edge of the Glaciers, the force turned back. Why they turn around has never been fully explained. Sven Hammerhand reportly claimed that the mission had enough guild representation with their then deputy guild leader Grimwulf in attendance. Those outside of Glacier Folk circles have joked there wasn’t enough adventure or ale in the Glaciers for the lot of them. Others laughed that maybe the Children found it too cold and would rather return to the warmth of Icehaunt.
Due to the low turn out and poor communication the mission suffered many losses. Some members of the mission simply disappeared into the glaciers never to be heard from again. The Dei Vigilare contingent was slaughtered by a surprise assault of glacier folk. These were not Vaniheim, but strange folk that sail great snow skiffs upon the snows of the glacial plains like a ship crossing the water. Baron Subetai Wildfire led a group to explore the Clan Fenrir Glacial Burial Grounds. Despite the reverence with which they proceeded, the fenrir, great glacial wolves that guarded the grounds, still ripped Baron Wildfire to shreds. This left his grieving widow, and former general of the Bereny Eagles, Baroness Callista Sureshot, in charge of the mission.
Probably the most public of the deaths to occur on the Glaciers Mission, though no more or less tragic than any other, is that of Lord Gwalcumai Macsen, Seargent of the Bereny Eagles and son of the notorious Baron Uryen d’Agrillac. Lord Macsen and the others had exited the Glacial Burial Grounds in a renewed effort to look for the other objectives of the mission. The exodus was rather haphazard, with those preceding him scattering for exploration while those behind were surprised by the threat of demonic glacier bears.
Lord Macsen was surprised himself, not by a nether-
It is this death that Baron Uryen d’Agrillac speaks of when blaming Duke Steadfast for the death of his son. Was it true grief that motivated the rebel Baron’s words? Or was he simply taking the opportunity to further malign the Duke’s name? It matters little now with the rebellion squashed and the former Baron in hiding.
Soon after, those that remained of the Glaciers Mission united with those members of the Children of Ragnarök that had come to investigate the Risen Fortress. (You may read more about the fortress’ discovery here.) After all that time, it seems the Glaciers aren’t too cold for the Children. It was just too long a walk for a good fight. With this fresh blood and Prince Dickon’s Expedition to the Risen Fortress, perhaps the Southern Glaciers will finally get the exploration it deserves. Who knows? Maybe a forgotten rebel leader or talking demonic ice wyrm will be dug up along the way.