DG12: Icy Foreshadowing

By Dan Hass

Legend holds that once dragons ruled. They carved out kingdoms and reigned unchallenged
for uncounted millennia. Only speculation explains why the time of dragons came to an end, but
it is doubtful the young races could have arisen if they still ruled. For several years, it has been
an open secret that the dragon cults have been strategizing to bring dragons back. Signs seem
to indicate that at least one cult has succeeded. Heroes are needed to quash the threat lest it
fester into something that could bring disaster to the entire region. A Dungeons and Dragons 5th
Edition Adventure for 1-8 4th level characters. This is the first episode in the Wyrmlings Saga.

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Contents
Adventure Summary .............................................................................................................. 2
Preparing for the Adventure................................................................................................... 2
Running the Adventure .......................................................................................................... 2
Adventure Background .......................................................................................................... 3
Adventure Outline.................................................................................................................. 4
Starting the Adventure ........................................................................................................... 4
Encounter 1: 6 Miles from the Lair ......................................................................................... 6
Encounter 2: 1000 Feet from the Lair .................................................................................... 7
Encounter 3: Lair Entrance. ................................................................................................... 8
Encounter 4: The Lair ............................................................................................................ 9
Concluding the Adventure ....................................................................................................11
Appendix 1: DM Maps. .........................................................................................................12
Southeast Dimgaard .........................................................................................................12
Encounter 2: 1000 Feet from the Lair ................................................................................13
Encounter 3: Lair Entrance ...............................................................................................14
Encounter 4: The Lair .......................................................................................................15

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The DM should particularly familiarize
Adventure Summary
herself with the personalities, lair actions
Icy Foreshadowing is a Dungeons and
and regional effects of a white dragon (MM
Dragons 5th Edition adventure designed for
p.102-103), and the effects of extreme cold
1-8 4th level characters. It requires a
and frigid water (DMG p.109).
Players Handbook, a Monster Manual, and
Tailoring Encounters
a Dungeon Master's Guide. This is the first
There are encounters in the Icy
episode of the 4 episode Wyrmlings Saga
Foreshadowing that could be tailored to
which is available as a single package.
align with specific backgrounds of PCs in
While the encounters include scaling for
a DMs group.
1-8 characters, parties of 1 or 2 PCs and 7
The guards to the entrance to the
or 8 PCs are fringe circumstances that may
wyrmlings lair are presented as white
play oddly. Specifically, parties of 1-2 are
dragonborn members of the Cult of the
highly susceptible to a single bad die roll,
White Dragon. However, the DM will be
and 7-8 can slow play dramatically. Ideally
more familiar with the PCs and could
a party will be 3-6 PCs.
substitute a different organization to tailor
It is set in the Dimgaard Campaign
it to one or more PCs circumstances.
Setting (the Dimgaard Campaign Guide is a
Similarly, Deathcaller is presented as a
free pdf available at
notable member of a goliath tribe, but the
rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/144932/Dimg
DM may change his race or affiliations to
aard-Campaign-Guide), but could be set in
better correspond with PCs in her
other campaigns where there is a significant
campaign.
mountain wilderness appropriate for the
A battlemat or dungeon tiles may be
white dragon wyrmling, Rthyin, to establish
helpful, but not necessary.
a lair. Digital copies of the encounter maps
Running the Adventure
are available at
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4
Icy Foreshadowing presents a challenge for
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the PCs: find out for sure if a white dragon
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has established a lair at Jyd Summit, a
TMDg&usp=sharing.
mountain at the fringe of Dimgaard, and, if
Other Adventures
so, do something about it.
You can find all the Dimgaard adventures
It then presents the setting of Jyd
to date (and supplemental content) on
Summit. Many of the challenges the PCs
drivethrurpg.com. Additionally, you might
will face are already presented in the
consider back this kickstarter. In addition
Monster Manual, and Dungeons Masters
to the current adventures, it has catch
Guide. There are opportunities for the DM to
up options.
provide as much information to the PCs as
she believes is warranted, and there are
Preparing for the Adventure
some obvious things the PCs can do, but
It is always a good idea for the DM to read
ultimately, the strategy is up to the PCs.
through an adventure before running it. Icy
There is no script for the PCs, and the DM
Foreshadowing is no different. There are
should be prepared for unexpected actions
some complex encounters that the DM
from the PCs.
should be familiar with prior to running the
In most cases the setting for an
adventure.
encounter is described in boxed text. The
Icy Foreshadowing makes use of
DM may use this verbatim if the encounter
information presented in the core material,
unfolds as designed, however, if the PCs
and it will make running the adventure much
have done something unexpected, the
smoother if the DM is familiar this material
boxed text may not accurately describe the
beforehand.
set up. The DM is not constrained by the
boxed text, and should feel free to describe
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the encounter as necessary for the
particular circumstances of the adventure.
In general, the encounters in this
adventure are intended to be hard (DMG
p.82).
Encounter Exploits
Technically, the encounters where
combat is likely use medium XP budgets.
However, there are ways to increase the
challenge of encounters without
increasing the calculated CR of the
creatures.
For example, a primary danger to PCs
when they face Rthyin is his lair actions; it
is a curiosity of dragons that their Lair
Actions do not scale.
Additionally many of the creatures in
the encounters use features which do not
affect calculated CR, but which do affect
the effectiveness of the creature. These
are denoted with 1. These are intended to
allow a DM to tailor the difficulty of the
encounter for her group.
For some parties a straight medium
encounter may actually meet the
definition of a hard encounter if the PCs
arent optimized for combat and the
tactics arent coordinated. But for more
focused PCs, the optional traits may be
needed to make the encounter
interesting. The DM should use or ignore
the options traits based on her analysis of
her party keeping in mind that the goal is
for the encounters to be interesting and
meet the definition of hard.
Regardless, this adventure as written is
designed so that PCs will progress through
4th level by completing this adventure with
near optimum XP collection and (probably)
four or five other similar adventures. If this
doesn't align with the DM's campaign goals
and expectations, she should adjust XP
awards accordingly (or possibly abandon
XP measurement and use a milestone
approach to advancement). The XP
progression of Dimgaard adventures
presumes that PCs get little or no XP for
encounters where combat does not occur
(awarding Inspiration is the expected
reward).

Adventure Background
The Great Reduction
Once Dimgaard was ruled entirely by
dragons some metallic and some
chromatic. They carved up the vast
Dimgaard area into territories, and were
careful not to encroach upon each other.
Many lesser races developed, but there
was no room for them to rise under the
smothering presences of the dragons.
Then the elves arrived on the scene.
In the Feywild, the archfeys took notice of
their humanoid cousins in Dimgaard, and
wanted them to thrive, and that meant
eliminate dragon rule. Using diplomacy
and some intrigue, the archfeys
convinced the metallics that they were
living in conflict with the natural order by
living peacefully beside the chromatics.
Eventually a war between the metallic
and chromatics was engineered. The war
lasted centuries but in the end chromatic
dragons were eradicated from Dimgaard.
At that point, the archfey issued an
ultimatum to the metallics: leave or the
archfey would go to war in order to make
room for elves. Decimated by the war,
the metallics knew they could not defeat
the archfeys and left Dimgaard.
After centuries of struggling just to survive,
the various chromatic dragon cults initiated
a bold plan several years ago. While hope
lingers of a return of the dragons of old from
wherever they may be, the cults decided to
seek out eggs and see if they could be
incubated. They were successful. The
dragon cults hatched dragons, and raised
them in secret. Now the first of these are on
the cusp of aging from wyrmling to young
dragon. Their instincts are kicking in and
they can no longer be restrained from
establishing lairs.
Several weeks ago, Rthyin, a white
dragon wyrmling left the community in the
mountains where he was hatched and
raised and moved to the peak, Jyd Summit.
Jyd Summit rests between the dwarven
community of Giruhm and the goliath
community of Zigarvik. He was
accompanied by a troop of guards to protect

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him, and they took up station at the
that are products of the regional effects of
entrance to the wyrmlings lair.
the white dragons lair.
The regional effects of Rthyins lair
Closer to the summit (about 1000 ft.
quickly transformed Jyd Summit into a
away) they encounter elementals drawn to
forbidding, frozen wasteland. Giruhm sent
the supernatural cold (ice mephitis).
scouts to investigate. The scouts did not
The actual lair entrance is protected by a
fare well. Some succumbed to the dangers
band of white dragonborn who revere the
of the environment, some were eaten by
wyrmling.
Rthyin and his guards, and some now
Finally, in the lair itself, the wyrmling has
decorate the lair as trophies encased in ice.
placed itself under the lordship of a goliath
Uthal Deathcaller of Muxgar never fit in
necromancer.
with the other goliaths in Zigarvik. While
The Wyrmlings
they have a sense of fairness and a zest for
In southeast Dimgaard, the cults of the
life, Deathcaller always looked for ways to
dragons have been scouring ruins and
gain advantage and had an affinity for
hidden caverns for years looking for
death. But Deathcaller recognized the signs
dragon eggs that are still viable. The
of a white dragon and moved to challenge
black, blue, green, and white have all
the creature knowing that if he could best it,
been successful and the wyrmlings are
it would serve as a loyal servant.
just months away from entering the young
dragon phase of their lives. They are
Dragons and the Inquisition
setting up lairs around southeast
When the dragons left, their kin were
Dimgaard and the effects are being
left behind. Those of chromatic dragon
noticed.
ancestry have organized along their
Starting the Adventure
respective colors. The metallic formed a
Icy Foreshadowing takes place some time
single confederation (the Order of Metal)
after the culmination of the Red Blades War.
with cells often mixing various metallic
Presuming the humans have at least fought
heritages.
the Red Blades to a stalemate, it can be an
While the chromatic dragon cults do
indefinite amount of time days, weeks, or
work together at times towards common
months since the climactic adventure, The
goals, they have a deep hatred for the
Head of the Snake. The DM can decide
metallics and the Inquisition.
how much downtime she wants the PCs to
The Order of Metal similarly sees the
have access to and set the length of time
various chromatic dragon cults as mortal
accordingly.
enemies. And the Order of Metal views
Jyd Summit is distant enough from the
the Inquisition as oppressive and
Alshon Region that the PCs would not
intolerant. It opposes the Inquisition out
automatically know about Rthyin
of a sense of survival and justice.
establishing a lair. The PCs need to be
The Inquisition views all dragons and
approached in some way to trigger their
their kin as existential threats.
need to intercede. Three hooks are
So the three groups each hate the
presented here that may be used if the party
other two forming a triangle of intrigue
meets the circumstances. The DM can
across Dimgaard.
construct a hook specific to her partys
Adventure Outline
members instead of these.
The PCs are enlisted to investigate signs
that a white dragon has laired in the
mountain Jyd Summit, and travel there
though the southeast Dimgaard countryside.
About six miles from the summit, they
encounter various environmental hazards
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asking permission he makes himself
PC Downtime
comfortable, but the two accompanying him
Another way to modulate the difficulty of
remain formal.
encounters is by managing what PCs can
Alonzo says, Debts must be paid. And
do with downtime. For PCs that are
Im afraid yours has come due. A matter of
sufficiently prepared a DM may restrict
importance has come to our notice. These
downtime activities to purely flavor type
are members of the Inquisition who
benefits.
administers points to the east. In the
However, a PC on the lower end of the
Dragons Teeth, an evil has taken hold. We
power curve may be able to find a magic
believe it too strong for any other than your
item to improve her capabilities, or
troupe to address. And we hope that if you
develop a dietary regime to temporarily
strike immediately, you can eliminate it
increase her odd Constitution score by
before it becomes an existential threat.
one to the even value that grants an
additional +1 modifier.
The men with Alonzo are from Baetulo.
Really the range of downtime activities
They are members of the Inquisition there
are constrained only by the players
who got news of the situation at Jyd
imaginations and the DMs willingness to
Summit. They do not know for sure that a
accommodate them.
dragon has laired there, but they are
suspicious. They can have as much
information as the DM prefers, and can
If a PC is a loyal dwarf:
relate as much of it as the DM prefers to the
As your day draws to an end, a welcome
PCs.
sight meets you: a troop of four dwarves is
If any PC is researching where to find
approaching. But elation at the prospect of
a particular magic item that the DM
a ribald evening with members of your own
wants to insert into the campaign.
race are quickly tempered as their
temperament is clearly not one of levity.
Your research yields fruit! An item
When a dwarf is troubled, it is a dour affair
matching that description was noted in the
easily recognized by any who see it, and
possession of the knight Geriant the
these are troubled dwarves.
Courteous of Baetulo. However, several
One steps forward and says, Hail,
days ago he undertook a mission to
Brother. I am Dalmor of Giruhm; I believe
investigate a serious problem at Jyd
we are cousins. Your deeds have become
Summit. He should have returned, but has
stories for the skalds around the evening
not, and there is fear that he has come to an
fires. So when a matter most foul beset
ill end.
Giruhm, and we could not address the issue
The PCs research can reveal as much
ourselves, we knew the champion we need
information about the situation at Jyd
seek out.
Summit as the DM wants.
The dwarves will relate the information
The trip to Jyd Summit. It is a five day
about the failed expedition, and make clear
journey to Jyd Summit. There are
that they do not have the resources to deal
communities that have libraries and sages
with the problem.
that could be accessed with slight
If any PC is indebted to the One True
deviations that would make it a six day
Faith.
journey. The DM can decide how much
information she wants to provide the PCs
The midday meal is barely finished when
with, and the mechanics to reveal that
you notice Alonzo, vicar of the Inquisition,
information (if any).
approaching you. With him are two men in
The trip is also a good time to provide
the dress of clergy of the One True Faith.
some
additional encounters if the DM has
Alonzo known to be dour, but he seems
even more serious than usual. Without

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some that she has prepared for specific
PCs.

Encounter 1: 6 Miles from the Lair

Map. No map is required for this encounter.
As you progress up the slope, you
realize that it is uncommonly cold for a
slope this far south. A fog hangs to the
ground adding even more chill. There is a
constant freezing drizzle that penetrates
clothing. And sudden wind gusts lasting
several minutes frequently assault exposed
skin with freezing temperatures. Risers of
ice form walls that cut off your natural
navigation lengthening your approach.
Drifts and icicles punctuate the mountain.
Running the encounter. The area within 6
miles of the lair is in near blizzard conditions
most of the time. From this point on, a long
rest is not possible because of the nature of
the environment.
The PCs are immediately in extreme
cold weather (DMG p.110). The numerous
walls of ice decreases PCs progress to 1/2
normal as they are forced to zigzag up the
slope; note that this is not because of
difficult terrain, but more of a maze effect.
The constant drizzle will eventually
penetrate even the heaviest clothing. For
each PC depending on clothing to protect
them from the weather, roll 1d4. After that
number of miles of travel, the PC will begin
being exposed to a frigid water effect
(DMG p.110) except that the check only
needs to be made every half mile of travel
and every half hour during rests.
Environmental traps. The DM can
expose the PCs to as many of these effects
as she desires. It is recommended that a
check be made every half mile (on average,
the PCs would be exposed to about 4
effects); roll 1d10 and consult these results:
1. Icy pit: A 30 ft. deep pit has been dug
out or eroded out. It is now covered by
a thin layer of ice. If the leading PC has
a passive Perception of 15+ she notices
and the area is easily avoided. If not,
she falls down 30 ft. taking 10 (3d6)
bludgeoning damage.

2. Falling rock: As the PCs progress, their

path takes them under an overhang,
and their passage dislodges a rock.
Randomly determine a PC in the
marching order. The rock makes an
attack roll of +8 to hit and does 10
(2d10) bludgeoning damage. If the
targeted PC, or a PC earlier in the
marching order has a passive
Perception of 15+, the falling rock has
disadvantage on its attack roll as the
target is shoved toward safety.
3. Blast of cold. The party is hit by a blast
of cold air from the weather. Each
member of the party must make a DC12
Constitution save. On a failed save, the
PC takes 7 (2d6) cold damage and
suffers an increase in her level of
exhaustion; on a success, the PC takes
half the damage but suffers no increase
in exhaustion level. If any PC has a
passive Survival of 15+, he gleans the
weather hazard coming so that the party
has some cover and gets advantage on
their saving throws.
4. Avalanche. The PCs movement
displaces a large amount of ice, rock,
and other debris that comes showering
down and sliding into the PCs. While
perception notices ice and rock
everywhere, it requires a passive
Investigation of 15+ by any member of
the party to realize the area is a threat.
If the threat is realized, a DC15+
Wisdom (Survival) check is needed to
safely leave the area. If not, each
member of the party must succeed on a
DC15 Dexterity saving throw or suffer
10 (2d10) bludgeoning damage (half on
a successful save).
5-10. No effect.
Concluding the encounter. The
encounter finishes when the PCs are 1000
feet from the entrance to the lair.

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Encounter 2: 1000 Feet from the Lair

Map. See Appendix 2: DM Maps
Encounter background. The nature of
Rthyins lair has attracted evil creatures
from the elemental plane of ice to a
particularly cold location on the summit.
They spitefully attack the PCs.
As you progress around the patches of
ice and around the walls of ice, suddenly a
small pile of ice animates.
Running the encounter. Mephits arent
negotiators. They attack relentlessly.
Each round on initiative 20 a blast of cold
air whips through the area doing 5 (2d4)
cold damage to every creature.
Mephit Fog Cloud
Without blindsight the Mephits fog cloud
makes almost no sense (it does provide
the ability to hide). Without the blindsight
attacks against the mephit would be
made with advantage because the mephit
cant see the attacker, and also at
disadvantage because the attacker cant
see the mephit; these cancel out and the
attack roll would be a straight d20.
However, if the mephit has blindsight,
it can see the attacker, and attacks
against it would be with disadvantage
(which appears to be the intent of
providing the mephitis with the ability to
case fog cloud).

Scaling the encounter. The number of

ice mephitis varies depending on how
many PCs are in the party.
#
Mephits
XP
1 1 Ice Mephit 100
2 2 Ice Mephit 200
3 3 Ice Mephit 300
4 4 Ice Mephit 400
5 6 Ice Mephit 600
6 7 Ice Mephit 700
7 8 Ice Mephit 800
8 9 Ice Mephit 900
Ice Mephit. MM p.215.
1

Saving Throws Dex +3, Con +2

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +5
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft. passive
Perception 12
1

Actions
1

Frost Breath (Recharge 5-6). The mephit exhales a 15foot cone of cold air. Each creature in that area must
succeed on a DC10 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (2d4)
cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a successful one. Each creature must also succeed on a
DC10 Constitution saving throw or suffer a level increase
in their exhaustion level (PHB 291).

Tactics
The mephits are not in a hurry. They
are comfortable where they are. They
like the cold. They will use their fog
cloud, mobility, and the walls of ice to
protect themselves.
Generally, they are going to expose
themselves only to use their frost breath
and then return to protection to await
recharge.
Concluding the encounter. If the PCs
defeat the mephits, they are free to
progress to the lair entrance. The DM may
choose to place some treasure here, as this
is a lair of sorts.

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Encounter 3: Lair Entrance.

Map. See Appendix 2: DM Maps.
Encounter background. The white dragon
cult has a lot of resources tied up in Rthyin.
And while they could no longer restrain him
from exhibiting his true nature and
establishing a lair to hunt from, they could
send a party of guards to attend to him.
A shelf spreads for about a hundred feet
before an icy cliff. The cliff has an opening
5 ft. in diameter at the base of the cliff. To
each side of the opening is the body of a
dwarf encased in ice. An encampment
spreads across the shelf in front of the
opening. There are cottages built of
stacked rocks with slate roofs. A bonfire
rages in the center of the encampment.
Walls of ice make the approach a maze.
Running the encounter. The guards are
not immediately hostile unless there are
dwarves in the party (in which case they will
immediately attack).
The cultists are not happy that
Deathcaller has dominated Rthyin, but they
dont have a lot of options. If they attack
Deathcaller, Rthyin will become extremely
hostile, as he is loyal to the goliath. They
will not engage in combat against
Deathcaller (or his undead). They may be
persuaded to provide some aid short of
combat, though.
Of course, they will not attack Rthyin or
engage in any activity that is clearly going to
be detrimental to Rthyin.
Rthyin checks on the encampment
several times per day.
Dragonborn Disposition
The dragonborn revere Rthyin almost as
a deity. He is the first true dragon they
have seen in generations.
Compromising their loyalty to Rthyin is
not possible. However, they dislike the
fact that the goliath has such an
influence over Rthyin, and the PCs may
use that to their advantage in some
tricky way.
Scaling the encounter. The number of
guards present varies with the number of
PCs. Each is a white dragon born with:

Damage Resistance cold

Actions
Breath Weapon. The dragonborn exhales a blast of cold
air in a 15 ft. cone. Any creature in that area must
succeed on a DC10+Con modifier Constitution saving
throw or take 7 (2d6) cold damage; half on a successful
save.

The dragonborn are as listed in the

Monster Manual, except they have Damage
Resistance cold, and the action: Cold
Breath (1/day). The dragonborn breaths a
15 ft. cone of cold air; any creature in the
area must succeed on a Constitution saving
throw (DC of 10+Constitution modifier of the
dragonborn) or take 7 (2d6) cold damage
(half on a successful saving throw).
#
Dragonborn
XP
1
Spy
200
2
Spy, 3 Bandit
350
3
Spy, 2 Bandit, 3 Scout
550
4-5
Spy, 2 Thug, 3 Scout
700
6-7 2 Spy, Veteran, 3 Scout 1400
8
Spy, 2 Veteran, 3 Scout 1900
Bandit. MM p.343.
1

Hit Points 22 (4d8+4)

Scout. MM p.349.
1

Armor Class 14 (studded leather)

Hit Points 27 (5d8+5)
1
Saving Throws Dex +4, Wis +3
1
Keen Shot. The scout ignores less than total cover.
1

Spy. MM p.349.
1

Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +2

Eye Gouge. As a bonus action, a creature the spy can
see within 5 ft. must succeed on a DC14 Dexterity saving
throw or be blinded. A blinded creature can attempt a
DC14 Constitution saving throw at the end of its turn to
end the effect.
1

Thug. MM p.350.
Veteran. MM p.350.
1

Saving Throws Str +5, Wis +2

Skull Crack. As a bonus action, a creature the veteran
can see within 5 ft. must succeed on a DC15 Constitution
saving throw or be stunned for one round.
1

Tactics
As soon as it becomes apparent that the
lair is under attack from a strong force,
one of the dragonborn will rush to warn
Rthyin while the others cover the retreat.
Concluding the encounter. The guards
are the final obstacle to entering the lair.
The tunnel proceeds at a slant 60 ft. into the
mountain and opens in the floor of the lair.

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Encounter 4: The Lair

Map. See Appendix 2: DM Maps.
Encounter background. Deathcaller has
used the power of his necromancy to
animate skeletons of creatures killed for
entertainment and protection. Rthyin is a
loyal companion that shares his kills with
Deathcaller, and obeys his wishes.
An icy cavern has a 40 ft. high ceiling.
There are tunnel openings in both the roof
and floor. Torches light the cavern with
numerous area of dim light. Treasure can
be seen beneath the ice of the floor.
Numerous bones litter the chamber. There
are two ledges - each about halfway up the
cavern wall.
Running the encounter. Unless the PCs
do something Rthyin and Deathcaller are
here together. Rthyin does leave to hunt for
a few hours each day. They are vicious and
arrogant. They will not submit to anyone
elses authority, but might be willing to
accept the service of other creatures.
The skeletons are merely piles of bones
among the litter of bones in the cavern (and
thus not subject to attack) until their first turn
when they assemble as an object
interaction and attack.
Scaling the encounter. The composition of
the lairs occupants varies with the number
of PCs.
#
Lair Occupants
XP
1-2
Rthyin
450
3
Rthyin, Deathcaller
650
4
Rthyin, Deathcaller,
700
Skeleton
5
Rthyin, Deathcaller,
850
2 Warhorse Skeleton
6
Rthyin, Deathcaller,
1050
4 Warhorse Skeleton
7
Rthyin, Deathcaller,
1250
4 Warhorse Skeleton
8
Rthyin, Deathcaller,
1450
8 Warhorse Skeleton

Capturing Rthyin
Capturing Rthyin should be extremely
difficult. There are multiple tunnels in the
roof he can exit through if things turn
against him. Plus he has high mobility
60 ft. plus his Wing Attack allows him to
fly another 30 ft. And once out of range
he can burrow into the mountain which
should make him impervious to attacks.

Rthyin (White Dragon Wyrmling). MM

p.102
Legendary Actions
Rthyin can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be
used at a time and only at the end of another creature's
turn. Rthyin regains spent legendary actions at the start of
his turn.
Detect. Rthyin makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Extreme Cold. Rthyin exhales his breath (separate from
his regular cold breath) in a 15 ft. cone. Each creature in
that area must make a DC12 Constitution save suffering
an increase in its exhaustion level on a failed save.
Wing Attack. Rthyin beats his wings. Each creature
within 10 ft. must succeed on a DC12 Dexterity saving
throw or be pushed back 5 ft. and knocked prone. Rthyin
can then fly up to half his fly speed.

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Skeleton. MM p.272

Reactions

Hit Points 26 (4d8+4)

Parry. Deathcaller adds 3 to his AC against one melee

attack that would hit him. To do so, Deathcaller must see
the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon
Bolster Undead. When a creature attempts to turn
undead, Deathcaller can use his telepathic ability to give
undead advantage on their Wisdom saving throw to
avoid being turned.

Warhorse Skeleton. MM p.273

1

Armor Class 14 (barding scraps, natural)

Hit Points 30 (4d10+8)

Uthal Deathcaller of Muxgar

Medium humanoid (goliath), chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (leather armor)

Hit Points 60 (8d8+24)
Speed 30ft.
STR
12(+1)

DEX
18(+4)

CON
16(+3)

INT
10(+1)

WIS
16(+3)

CHA
12(+1)

Saving Throws Strength +3, Wisdom +5

Skills Athletics +8, Intimidation +3, Religion +2
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive
Perception 15

Languages Common (Teulon), Draconic.

Challenge 1 (100 XP)
Empower Undead. Any undead within 120 ft. of
Deathcaller has advantage on ability checks, and blind
sense 60 ft.
Exceptional Speed. Deathcaller can take the Dash
action as a bonus action.
Innate Spellcasting (3/day). Deathcaller can cast
darkness requiring no material component.
Leg Sweep. As a bonus action, a creature that is within
5 ft. of Deathcaller must succeed on a DC23 Strength
(Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or be knocked
prone.
Legendary Athlete. Deathcaller gets +5 to Athletics
(already in statblock). 1Deathcaller has advantage on
Strength (Athletics) checks. 13/day, if Deathcaller loses a
Strength (Athletics) check, he can choose to add 10 to
his check.
1

Legendary Resistance (1/day). If Deathcaller fails a

saving throw, he can choose to succeed.
Rally Undead. As a bonus action, an undead creature
that can see Deathcaller can make a Wisdom save to
end being turned.
Undead Control. Deathcaller has a telepathic link with
all undead within 120 ft., and unless there is some other
force to overcome it, the undead follow Deathcallers
desires.
Gear. 2 dagger, 3 potion of greater healing.

Actions
Multiattack. Deathcaller takes 4 unarmed strike attacks.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 bludgeoning damage.
Empowered Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing + 10 (3d6)
necrotic damage and the target must succeed on a DC16
Strength saving throw or be incapacitated for one round.
Necrotic Blast. As an action, a creature that Deathcaller
can see within 60 ft. must attempt a DC16 Strength
saving throw. On a failed save it takes 4d6 necrotic
damage and is incapacitated for one round. If the save is
successful the target takes half damage with not
additional effect.

Tactics
If forewarned, Deathcaller will have
darkness precast. Deathcaller prefers to
allow his skeletons and Rthyin deal the
damage. He will attempt to knock prone
and grapple the PCs so his cohorts can
attack more effectively.
Rthyin is aggressive, but not suicidal.
If things get dicey he will protect himself
and use his lair actions to deal damage.
Until that point, he will use his lair actions
to deal damage and also to isolate a PC
and make it more vulnerable. He will try
to preserve his breath weapon for when
he can get two opponents in it, but if the
PCs seem to be concentrating on
preventing that, he knows the power of
his breath weapons and wont hesitate to
change his strategy to use his breath
weapons against a single target.
Concluding the encounter. If the PCs
lose, their flesh is eaten and their bones
become skeletons in the service of
Deathcaller.
If the PCs win, they should be amply
rewarded. It is not easy defeat a dragon in
its lair, even a wyrmling. The DM can tailor
the treasure to her campaign, but the
suggestion is 2700 gp in currency and
gems, a scroll of a 1st or 2nd level spell (from
the wizard spell list if there is a wizard in the
party) and a useful magic item from this list:
+1 weapon
alchemy jug
elemental gem (earth)
goggles of night
mithril armor
pearl of power
ring of jumping
robe of useful items
wand of the war mage

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Concluding the Adventure

If the PCs have defeated Rthyin, they gain
the moniker of Enmity of the White
Dragon Cult. Further, they should have
knowledge or at least an inclination that
there are other wyrmlings setting up lairs.
A living dragon, even a wyrmling, can be
the final sacrifice in creating one of a
number of magic items adding 1d6 cold
damage to a melee weapon, winged boots,
+1 shield, +1 armor. (Only one, because
the dragon can only be sacrificed once.)
However, if the dragon is kept alive in hopes
of creating a magic item, it presents the
problem of finding a suitable crafter, and
where and how to keep the captured dragon
while the item is being prepared. If the PCs
have extremely good relations with the
Inquisition, that might be an option. Selius
(head of the Leischport thieves guild) might
be another.
The white dragonborn could also be
used as sacrifices to add +1d6 cold damage
to a melee weapon.
If the PCs were overcome by Rthyin, he
strips their flesh and consumes it. If
Deathcaller is still alive, he will incorporate
the remains of the PCs into his skeletal
army.
Awarding XP
While the XP budget for the encounters
was technically medium, with the use of
the exploits the encounters likely were
actually hard. With the XP awarded, the
PCs would need to complete 7-10
sessions to reach 5th level. If this seems
like too long, the DM should consider
increasing the XP award by 50% to reflect
the actual difficulty of the encounters.
She may also decide to award some
XP for overcoming traps and other noncombat challenges during the adventure.

Magic Items
While players always like magic items,
and it is tempting to reward them with an
ample supply of magic items after a hard
fought session, 5th edition is very much
predicated on the assumption that PCs
will have limited magic items. And magic
items are under the control of the DM.
While captured evil dragonborn are
prime candidates for execution by way of
sacrifice to add +1d6 cold damage to a
melee weapon, it is easy for the DM to
explain why that is not possible.
No caster has that formula.
Any caster that does have that
formula is dead set against sacrificing
a creature that is so close to being
human.
Any caster with the formula is terrified
of retribution by the Cult of the White
Dragon.
Any caster with the formula is terrified
they will be discovered by the
Inquisition if they perform the crafting.

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DG12 Icy Foreshadowing
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Appendix 1: DM Maps.
Southeast Dimgaard

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Encounter 2: 1000 Feet from the Lair

Icy terrain has the same effect as ball bearings (PHB p.151). The Ice Walls are describe in
the white dragons regional effects (MM p.103).

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Encounter 3: Lair Entrance

The Ice Walls are described in the white dragons regional effects (MM p.103). The cottages
are made out of stacked stones with slate roofs. The tunnel is at the base of a 80 ft. cliff and
large enough for a medium creature to enter; it leads slightly up at an angle opening as a hole in
the lair floor.

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Encounter 4: The Lair

The lair has a 40 ft. ceiling, and the ledges are 20 ft. up from the lair floor. There are four
entrances/exits from the lair two in the ceiling, and two in the floor. The tunnel to the
encampment entrance is the one in the northeast section. The other three have exits to the
mountain that are covered in ice per the Monster Manual description (p. 103).

Copyright 2015 Dan Hass Endeavors

jake spencer (order #7442538)