Off the Chain, Part 1

The team makes the long trek to Youric’s ice cave, where they've seen the blue crystal before.  They approach what should be a familiar location, but they notice severe differences in the landscape- what used to be a flat, barren tundra is now a cracked and dangerous landscape.  Several sections of ground have heaved up several feet, making for a slippery and treacherous series of cliffs.  The team finds the landscape strewn with loose chains.

As they approach Youric’s cave, they find that it too has been demolished.  The altar of the ice crystal, which use to be at the heart of the cave, is now practically on the exterior.  It appears that something huge has nearly demolished the better part of the cave.  Youric calls out to the adventurers, saying “Huzzah!  You’ve returned!  And not a moment too soon.  Come here, and help me defend this crystal!!”

Youric is in a precarious situation.  His inner sanctum is rather exposed, along with the crystal.  The landscape is also littered with snow yetis, a feral and explosively violent brand of brute.  One of the yetis happens upon a shard of the ice crystal, and it powerfully alters his body.  The ice aberration begins approaching the cave, intent upon acquiring the other part of the crystal.  The team realizes they need to reach Youric’s cave before the ice aberration does. 

Little Rock and Nyridius take the long way around, but everyone else tries to cut some time by climbing a steep embankment.  Ironically, the only one who has difficulties with this athletics check is Tao Ren, the most agile of the team.  His repeated fails leave him climbing the icy slope and falling back down for most of the encounter. 

Fitzgerald is the first to get close to the yetis.  To avoid their rage, Fitzgerald positions himself so that he’s never facing them.  He finds himself in a tricky situation when they wander nerve-wrackingly close.  Dr. Drizzle and Hand Banana skirt the yetis and move to engage the ice aberration.  They blast it with ranged attacks, but don’t seem to accomplish much. 

Little Rock sets off the powder keg of yeti rage when he loses his footing , turning to face a nearby yeti.  The yeti is spooked, and his wild and wordless hollering spooks the others.  The yetis attack the team, smashing them with heavy clubs.  Although they beat on Little Rock for a while, they are quickly dispatched; Nyridius and Fitzgerald use their abilities to fling them off of the icy cliffs that they stand on.

Tao Ren, after much difficulty, finally climbs to the top of the cliff.  He’s frustrated, and he’s looking to end the combat. He pulls out something that he’s been holding onto for a while – a powerful plasma rifle.  He fires at the aberration, and the blast tears it apart.  Although Tao Ren took a little splashback, it was worth it to one-shot the boss. 

As the party gathers by Youric to celebrate their victory, they begin to hear the heavy stomping of something huge approaching the cave.  “Oh no, I think it is coming back!” shouts Youric. “I managed to fight it off, but it is returning for the crystal!”  On the horizon, the team spots a hulking behemoth, made entirely out of chains.  It is a chain golem, no doubt constructed by Windsor’s army.  The team braces themselves for the battle ahead.