The Frozen Nilik Investigation

Summary

The Frozen Nilik Investigation took place in Session 4 of the campaign when the party pursued a mysterious frozen trail through the wilderness while traveling to New Smoke. Vasso used Discern Realities to determine that something had fled through the area very quickly, moving erratically as if trying to escape. The party followed the frost pattern up a hill into a sparse forest where visibility dropped to near-zero due to rolling mist and plummeting temperatures. With Safia tracking an azure blue scent trail using the Sniff Lord's Dog Mask and Sucks attempting to lure the creature with popcorn, the group ventured deeper into the frozen zone despite two ticking clocks: the fleeing creature ahead and their unguarded cart at the roadside.

Details

When the party examined the frozen area, Vasso performed Discern Realities on the frost pattern covering the ground. The investigation revealed that "something moved here through here very quickly. But, like, change direction a lot. Would, like, go this way. Stop. Go this way, change direction. And based on sort of the cadence of movement, you get the idea that something fled through here." The erratic movement pattern suggested panic rather than aggression, leading the party to debate whether they were tracking something dangerous or "somebody that actually needs our help."

Safia donned the Sniff Lord's Dog Mask and discovered an azure blue scent trail with the fresh smell of ice or winter. The scent followed the frozen track, staying mostly on the ground but occasionally rising a couple feet. The party followed the trail up a hill toward a sparse forest, where conditions deteriorated rapidly.

Upon reaching the tree line, the party encountered rolling mist that completely obscured visibility within The Misty Forest. As one observer noted, "once you get inside the trees, you can't see fucking anything." Temperatures dropped dramatically in this zone, and Monster began shivering on Safia's shoulder.

The party formed up to enter the misty forest as a group. Sucks took point spreading popcorn in an attempt to lure the creature out, rolling an 8 on Defy Danger (Charisma). Safia followed the scent trail with the mask, Vasso held onto Sucks's shirt to avoid getting lost in the zero-visibility conditions, and Monster remained perched on Safia's shoulder despite the cold.

Shawn highlighted the dual pressures facing the party: "I just like to point out the two separate ticking clocks that exist in the world right now. This thing that is fleeing away from you and your cart, which has been left at the roadside."

Participants

Vasso — Used Discern Realities to analyze the frozen trail and determine the creature's erratic flight pattern
Safia — Wore the Sniff Lord's Dog Mask to track the azure blue scent trail through the forest
Sucks — Led the formation while spreading popcorn as bait, rolling an 8 on Defy Danger (Charisma)
Monster — Accompanied the party on Safia's shoulder, visibly affected by the cold
Cat — Traveled with the party during the investigation
Shawn — Called attention to the two ticking clocks: the fleeing creature and the unguarded cart

Consequences

The party committed to pursuing the frozen trail despite deteriorating conditions and zero visibility in The Misty Forest
The group's cart and supplies were left unguarded at the roadside, creating a second potential crisis
Sucks's Defy Danger roll of 8 created a partial success when attempting to lure the creature with popcorn
The party learned the frozen effect was caused by something fleeing in panic rather than attacking deliberately, shifting their approach from defensive to potentially rescue-oriented
Monster began suffering from the extreme cold, indicated by visible shivering
The party's formation strategy in zero-visibility conditions established physical contact (Vasso holding Sucks's shirt) to prevent separation