Frost Witches

True to their name, the evil Frost Witches of the Winterbole Forest wield powerful winter magic granted to them as loyal servants of Cryonax, elemental prince of cold.
Over the past several decades, the evil elemental prince Cryonax has sent underlings to infiltrate the Winterbole Forest, looking to extend his influence into the Nentir Vale. Chief among these servants are the Frost Witches, who use cold-based magic to frighten, fight, and manipulate all with whom they come in contact. They terrorize the forest, seeking to convert others to Cryonax’s will or drive them from the Winterbole. The Frost Witches are relatively few in number. To combat this weakness, they often ally themselves with similarly minded creatures or try to manipulate more powerful forest creatures. The white dragon Bitterstrike and the Winterbole treants are occasional allies, but just as often are victims of the witches’ schemes. The Frost Witches come from many races, including elves, humans, harpies, and gnomes. Most are female, and all use magic. Though a new witch is occasionally born into the group, they normally recruit like-minded individuals, or even kidnap young females who have shown an aptitude for magic. Residents in and near the Winterbole Forest live in fear of the witches and are horrified at the notion that their children might be whisked away. The witches’ goals and elemental master are unknown to most people, though some among the powerful and knowledgeable are aware of the witches’ semisecret affiliation.
Cold Personified: Winter and cold hold little sway over the Frost Witches, and the witches’ bodies radiate an unnatural iciness. Their skin glistens like a light morning frost, their breath can be seen as if on a cold day, and their touch is frigid. Objects they grasp become frost covered and remain cold for hours afterward. Their garments typically are dark-colored with iciclelike runes embroidered on them, and their dress is unusually lightweight for winter conditions. The witches are stern, and what little humor they enjoy is very dark in nature. They are evil and wholly dedicated to Cryonax. A young kidnap victim might occasionally try to escape, but success is rare, because the witches tirelessly hunt such quarry down while it remains within the forest. The Frost Witches are manipulative, watchful, and vengeful. They make deals with powers great and small within the forest to drive their enemies away, or to bring others under Cryonax’s influence. No matter the deal, their words are normally backed up with implied or overt threats.
Culture and Camps: The Frost Witches live in small camps and isolated huts, most commonly near the banks of Lake Nen’s northwestern cove. Individuals and groups of less than half a dozen can be found almost anywhere within the forest. From these bases, they set devious plans in motion, pressure the local populace, and expand their reach within the woods. The powerful elf witch Clenderi rules from the group’s headquarters, known as Cold Camp. The enclave consists of a dozen or so wooden huts and tents arranged in a rough circle around an enormous magical kettle known as the Frozen Cauldron.
Cold Camp and the Frozen Cauldron: Cold Camp is more than just a small gathering of structures where the Frost Witches live. It is also the center of their power due to the Frozen Cauldron’s presence. This powerful magical creation is a 6-foot-diameter cauldron crafted from solid ice that rests on a bed of icy magical fire. The cauldron exudes intense cold, and a dense coating of ice extends away from it along the ground. The Frost Witches use the cauldron for their rituals. In addition to enabling the Frost Witches to conjure magical assistants and defenders from it, the cauldron has the following traits.
Clenderi and the Witches: Clenderi is the highest authority within the group, aside from Cryonax. Little affects one’s status in the group beyond personal experience and Clenderi’s approval. Though some amount of intrigue naturally occurs between the witches and Clenderi’s current favorites, it is far less than would be found in a royal court. Most direct their energy and schemes toward outsiders, because expanding the group’s reach expands their own power, as well as that of their elemental prince.
Bitterstrike: The white dragon Bitterstrike (page 20) demands tribute from many groups within the Winterbole Forest, including the Frost Witches. The witches meet the dragon’s demands as minimally as possible and use their meetings with the dragon’s representatives to spy on the dragon, her lands, and her other victims. They skillfully manipulate Bitterstrike into carrying out tasks that benefit them as well. Clenderi believes Bitterstrike could make a fine follower of Cryonax and is patiently trying to push the dragon to that conclusion.
Other Winterbole Groups: The Frost Witches have many enemies, particularly among those who know of their allegiance to the elemental prince. They have no permanent allies, but many temporary or clandestine ones, some of whom might change sides depending on the situation. The Tigerclaw clans (page 100) despise the witches, having been the victim of too many schemes. They attack any witch in Tigerclaw territory on sight. The witches regard them as a nuisance most of the time, but remain wary when near the barbarians’ territory. The Winterbole treants (page 104) are the Frost Witches’ most common, albeit intermittent, allies.