The fellowship sailed down the river and soon saw the dark fortress loom ahead. The fellowship saw that the river split to flow under Dula Kuladurth and fed a glacial lake behind the fortress. The fellowship saw that there were guards in front of the fortress and patrolling the walls. Seeing this they quietly paddled behind Dula Kuladurth to the glacial lake. They disembarked and surveyed the landscape.

The fellowship found that they could scale the rocks behind the fortress and reach the parapet that was patrolled by only one Hobgoblin. Everyone was able to scale the rocks easily except for Arbun. Arbun lost his grip twice but was able to fall quietly so to not draw the Hobgoblin’s attention. Arbun was able to scale the rocks successfully on his third try.  

Once the party was at the top of the cliff they formulated a plan – they would wait for the Hobgoblin to come back right under them and attack him. Kifak prepared for this by summoning his magical twin Kafik using his Gemini’s gift boon. Once the the Hobgoblin was beneath them, Kifak had his magical twin Kafik distract the Hobgoblin and they attacked! Jesoc swiftly attacked and delivered an impressive strike that inspired his comrades. The fellowship was able to easily defeat the Hobgoblin and Kifak threw him from the parapet after quickly searching him for anything of value. The Hobgoblin fell and landed with a satisfying crunch.

The fellowship entered the fortress from the parapet and found a storeroom with a stock of spoiled food and dried meat. Kifak tried a slice of the dried meat but was disgusted to find it was a dried rat. Kifak quickly spit it out and threw it away.

The fellowship continued to explore and saw some passages that led upward but decided to explore this level first. They continued down the hallway and saw an open courtyard. As they approached the courtyard they saw that it contained Winter Wolves. They quietly retreated and saw an Orc Fury guard to the south. The Orc Fury guard had not seen them yet so the fellowship decided to leave and explore the next level above by following one of the passages that led upwards.

The fellowship entered the second level of Dula Kuladurth and explored a long passageway. They came to the end of the passageway and encountered two Orc Fury guards. A battle was engaged and the Orc Fury guards were easily dispatched. More Orc Fury guards rushed forward hearing the sounds of the battle. Hallamir smartly cast Spike Growth – inflicting serious damage to all the Orcs as they rushed forward to attack. Every time the party defeated more Orcs Fury guards, another wave of Orc Fury guards came to provide re-enforcements. The third wave of Orc Fury Guards was accompanied by an Orc War Chief whipping the Orc Fury guards to attack.

The fellowship was able to defeat the Orc War Chief and remaining Orc Fury guards when the last wave of Orcs advanced along with a Great Orc Chief and Helka, an Ice Hag. The fellowship defeated all of the remaining Orcs leaving only Helka. Helka flew forward on her broom and landed beside the corpse of an Orc Fury. To the party’s horror, Helka knelt down and began to feast on the Orc Fury guard gaining strength and growing in size before she attacked. Helka rose up and swung her broom at the party and although she dealt damage, Helka was amazed to see that the party was invulnerable to any cold damage.

Eventually the party was able to defeat Helka, her body dissolving into snowflakes leaving only her robe, a ring, and broom behind. The fellowship gathered the items and searched her robe. They found a note in the pocket of the robe.

“Ice Sister, picked up a trail in Eriador. Staying in Bree before seeking out the Barrow Downs. Will join our Blood Sister, Serke, in Dol Goldur once my quest is complete. Serke has her seeing stone and we will gather our forces. Ice Sister, Nixe, encountered a hapless band of Eldarion’s fools in Fangorn – nothing to worry about. Join us when you are worthy – Blood Sister Agarwaen”

The party investigated the ring and found that it was a Gateway Ring that allowed teleportation via a command word. Unfortunately, the party has no clue as to what the command word is. The party took a short rest before continuing to the upper level by following a couple of passages they could see branching off the main hallway.

The fellowship followed the passageway up and were immediately attacked by four Hobgoblin Firerunners that were guarding four rooms on the upper level. Kifak was displaying the Ice-Hag’s robe and broom to taunt his Hobgoblin Firerunners. The Hobgoblin Firerunners dealt terrifying fire damage but the party was able to overcome their attacks and leaping.

Once the Hobgoblin Firerunners were defeated, a dwarf came out of the room and shouted back “Lord Talin, there is a dwarf out here and a band of adventurers”.

The fellowship was soon joined by a group of over 50 dwarves from Nor Dumm who told the story of how they were overcome at Nor Dumm by the Ice Orcs.

Lord Talin informed the party that Nor-Dumm had been conquered and pillaged 3 days ago. They sent the dwarf wives and children to Erebor under cover of darkness before the attack. Ice Orcs couldn’t find the Palantir so they captured all dwarf warriors and brought them here to torture and interrogate. The Ice Orcs weren’t interested in any gold or silver, just the Palantir. Nor Dumm has been emptied out.

Lord Talin informed them that the Palantir was sent to Steel Fall to protect it from the Ice Orcs. His bravest warrior, Hutek Kegarm, journeyed there and placed it in the Lair of Uruial – an ancient Red Dragon. He never returned. Even the Ice Orcs did not dare to venture there. Lord Talin informed them that the Ice Drake may not be active now that the Ice-Hag has been defeated and that Helka was indeed the Ice-Hag that had attacked Nor Dumm.

Lord Talin apologized for sending the Palantir away but he did not know how else to keep it away from the Ice-Orcs. Kifak was able to send a message to Erebor and informed Lord Talin that although there were some losses, the majority of the Dwarf wives and children were able to make it to Erebor.

The fellowship took a long rest before setting out with the Dwarves to return to rebuild Nor Dumm before leaving them and continuing on to Steel Fall and the lair of Uruial.

Lord Talin offered two of his best warriors, Radric Brewbrand and Thorhok Alehand to assist them in their quest. The fellowship graciously accepted.