Overview of the Iceclad Ocean
The Iceclad Ocean contains a small chain of islands that is home to a band of gnomish pirates. The landscape, though built upon frozen ground, is scattered with the igloo homes of the gnomes, a small forest, stone monoliths and a few notable features; the Tower of Frozen Shadow, and the bridge known as Gretespaign. Snow gnolls also live in the area and inhabit small fishing villages.
Despite its dangerous inhabitants, Iceclad offers excellent hunting grounds for mid-seasoned adventurers. The location of the Gnomish camps also makes this place suitable for long-term hunting, as supplies are easily purchased and treasures sold.
Background Lore
The great southern ocean is filled with dangerous icebergs and monsters of the deep. The only mode of transport in and out of the freezing waters is the gnomish ship called Icebreaker. This ingenious vessel shears the edges off icebergs as it makes its way to the Icy Fingers, creating a narrow channel of navigation that is almost surreal in appearance.
The small chain of islands that runs through the southern portion of this vast sea are known as the Icy Fingers. The first Icy Finger is also the smallest. It houses the only dock available to the Icebreaker. A small band of absurd but deadly Gnomish pirates ply their trade on the northern side of the island. Their igloos feature brightly colored designs splashed on the sides. These Gnomish pirates were the first residents to rediscover the frozen continent of Velious after millennia of isolation from the rest of Norrath.
To travel from the first Icy Finger to the second, one must go from ice floe to ice floe, risking a fall into perilously cold waters. The second, larger Icy Finger contains a small forest of pine trees and, amidst this forest, The Tower of Frozen Shadow. On the outer edges of the island, Snow gnolls eke out a meager existence in small fishing villages.
The third Icy Finger is the largest and nearest to the continent of Velious. It is covered with enigmatic stone monoliths in the shape of dragon heads. The Gretespaign is found here—a gigantic bridge crafted of Velious ice or "velium," that physically connects the third Icy Finger to Velious itself.
Captain Nalot
The captain of the Gnomish pirates that landed on Velious, Captain Nalot is a wily and eccentric individual. In his youth, Nalot had a vision that he would be the scourge of the sea and ruler of the waves. To realize this vision, Nalot and his Gnomish crew constructed a massive ship upon the shores of Butcherblock.
Within a fortnight of the ship's launch, Nalot and his crew sunk a pirate ship upon the waters of Timorous Deep. A single chest from the pirate ship was rescued before it was swallowed by the sea.
Surprised and wholly encouraged, Nalot continued to sail southward, attacking several more pirate vessels and amassing a horde of treasure. After three months, Nalot's ship began to sail through chilled waters. As the vessel drew further and further south, small shards of ice began to grow into towering icebergs - and the once navigable waters had become frozen over in a thick sheet of ice. He had no choice but to turn around, though he vowed that he would return to one day overcome this icy obstacle.
After this frozen encounter, Nalot docked at Freeport where he sold vast amounts of precious jewels, metals and arcane scrolls to the underground market. With his newfound wealth, he sailed back to the shores of Butcherblock and thence returned to Ak'anon. He immediately dismissed his former ship builder and hired a horde of Ak'anon's finest ship builders and a single carpenter. For three decades, Nalot oversaw the construction of the finest vessel to ever sail the southern seas of Norrath - the Icebreaker.
Nalot set sail once more for the Iceclad Ocean. His new ship, equipped with a spinning hammer, tore through the frozen sea. Upon landing on the Icy Fingers, the Gnomes set up camp and claimed the land as their own. Few of the Gnomish settlers have traveled much further, not caring what lurks on the vast continent to the east of their island chain.
The Icebreaker continues to sail through the Iceclad Ocean, bringing adventurers from Antonica to Nalot's frozen discovery.
Dangers
The inhabitants of Iceclad are unusually fierce and will attack any adventurer who comes to their notice. Young travelers are advised to bring companions and move swiftly with the aid of a druid or shaman's spell.
Points of Interest
Icebreaker's Path
The Gnomish vessel Icebreaker creates an unnatural waterway by shearing the edges of many icebergs that would otherwise block its path.
The First Icy Finger
The first icy finger is also the smallest. It houses the only dock available to the Icebreaker and also houses a small band of gnomish pirates on the northern side of the island. To travel from the first icy finger to the second, one must travel from ice floe to ice floe, risking the perilously cold waters.
The Pirate Camp
Absurd and deadly all at once, a band of Gnomish pirates ply their trade along the northern edge of the first Icy Finger. They prefer bright flashy colors, and that is reflected in their domiciles, which are igloos with brightly colored designs splashed on the sides.
The Ice Floes
Ice floes are the only things that connect the first and second icy finger to the third.
The Second Icy Finger
The second icy finger is larger than the first, containing a small forest of pine trees, and amidst this forest, The Tower of Frozen Shadow. On the outer edges of the island, Snow gnolls eke out a meager existence in small fishing villages they have built.
