Forged by Envy - Tempered by Malice Over a decade ago, Sargon, prince of the Kazdim Empire, secretly swore allegiance to Necrath in exchange for power. The prince then murdered his father, the emperor, in cold blood and has been ruling Kazdim through the use of the Dark Arts granted to him by the Ice Duke ever since. Through the continued influence and counsel of Necrath, Sargon has built and equipped a very capable army in the years that followed. Furthermore, he has broadened the empire's vast network of spies and informants throughout Lannithir, in an effort to increase the intelligence gathered on the other nations of men. The prince has funded all of this through many illicit and unethical means including, but not limited to, slave trade. One such enterprise is the operation on Claw Isle, located within the Strait of Ruinn. For this Sargon charged one of his most trusted and capable officers, Shardeth Kazar, to head the endeavor. Recently, Sargon has cut off all ties and treaties with the other kingdoms, and has demanded all foreign dignitaries within the borders of his empire to withdraw or face arrest. This included the Kingdom of Tuanna, whom Kazdim has owed fealty to for the past 119 years. With the PCs recent defeat of the temple's slave operation in Illfrost: Bondage, they have been granted a field commission by the commander of the Tuannan Rangers. In exchange for their service to the Stone and Throne, Scathach has promised them a monetary reward that is to be collected once aboard the Tuannan man-o-war, Vanguard. Presently the rangers and the PCs must deal with the safe evacuation of the freed slaves, as well as the elimination of the wittershin observation posts. What the PCs will discover during the next course of events is that there is a wittershin stockade recently constructed on Innis Oig; a larger island located directly to Claw Isle's east. Necrath himself ordered Prince Sargon to construct the stockade, not only to house more slaves and secure the area, but also as a strategic location in which the wittershin may launch nearby raids. The Ice Duke personally handpicked one of his most competent and crafty servants to manage this activity; Lord Lazelin, a mighty wittershin who has tactical command over all activities upon Innis Oig, Sentry Isle, and within the Strait of Ruinn. Along with Lazelin, Sargon sent the Priestess Kishar, who runs the slave operation within the stockade, and oversees the breeding pits of the talin. Illfrost: Retribution represents the second step into the Illfrost Adventure Path, which will ultimately span 30 levels. This adventure is designed for five 2nd-Level PCs, and will continue their introduction to this unique and harsh campaign setting. Illfrost: Retribution is a 4th Edition compatible Heroic Second Level Adventure Path Module from Illusionary Press that will continue to have your players chilled to the bone by its unrelenting environment and facing increasingly difficult challenges and unimaginable horrors. Illfrost: Retribution is based in the world of Illfrost created by Don Pritchett, but easily adaptable to your own campaign setting. Cartography by Jonathan Roberts. Artwork by Chris Quilliams. The Illfrost campaign setting is a vast world whose frozen reaches will truly test your players as they face new monsters, struggle to survive in an unforgiving climate, and face a dread so malevolent that it will leave them shivering in their fur-lined boots and eagerly coming back for more...if they survive! Challenge your players. Challenge your game. Challenge yourself! Be sure to visit www.illfrost.com, sign up for our newsletter, and get a free copy of the Illfrost: Quick Start Guide.