Ice Spire ogre

Ice Spire ogres were a race of ogre inhabiting the Ice Spires, between the Great Glacier, Silver Marches, and Anauroch.

History
Much of the history of the Ice Spire ogres was unknown to human chroniclers, but some relatively later events were common knowledge. A tribe of Ice Spire ogres was once employed by Prince Camden of the human kingdom of Hartsvale. Camden was involved in a civil war with his twin brother over who would succeed their late father as king. The ogres' aid helped Camden win the war and ascend the throne. The ogres demanded an unusual price for their cooperation however. The tribes' chieftain and shaman, Goboka, wanted Camden's first-born daughter as compensation for his tribes' aid in the war.

As a young prince with no children (and a family line that strongly favored male children), Camden agreed. After Camden became king, he did indeed have a daughter, Brianna. King Camden refused to give her up, however, until an emissary arrived at his castle reminding him of his secret promise. In order to maintain appearances, the King set up an ambush where his now-grown daughter could be kidnapped by the ogres and spirited away.

This plan was upset by the firbolg ranger, Tavis Burdun, who betrayed his liege's orders not to pursue the ogres. After tracking and battling the ogres, Tavis eventually rescued Brianna from them and returned to Hartsvale, where they revealed Camden's long-ago promise. Camden was deposed as a result and Brianna ascended the throne of Hartsvale. Goboka, the tribe's leader, qualified as a chieftain and had shaman abilities equal to those of a moderately experienced cleric.

Description
Ice Spire ogres were, on average, tall and weighed 500–600 pounds (220–270 kilograms). They had dirty-gray hair and skin colors varying from yellow to brown-black, while their eyes were a surprising purple hue. They stunk worse than regular ogres, describing as being like rotting meat.

Combat
Despite their chaotic bent, Ice Spire ogres were disciplined combatants, especially when led by a shaman or a chieftain. Ice Spire ogres were very well adapted to surviving in their frigid, treacherous environment. When operating in their home terrain, these ogres could easily surprise any creature. To those Ice Spire ogres who worship the fiend Baphomet, he granted the ability to enter a state of killing frenzy the ogres referred to as the Blood Dance. While in this strange state, the ogres attacked with greater fury and damaged other more savagely, and always fought to the death. When in this frenzied rage, the ogres could suffer multiple fatal wounds before falling. Only victory or death could quench the fire of the Blood Dance. Most Ice Spire ogres had no foreknowledge of when the Blood Dance would strike, although in beseeching their go to bestow his bloody "blessing".

Society
Among the giants and giant-kin living around the Ice Spires, the Ice Spire ogres were among the lowest in status. They maintained herds of krotter—a large, yak-like cattle—for food, clothing, and milk. They also raided and pillaged to add to their larders and to increase their reputations. They were even known to operate as mercenaries when the humans or other wealthier races of the region went to war. They adapted well to their icy environment, wrapping their bodies in heavy furs, held in place by wide leather straps.

Society
Ice Spire ogres dwelled, for the most part, in an extensive cave and cavern network situated in the highest part of the Ice Spires. Access to the network was gained by way of a series of stairs and ladders (giant-sized, of course, which caused problems for any of the smaller races who tried to ascend them), strategically located to be easily defensible. In other words, many ascents all led to a single entrance to the caves proper, allowing the ogres to concentrate their defenses at that cave opening. Furthermore, the caves were full of a thick, choking mist that rose from subterranean vents in the deepest caves. This mist caused nausea in all who were unaccustomed to it. Ice Spire ogres were adept at moving and fighting in this mist; they could surprise any creature when they were within the mist.

A second tribe of Ice Spire ogres made their homes in an icy chasm called the Dour Fissure. This was the only tribe that possessed the Blood Dance ritual ability.

Religion
The ogres of the Ice Spires revered the ogre god Vaprak the Destroyer, but also obeyed [Lanaxis]], the Twilight Spirit. Those who lived instead in the Dour Fissure followed the demon lord Baphomet.

Shaman
An Ice Spire ogre shaman had the standard abilities for one of his race, and the abilities of a priest. If six or more Ice Spire ogres were encountered, they were accompanied by a low-ranking cleric. If 16 or more were met, their shaman was a more experienced priest.

Chieftain
If 16 or more ogres were encountered, they were led by an ogre chieftain.