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Frostbite was a skin injury that could develop from exposure to extreme low temperatures,[1][2] below 0‑ (−18‑),[1][3] causing the freezing of the skin or other tissues.[4]

Effects[]

Ordinarily, only exposed or improperly covered flesh was susceptible to this condition,[1][4] most often occurring first in vulnerable extremities like the ears, fingers, and toes. In extreme cases entire hands, feet, or even limbs could become frostbitten.[1][5]

The freezing of body tissue stopped blood flow within the affected area,[2][6] freezing moisture within the body,[5] causing it to become numb and pale in coloration.[2] In severe cases this could lead extremities to suffer gangrene, necessitating their removal.[6] Those suffering frostbite were also likely to speak in a harsh rasp[7] and suffer from impeded movement, becoming clumsy.[8]

If one were to touch metal with frostbitten skin, it could cause moisture on the skin to freeze to it and pulling away could leave a layer of skin behind.[2]

Acquisition[]

People exposed to low temperatures for prolonged periods were at greatest risk,[2][1] such as those traveling in arctic environs like the Great Glacier,[4] High Ice,[9] and Ice Spires,[10] or those engaging in the Winter Palace's wet parades during the winter season.[11]

The fists of a qorrashi, genies of ice and cold, could magically inflict frostbite.[12]

Prevention & Treatment[]

Wearing proper insulated dress in areas of severe cold, such as the dress of the Ulutiuns, helped to prevent or minimize at-risk body tissue to just the face and wrists (if a gap existed between any gloves and coat). However, the feet and hands could still become frostbitten if snow got inside and melted in one's footwear or gloves.[4]

Spells that protected against cold or severe weather conditions could prevent the condition, such as glowglory,[13] resist cold,[14] and warmth.[15] However, such spells would not reverse adverse effects from those already suffering from frostbite.[14] The spell control temperature, 10' radius could aid in the recovery of those afflicted with frostbite.[16]

It was popularly believed that rubbing snow on a frostbitten area would aid in its treatment, though this was in actuality untrue and its friction could worsen any adverse effects.[4][5]

Notable Frostbitten Individuals[]

  • In the late 15th century DR a group of berserkers, self-exiled members of the tribe of the Bear, rededicated themselves to worship of the Frostmaiden Auril and in reverence to her allowed their bodies to be ravaged by frostbite.[17]
  • Finn Dejarr, a teenage boy from Dougan's Hole, developed frostbite on his hands while being held captive for days by a pack of winter wolves around 1489 DR.[18][note 1]
  • Hethyl Arkorran, a dwarf member of the Knights of the Black Sword, lost her right foot to frostbite at some point and had to replace it with a pegleg.[19]
  • Hruna, a dwarf miner who worked at Kelvin's Cairn, lost her right ear and two fingers to frostbite.[20]
  • Korux, a dwarf miner who worked at Kelvin's Cairn, had suffered from a great deal of exposure. Frostbite had cost him his nose, three fingers, and two toes.[21]
  • Lerustah Half-face, captain of the Frostskimmr, received his nickname after surviving a terrible bout of frostbite that left the right half of his face horribly scarred.[22]
  • Nass Lantomir, a member of the Arcane Brotherhood who died of frostbite in 1489 DR after being shipwrecked in the Sea of Moving Ice and swimming to the island of Solstice.[23]
  • Phags-pa, a hare hengeyokai monk, managed to survive for sometime after developing frostbite in his hands and feet from wandering the Wu Pi Te Shao Mountains, but eventually succumbed to his injuries.[24]
  • Yousouf, a retired adventurer who recovered from nasty frostbite with the aid of his friend and healer Ihre, though Ihre was forced to amputate his toes as they had turned gangrenous.[6]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. The adventure takes place in the winter of 1489 DR or later. According to the writers, the date is unimportant, so the adventure can technically take place later.

Appearances[]

Adventures
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Kim Mohan (November 1986). Wilderness Survival Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan et al. (TSR, Inc.), p. 27. ISBN 0-88038-291-0.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, George Strayton (September 2004). Frostburn. Edited by Greg Collins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
  3. Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, George Strayton (September 2004). Frostburn. Edited by Greg Collins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Rick Swan (1992). The Great Glacier. (TSR, Inc), pp. 14–15. ISBN 1-56076-324-8.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 74. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  7. Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, George Strayton (September 2004). Frostburn. Edited by Greg Collins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
  8. Kim Mohan (November 1986). Wilderness Survival Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan et al. (TSR, Inc.), p. 28. ISBN 0-88038-291-0.
  9. slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 65. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  10. Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 73. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
  11. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  12. Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, George Strayton (September 2004). Frostburn. Edited by Greg Collins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 131. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
  13. Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Kim Mohan (November 1986). Wilderness Survival Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan et al. (TSR, Inc.), p. 99. ISBN 0-88038-291-0.
  15. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “A Journey to the True World”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 76. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
  16. Kim Mohan (November 1986). Wilderness Survival Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan et al. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 96–76. ISBN 0-88038-291-0.
  17. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 124, 280. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  18. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 56. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  19. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  20. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  21. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  22. Steve Winter, Alexander Winter, Wolfgang Baur (November 2014). The Rise of Tiamat. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 25. ISBN 978-0786965656.
  23. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 200. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  24. Jay Batista (November/December 1987). “The Flowers of Flame”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dungeon #8 (TSR, Inc.) (8)., p. 56.
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