Santa's defenses of the The Gingerbread Golem corps were activated and the PC's were almost TPKed. These things went after the polar orc and the hobgoblins as well. The automaton systems were deadly because there was nearby candy factory where Santa had set up automated regeneration stations. This session report picks right up from here on the blog.
These Gingerbread are activated but not controlled by Polar Orc Shamans! The Ginger bread golems are attacking both of the polar Orc warriors and the party of adventurers!
Here the NPC profile for Korgak Ice-Walker who faced down the party!
Korgak Ice-Walker
NPC Profile
Race: Polar Orc (Orog)
Class: Shaman (Cleric/Druid hybrid equivalent)
Level: 4
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (with a focus on survival)
Korgak is covered in thick, white-furred pelts and wears a mask carved from the skull of a polar bear. He speaks in a low rumble that sounds like grinding glaciers and smells of old seal blubber and pine resin.
Primary Attributes
In Castles & Crusades, the Siege Engine relies on Primes. Korgak’s Primes are Strength and Wisdom.
| Attribute | Score | Modifier | Prime? |
| Strength | 17 | +2 | Yes |
| Dexterity | 10 | 0 | No |
| Constitution | 15 | +1 | No |
| Intelligence | 9 | 0 | No |
| Wisdom | 16 | +2 | Yes |
| Charisma | 11 | 0 | No |
Combat Stats
Hit Points: 28
Armor Class: 16 (Hide Armor + Large Shield)
Movement: 30 ft.
Attack: Bone-Headed Morningstar $+6$ to hit ($1d8+2$ damage)
Special Qualities: * Cold Resistance: Takes half damage from cold-based attacks.
Deepvision: Can see up to 60 ft. in total darkness.
Light Sensitivity: $-1$ to hit in bright, direct sunlight.
Spellcasting (Cleric List)
Korgak draws his power from the "Great Frost Spirit."
Level 0 (4 slots): First Aid, Detect Magic, Light (Frost Glow), Create Water (Ice)
Level 1 (4 slots): Cure Light Wounds, Magical Stone (Frozen Pebbles), Command, Endure Elements
Level 2 (3 slots): Hold Person (Rimefrost Bindings), Spiritual Weapon (A floating ice axe), Aid
Personality & Tactics
"The ice does not forgive. Why should I?"
Behavior: Korgak is pragmatic. He won’t waste lives in a losing battle. He prefers to use Hold Person on the strongest-looking warrior while his orc hunters close in for the kill.
Motivation: He seeks to find a "Heart of Winter"—a mythical blue diamond—to prevent his tribe's hunting grounds from melting.
Hook: The players encounter Korgak standing over a slain winter wolf. He offers them safe passage through the blizzard-torn mountain pass, but only if they give him their warmest blankets and a gallon of ale.
Based on the context of a level 4 NPC in Castles & Crusades and the specific nature of a polar orc shaman, here is a list of loot that Korgak Ice-Walker might be carrying.
The values are aligned with the standard treasure expectations for a Challenge Rating 3–4 encounter (average ~300 gp).
Mundane & Cultural Items
Polar Bear Skull Mask: Carved with protective runes; worth 50 gp to a collector of curiosities.
Whalebone Fetish: A small, intricately carved idol of an orc deity pierced with iron nails. Worth 10 gp.
Seal-Blubber Rations: Six jars of pickled meat sealed with yellow wax. Hard to stomach, but counts as 1 week of iron rations.
Winter Wolf Pelts: Three high-quality pelts bundled together, worth 25 gp total.
Frost-Etched Bone Dice: A set of gaming dice made from humanoid knuckle bones, worth 2 gp.
Valuables & Currency
Pouch of "Bear's Teeth": 15 bear teeth that have been dipped in molten gold. Each is worth 1 gp (15 gp total).
Fire Opal Eyepatch: A cracked leather eyepatch with a fire opal set in the center. It glows a dull red in moonlight. Worth 50 gp.
Assorted Coinage: A crude leather bag containing 42 gp, 110 sp, and 85 cp, likely looted from fallen northern travelers.
Spiritual & Magic Items
Talisman of the Frost Spirit: A small blue crystal hanging from a leather cord. It acts as Korgak’s holy symbol.
Vandalized Spellbook: A heavy book bound in white fur, stolen from a wizard. Most pages are ruined, but 2 low-level spells (e.g., Endure Elements and Sleep) can still be recovered.
Frozen "Magical Stones": 3 stones that remain unnaturally cold to the touch. If thrown, they deal an additional 1 point of cold damage before losing their enchantment.
Dwarven "Serrated" Axe: A finely made dwarven handaxe that Korgak has "improved" by filing jagged notches into the blade. It functions as a standard weapon but bears the marks of a specific dwarven clan.
Korgak’s polar bear mask is more than just a trophy; it is a spiritual map of his tribe's history and his own path as a shaman. The runes are etched deeply into the yellowed bone and stained with a mixture of dried blood and charcoal.
In the Castles & Crusades "Siege Engine" style, these runes could even serve as minor mechanical boons if the players manage to study them (requiring a successful Wisdom (Legend Lore) check).
1. The Crown Rune: Isa (Ice/Stasis)
1 Located on the forehead of the skull, this is the largest rune.
Appearance: A single, vertical jagged line resembling a crack in a glacier.
Meaning: It represents the "Eternal Stillness."
2 Korgak believes that only by mastering the cold can one survive it.Lore: It is said that when Korgak meditates, this rune frosts over, even in warm weather.
2. The Eye Runes: Algiz (The Guardian)
Two identical runes are carved into the brow ridges above each empty eye socket.
Appearance: Three lines branching upward, resembling the antlers of a reindeer or a splayed hand.
Meaning: Protection and divine connection. These runes are meant to give Korgak "Second Sight" to spot unseen predators or spirits in a whiteout.
Flavor: If an invisible creature is within 30 feet, the bone around these runes pulses with a faint, pale blue light.
3. The Jaw Runes: Thurisaz (The Thorn/Giant)
3 A series of smaller, repeating runes follow the line of the upper jaw.
Appearance: A vertical line with a sharp triangular "thorn" pointing outward.
Meaning: Conflict and reactive force. This is the "Orc’s Rune," representing the aggressive survival of their race against the encroaching frost giants and winter wolves.
Utility: Korgak touches these runes before casting Spiritual Weapon or Hold Person.
4. The Hidden Rune: Naudiz (Necessity/Hardship)
4 Scratched into the inside of the mask, resting against Korgak’s own forehead.
Appearance: Two crossed sticks, slightly askew.
Meaning: "The fire within." It represents the friction required to create warmth and the necessity of struggle.
Secret: Korgak believes this rune keeps his blood from freezing. If he ever loses the mask, he believes he will turn to a pillar of ice within a single day.
Integrating the Mask into your Game
If a player wears the mask (assuming they are not a shaman), they must make a CL 4 Charisma save or be overcome by a freezing lethargy, suffering a $-2$ to all Dexterity-based checks until the mask is removed.
The fragmentation grenades disrupted the hold of Korgak Ice-Walker and his shamans! The golems started going off and it was up to our wizard to take control of these horrors! Fortunately, our wizard rolled really well. We ended here. Next is Santa's workshop!
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