Dungeons and Dragons fans spent plenty of time in early 2020 speculating about what book might release after the Mythic Odysseys of Theros brought another Magic: The Gathering campaign setting to fifth edition and the ideas were all over the place. From the dessert world of Dark Sun to another Player's Handbook sequel similar to Xanathar's Guide to Everything, the community was split on what product Wizards of the Coast would release in early fall 2020. As it turns out, those in the return to Icewind Dale camp were the closest with their guesses.
Although the upcoming book Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden does offer Forgotten Realms players a chance head north and visit the location made famous many years (and editions) ago, this isn't a rehash of the old stories at all. Rime of the Frostmaiden is a brand new modern horror inspired adventure that capitalizes on the rich history of Icewind Dale without just telling the same story originally dreamed up by R.A. Salvatore. That said, understanding some of the history of Icewind Dale and what makes the Dungeons and Dragons location so iconic is certain to enhance the experience when players start working through the new adventure and there are tons of easter eggs and cleverly named NPCs to encounter around every frosty corner.
The Icewind Dale Trilogy
Whether they have read the books or not, most Dungeons and Dragons players have come across the name Drizzt Do'Urden at least once. The world-famous Drow and his dual-wielded weapons have made appearances in video games, comic books, and some very successful D&D miniature dungeon crawl board games. The drow and his party of companions (Wulfgar the barbarian warrior, Regis the halfling, dwarf king Bruenor, and the human Catti-brie) all helped make Icewind Dale famous with their adventures that are chronicled in The Icewind Dale Trilogy.
If there are any players out there who have skipped the books up until this point, now is the time to catch up. The events of Rime of the Frostmaiden don't directly connect to the events of the trilogy (unless there's a big twist we don't know about), but the novels are a fantastic primer on this area and what makes it so unique and deadly.
Where is Icewind Dale?
Let's talk Faerun geography. Although no official 5e books have directly involved the Icewind Dale setting so far, it's already been an established location on the map since the early days of Dungeons and Dragons 5e. Players simply need to look to the far north a bit east of the Sword Coast to find the location of Icewind Dale on most maps of the Sword Coast and its surrounding areas. As a matter of fact, it's about the northmost area that players can find on any of the published maps of the Forgotten Realms up to this point.
Players who take a closer look at the map can also spot Ten Towns, which seems like it will be a central hub for the questing and adventuring that will arrive with Rime of the Frostmaiden.
What is the setting like?
Unpleasant for starters. Much like The Greying Wildlands in Wildemount or Beyond the Wall in Westeros, Icewind Dale is the Forgotten's Realms own far north outpost archetype. The area is incredibly cold and surviving the weather can be just as challenging as surviving the monsters lurking around in the dark. The area will require Dungeon Masters to brush up on their rules for extreme cold, thin ice, and all of those other scary travel conditions. It was also hinted that the Rime of the Frostmaiden book will include some new rules to help DMs challenge players with the elements while they are exploring the far north and trying to sold whatever problems the adventure is going to throw at them.
What 5e adventures take place in Icewind Dale?
At this point, none, but that will change this fall. Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden will be 5e's first journey to the far north and the introduction of the region. The adventure has a horror theme and is going to task players with surviving some brutal weather, as well as party paranoia.
"Adventure to Icewind Dale, the beloved setting made famous by Drizzt Do’Urden and the Companions of the Hall and experience D&D in a way that you’ve never seen before.
This tale of dark terror revisits the forlorn, flickering candlelights of civilization known as Ten-Towns and sheds light on the many bone-chilling locations that surround these frontier settlements. A thrilling Dungeons & Dragons adventure for characters of levels 1–12."
There are going to be a lot of other details about Icewind Dale and other upcoming D&D products dropping throughout the rest of the summer and early fall, so be sure to stay tuned and check back for additional news. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Dungeons and Dragons news, updates, and strategy guides. Until then, roll well, adventurers!
Dungeons and Dragons: Icewind Dale Rime of the Frostmaiden releases everywhere on September 15, 2020.