Embarking on Hrothgar's expedition is a step of the main quest in the prologue of Icewind Dale.
Quick walkthrough[]
Walkthrough[]
The prior two steps of the main quest were about preparing for Hrothgar's expedition; now the expedition can actually launch.
Before continuing, make sure that you have concluded your business in Easthaven:
- Done all the side-quests you want to do (see Easthaven ► Quests).
- Talked to all the inhabitants you want to talk to (see Easthaven ► Characters).
- Bought everything you want to buy from Pomab and Everard.
You will not get another chance to do so, because embarking on the expedition means leaving Easthaven behind.
When you are ready, talk to Hrothgar in Hrothgar's home again. Assuming you have completed the preceding steps of the main quest, there is now a dialog option for agreeing to depart. Do so.
A video cutscene ensues, narrating how the party, together with Hrothgar and the other expedition members, sets off on their long hike southwards – through the plains of the Icewind Dale, into the Spine of the World mountain range, and there following the mountain pass towards Kuldahar.
Tragically, before the expedition reaches its destination, it is hit by the avalanche at Kuldahar Pass, killing all expedition members except for the player-controlled party.
When the cutscene finishes, you find your party at the west end of the Kuldahar Pass map.
Returning to Easthaven is no longer possible, so continue onward:
- ⟶ 5. Reaching Kuldahar
Appendix[]
Cutscene[]
| “ |
So it was that the patchwork militia set off from Easthaven, bound for the troubled village of Kuldahar with the party of strangers in tow. On they traveled, across the windswept tundra of the Dale, through the foothills of the Spine of the World, and upwards on the steep and treacherous trails of the Kuldahar Pass. Eager to seek out the evil that threatened the Pass, they did not expect it to find them first. High upon the cliffs of the Pass, a band of frost giants had prepared an ambush. Hurling boulders and dislodging massive outcroppings of rock and snow, the giants sparked an avalanche that thundered down the mountainside and crashed down upon the heads of the unsuspecting expedition. Those fortunate enough to survive the avalanche pulled themselves free of the mountain of snow and bodies that now barred the way back to Easthaven. Battered and disheartened by the loss of their comrades, the survivors had little choice but to continue on to Kuldahar... alone. |
” |