Icewind

Icewind, commonly referred to as Icewind Dale, is a northern region in the fictional world of the Forgotten Realms, part of Faerûn. It lies in the northern portion of the continent, along icy coasts and high mountain frontiers near the Spine of the World and the Sea of Moving Ice. The landscape is characterized by tundra, frozen lakes, and long winter storms that can persist for weeks or months. The climate is harsh, making travel and settlement difficult and influencing seasonal patterns of commerce and travel.

The main human communities are organized around a loose confederation of settlements known as the Ten Towns, located along the northern shoreline and connected by seasonal trade routes. Beyond the towns, Icewind Dale is inhabited by various peoples, including dwarves, elves, and bands of barbarian tribes known as the Reghedmen. The economy traditionally centers on hunting, fishing, fur trading, and small-scale mining, with merchants visiting during brief periods when ice conditions allow.

Historically, Icewind Dale has been a frontier region marked by isolation and periodic conflict, facing threats from monsters, harsh weather, and raiders. It has served as a setting for exploration, survival narratives, and political maneuvering among factions within Faerûn. In modern Dungeons & Dragons media, Icewind Dale appears as a backdrop in campaign materials, novels, and video game adaptations, and is the setting for the fifth edition adventure Rime of the Frostmaiden.