This winter has been a bit of a struggle, probably for the reason that the offerings to the Winter Goddesses were less than adequate this year. As a resident of the North, you have been used to years of snow and wind, but this year's protracted and violent blizzard interrupted your original plans for the winter. You are forced to go out during the day when the snow is a bit lighter and head into the forest to replenish some wood. It would have been nice to catch a few fat snowshoe hares along the way.

Krueger should have been hibernating in his den at this time of year, but instead his sleep was disturbed by the ungrateful bear from the forest next door. The bear, named Price, probably woke up hungry from his hibernation and swept around looking for food, eventually digging Krueger out of his den. The two of them fought in the snow, the black bear's fur not afraid of the wind and snow outside, but Krueger, being a cold-blooded animal, was soon defeated. He was frozen before he could find his next place to land in the pale snow.

You've finished chopping wood and are looking under the dead brush for any sign of snowshoe hares when suddenly you see what looks like a frozen snake hovering under the dead leaves. This is a species of snake you've never seen before, and you don't know if it could be poisonous. But after a moment's hesitation, you pick it up and put it in the bag you carry.

By the time Krueger awoke again, he felt he was in warmth. He opened his eyes and realised it was a warm cabin with a fire still glowing warmly in the room. He eyed no one around and quickly changed from the state of a small snake to that of a tall, well-built man dressed in ornate attire, embellished with jewellery. He was looking around when he heard footsteps approaching from outside.