Jan Baalsrud’s Stretcher

Origin
Jan Baalsrud was a commando in the Norwegian resistance trained by the British during World War II. Trying to recruit an asset for the resistance on one mission, the contact instead betrayed them to the Germans. Their escape ship was sunk and Baalsrud was the only soldier to swim ashore from the icy waters and evade capture. He darted throughout the land for two months, constantly staying in sympathetic households to rest. During this time he operated on his leg with a pocket knife to release poisoned blood and not long after became trapped on an isolated plateau. Suffering from frostbite and snowblindness, he laid upon a stretcher for almost a month due to icy weather and nearby enemy patrols. During this time, he constructed a snow wall to defend him while he amputated nine of his toes, saving his feet from gangrege. Eventually, several resistance members and neutral tribesmen were able to successfully rescue Baalsrud and get him proper medical treatment. After he was sent to Britain to relearn walking and train resistance members, he returned to Norway under active duty until the war ended.

Effects
Creates a snowstorm that fends off attackers, keeping the user within the center. Those in it will experience reduced visibility, extreme disorientation, loss of range of mobility (man and machine) and sometimes even experience aural hallucinations. A constantly swirling column of snow will surround the user and instantly batter away any outsiders. Causes the user to experience accelerated effects of frostbite, which can lead to rapid gangrene and sudden full muscle freezing, immobilizing the user and rendering them near death.