Frostveil Dominion

Name and Geography of the Nation

The newly unified land has come to be known as Frostveil Dominion, a name that evokes the icy mantle of their home and the mystery surrounding its rise to prominence. The island chain, known locally as The Rimehold Isles, consists of jagged cliffs, frostbitten tundras, and towering glacier-fields. These islands are ravaged by perpetual cold winds and violent seas, making survival a struggle for even the hardiest souls.

Natural resources are scarce, and arable land is nearly nonexistent. Instead, the people of the Rimehold have long relied on fishing, hunting seals and whales, and scavenging. Villages were once insular and focused purely on immediate survival. Under Queen Iselde of the Rimeblade, however, this isolationism has ended, and the people have transformed into a nation with ambition and purpose.

Queen Iselde of the Rimeblade

Queen Iselde’s origins are shrouded in mystery, as are the circumstances of her rise. Stories conflict: some say she was born of the ice itself, abandoned as a child on a glacier and raised by the harsh elements. Others whisper of her as a forgotten scion of the Netherime, touched by celestial beings to act as their mortal vanguard. Yet another tale speaks of her emerging from a ruined temple, wielding the blade of Rime and commanding the loyalty of frost-clad warriors. Despite the myths, Iselde has proven herself a pragmatic and charismatic leader.

• Personality and Leadership: Iselde is calm, calculating, and resolute, but not cold-hearted. She speaks often of the importance of unity and strength in the face of hardship. Her vision of a unified Rimehold appeals to her people’s survivalist instincts and their yearning for greater purpose.
• The Rimeblade: Iselde’s weapon is an ornate longsword forged from the mythical material Rime. The blade emits a faint, haunting mist, and its edge glistens with an eternal frost. It is said to freeze the very soul of those it strikes. Rime is not merely a material; it is tied to the residual essence of the Netherime, the dead gods. The weapon has a strange ability to inspire unity and determination in those who witness it, almost as if they can feel the will of their ancestors through the chill it exudes.

The Mystical Material: Rime

Rime is a fantastical substance unique to the Rimehold Isles, found deep within the frozen glaciers and ice caverns of the islands.

• Physical Properties: Rime is visually similar to clear, glittering ice but is unbreakable by natural means and does not melt, no matter the temperature. It can be shaped into weapons, tools, and even armor, though the process requires skill and knowledge passed down through generations.
• Magical Properties: The true power of Rime lies in its connection to the Netherime. When crafted into items, it emanates a cold that saps the vitality and willpower of enemies while emboldening allies. It’s said that Rime resonates with the essence of ancient celestial beings, making its wielders feel both empowered and bound to the will of their people.
• Rime’s Cost: Mining and shaping Rime is dangerous. Prolonged exposure can leech warmth and life from those nearby, leaving frostbite-like scars. It’s said that Rime takes as much as it gives, a quality that mirrors the harsh life on the islands.

Cultural Values of the Frostveil Dominion

The culture of the Rimehold Isles is rooted in survival and interdependence, but Queen Iselde has infused it with a sense of pride and purpose.

• Survivalism: The people revere self-reliance and strength, traits necessary to endure their brutal environment. However, they also recognize that no one survives alone. Villages have long traditions of mutual aid, and communal gatherings around great fire pits are central to their social structure.
• Worship and Belief: Worship of the Netherime is ubiquitous. Though the gods are dead, the people of the Rimehold see the celestial remnants as guardians who guide their will. Many communities have shamans or mystics who claim to interpret the whispers of the Netherime through the ice and wind.
• Art and Identity: Despite their harsh environment, the people of Frostveil express their identity through intricate carvings and ice-sculpting. Decorations made from bone, wood, and Rime adorn their tools and weapons, telling stories of their ancestors and triumphs. Their songs are mournful and haunting, often sung to the rhythms of waves or howling winds.

Political Structure and Military Organization

Under Queen Iselde, the once-disparate tribes and villages have been forged into a cohesive force.

• Government: The Dominion operates as a monarchy, but the Queen allows autonomy to local chieftains as long as they swear fealty. These chieftains act as her lieutenants, administering their regions while coordinating raids and resource distribution.
• Military: The Frostveil Raiders are an elite force trained in the art of naval warfare and survival. They sail longships reinforced with Rime to make them near impervious to fire or frost. Their soldiers, clad in leather and Rime-forged armor, are feared for their endurance and ruthlessness. They wield weapons that radiate an unnatural cold, allowing them to cripple opponents in battle.

Raiding Philosophy and Goals

The primary goal of Frostveil’s raids is to secure resources to improve life on the islands. These raids focus on stealing food, livestock, and materials that the islands cannot produce themselves. However, there is also an ideological component. The Queen uses these raids as a means to reinforce her people's belief in their strength and to unite them under a common purpose.

While some view the raids as barbaric, Queen Iselde insists they are a necessary evil, the only way to ensure the survival and growth of her people. Her rhetoric has begun to resonate not just with her own people but also with some defectors from the nearby nations of Mordland, Doas, and Inderinon, who see her as a figure of resolve and purpose in a fractured world.

Adventure Hooks and Mysteries

1. The Source of Rime: While Rime is a cornerstone of Frostveil’s power, its origins are unclear. Some whisper that it grows in places where celestial blood was spilled during the death of the gods. Adventurers may be tasked with uncovering these truths or securing Rime deposits for rival nations.
2. The Queen’s Past: The Queen’s mysterious rise to power leaves room for intrigue. Was she truly blessed by the Netherime, or is her power tied to something more sinister? Could her rise be part of a greater celestial or infernal plan?
3. Resistance in the Isles: Not all tribes are happy with unification. Dissident groups may seek to rebel, and their leaders could call upon outside adventurers to aid their cause, hoping to return the islands to their traditional ways.