Isblod Title Competition

The Frostfolk hold a combination of three competitions once a year, during the Bright Season. The disciplines are rowing, cross-country skiing, and running. There is both a team and an individual competition. In the team event, each of the three team members completes only one route, suited to their abilities. That means: one rows, one runs, and one skis. In the individual competition, all three disciplines are completed by a single athlete. Few make it to the finish line – and those who do are considered the most exceptional athletes among the Icefolk. Often, Rune Warriors participate, but time and again, fishers, blacksmiths, or traders dare to enter – people whose bodies have been hardened by labor rather than military training. If one of them wins, they rise above the crowd for the rest of their life: the title “Isblod” grants honor and respect, regardless of status or origin.  

Part 1 – Rowing

The rowing route begins in Vintergard and follows the western coast to Ismurna. The area belongs to the Schollenmeer and is difficult to navigate. Due to the current and drifting ice floes, it’s more of a slalom than a speed race. The risk of damaging the boat through repeated collisions with the floes is high – and rescue is not always immediately available. This danger is considered part of the honor: those who face the floes accept that help may arrive late or not at all. There are observation posts along the coast at regular intervals, but it can take up to an hour for them to reach the scene – they too must maneuver through the drifting ice. Officially, the rowing leg is scheduled to last two days. The fastest reach Ismurna in about 18 hours, most others arrive up to 5 hours later. Only those who take extended breaks need the full two days – this is often done by individual competitors to conserve their strength. For their breaks, rowers can approach the coast near an observation post, where they are pulled onto the ice using a rope. Breaks count toward the total time and can be extended at will. Since the competition takes place during the Bright Season, all participants arrive in daylight. Each competitor receives two hours of rest at the Eisbären training camp and a meal – then the second leg begins.  

Part 2 – Cross-Country Skiing

From the training camp, the route continues on skis first to Galdra, along the Ismurna, and then beside the road to Skipti (a total of approx. 40 km). Along the marked route, there are again small, temporary posts set up for the competition – to provide assistance if needed or to prevent “shortcuts.” Even though a trained athlete could complete this stretch in about two hours under normal conditions, the rowing has taken a toll – despite the rest. Most participants use this section to recover and glide more than they push for speed. As a result, the first skiers usually arrive after about 3.5 to 5 hours – even longer in poor weather. In Skipti, there is only one hour of rest, combined with a brief medical check and an assessment by the physician to determine whether the participant is fit to continue to the final leg.  

Part 3 – Running

The final leg of the competition is a run from Skipti to Virkin. The route covers approximately 50 km. By this point, participants are no longer at peak performance – the risk of muscle cramps, collapse, and similar issues increases with every step. On this stretch, Rune Warriors from Virkin man the posts along the route. If a runner becomes disoriented and simply keeps running straight, they are the most effective at locating and retrieving them. The run takes between 6.5 and 9 hours, depending on the runner’s condition. Upon arrival in Virkin, participants are immediately taken to a well-equipped medical barrack and professionally treated. Most athletes report that, in their running trance, they are unaware of the cheers at the finish line. Some don’t want to stop at all. Their eyes are vacant, their steps rhythmic like a drumbeat – as if their bodies are carried by the pulse of blood in the ice. Rune Warriors must intercept them and guide them to the barrack while they continue to run mechanically.  

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony does not take place in Virkin, but ten days later in the capital, Skipti – the city most easily accessible to all. Only once the runners have recovered and can walk upright again are they honored before the gathered crowd. The winner may henceforth bear the title “Isblod,” e.g. Isblod Tyndar the Enduring or Prefold Isblod Krimor Broadjaw (three-time Iceblood titleholder). Additionally, the winner receives a lifelong “pension” – one of the main reasons many attempt the challenge.   Isblod (won once)
  Dubfold Isblod (twice)
  Prefold Isblod (three times)