The Icemark Chronicles
Encyclopedia
The Icemark Chronicles is a series of books consisting of The Cry of the Icemark
, followed by Blade of Fire
, and Last Battle of the Icemark
and the upcoming prequel called Redrought. The books were written by Stuart Hill
from Leicester
. Fox 2000 Pictures optioned the film rights to the book. The film was set to be produced by Courtney Pledger and Sarah Radclyffe
, but it is unknown if or when it will be released. The books are published by Chicken House, though the prequel is not.
Thirrin enjoys life as a carefree daughter. She is an impulsive teenager, who gets bored in the lessons that she has with an old scholar named Maggiore Totus. Her father, King Redrought 'Bear of the North', stresses that she not only is adept in the subject of fighting, but has the sharp mind of a competent scholar. After troubles in an expansive forest that borders the capital of the Icemark, Frostmarris, she meets Oskan Witch's Son, a fifteen-year-old boy, with healing talents learned from his mother, a White Witch. He later becomes Royal Advisor and accompanies Thirrin throughout the story.
The Polypontian Empire, led by General Scipio Bellorum, have lost few battles, never a war, and have taken control of most of the countries around them, save Icemark and some others. They are "supposed" to improve the world with Science and a better quality of life and are inspired by the Romans. It is in one of these Polypontian territorial wars that Redrought sacrifices his entire army, including himself when the last soldier kills him in a surprise attack. He does this to give Thirrin time to prepare to fight off the rest of the empire's forces, make an alliance with the Wolf Folk, evacuate Frostmarris (Capital of Icemark) before the entire Polypontian army invades. After defeating a small Polypontian army, Thirrin succeeds in reaching the Hypolitan people, an Amazon-like tribe, who were forced out of their lands for they could not live the way they wanted to, much like the exodus of the Hebrews. She is disheartened however, when several Wolf-Folk spies come back with her father's dead body. As a result, Thirrin becomes Queen of the tiny northern country. She embarks on a quest to find new allies for the Icemark, resulting in alliances with the Vampires and the mythical and ferocious Snow Leopards. Later, as the harsh winter's ices begin to thaw, the Polypontian army begins to advance. Queen Thirrin's army of her own Housecarl
s, the Snow Leopards, the Wolf-Folk, and Vampires are waiting for them.
Thirrin and Tharaman-Thar(leader of the snow leopards) fight various battles without the help of other allies. In one fight, Thirrin's aunt dies. In another, Oskan, seeing that Thirrin is in danger, calls down lightning, which kills many Polypontian troops, but almost kills him too. Later, Oskan is healed miraculously, but for Thirrin things gets harder. In one of the last battles, General Scipio Bellorum himself fights with Thirrin in a challenge, where Thirrin cuts his hand off. In the last battle, with Thirrin's army outnumbered and the Black Army (Polypontian "armies", which may be the equivalent of a corps in a modern army, are differentiated between using colours rather than numbers) arrives, Oskan, having recovered during the battle, rings a bell and calls "The allies are here." General Scipio Bellorum's army gets frightened to see unnatural people coming. The vampires and the snowy owls drink the blood of many soldiers and the were-wolves tear the soldiers apart. The Holly king and the Oak king's army arrives with their summoned creatures of the wood. Thirrin wins the battle when the Polypontian Empire flees. The story ends with the preparations for Yule
, which parallels the opening.
Meanwhile, back in Frostmarris, Thirrin and her allies are at war with the Polypontian Empire, led by Scipio Bellorum and his two sons. This time the empire has a new weapon at their disposal - giant airships that can drop bombs hundreds of feet from the air to the ground. The Vampires arrive and battle the ships in their bat form. The war progresses, with the Sky Navy and Vampires being the key weapons of both armies. During one battle, the Vampire King engages Bellorum. The battle is of such skill and beauty that all around stop to watch its progress. When Bellorum finds himself losing, and asks the King for one last request, and gives a signal. His soldiers clear the deck of the airship, and cannons are revealed, along with muskets. These literally tear the Vampire King apart and the Vampires return to The-Land-of-the-Ghostsfor his funeral rights, led by the mourning Vampire Queen. This gives the edge back to the Empire's armies, as they still have their air ships.
During the final battle, all appears to be lost when Charlemagne appears, leading his army. They tear into the Empire's flank, turning the tide of the battle. Bellorum's sons are both killed; with Charlemagne beheading Octavius, although not before he almost fatally wounds Mekhmet; and Charlemagne's sister, Cressida, impaling Sulla in the stomach. Scipio's army turns and flees, breaking their rock hard discipline. Scipio himself flees, but is hunted down by the Vampire Queen, who has returned. Thirrin takes the pleasure of killing him.
Throughout the story, Medea
, the youngest daughter of Thirrin and Oskan, has been causing havoc. Inheriting the legacy and powers of Oskan, who inherited them through his father, she also has the choice between Light and Dark. She inevitably chooses the dark, and begins trying to murder her little brother, Charlemagne, for "stealing" her parent's love. She uses her weather powers to create a storm and try to take out the fleet of ships Sharley is traveling with on his journey to Venezzia, hoping that the storm will kill him. Many of the ships collapse but Sharley survives. She later causes the death of her brother, Cerdic and many soldiers of The Icemark by manipulating the leaders of the allies minds and making them go into a battle that they can't be successful in. When Sharley returns to the Icemark, she possesses his friend Mekhmet and gives Sharley the option to kill him or be killed himself. Only with the help of the Blessed Women do they both survive. Oskan realizes that a Dark Witch is causing trouble, but does not believe it is his daughter. Then, she attempts to murder Charlemagne as he "returns to the north with a blade of fire in his hand" (as stated in Oskan's prophecy). When Oskan calls down lightning from the sky, she takes it from him and directs it at Sharley. Oskan, enraged, deflects it back at her. He then shows her how strong the temptation of the Dark is on him, and how much it could heighten his own powers. Finally, he sends Medea into the realms of Dark. The book ends with Charlemagne and an old housecarl who is an expert, showing Mekhmet how to fish, something never seen in the Southern continent.
It has been confirmed that the prequel is going to be called 'Redrought' and will be released before Christmas 2011. It is not being published by Chicken House like the previous novels but will be available in e-book format and as a print copy. Redrought will tell the story of how King Redrought came to the throne and how he met the mother of Thirrin. Redrought will contain a cat character called Cadwalader who is described as a warrior fighting werewolves and vampires.
See Medea (The Icemark Chronicles)
.
The Hypolitan of the southern continent were at war for years with eastern invaders before the Hypolitans went north into The Icemark to find peace. The eastern invaders had similar fighting methods to the Polypontians, in particular their tendency to overwhelm their opponents by sheer force of numbers.
At the beginning of the story, The Icemark had enemies to the north (The Land-of-the-Ghosts) and to the south (Polypontus) as well as to the east and west (Sea Raiders:Zephyrs and Corsairs).
The Province, known as Hypolita, is ruled by woman warriors, and the monarch of The Icemark is its overlord. The Hypolitan became The Icemark's greatest ally.
Maggiore Totus, Thirrin's tutor, discovers in the Hypolitan archives that The Icemark's King Theobad had also signed a nonaggression treaty with The Land-of-the-Ghosts, which mean they had left him to fight with the Hypolitan without fear of invasion from the vampires. This indicates there's a precedent for The Icemark making a treaty with the vampires.
Wolf-Folk fought against the vampire king and queen.
Ghost Wars: King Redrought defeated the army of the vampire King and Queen at the Battle of the Wolfrocks - mountain range to the north of Frostmarris and province of Hypolita.
Werewolves were banished from The Icemark after The Ghost Wars. Evil witches were banished from The Icemark, but good witches were allowed to remain, as they're good healers and midwives, can drive blight from a harvest, and are a brilliant defense against the vampire King and Queen. They're staunchly loyal and the first to offer help.
Geography
The country is divided into a north, south, east and west Riding with the Middlelands called the Five Boroughs. It is bordered by the Dancing Maidens to the south and The Wolfrock Mountains to the north. The Southern Riding is made up of the towns of Barrowby, Bolby and Inglesby and the River Freme. The Five Boroughs are made up of the towns of Crawsby, Learton (which is destroyed by the Sky Navy), Middlehampton, Collingham and Allenby. Further north is the Asgard Cut where The army battles Bellorums forces who are in pursuit of refuges. The Capital city is up next, called Frostmarris. Surrounding Frostmarris is a plain. Just north is The Great Forest (sometimes called The Wild Wood). The forest is a place of fear and legend. The Mysterious tree soldiers dwell here, along with the Dark Witches who have been hiding there. The province Of Hypolita lies north of the forest with its capital, Bendis. The two Northernmost cites are called Pendris and Wearford. The Icemark also has two coastal towns called Old Haven and Michael's Bay.
of Greek myth, and the name itself appears to be derived from Hippolyta
, an Amazon queen.
. It is ruled by a Doge
.
World; perhaps the Ottoman Empire. Its capital is Haifolex, or "the jewel of the Desert" in which the city gates are made of gold. Haifolex and one coastal town are the only surviving settlements from the war. No other cities were rebuilt.
, rich with exotic animals and fauna. It is widely believed that the Lusu people are based upon the Zulu. They live in a city that gradually moves called Swahati. The land is home to deadly creatures called 'The Laughing Ones' who are believed to be some form of Hyena.
s similar to what the Mongols did.
The Cry of the Icemark
The Cry Of The Icemark is the first book in the Icemark Chronicles by English author Stuart Hill. The plot revolves around thirteen year old princess Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, as she must fight to save her small home, the Icemark, from the invading Polypontian Empire.The novel...
, followed by Blade of Fire
Blade of Fire
Blade of Fire is the second novel in Stuart Hill's fantasy series, the Icemark Chronicles.-Plot summary:Blade of Fire takes place 20 years after the first novel. The story follows Thirrin's and Oskan's new efforts to repel the imposing threat of Imperial invasion, yet again at the hands of Scipio...
, and Last Battle of the Icemark
Last Battle of the Icemark
Last Battle Of The Icemark is the Third and presumably final book in the Icemark Chronicles by English author Stuart Hill. It was released on the 7 July 2008 in the UK and was released on 15 April 2009 in the US. It is currently out of print in the United Kingdom.-Plot summary:Two years have passed...
and the upcoming prequel called Redrought. The books were written by Stuart Hill
Stuart Hill (Author)
Stuart Hill is a British author. He was born in Leicester, where he still lives. He has written three books in The Icemark Chronicles: The Cry of the Icemark, Blade of Fire and Last Battle of the Icemark. He studied English, Classics and Ancient History at Newcastle University.On July 25 2011 ...
from Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
. Fox 2000 Pictures optioned the film rights to the book. The film was set to be produced by Courtney Pledger and Sarah Radclyffe
Sarah Radclyffe
Sarah Radclyffe , sometimes credited as Sarah Radcliffe is a British film producer.She began working as associative producer in the late 1970s on movies like The Tempest by Derek Jarman...
, but it is unknown if or when it will be released. The books are published by Chicken House, though the prequel is not.
The Cry Of The Icemark
The Cry Of The Icemark tells the story of Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, Wildcat of the North, a fourteen-year-old Princess to the land of Icemark.Thirrin enjoys life as a carefree daughter. She is an impulsive teenager, who gets bored in the lessons that she has with an old scholar named Maggiore Totus. Her father, King Redrought 'Bear of the North', stresses that she not only is adept in the subject of fighting, but has the sharp mind of a competent scholar. After troubles in an expansive forest that borders the capital of the Icemark, Frostmarris, she meets Oskan Witch's Son, a fifteen-year-old boy, with healing talents learned from his mother, a White Witch. He later becomes Royal Advisor and accompanies Thirrin throughout the story.
The Polypontian Empire, led by General Scipio Bellorum, have lost few battles, never a war, and have taken control of most of the countries around them, save Icemark and some others. They are "supposed" to improve the world with Science and a better quality of life and are inspired by the Romans. It is in one of these Polypontian territorial wars that Redrought sacrifices his entire army, including himself when the last soldier kills him in a surprise attack. He does this to give Thirrin time to prepare to fight off the rest of the empire's forces, make an alliance with the Wolf Folk, evacuate Frostmarris (Capital of Icemark) before the entire Polypontian army invades. After defeating a small Polypontian army, Thirrin succeeds in reaching the Hypolitan people, an Amazon-like tribe, who were forced out of their lands for they could not live the way they wanted to, much like the exodus of the Hebrews. She is disheartened however, when several Wolf-Folk spies come back with her father's dead body. As a result, Thirrin becomes Queen of the tiny northern country. She embarks on a quest to find new allies for the Icemark, resulting in alliances with the Vampires and the mythical and ferocious Snow Leopards. Later, as the harsh winter's ices begin to thaw, the Polypontian army begins to advance. Queen Thirrin's army of her own Housecarl
Housecarl
In medieval Scandinavia, housecarls and sometimes spelled huscarle or houscarl) were either non-servile manservants, or household troops in personal service of someone, equivalent to a bodyguard to Scandinavian lords and kings. This institution also existed in Anglo-Saxon England after its...
s, the Snow Leopards, the Wolf-Folk, and Vampires are waiting for them.
Thirrin and Tharaman-Thar(leader of the snow leopards) fight various battles without the help of other allies. In one fight, Thirrin's aunt dies. In another, Oskan, seeing that Thirrin is in danger, calls down lightning, which kills many Polypontian troops, but almost kills him too. Later, Oskan is healed miraculously, but for Thirrin things gets harder. In one of the last battles, General Scipio Bellorum himself fights with Thirrin in a challenge, where Thirrin cuts his hand off. In the last battle, with Thirrin's army outnumbered and the Black Army (Polypontian "armies", which may be the equivalent of a corps in a modern army, are differentiated between using colours rather than numbers) arrives, Oskan, having recovered during the battle, rings a bell and calls "The allies are here." General Scipio Bellorum's army gets frightened to see unnatural people coming. The vampires and the snowy owls drink the blood of many soldiers and the were-wolves tear the soldiers apart. The Holly king and the Oak king's army arrives with their summoned creatures of the wood. Thirrin wins the battle when the Polypontian Empire flees. The story ends with the preparations for Yule
Yule
Yule or Yuletide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic people as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January...
, which parallels the opening.
Blade of Fire
Twenty years have passed: Thirrin and Oskan have married and had 5 children. However, when war threatens the Icemark once again, their crippled son Charlemagne is sent to the South Continent as Prince Regent to the Icemark as a refugee for his and their protection. But he has no intention of acting like a good little prince, and sets off to find some of the greatest allies the Icemark could hope for. He travels through deserts and is protected by the Blessed Women, spirits who vow to protect him. He arrives at the Desert Kingdom; he befriends the Crown Prince Mekhmet. Thanks to the Dance Master, he loses his disability and learns to fight. He gathers more allies such as the Lusu People and a battalion of zombies, Rock Trolls, and ghosts, proving he has inherited the ability to unite people from his mother.Meanwhile, back in Frostmarris, Thirrin and her allies are at war with the Polypontian Empire, led by Scipio Bellorum and his two sons. This time the empire has a new weapon at their disposal - giant airships that can drop bombs hundreds of feet from the air to the ground. The Vampires arrive and battle the ships in their bat form. The war progresses, with the Sky Navy and Vampires being the key weapons of both armies. During one battle, the Vampire King engages Bellorum. The battle is of such skill and beauty that all around stop to watch its progress. When Bellorum finds himself losing, and asks the King for one last request, and gives a signal. His soldiers clear the deck of the airship, and cannons are revealed, along with muskets. These literally tear the Vampire King apart and the Vampires return to The-Land-of-the-Ghostsfor his funeral rights, led by the mourning Vampire Queen. This gives the edge back to the Empire's armies, as they still have their air ships.
During the final battle, all appears to be lost when Charlemagne appears, leading his army. They tear into the Empire's flank, turning the tide of the battle. Bellorum's sons are both killed; with Charlemagne beheading Octavius, although not before he almost fatally wounds Mekhmet; and Charlemagne's sister, Cressida, impaling Sulla in the stomach. Scipio's army turns and flees, breaking their rock hard discipline. Scipio himself flees, but is hunted down by the Vampire Queen, who has returned. Thirrin takes the pleasure of killing him.
Throughout the story, Medea
Medea (The Icemark Chronicles)
Medea Clytemnestra Strong-In-The-Arm Lindenshield is a fictional character and the chief antagonist from Stuart Hill's fantasy trilogy of books called The Icemark Chronicles. She appears in a major role in both Blade Of Fire and Last Battle Of The Icemark...
, the youngest daughter of Thirrin and Oskan, has been causing havoc. Inheriting the legacy and powers of Oskan, who inherited them through his father, she also has the choice between Light and Dark. She inevitably chooses the dark, and begins trying to murder her little brother, Charlemagne, for "stealing" her parent's love. She uses her weather powers to create a storm and try to take out the fleet of ships Sharley is traveling with on his journey to Venezzia, hoping that the storm will kill him. Many of the ships collapse but Sharley survives. She later causes the death of her brother, Cerdic and many soldiers of The Icemark by manipulating the leaders of the allies minds and making them go into a battle that they can't be successful in. When Sharley returns to the Icemark, she possesses his friend Mekhmet and gives Sharley the option to kill him or be killed himself. Only with the help of the Blessed Women do they both survive. Oskan realizes that a Dark Witch is causing trouble, but does not believe it is his daughter. Then, she attempts to murder Charlemagne as he "returns to the north with a blade of fire in his hand" (as stated in Oskan's prophecy). When Oskan calls down lightning from the sky, she takes it from him and directs it at Sharley. Oskan, enraged, deflects it back at her. He then shows her how strong the temptation of the Dark is on him, and how much it could heighten his own powers. Finally, he sends Medea into the realms of Dark. The book ends with Charlemagne and an old housecarl who is an expert, showing Mekhmet how to fish, something never seen in the Southern continent.
Last Battle of the Icemark
Two years have passed since The Icemark defeated The Polypontian Empire in Blade of Fire. This has caused the Polypontians to break up and many civil wars have started to take their place with the defeat of the Polypontians at the end of the second book, The role of antagonist then settles on Erinor of Artemision and her Tri-horns (Triceratops used as command platforms/siege weapons, similar to war elephants), and Oskan's father Cronus, his Ice Demons and his granddaughter, Medea. Erinor's dinosaur cavalry move in on what remains of the Polypontian Empire, fully intending to move on to the Icemark afterwards. Responding to a plea for help from the Empire, a reluctant Thirrin leads her army into the heart of what was once enemy territory. Initially, Thirrin hates having to work with the Polypontians, however upon meeting their emperor (who is only a young boy, not yet in his teens) she realizes that everything she hated about the Empire comes from the Bellorum clan. With them gone, feelings towards the Empire, though still embittered by previous wars, begin thawing. However by invading the Empire to confront Erinor, the Icemark is left open open to an invasion from the Darkness (Cronus and his ice demons). Fortunately, because the Vampire Queen chooses to remain behind, she and her vampires are able to defend the Icemark, launching raids and ambushes on the ice demons. Although the Vampire Queen knows she cannot win, she harries their efforts. Oskan, entrusted with the secret knowledge that Dark Adepts cannot kill the ones they love without dying, defeats Cronus and Medea at the cost of his own life.Redrought
Some time ago the question was posed to Stuart Hill whether he would consider writing a prequel to The Icemark Chronicles Trilogy. While responding with a resounding "yes", he pointed out that it could be some time before that becomes a reality, as he is currently writing another book called The Sorceress about the Anglo-Saxons war with the Britons, which is scheduled for release during 2011. In Stuart's latest interview he said he would love to write a prequel based on Redrought's rise to power and he has actually written a few pages of it. Despite him wanting to write it though he also said he doesn't know how commercially viable producing one would be.It has been confirmed that the prequel is going to be called 'Redrought' and will be released before Christmas 2011. It is not being published by Chicken House like the previous novels but will be available in e-book format and as a print copy. Redrought will tell the story of how King Redrought came to the throne and how he met the mother of Thirrin. Redrought will contain a cat character called Cadwalader who is described as a warrior fighting werewolves and vampires.
Characters
See List of Characters in the Icemark Chronicles.See Medea (The Icemark Chronicles)
Medea (The Icemark Chronicles)
Medea Clytemnestra Strong-In-The-Arm Lindenshield is a fictional character and the chief antagonist from Stuart Hill's fantasy trilogy of books called The Icemark Chronicles. She appears in a major role in both Blade Of Fire and Last Battle Of The Icemark...
.
Introduction
Prior to King Redrought's reign, The Icemark had a violent history. Of the previous eight monarchs, only two died in their bed. King Redrought's reign lasted the longest. His majesty ruled for more than twenty years.The Hypolitan of the southern continent were at war for years with eastern invaders before the Hypolitans went north into The Icemark to find peace. The eastern invaders had similar fighting methods to the Polypontians, in particular their tendency to overwhelm their opponents by sheer force of numbers.
At the beginning of the story, The Icemark had enemies to the north (The Land-of-the-Ghosts) and to the south (Polypontus) as well as to the east and west (Sea Raiders:Zephyrs and Corsairs).
400 Years Ago
There was a long, fierce war between The Icemark and Hypolitan, during which they came to respect one another. King Theobad The Bold, of The Icemark, granted land to the Hypolitan.The Province, known as Hypolita, is ruled by woman warriors, and the monarch of The Icemark is its overlord. The Hypolitan became The Icemark's greatest ally.
Maggiore Totus, Thirrin's tutor, discovers in the Hypolitan archives that The Icemark's King Theobad had also signed a nonaggression treaty with The Land-of-the-Ghosts, which mean they had left him to fight with the Hypolitan without fear of invasion from the vampires. This indicates there's a precedent for The Icemark making a treaty with the vampires.
250 Years ago
The Blood Wars happened 3,000 moons (250 years) prior to the events in The Cry Of The Icemark.Wolf-Folk fought against the vampire king and queen.
Unknown time ago
According to Maggiore's history lesson, the navy of the southern continent helped in the defeat of the Corsairs and Zephyrs in the great Battle of the Middle Sea. Exactly when it happened is not indicated (or not known), but it was prior to events in The Cry of The Icemark.Ghost Wars: King Redrought defeated the army of the vampire King and Queen at the Battle of the Wolfrocks - mountain range to the north of Frostmarris and province of Hypolita.
Werewolves were banished from The Icemark after The Ghost Wars. Evil witches were banished from The Icemark, but good witches were allowed to remain, as they're good healers and midwives, can drive blight from a harvest, and are a brilliant defense against the vampire King and Queen. They're staunchly loyal and the first to offer help.
One Year ago
The Icemark was attacked by a fighting fleet of Southern Corsairs and Island Buccaneers. After massing his forces, King Redrought defeated their army at the battle of Sea Haven. The victors burned the enemy fleet. The battle lasted one day.Present
Thirrin recognised early that there was a need for new allies; Thirrin suggested The Icemark approach The Land-of-the-Ghosts. Though enemies of The Icemark, the vampire King and Queen and their undead peoples might join them against the Polypontian Empire for their mutual benefit and safety.The Icemark
The Icemark is a small, northern country that is covered in snow for seven months of the year and seems to be covered in rain for the rest. The object of war to Scipio Bellorum. The country seems to be barbarous to the rest of the world yet it is strong willed and improvising. The people of the Icemark use everything available to aid their cause and/or need. They are military country that live for battles and war,but only fight to protect their land(and others e.g in the last battle of the Icemark,when they went to save Polypotus from Erinor and her hordes). Their Sea Navy is only bettered by Venezzia. The Country is home to all many of species from Witches to Wolf-Folk to the elusive Tree Soldiers of The Wild Wood. Implied to be the equivalent of a Scandinavian country, or the Vikings if they had survived, due to the fact when warriors die they are sent to Valhalla, a vital part in Viking myth. Though there towns resemble English names (e.g, Middlehampton). And they have a British-like Feudal system with Barons under the monarchy.Geography
The country is divided into a north, south, east and west Riding with the Middlelands called the Five Boroughs. It is bordered by the Dancing Maidens to the south and The Wolfrock Mountains to the north. The Southern Riding is made up of the towns of Barrowby, Bolby and Inglesby and the River Freme. The Five Boroughs are made up of the towns of Crawsby, Learton (which is destroyed by the Sky Navy), Middlehampton, Collingham and Allenby. Further north is the Asgard Cut where The army battles Bellorums forces who are in pursuit of refuges. The Capital city is up next, called Frostmarris. Surrounding Frostmarris is a plain. Just north is The Great Forest (sometimes called The Wild Wood). The forest is a place of fear and legend. The Mysterious tree soldiers dwell here, along with the Dark Witches who have been hiding there. The province Of Hypolita lies north of the forest with its capital, Bendis. The two Northernmost cites are called Pendris and Wearford. The Icemark also has two coastal towns called Old Haven and Michael's Bay.
Hypolita
The land given to the Hypolitan people in the north of the Icemark following a war with the Icemark. Home of a matriarchal society of warriors who dress in bright colours. They originally came from the southern continent before being driven out by a great army, possibly the early Polypontians. Their society appears to be based around the AmazonsAmazons
The Amazons are a nation of all-female warriors in Greek mythology and Classical antiquity. Herodotus placed them in a region bordering Scythia in Sarmatia...
of Greek myth, and the name itself appears to be derived from Hippolyta
Hippolyta
In Greek mythology, Hippolyta or Hippolyte is the Amazonian queen who possessed a magical girdle she was given by her father Ares, the god of war. The girdle was a waist belt that signified her authority as queen of the Amazons....
, an Amazon queen.
The Polypontus
A huge Empire, spanning over several continents, and clearly inspired by ancient Rome. The main drive of such success is the Polypontian army, an equally expansive army of loyal soldiers, driven constantly to fight and fight alone. As the Romans did, they proclaim "Veni, vidi, vici", or "I came, I saw, I conquered". The name Polypontus means many bridges. It has two major cities; the capital of Romula, and Tri-Polis.The-Land-Of-The-Ghosts
A dark, Arctic wasteland that consists of snowy plains, snow-capped pine forests and rocky areas. Ruled by their Vampiric Majesties who reside in the Blood Palace. The land is inhabited by the more strange species, Namely the Wolf-Folk, Vampires, Zombies, Ghosts, Spectres, giant snowy owls, and rock trolls.Venezzia
A southern country, ruled over by the Doge and situated in a lagoon. The land enjoys favourable climates and excellent resources and is center of learning and commerce. The City is implied to be the equivalent of VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. It is ruled by a Doge
Doge
Doge is a dialectal Italian word that descends from the Latin dux , meaning "leader", especially in a military context. The wife of a Doge is styled a Dogaressa....
.
The Desert Kingdom
A land that is astoundingly dry and arid and covered in large expanses of sand and dunes with a few scattered oasis's. The people who live there are very exuberant and rich. The land in seared over by the Sultan. They are monotheist and disdainful of alcohol. It is implied to be equivalent of the MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
World; perhaps the Ottoman Empire. Its capital is Haifolex, or "the jewel of the Desert" in which the city gates are made of gold. Haifolex and one coastal town are the only surviving settlements from the war. No other cities were rebuilt.
Lusuland
The hot and lush lands of Lusuland are set in the continent of Arifica. It plays host to the amazing people of the Lusu. Fierce warriors and gentle people they pride in their resilience. Lusuland is the obvious equivalent to sub-Saharan AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, rich with exotic animals and fauna. It is widely believed that the Lusu people are based upon the Zulu. They live in a city that gradually moves called Swahati. The land is home to deadly creatures called 'The Laughing Ones' who are believed to be some form of Hyena.
The Hub of the World
Even farther north than the Land-of-the-Ghosts and beyond the northern ice sheets, this is home to the giant Snow Leopards. They are ruled by a Thar and Tharina. They dwell in the Hub Mountains. The Snow Leopards become adults at a faster rate than humans. They hunt polar bears and are in a never ending war with the Ice Trolls.The Circle Of Dark
The seventh and most dangerous of the circles of the spirit plains. Though in reality it isn't part of the spirit plains but the void between the spiritual and physical realms. Very few who enter this realm survive. They suffer an unending torture from the demons of the realm before their souls get trapped into one of the many shards of snow that make up the realm. It is inhabited by the seven fallen immortals that were banished from the heavens by the Goddess. It is also inhabited by thousands of Ice Demons though why they live there is never explained.Artemesion
This is the homeland of the Hypolitan. A great wall was built around this mountainous kingdom because the Polypontians couldn't control its inhabitants. It is described as a great mountainous region, with flat plains and steppes for the use of chariots. The chariots are similar to those that Boadicea used, with sharp spikes emanating from the chariot wheels. They use YurtYurt
A yurt is a portable, bent wood-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by Turkic nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. The structure comprises a crown or compression wheel usually steam bent, supported by roof ribs which are bent down at the end where they meet the lattice wall...
s similar to what the Mongols did.