The Kingdom of Icefia

The kingdom of Icefia has been a staunch defender of the world since its founding by the mortal Stasis Gemblade.  He created a nation of hearty peoples from a dozen cities that had never been able to create a lasting alliance.  It was based on honor and law, but held compassion and equality in high regard.  It grew in strength and became the most powerful nation in the world by post-77.  It ruled over much of the continent of Icefia, all of the islands of the ocean, and part of Ekarude.  The kingdom stood firm for three centuries until, in its complacency, it fell victim to the Day of Falling Death in post-312.  Since then, the kingdom has lost many of its holdings, including the western most reaches of the Icefian continent to the elves’ Scaled Kingdom.  Although it still wields a great deal of military power, the kingdom is not the world-ruling nation it once was.

The kingdom is made up of five lesser realms; there were once ten, each ruled by a monarch.  The high king rules above those monarchs from Castle Gemblade, which lies north of the city of Messada.  Each lesser monarch has a great deal of power, but cannot challenge the high king’s decisions.  There are a few nobles, who mainly live in the cities.  They wield little power, but are wealthy.  Peasants are free to bring complaints and problems to their monarch, and are often legitimately heard.

The laws are strict and thoroughly enforced.  The military is a strong presence in the land, but the cities have many constables to enforce the laws.  Both are made up of those who choose to join.  The Knights of the White Sword are an order devoted to the protection of the people.  They are connected to neither the military nor the constables.

Other nations see the kingdom as a fallen giant that will not die.  Some act to stop the descent, others try and hasten it.  All recognize that the kingdom still has a fight left in it, and would not foolishly act to anger it.

The Kingdom of Icefia always looks to aid other nations who are fighting against what is perceived to be evil, even if not asked.  The kingdom stills holds to the old ideal that it is the defender of the world.  It will not talk or trade with nations that abide slavery, piracy, or repression.

A decade ago, the kingdom tried to take back the lands won by the elves 65 years ago, in a war known as the Wyvern Crusade.  The king was defeated and lost his brother in the war.  He is aging and wants another opportunity to win back the lands of western Icefia.  All of the kingdom’s resources are being put towards building up another attack.  Since the war, the Knights of the White Sword have been increasingly looked down upon.  They failed to win the war ten years ago, and the people have not forgotten.  There are fewer initiates and fewer welcome homes.  To increase the supply of metals and gems, the king has reopened the dangerous northern mines.  Although scholars warned against it, the merchants pushed for the reopening.  In a different tact, the king has sent new expeditions north to the arctic cap in search of new inhabitable lands.

Notable Personalities: