Creation and Early Ages: The Age of Ice

In the earliest times, the world was a realm of primal cold and endless ice, shaped by forces ancient and unknowable. From this frigid void arose the Frostbound Tundra, a land of towering glaciers, frozen seas, and eternal winter. Legends say that the tundra was created by the clash of two cosmic forces:

The Eternal Frost: A force of cold, stillness, and death, embodying the harshness of nature.

The Cradle of Flame: A primal fire deep beneath the earth, representing warmth, life, and creation.

The balance of frost and flame forged the land, creating powerful geothermal regions amidst the ice, where life could take root.

The Rise of Civilization

As the ice receded in places warmed by the Cradle of Flame, civilizations began to emerge, hardened by the harsh environment.

The Dwarves of Ironhearth:

Masters of smithing and crafting, they built massive strongholds beneath the glaciers, harnessing geothermal energy to forge frostforged steel and enchanted creations.

They delved deep into the mountains, creating networks like the Forge Warrens and Deep Warrens to mine precious materials and uncover ancient relics.

The Frosthaven Colonists:

Human settlers who established Frosthaven, a fortified city built to endure the cold and house explorers, merchants, and adventurers.

They became the cultural and economic hub of the tundra, relying on trade with the dwarves and survival ingenuity to endure the frozen wilderness.

The Nomadic Clans of the Wastes:

Tribes of hunters and survivalists who roam the tundra’s vast, unforgiving wilderness. They possess a deep spiritual connection to the land and its primal forces.

The Abyssal Incursion

Millennia ago, a rift between worlds tore open beneath the glaciers, allowing the Abyss—a realm of darkness and corruption—to seep into the tundra. Creatures born of shadow and frost emerged, spreading chaos and destruction.

Key events

The Abyssal Siege saw Frosthaven and Ironhearth nearly fall to hordes of corrupted creatures. Heroes rose to hold the line, forging alliances between dwarves, humans, and clans to survive.

Abyssal Corruption: The rift’s influence still lingers, warping the land and creatures. Some brave (or foolish) souls venture into tainted regions like the Howling Abyss or the Shadow Veins to seek power, relics, or answers.

The Frostwardens were founded during this time—a faction dedicated to hunting Abyssal threats and protecting the tundra from corruption.

The Current Age: Frostbound Struggles

In the present day, the Frostbound Tundra is a land teetering between survival and collapse.

The Frozen Tundra:

A vast, frozen expanse filled with deadly froststorms, hidden ruins, frost giants, and ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered.

The Factions

The Forge Assembly: Dwarven engineers and smiths, guardians of Ironhearth’s forges and the creators of frostforged steel.

The Frosthaven Vanguard: The military defenders of Frosthaven, trained to hold back incursions from the wilds.

The Frostspire Academy: Scholars and mages dedicated to studying frost magic, Abyssal influence, and forgotten lore.

The Emberforge Clans: Nomadic dwarves who honor fire and survival, often working with the Forge Assembly but wary of Frosthaven’s politics.

The Frostwardens: Elite hunters who patrol the tundra, slaying monsters and containing Abyssal corruption.

Abyssal Influence:

Abyss-touched regions, like the Howling Abyss, are growing more unstable. Monsters are emerging at an alarming rate, and whispers speak of The Abyss Speaker, a figure seeking to tear the rift open once more.

The Glacial Mysteries:

Lost ruins buried beneath the glaciers, remnants of a civilization that predated the dwarves and humans. These ruins are said to house ancient technology, cursed relics, and answers to the origins of the tundra itself.