Empire of the Ice Elves
Those who go into the Great Tundra, are almost never seen again. Normally, this is due to the polar bears and remorhazes that live there, or sometimes less dramatic dangers such as icy crevasses and the bitter cold. However there is one danger that is greater even than the mighty white dragons: the ice elves.
Structure
The empire of the ice elves is not truly an "empire" at all. It is more accurately called a theocracy, as the ruler is chosen by the priesthood based on omens known only to them. In truth, this is a fiction. The priests simply choose one who is most advantageous to them.
Below this, ice elven society is very regimented. The priesthood keeps most of the power for themselves, followed by wizards, then by warriors and scouts. The ice shapers that serve as their artists and artisans are below that. Farmers and laborers are next, near the bottom of the caste system. Those rare elves born under the Blood Lights, the red aurora that periodically appears in the night sky, are the lowest. These unfortunate souls are not considered to be alive in the eyes of their peers.
History
The history of the ice elves began with the First Rising. When the mind flayers first invaded the surface world, not all elves could fight. Those people fled before the incoming assault before they could be captured and enslaved by the horrid creatures.
Many fled to the sea, being changed by the goddesses of the sea, Estae and Theane. These became the sea elves. Others fled north. The story goes that when they went as far as they could, beneath the Unmoving Star, they met the mysterious Gods of Ice and Snow. These divine beings touched the elves, giving them the power to survive where none others can.
There, on the very top of the world, they created a grand temple made of ice like glass. Around this temple, they created a city like none other. This was Under-Star, the very first city of the ice elves. From there, they took their birthright: all the land beneath the unmelting snow.
This is simply a story told by the ice elf priests. They are not telling this story to other peoples, so scholars are forced to discover their own answers about ice elven history. The prevailing theory is that after the elves fled the First Rising, they made a pact with a devil (likely Levistus or Mephistopholes) to change them into their current form in exchange for worship.
Whatever their true history, they became staunchly isolationist soon after the founding of their civilization. All outsiders are invaders to be slain in the eyes of these elves.
Demography and Population
Due to the fact that all outsiders are killed on the spot, the population is exclusively ice elves. In the south, there are dark rumors of cambions and tieflings living among them. Unlike most of the wild rumors regarding the ice elves, this one is actually true, as some wizards and priestesses bear the children of fiends.
The population of the Great Tundra is primarily centered around their cities, such as Under-Star or Snow-Rose. Smaller communities of even ice elves don't usually last long in that harsh land. The higher castes, obviously have a much lower population than the lower ones, although the exact ratio varies.
Territories
The borders of the empire are determined as being "where the snows never melt". This makes their borders very simple and clear-cut. No neighboring peoples have either the desire or organization required to dispute them. There is a fear that the elves will use foul magic to expand these borders, but so far they have been content to let them stand.
Military
The ice elves could never maintain their isolationist way of life without an extensive and powerful military. The upper castes of their society are made up of the priests and mages wielding powerful magic, but these individuals don't often leave the comfort of the cities.
The Warror Caste, on the other hand, makes regular patrols of the frozen wastes. Their ranks include a large number of scouts and skirmishers, many of them rangers. Such people often track down and slay intruders on their lands. There are also a great many rank-and-file troops, and a few skilled weapon masters that make a traditional invasion an unwise prospect.
Religion
The ice elf religion is one of the most mysterious aspects of the lives of an already mysterious and reclusive people. It is known that they worship beings known as the "Gods of Ice and Snow", but exactly what these beings are is a secret unknown even to the elves.
The priests are the de facto rulers of the empire, and their ways and rituals are kept secret. This is a clear attempt to maintain their power, and is highly effective in that regard. This level of secrecy is treated as a matter of course by the ice elves, but it frustrates southern scholars endlessly.
There are many theories as to the nature of the Gods of Ice and Snow, but none can be verified. The most popular of these is that this identity is a cover for a powerful devil. The most common candidate named by this theory is Levistus, Duke of Frozen Stygia. The next most popular theory is that these beings are archfey, much as the beings revered by the neighboring Erochans. Both theories state that these priests are warlocks, not clerics, but their magic is almost never seen in action.
Foreign Relations
The ice elven policy on foreign relations is very simple: if it's not one of us, kill it. As such, both the orcs and primitives of The Wilderlands, and the people of the neighboring nation of Eroch have an open superstitious fear of the northern tundra.
Fortunately for the elves, they don't need others, at all. They ensure that they are totally self-sufficient from all others on the Twin Worlds, so that their isolationist ways are maintained. The only beings with whom they interact at all are devils, who enjoy the generally lawful evil nature of their society.
Infrastructure
The ice elves live in large cities created totally of magically sculpted ice. These cities, though almost never seen by outsiders, are legendary for their beauty. Each city's buildings are primarily large spires, like reverse icicles reaching for the sky. Smaller buildings like homes and businesses surround these proud structures.
These cites are connected via a vast system of roads crossing the trackless tundra. These roads are almost invisible amid the ice and snow, but they are clear to the eyes of the locals. Excactly how this is possible is just one more mystery of the ice elves.
Founding Date
Unknown (1st Age)
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Government System
Theocracy
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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