Kislev

The Kingdom of Kislev, sometimes known as the Realm of the Ice Queen, is the most northerly human civilization within the Old World, a powerful and war-driven nation that is known far and wide for having some of the greatest horsemen to ever roam the plains.
From the Worlds Edge Mountains in the East to the Sea of Claws in the West, Kislev stands at the very frontiers of human civilization, a land covered in wide-open steppes and thundering icy rivers, where lonely villages stand isolated in the empty wilderness, while mighty cities rise from the landscape like great islands of stone. The climate is harsh and unforgiving, and only the strongest, most determined people can survive here.
Surprisingly, at least to those who have never travelled the northern lands, Kislev boasts some of the oldest settlements in the Old World. The area was first settled over 1,000 years ago by a formerly nomadic people called the Gospodars, who had been raiding the region from the far side of the Worlds Edge Mountains for many years. The settlement took place whilst The Empire was distracted by threats to its southern borders and by the time it began to stir itself, the Gospodars had invaded and established their realm. Having seized the land they proved more than willing and capable of defending it against any other claimants including their old enemies the marauders from the Kurgan, the Hung, and the Norse who occupied the lands of the far North.
Ruled by a mighty Tzar, Kislev is a nation born from the saddle, their ancestry can be traced back to the mighty horse-warriors of the Eastern Steppes many millennia ago and since its very creation, Kislev has been under threat and had to fight for survival. Kislev is a kingdom that sits forever at the brink of total annihilation. Countless generations of Kislevites have fought, bled, and died in the snowy tundra of those harsh northern lands, and it is thanks to these brave Kislevite warriors that the Kingdoms of Men have managed to flourish in the south, huddled together in their warm and safe homes, whilst the Sons of Kislev fight till they draw their last dying breath.

Geography

Most of Kislev is taken up by the Oblast, a broad, empty, frozen land, punctuated by small settlements, rivers, and raiding bands that glorify the Ruinous Powers. To most outsiders, it is a soul-killing area and devoid of anything of value. To Kislevites, however, it is Kislev. Kislev is the land, and the land is Kislev.
The oblast is not divided into formal regions, and all areas have a lot in common. However, most Kislevites roughly divide the area into North, South, East, and West Oblasts, plus the Troll Country in the northwest. Kislevites tend to think the Troll Country is smaller than most cartographers do, but Kislevites are more tolerant of monsters and frigid landscapes.
The kingdom boasts two major rivers, The River Urskoy and The River Lynsk

Cities

The three largest Kislevite cities are Erengrad, the country's major port; Kislev, the capital; and Praag, the beleaguered city of King Zoltan.

Kislev, The City

Kislev stands high on the banks of the River Urskoy, within a great loop of the river at a point where it skirts the steep "Gorá Geroyev" (or "Hill of Heroes"), upon which the city is built. Its walls are strong and steadfast, if somewhat molten in appearance in places where the tides of Chaos have lashed against it before being beaten back by the stout-hearted defenders.
Kislev stands at the very frontiers of anarchy, upon the borders of an area whose exact form can shift and change with the wind. The city has suffered siege and assault by both the servants of Chaos and the mutating winds that accompany them. Many of Kislev's older buildings bear witness to terrible battles in which flesh and stone flowed like water before assuming new, horrific shapes.
The wharves of Kislev are built around an artificial pool within the city walls and are accessible only through a well-defended river-gate. East of the city, the river is much shallower and is the preserve of flat-bottomed barges and small river boats, craft whose crews congregate in the way-side inns and houses along the wharfside.
Upon the crest of the Hill of Heroes stands the palace of the Tsar of all Kislevites, Radii Bokha, the Overlord of the north and sovereign to all the Kings of Kislev. This mighty fortress rises in tier upon tier of stone towers and gaily festooned battlements, reaching a pinnacle in a great golden dome which is plainly visible from many miles around.

Politics

Kislev is ruled by the Tsar from the city of Kislev and consists of a number of vassal and colonial states situated between the River Lynsk to the north and the Talabec the south.
It is the only Old World state to extend eastwards over the Worlds Edge Mountains, although these lands (known as "Zaborota" or "Farside") are only tenuously held by marcher boyars (barons) and only in the peak of summer are the mountain passes open.
Westwards, the Sea of Claws and the Forest of Shadows form more secure frontiers.
The Norse barbarians and hordes of Chaos that live in the Northern Wastes must travel through Kislev before they can penetrate the Old World - and the Kislevites are sworn to stop them.
For this reason, they maintain a strong army of valiant warriors and employ many mercenaries and sell-swords. Kislev is a state under siege, right in the front line of the war against Chaos. Unfortunately, like everywhere else, the taint of corruption runs far deeper than anyone can imagine and the forests of Kislev are rife with all manner of Beastmen and their treacherous, power-hungry Human allies.
The city-states comprising Kislev are kingdoms in their own right, although in effect little more than provinces with monarchs strictly under the thumb of Tsar Radii Bokha of Kislev - Overlord of the north.

The People

The Kislevites and their subject peoples have long since intermingled with the native Old Worlders and yet they remain enigmatically 'different'. They are a tall people, broad-shouldered, with dense blond or red hair. Although reputedly quiet and dour, they are resolute fighters, sworn to root out and destroy the minions of Chaos that threaten their lands from north and east. They are also great music lovers and the battle songs of Kislev are an impressive sound when sung by the deep-voiced warriors before a battle.

Language

Although the Kislevites have long since adopted the Old World tongue, their past is not completely forgotten and many still use the tribal speech of old, which is reputedly furnished with a wealth of highly descriptive terms of abuse. Their voices are rich and sonorous and, when using the Old World tongue, they have thick accents and tend to say "v" instead of "w".

You look down on us and think we are little better than barbarians, but you should be glad we are, for without us here, the northern tribes would be dining on the flesh of your children in your burning homes. But for the courage that flows in our veins would your lands be theirs. Look down on us? You should get on your knees and thank us every day!

—Vitalia Kovash, Kislevite Winged Lancer

“To find your enemy, look behind your friend”

—Kislevite Proverb

Alternative Name(s)

The Realm of the Ice Queen

Type

Territory