Heraldry of the Ice Court army of Kislev commanded by Tzarina Katarin Bokha as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[1]
The Ice Court refers to a group of powerful Ice Witches within the royal Bokha Palace of Kislev that act as a powerful political body within the tzars' government. The Ice Court is a clandestine place of intrigue and power, typically headed by the senior matriarch of the Kislevite royal family.[1]
There has been an Ice Court since before there was a even a tzar. A group of powerful Ice Witches wielding political power has existed since the time of the khan-queens of the Gospodar and continued into the present-day rule of Tzarina Katarin Bokha. Katarin, known as the "Ice Queen of Kislev," is not only both House Bokha's matriarch and the Tzarina of Kislev, but is also the most powerful Ice Witch alive, and has thus assumed direct control of the Ice Court, keeping the present-day organisation close to the Kislevite crown. When the tzarina's personal attention is not required, it falls to the Ice Witches of the Ice Court to represent her might instead.[1]
A Frost Maiden, or junior Ice Witch, training amongst the Ice Court as seen in Total War: Warhammer III.
The Ice Court is not only concerned with political intrigue, but is also devoted to preparing the noble daughters of Kislev to take on positions of power themselves. It is from this body that the Frost Maidens -- junior Ice Witches yet to fully complete their training -- are drawn. Akin to a magical academy, the Ice Court schools the young women within its halls not only in Ice Magic, but in matters of diplomacy and intrigue as well.[1]
The Ice Court's personal martial protectors are known as the Ice Guard, an unusual sisterhood of Kislevite warrior-women imbued with the same magical power as their mistresses. The women of the Ice Guard are sent to the Bohka Palace before they reach adolescence. These youths are then sorted for their aptitude for magic. Those with the gift begin a training regimen that will enable them to take their place within the Ice Court. Each weapon these women wield is imbued with Ice Magic, glowing with its own inner light. Kislevite snow leopards have also been known to be trained to protect the women of the Ice Court.[1]
An Ice Witch training to wield the Lore of Ice amongst the Ice Court of Kislev as seen in Total War: Warhammer III.
A threat within Kislev has recently risen that could challenge the Ice Witches' political dominance at the Ice Queen's court. This threat is embodied by Kostaltyn, the Supreme Patriarch of the Cult of Ursun and de facto high priest of the newly organised Kislevite faith known as the Great Orthodoxy. He despises the machinations of the tzarina and her Ice Court and considers them usurpers and magic-wielding heretics likely to be in collaboration with the Ruinous Powers.[1]
Sources[]
- 1: Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)