Ice Maiden

"Any who mistake her youth for weakness will soon find themselves in a frozen grave."

—Description of Frost Maidens in Total War: Warhammer III.^[2]

A Frost Maiden training amongst the Ice Court depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.^[2]

An Ice Maiden, also called a Frost Maiden and a Maiden of the Ice, is a young Kislevite Ice Witch of Gospodar descent who has completed her training as an apprentice witch but must now begin her own, independent studies of Ice Magic to fully master her powers.

When apprentice Ice Witches finish their training, they are released from their mistresses to seek a deeper understanding of the magical Lore of Ice and Lore of Tempest. To do this, they must mirror the potent nature spirit of the Motherland called the Ancient Widow as closely as possible, so they swear vows of chastity (to represent being widowed) before forging forth with cold determination in their hearts.^[1a]

Concept art for a Frost Maiden created for Total War: Warhammer III.^[2]

Forst Maidens can be found in the most unlikely places as they quest for understanding, but most commonly, they wander the frozen oblast, facing kyazaks, the land's often turbulent nature spirits, and ferocious Greenskins with equal resolve. A Frost Maiden's vow of chastity ends only when she gains enough insight into how to truly control her wintry magic and becomes a full Ice Witch; however, for some, this understanding never comes, and they remain forever alone.^[1a]

Role

An Ice Maiden mounted atop an Ice Bear as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.^[2].

When Tzarina Katarin Bokha's personal attention is not required, it falls to the female Ice Witches of the Ice Court to represent her might instead. Since the time of the Gospodar khan-queens there has been an Ice Court, a powerful political body devoted to preparing the noble Gospodar daughters of Kislev to take on positions of power.^[2]

It is from this body that the Frost Maidens -- Ice Witches yet to complete their training -- are drawn. Akin to an academy, the Ice Court schools the young women within its halls in matters of diplomacy, intrigue and wizardry until they are ready to take on the roles of full Ice Witches.^[2]

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Realm of the Ice Queen (RPG)
  • 1a: pg. 104
• 2: Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)

Gallery

A Frost Maiden of Kislev as depicted in Total War: Warhammer II.^[2]

A Frost Maiden of Kislev as depicted in Total War: Warhammer II.^[2]

A Frost Maiden of Kislev as depicted in Total War: Warhammer II.^[2]

A Frost Maiden of Kislev as depicted in Total War: Warhammer II.^[2]

A Frost Maiden of Kislev as depicted in Total War: Warhammer II.^[2]

An Ice Maiden of Kislev