Overview of the Kislev Nation in the Adarian Campaign

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KISLEV

The Frozen Realm of the Ice Queen

Kislev is a land of dark pine forests, snow-clad wilderness and wind-swept steppes. The
inhabitants huddle around huge log fires in timber halls protected by massive stockades.
The ruler of this cold and extensive realm is the Ice Queen, Czarina Katarin the Great,
Shaman-Khan of Keslev, daughter of the notorious Tzar Boris Goblin Basher whose many
battles in the east expanded the Kislev Empire beyond the Worlds Edge Mountains.

The realm of Kislev lies on the northern borders of the Empire. For centuries it has been a
buttress against the onslaught of Chaos from the wastes to the north. Thanks to the
Empire's support, Kislev has never fallen, although many of her cities have suffered
devatation at the hands of the Chaos Hordes. To this day, Kislev remains a strong friend
and ally of the Emperor, and is always willing to send fighting forces to help fight his wars,
as he is to help Kislev fight their wars.

Surprisingly, at least to those who don't know the Kislevites, Kislev boasts some of the
oldest settlements in the north of the Old World. The area was first settled over 1000
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. Realising that the
disintegrating Empire was far too absorbed with internal fueding to deal with an invasion,
they seized their oppurtunity with both hands. By the time The Empire began to stir itself,
the Gospodars had already established their realm.

COMMONLY KNOWN HISTORY OF KISLEV

As Told By The Kislevites Themselves...

The History of Kislev reaches back a long time, from the times when the hordes of
Gospodars finally arrived over the Worlds Edge mountains in strength. The Empire, long
a realm torn by internal strife was too weak to hold it's northernmost provinces which had
become independent. When the Empire finally gathered its strength, the Gospodars had
already firmly established their realm.

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The Emperors realised that the Empire would benefit from this bulwark against chaos and
the barbarous Norse, and formed an alliance with the tsar Alexandr I. Since then Kislev
and the Empire have enjoyed a strong alliance with each other, and often send allied
troops to help their friends in the hour of need. A notable example of this is the Gryphon
Guards Legion that is based in the Empire and includes many of the noblest sons of
Kislev.

Both Norse and nomadic horse barbarians, as well as the dread hordes of Chaos
threaten the borders of Kislev. Because of this the army of Kislev is numerous and
powerful, and mercenaries are always welcome in Kislev. The realm is considered to be
in a permant state of continual warfare, and the people have grown hard in the face of
their trials.

The last great Chaos Incursion almost nearly overran the Lislev, and only by the valiant
efforts of the Kislevites, supported by the dwarfs, darves, halflings, an Adarian Foreign
Legion and a mighty army of Magnus the Pious barely turned the tide 200 years ago.

The current ruler of Kislev is Czarina Katarin, who followed her father Radii Bokha after
his mysterious death. The City States of Kislev, Erengrad and Praag in particular are
independent realms, but owe their fealty to the ruler of Kislev.

Geography:

Kislev comprises the city of Kislev and a number of vassal and colonial states situated
between the river Lynsk to the north and the Talabec to 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 River Urskoy is the easternmost of all navigable rivers in the Old World. It enables
cargoes from Kislev to be transported throughout the Empire, as far as the sea at
Marienburg, almost 1000 miles away. At Altdorf the Urskoy join joins the mighty river Reik
and cargoes may be transferred to ocean-going vessels.

The River Lynsk marks the boundary between Kislev and the Northern Wastes. It is
navigable by river boats as far as Praag, although it is a brave captain who would risk his
vessel on such a journey, when it is open to assault from the Chaos hordes that prowl the
northern banks. During the months of winter, the river is frozen for miles at a stretch, and
the citizens of Praag must look to their storehouses to survive.

PLACES OF PARTICULIAR INTEREST:

ERENGRAD

Of the trading cities of the Old World, only the Imperial City of Renown is larger and more
important. Whale-oil, sea-ivory, timber, pearls, tar and fish are traded here, and even the
sleek ships of the High Elves often come here, daring the dangers of the seas polluted by

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the Chaos. Traders from Bretonnia, Marienburg and the Empire come to this city which is
situated in the lagoon at the head of river Lynks.
ERENGRAD

This city stands in the banks of river Urskoy, and is built around "Gora Geroyev", known
also as Kreml, "The Hill of the Heroes". It is a fortress-city, for the Realm of Chaos draws
ever nearer every year, and the many valiant Kislevites are buried every day in the red
soil of Kreml. Dwarfs hired from the Empire and from their own realm work tirelessly to
strengthen the defenses.
PRAAG

During the last great Chaos Incursion this once-beautiful city was completely overrun by
the forces of Chaos. The minions of the Four Powers breached the defenses of the city
and put the inhabitants to sword. Those few who survived by fleeing in the surrounding
woods returned to find their homes twisted by the Chaos. The buildings had melted with
the flesh, forming disturbing and sickening visage of horror.

The Tsar of Erengrad ordered the city to be burned down and re-built. This was done, but
the Chaos returned. Travelers tell tales of cries of agony that pierce the nights, and faces
appearing in the walls of the buildings, consuming unwary with sharp teeth. Kislevites
burn down and re-build their homes continually to retain some measure of sanity. They
refuse to move away, for they feel that this would mean giving in to Chaos.

Current Tsar Saltan spends his time drilling his militia and dreaming of the revenge he will
inflict upon the foul spawn of Chaos.

The Cities In More Detail:

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

Erengrad is second only to Marienburg among the northern ports of the Old World.
Through its harbours pass the innumerable wares of the Norscan coast - whale oil, sea-
ivory, timber, tar and fish. Ships based in the city journey far to the north to trade with
barbaric Norsemen and the fabled Northern or Winter Dwarfs, braving the dangers of the
terrible northern seas which seethe with the mutations and evil lintentions of the noisome
Elder Lords of Chaos. Upon the quays of Erengrad Norse rub shoulders with traders from
as far away as the great trading centers of Marienburg, L'Anquille, and occasionally with
sailors from ports as far distant as Bilbali and Magritta. The city stands at the head of the
chill lagoon at the mouth of the waters of the river Lynsk, the huge lagoon offers shelter
from the cold sea and the ravenging winds of Chaos that blow from the north. The
principle trading docklands are situated on a sizeable island, joined to the main city by
means of a fabulous timber bridge built upon vast piles sunk deep into the bed of the
lagoon.

The architecture is unique to the region - few buildings are over two storeys in height,
apart form the many temple towers, with their quilded cupolas and mulititudinous bells for

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which the city is famous. On great civic occasions, these are rung in unison, and their
peels echo for miles around. The city presents walls of solid timber to beings cowering in
the dark forests, and from its great bronze gates a lone and dangerous path winds its way
towards Middenheim and the Empire.

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 "Gora 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 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
crew congregate in the way-side inns and houses along the wharfside.

Upon the crest of the Hill of Heroes stands the palace of the Grand Tsar of all Kislevites,
Radii Bokha, the Overlord of the north and sovereign to all the Tsars 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.

Praag is less fortunate than Kislev, and was once completely overswept by mutating
storms from the north. Amid howling gales of destruction, the servants of Chaos strode
the city streets, slaying women and children as the city slowly melted into a screaming
tapestry of terror, becoming a travesty of its former grandeur. When the tides of Chaos
receded, those fortunate enough to have escaped into the forests returned to find their
homes transmuted into the foulest of nightmares. Where neat rows of houses once stood
side by side, there now flowed a weird warren of molten glass, melted by some incredible
heat, distorted into caverns and caves and all manner of disturbing shapes. Nor was the
effect restricted to inanimate matter, for everything passed over by the Chaos hordes
became mutated and intwined, so that it was no longer possible to distinguish between
living creatures and the rough stone of houses. Thus, the survivors of Praag found their
city completely corrupted, where walls were split to show rows of teeth in a gibbering
mouth, and where floors moved as if composed of a writhing mass of small creatures....

In desperation, Tsar Zoltan ordered that the city be burnt to the ground, cleansing the
foulness from it so that the people might build it again. This they did, erecting a new city
whose stone walls stood as solid as those of Kislev itself. But little could they imagine the
true power of Chaos, for its creations cannot so easily be banished, and soon the terrors
of the old city began to grow back, polluting the new buildings. At first the city began to
whisper, then the night air was filled with pitiful cries of anguish. Once more, faces
appeared in the walls, and grasping hands rose from the pavements - only by vigilant

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burnings and rebuilding is any sanity retained. The reputation of Praag is grim, and
travellers tell sickening tales of its horrors. In his nearby Palace Praag, Tsar Zoltan drills
the Stalgrad Militia, and broods on how the Chaos spawn can be defeated and his people
avenged.

The People:

The Kislevites and their subject peoples have long since intermingled with the native Old
Worlders, and yet remain enigmatically "different". TGenerally they are a tall people,
broad-shouldered, with dense dark hair, males sporting long wild beards. Blonde or red
haired individuals are fairly common due to the racial intermixing. Although reputedly
quiet and dour when sober, they are known to be hard drinkers. It is said that Kislev
celegrations are at be near- riots. 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.

THE GOSPODARS

The mainstay of the people of kislev are gospodars tall, broad shouldered and blond or
red-haired people with deep voices. They are quiet and grim in the face of the outsiders,
but in fact they are very sentimental people, with deep love for their families and their
land. They are mighty fighters, and the most courageous opponents of Chaos anywhere.

Womenfolk of Kislev are famed for their beauty, and the Kislevites value their females as
highly as men. There is no reason why a woman could not rise into important positions in
the government, and the bloodline is traced by the mothers side. Most kislevite women
tend to stay at home, however, but in the house and home their authority is absolute and
far above of that of a man.

Most powerful kislevite sorcerers are always women, and many tales have been told
about Baba Yaga, the most powerful Witch of all time. Gospodars love music, and their
dances, especially the Bladedance, are famous throughout the Old World. Their battle-
songs are one of the most impressive sounds in the Known World, and their dreaded war-
cry "URAAA! URAAA!" is feared where-ever it is heard.

THE KOSSACKS

Kossacks are a semi-nomadic people who live on all the borderlands of the Kislev nation.
Racially very mixed, being a Kossack is as much about life-style as race. They are
horsemen and scouts without peer, these brave warriors have always stood in the
defense of the realm against the wrath of Chaos. Year after year a war of ambush and
counter-ambush is fought, and usually the Kossacks are victorious. Even when faced with
overwhelming odds and power, their hatred against the forces of Chaos often sees them
through.

THE GERHUNS

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The most primitive and savage of all the peoples of Kislev, the Geruns live little better
than animals. They file their teeth, the males scar-burn their faces so beards will not grow,
various bands of Gerhuns scar their bodies in various ways, and many of their tribesmen
enter battles in a berserker state of fury. Often described as monkeys mounted on
greyhounds, they are perhaps the best horse archers in the world. They are a
cannibalistic, vicious race, but never-the-less fearless in the defense of their land. No
opponent wishes to be captured by the Geruns, for his fate shall be worse than death.

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".

Politics:

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 filled 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 Czarina.
The Ice Queen of Kislev

In ages past, a tribe of fierce warrior horsemen called the Gospodars rode from the east,
crossed the World's End Mountains and settled in the valley of the River Urskoy. Although
barbarous and uncivilized they were led by a determined and ambitious Shaman-Khan
whose first action was to conqueror the native people, drive out the goblins and build the
city of Kislev. Since that time the Kislev nation has prospered and its capital city gas
sprouted golden domed temples and palaces.

The first Shaman-Khans of Kislev were mages of great power. Unlike the mages of the
more civilized realms to the south, they draw their power from an older, more elemental
source. Over time the Shaman-Khans became Czars, and their magical powers grew,
especially in the female line. Drawing their powers from the frozen land they became the
greatest practitioners of Ice Magic - the mamipulation of chill, frost and biting winds.

The Czarina Katarin is the current ruler of this warlike people, having succeeded to the
throne on the death of her father Czar Bokha. It is believed that she is the most powerful
wizardess to ever wear the crown, and with her aloof majesty and icy disposition has
earned her her nickname of the Ice Queen of Kislev.

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Quite often, when the empire request troops for a campaign, or if the need is great,
Katarin will often personally command and lead the troops into battle herself. Rather than
appoint a regent, she usually leaves the running of the Kislev government to several of
her greatest boyars with limited authority to act, but none has enough power to gain
power. Important matters are shelfed until her return.

The Ice Queen carries the enchanted blade Fearfrost, heirloom of the Czars of Kislev
which was forged by the great Shaman-Khan-Queen Miska the Slaughterer. Katarin
never wears any armor. In the past Katarin has fought on foot, from horseback or on
magical or fabulous steeds.

Ice Magic the Ice Queen of Kislev is said to employ

ARMOR OF COLD

The caster may cast this spell onto himself. It will surround the caster and any unit they
are with armor of intense coldness. The Armor of Cold can be dispelled if enough
damage is done to it.
BRIDGE OF ICE

The Ice Bridge may be moved over at normal rate. It should be noted that the Ice Bridge
does on have to be the level (i.e., with both sides of the bridge anchored at the same
elevation). Thus, an Ice Bridge can be made to "slope" so troops can move onto a castle
wall, a rocky pinnacle or other elevation.
CHILL BLAST

An icy blast erupts from the caster and strikes the first target in its path and within its
range of 24 yards. The target is chilled to the bone, causing limbs to snap and weapons
to break. The Chill Blast inflicts cold damage apparently armour does not help.
DEATH FROST

This spell may be cast against any one opponent in hand to hand combat with the caster.
Parts of the opponent are frozen solid and turn into ice, causing terrible wounds or killing
him outright.
FREEZE WATER

This spell may be used to freeze over an entire body of water anywhere on the battlefield,
for example an entire river, a marsh, or a lake. A frozen river, marsh, lake, etc., may be
moved over at normal rate. Once frozen a body of water remains frozen for the rest of the
game - the spell does not remain in play and may be cast again at a different body of
water. A dispel attempt of any kind will not unfreeze water once it has been frozen, but
any Fire or Light spells that cause damage that are cast on the water will automatically
unfreeze it.
ICE SHARDS

A volley of sharp icicles fly out from the caster's hand and strike the first target in their
path at a range of up to 24 yards.
ICE SLED

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This spell enables the caster to transport a friendly or an enemy unit or a single individual
across the any terrain and in any direction. Affected troops are swept up upon a heaving
sled of ice and carried to their new location. Troops may run down any intervening
creatures, buildings, terrain and/or any other obstacles or scenery. Move is at least as fast
as a charging horse.

WARRIORS OF KISLEV

Kislev armies usually include a high born noble to lead them into battle. This will usually
be one of the Czars or a powerful Boyar.

The land of Kislev is inhabited by many Shamans, who use the magics of the land and
animals to battle their foes.

The Beastmasters of Kislev train the great bears of the North to fight the enemies of
Kislev. In times of war, they take their bears with them to do battle.

Heroes are warriors of exceptional prowse and courage. They have gained much fame
and fortune with their skills, and are often sent to lead small bands of warriors in battle.

The Winged Lancers are the nobles of Kislev, going forth to war from atop their
warhorses. Their name comes from the great wings that adorn their backs of their armor
and the tall lances they carry.

The Horse Archers are the most famous of the troops of Kislev. From their saddles they
ride around the battlefield, harassing their foe and assaulting from the flanks.

The armies of Kislev contain many foot warriors armed with axes, ready to go to war
should they be needed by their Czarina.

Kislev's armies also use many foot archers as well as their mounted archers, for these
are very useful in holding and defending important positions.

The armies of Kislev often contain many of the tribesmen from the hills that dot the land.
These fierce warriors move ahead of the main force, disrupting the opposing army's
troops with their javelins and harassing attacks.

The Kislev army will occasionally take with them a train of War Wagons, which are small
mobile fortress pulled by a team of four horses.

Besides their warhorses, some heroes, shamans, army commanders and sometimes
even elite units will have bear or griffin steeds.

Campaign Ideas:

I - SOMETHING ROTTEN IN KISLEV

~ or ~
MYSTERY
AND NECROMANCY IN THE FROZEN EAST

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Something is rotten is happening in Kislev. Strange creatures are raiding. Killing and
burning. The dead are walking the streets of remote cities, and entire colonies are
rejecting the Czarina's rule. But are these mysteries linked, and if so, how?

The adventerers are sent by an Patron or emploter (such as The Imperial Minister of
Barbarian Affairs, the Merchant Leaguemiester, one of the leaders of the five Great
Houses, a powerful Adarian noble, the Church or even the Adarian Emperor himself) to
'help' the Czarina. The adventurers will find themselves contending not only with undead
and beastmen but also with ghosts, elite Hobgoblin warriors, creatures of Chaos and
strange nature-spirits - plus the Kislevites themselves, who can be less than friendly at
the best of times, as well as puzzles, dilemmas and ominous curses to occupy their
minds and keep them in trouble.

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