Verglas is a miracle to behold. A city made fully from ice, with pillars of reflective frost, perfectly round domes shimmering in the cold, and every single building created out of ice; from the shiniest of towers, buildings with rough and gritty walls, to crystal-clear windows.
From a distance, it seems like the entire city is brimming with light and warmth, only to be discovered up close that there is no warmth, only the illusion and reflection of light.
Upon closer inspection, one might find a single exception to this icy miracle: Right in the centre of Verglas, in the holiest of places, there is one forbidden building.
One made out of stone and steel, of brick and metal.
It is the one spot where commoners are not allowed, and where the Cult of Borreas reigns with a frozen fist. Getting caught trespassing will lead to a swift death, without exception.
The Cult of Borreas -or simply “Borreans” as they call themselves- worship Borreas, the God of Frost and Winter. In return for their worship, prayers, and the occasional sacrifice, Borreas has blessed his followers with the ability to create ice out of nowhere, and to be able to withstand freezing temperatures without issue.
However, he only shares his gifts to his male followers and as far as the Borreans are concerned, this is perfect. They consider women to be too unstable to deal with such immense power, and therefore treat them as second-class citizens.
Even male commoners are more highly valued than any women, for they all have the potential to bow down to Borreas and receive the Gift of Ice.
Little more is known about the Borreans as they are a secretive bunch, doing all they can to stay that way.
Over the last few decades, as the cult became bigger and more powerful, they got rid of any books and scrolls about themselves, Borreas, and even the history of Verglas.
Oral traditions have been banned, punishable by exile, which in this freezing landscape will more than likely result in death.
Nobody is entirely certain why this is, but the Borreans are swift to punish while reluctant to show leniency.
The lands around Verglas are as cold as ice, and just as barren. There is no agriculture, there are no farms, as nothing grows in soil that is perpetually frozen.
For miles and miles there is nothing but snow and ice, and a creeping cold that keeps spreading, just like Verglas itself.
The Borreans keep building their icy shrines, monuments and houses further and further away from the centre of Verglas, taking over lands and even some small towns they encounter, cutting down any resistance with brutal and frigid force.
Only the most devout followers of Borreas, those fully trustworthy, are allowed to actually leave Verglas. Those Borreans travel to lands far beyond, offering their services to cities, rich noblemen and even royalty.
With their ability to create ice out of nowhere, even in the driest and hottest environments, they can supply an infinite amount of ice which -when they eventually leave- will slowly melt.
This has obvious benefits for keeping produce fresh, to keep meat from spoiling, and of course to supply water to areas that have limited to no access.
Without Borreans, the world would be a worse place for many people, who are willing to pay them handsomely for their services.
Because they have no agriculture of their own, this is the Borreans’ only source of income for food.
To prevent the “corruption” of the outside to defile the travelling Borreans, they return after a maximum of half a year outside of Verglas, after which they are forbidden to leave within the next seven years.
Those who return from travelling the world are considered the most important people in Verglas, and are as close to royalty as can be. Any major or political decision on Verglas goes through them.
– to be continued –