Things to do in Icewrack
Ice caves older than any kingdom, forges that never go cold and the best white wine north of the Barrier. Dress warmly, read the safety bit, have fun.
Blueheart Glacier
A frozen river that starts somewhere inside the Barrier and creeps all the way down to the Boiling Sea. Scholars say it's the source of all frost magic in the world. Locals say it's a great place for photos.
Guided tours take you deep into the lower caves, where the ice turns sapphire blue. The upper crown is off-limits: the old Ice Wizard is still napping up there, and he's got about nine hundred years left.
Frostiron Forges & Sapphire Market
The Frostiron Tribe has been hammering steel by the Northern Sea for generations — helmets, axes and one very famous iron fist. They also cut the glacier's sapphires into jewellery so pretty it's slightly unfair.
Watch the smiths from the gallery, buy straight from the makers and try on a Frostiron coat: warm as a bonfire, light as a snowflake.
Wolfsden Tavern
Home of the most famous brawl in northern history: Ymir versus a very prickly traveller, one tavern, zero surviving chairs. It's been rebuilt twice since.
House rule, still enforced: after any fight, a drink for everyone still standing. Rooms upstairs, fish stew all day, and a fireplace big enough to park a sled in.
Snowdrop Springs at the Boiling Sea
Where the glacier meets the sea, everything turns to steam and slush. Young Rylai once meditated here for months, then shouted “Snowdrop!” and turned all the steam into snowfall. The springs are named after that very loud moment.
Bath-houses are open all year. Bring a towel — it will freeze solid on the walk back, which is half the fun.
White Fields & Cobalt
Wide-open snowfields under the Barrier, where the legendary Snowball was first rolled during a rather enthusiastic brawl. Today: sled races, snow forts and the December Snowball Tournament. Cobalt, Ymir's home village, is a short ride away.
Worth the early start
Further out, but your postcards will thank you.
Snowcap Lake
A pretty lake village that recently had a dragon problem. The dragon lost. There's a small museum about it now, and very good fish.
Port of Frostreach
The northernmost port on the edge of the world. Great tavern, great sunrises, slightly suspicious sailors.
Njord's Hearth
A secret valley of eternal spring in the middle of all this snow. Braided hair, wooden flutes and, unbelievably, warm air.
Please don't feed the animals
Some of them will try to feed on you. Most are just curious.
Icewrack wolf
Night owls (not literally). You'll hear their howls long before you see them. Packs near houses? Call the wildlife line.
Tusk-fox
Small, fluffy, and yes, it has tiny tusks. Lives around the glacier and will absolutely steal your sandwich.
Frost owl
Sees everything. Judges everything. Has never once been impressed by a tourist. Don't take it personally.
Where everything is
The Barrier to the north, the sea to the east, and the glacier running right down the middle into the Boiling Sea. The city sits at its mouth.
How to reach the edge of the world
- By sea: ferries from the Port of Frostreach twice a day, if the sea isn't frozen.
- By road: the southern coach road stays open all winter. Chains required past the last mile-post.
- Over the Barrier: not this season. Seriously, don't.
- Around town: steam-sleds every 20 minutes between Market Square, Harbour Quay and the Glacier Gate.
Where to sleep
- Wolfsden Tavern — rooms above the bar (bring earplugs)
- The Glacier Gate Inn — closest to the caves
- Frostiron family lodgings by the harbour
- The Wines of Tusk tasting room — not a hotel, but you might end up sleeping there
The boring but important bit
- Never walk onto the glacier without a pass and a guide. Crevasses open overnight.
- The Old Keep on the western slopes is someone's home. Don't knock. Keep sheep inside after dark.
- Below −30 °C, frostbite takes minutes. Cover your face, hands and ears.
- Emergencies: 112 for avalanches and crevasses, 113 for wyvern and sheep matters.