Mask of the North Star

The Gríma, as they are widely known are a strange tribe. Living in the icy wastes of the far north has made them hard, and seemingly uncaring. To the nations of the south they are little more than an annual trade partner trading monster products for salt and other necessities their home doesn't provide.

To the Hitol Empire this makes them an easy target, to the Federation of States this makes them a tempting ally. Now as the Empire begins a slow march to domination the Gríma have a choice, stand alone against an empire a thousand times their size, or seek the aid of another they know nothing about?

Knowing the time to act approaches the Gríma Chief sends his daughter to the Federation, in the hopes that they can be trusted. For one thing is certain, if the empire finds victory on the tundra, the Gríma will cease to exist.

Eris, sent to a foreign land with little warning, is cast into a sea of political intrigue and plots based on a culture she doesn't understand. Dozens of factions all jostle for power in a Federation that seems held together by little more that twine and fear. How is she supposed to trust a government that doesn't even trust itself?

Meanwhile the Empire is slowly gathering strength in a bid to rule the continent through a single massive campaign that all hinges on taking the North. The god-emperor has declared holy writ, the empire shall rule for a thousand years, and a few masked savages will not stand in the way.

*standard disclaimer that shouldn't be necessary but for some reason is* This is fiction, it is not real, it is particularly inspired by history but in no way parallels it, nor does it reflect on reality in any other way. If you think it's some metaphor I'm flattered, but please don't you dare quote me or use it to justify anything.