The First Winter

The First Winter is a paramilitary organization that operates out of the Capital of Garamond. Though their actions are not necessarily fully legal, no higher authority has ever harshly condemned them, and they are allowed to continue their work in Lord Black Ice's opulent mansion in the nation's capital unabated.

Their mission, as they state it, is simple.

**"The First Winter will kill The Pioneers."**

No room for argument, mitigation, or elaboration is allowed in that very simple phrase. They do not negotiate, capture, forgive, rehabilitate, ransom, or imprison. They do not even necessarily work to protect the victims of the Pioneers' crimes, as they believe that is the Royal Guard's duty.

## Membership

The organization is largely staffed by members of Amnean races, with a majority being humans, and many of their members being spellcasters. A slight preference towards cryomancy is displayed by their members, but that's largely due to the group's theming, as opposed to recruitment policies. All members are known by codenames that are typically themed around winter, ice, or the north. Much of the group's membership comes from former foes of The Pioneers that worked in the Royal Guard, or perhaps victims of some of their crimes. Their motives range from justice, to revenge, to racism. All are accepted as long as they are willing to "Kill The Pioneers".

## Uniform

A set of full-body robes that are pure white, save for the silvery lace trim on the edges. This trim is gold on Commanders. The robes extend to the floor and hug the body tightly, but have seams along the edge and elbows to allow for rapid leg and arm movement. The collar pops up and surrounds the bottom of the face, hiding everything below the mid-nose. There is a large black snowflake on the back of the robes. The robes also come with a headpiece that connects seamlessly to the high collar of the neck, and a pair of blue goggles are always worn on top of the headpiece, the band wrapping around the outside. Additionally, the robes come with a pair of gloves that have various runelike symbols stitched into them, including the ever-present snowflake emblem.

## Notable Members

### Lord Black Ice

The current leader of The Pioneers. A theatrical man who insists on conformity to The First Winter's theme in public appearances, attire, and operations. Tall, and wears black armor with a purple cape and a silver snowflake emblem adorned on the breastplate. Has long, stringy, hair that runs down the back of his head in waxy curls. Can recognize and name all his soldiers, even when they're in their full body-covering uniforms. His desk is full of pieces of paper covered in disturbing scribbles--cries for help, or perhaps sketches of nightmares. Whatever the case, he can occasionally be seen meditating shirtless under ice-cold water in a hidden room off of his office. Fond of monologuing.

### Commanders

**Cryo**, commander of The First Winter's research labs. One of the few in the First Winter who doesn't use magic. Very proud of her proficiency in alchemy. Feuds constantly with Frostbite.

**Frostbite**, commander of The First Winter's jail. A boorish bully who hazes and berates his underlings constantly. Feuds constantly with Cryo.

**Aufeis**, commander of The First Winter's public relations. A practically unseen figure in The First Winter, constantly shut up in the mail room. Given that The First Winter's public perception is absolutely awful, one wonders what, exactly, Aufeis spends all day doing. When they do appear publically, they're quiet and taciturn.

**Polaris**, commander of The First Winter's Astralarium. Her job is mostly answering the question "what's an Astralarium?"

**Hiemal**, commander of letting people into Lord Black Ice's Office. Gets very offended if you imply he's a glorified secretary. A brilliant bodyguard trained in several different martial arts... but, in the end, a glorified secretary.

**Don Durma**, commander of the defunct prison facility known as the Panopticon.

### Footsoldiers

**Whitney**, who runs the library. Enthusiastic, and a massive fangirl of The First Winter. Quotes Lord Black Ice in every other sentence.

**Brisk**, an unstable young man who thirsts desperately for revenge. The Pioneers' chemical weapons warped his body and mind while he was unborn, and now his own ice magic is overtaking his body. Walks with a limp, and has permanently frostbitten extremities. Nervous, rude, and defensive. Terrified of taking the blame for anything, and laughs nervously/manically often. The only First Winter member who knows Cornice isn't actually a ruthless killer. Reads comic books.

**Cornice**, who is actually Quinn.

## Locations

The First Winter's Headquarters is located in a seven-story mansion in Gristan's Capitol. It is very obviously a house repurposed into being a headquarters building.

The First Winter also owns a prison complex known as The Panopticon that is somewhere in the frozen North. The Panopticon is apparently nonfunctional.