The year was 1551, and Grey "Emperor" Temar II Frozenmaw finds himself struggling with a deep sense of inadequacy. His great-grandfather, Brasur The Grey had spent his lifetime fighting insolent Reachmen, Olavs, and even rebellious Grey Orcs to forge a kingdom who could resist the united force of the Reach, stomping out hopes of a reclaimation forever. His son Marosh Tribetamer and his wife, Muroga Farseer whipped those ornery sons of the Greytide from listless, wandering monsters into civilized, industrious folk, eventually constructing the great vessel Victory which bore those first colonists to Dalaire - all while having time to silence the skaldic songs chanting for our eternal friend Bogulr Hardrock's death. Both men had inexorably shaped the world around them, yet it was the shadow of Temar I that haunted his son.

Temar I Snowbloom seemed as if he was born under a star: Dookan had blessed him with the ability to pull crops from frozen fields and bring the wrath of a frost giant upon his foe's castles. The Gawedi cowered in fear at his mere gaze, the Lorentish ceded Noruin when he threatened to sail to Sella himself if they did not cease their impudent expansion. None dared challenge his claim over the Broken Isles and the Quartz Dwarves could do naught but tantrum from their isolation in Krakdhumvror. After fifty years atop the Ivory Throne, he plucked Bayvic from the hands of the Reach Confederation simply because he willed it.