Northland Geographica[]
Not many know that, aside from being the Lumopolis Guide, Ms. Blanc is also an avid traveler and a talented tour guide (though her exclusive guided tours are only for her closest, most respected guests). We had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Blanc, and this book is a compilation of the topics discussed. Customers who have pre-ordered this book at any of our affiliated bookstores will receive a special Ms. Blanc postcard, and 10 lucky buyers will receive an autographed postcard as a gift.
Introduction[]
The Winter Palace, located in the center of the World's Spine, is a palace constructed entirely of ice. It is the home of Queen Bethlehem and the seat of Northland governance.
Volume IV: The Winter Palace[]
At the northernmost tip of the continent of Astra, the towering World's Spine mountain range cuts off all attempts to explore beyond their snow-capped peaks. Conversely, some say that these mountains keep our lands safe from natural and supernatural threats from both the Land of Eternal Night and the Land of Eternal Day.
This frigid mountain range seldom sees visitors and is the birthplace of the Aurorians, according to legend. Indeed, some Aurorians are skeptical of its status as a purported origin of their kind. Nevertheless, upon seeing the palace built entirely of ice nestled within the mountains, many skeptics have no choice but to recognize it as a masterpiece of their northern ancestors.
If you are fortunate enough to receive a summons from the Queen of the North, after making your way up the long, winding, frozen steps to the entrance, you will be greeted not with more cold, but with an inexplicable, spring-like warmth. Just from this single characteristic, it is easy to see why the Winter Palace enjoys a high degree of fame in Astra: the combination of ice, snow, and warmth can only be described as mystical.
Day or night, the Winter Palace radiates with a dreamlike charm. The light from the sun, moon, and stars penetrate its crystalline walls of the palace, infinitely reflecting and refracting, producing all manner of brilliant colors within its halls. Especially mesmerizing, however, is the effect of the Northland aurorae on the palace: during this season, the walls of the palace come to life with countless dancing lights and shadows. This experience is unique to the Winter Palace, and I was blessed with the opportunity to witness it once in my life. As a well-traveled wanderer of the world, I have seen countless natural and man-made wonders, but nothing could compare to the shock and awe that I felt when I saw the northern lights shine through the palace...