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[[File:IceTransparent.png|centre|thumb|600x600px]] '''IceWings''', also known as '''Ice Dragons''' by [[scavengers]], are a tribe of [[Pyrrhia]]n [[dragons]] with scale colors that vary from different shades of white, gray, silver, pale blue, light purple, and occasionally sky blue. IceWings have lethal frostbreath, whip-thin tails with multiple spikes on the end, serrated claws, and the ability to withstand subzero temperatures and bright light. They live in the northwestern area of Pyrrhia, or the "head of Pyrrhia,"  known as the [[Ice Kingdom]], which is known for its cold winds, freezing temperatures, and the [[Great Ice Cliff]]. The IceWings supported [[Ex-Princess Blaze|Princess Blaze]] during the [[War of SandWing Succession]], joining her alliance with the promise of a large portion of land near the [[SandWings|SandWings']] northern border if she won. 
[[File:IceTransparent.png|centre|thumb|600x600px]]
'''IceWings''', also known as '''ice dragons''' or '''arctic dragons''' to [[humans]], are a [[Pyrrhian]] [[Dragons|dragon]] tribe that resides in the [[Ice Kingdom]], the "head" of the dragon-shaped Pyrrhia, which is known for its cold winds, freezing temperatures, and, formerly, the [[Great Ice Cliff]] (also known as the gift of defense), before it was destroyed by [[Queen Snowfall]],{{Ref|TDG|259}} their current [[queen]].


Before the events of ''[[Darkness of Dragons]]'', the IceWing and [[NightWings|NightWing]] tribes despised each other for a very long time, going back to a war that took place about 2,000 years before the events of ''[[The Dragonet Prophecy (Book)|The Dragonet Prophecy]]''. In ''[[Darkstalker (Legends)]]'', the IceWing and NightWing tribes feud was revealed to have been caused by a relationship between [[Prince Arctic]] and [[Hope (Foeslayer)|Foeslayer]], in which Arctic fled the Ice Kingdom and his mother, [[Queen Diamond]], vowed revenge on the NightWings for taking him away. Diamond believed that Foeslayer did not truly love Arctic, rather that she was sent to the Ice Kingdom by her tribe to steal Arctic's - and, by extension - the IceWings' [[Animus Dragons|animus]] magic. 
The IceWings supported [[Blaze]] during the [[War of SandWing Succession]], joining her alliance with the promise of a large portion of land near the [[SandWings]]' northern border if Blaze had won.{{Ref|THK|115}}


==Description==
== Description ==
[[File:Ice Kingdom Map.png|thumb|Ice Kingdom, map by [[Mike Schley]]]]IceWing's scales can range from silvery white colors to pale shades of blue and purple. Their scales are meant to blend into the snow. Their coloring has been described as "silver like the moon," "pale blue like ice," "as pale as the moons," or "scales the color of sky reflected in the snow on the distant mountain peaks," and sometimes "moon-white scales." The head of an IceWing is shaped like a diamond and is very narrow, with long horns and spikes going down their head, neck, and body. They are lean dragons that also have surprisingly strong but narrow, whip-like tails with extra icicle-shaped spines, being very sharp at the tip of the tail. IceWings have blue, black, or stormy grey eyes, forked blue tongues, and ridged, serrated claws to grip the ice while traveling by talon around their habitat. They have also been noted to have dark blue blood, unlike the normal dark red blood of the other Pyrrhian tribes. Their claws are described to feel "four times sharper than average claws" due to them being serrated. Some IceWings, such as [[Lynx]], have been described to have dark blue or purple freckles or markings on their faces and wings.
IceWing scales can range from silvery-gray{{Ref|TDPp}} and white{{Ref|TPJ|296}} to pale shades of blue{{Ref|TDP|154}} and purple,{{Ref|WT|141}} intended to blend into their icy surroundings. Their coloring has been described as "silver like the moons," "pale blue like ice,"<ref name=":1">''[[Dragon guides]]''</ref> "as pale as the moons,"{{Ref|L1|14}} or "moon-white scales".{{Ref|L1|174}} IceWings have dark blue,{{Ref|TDG|44}} sky blue,{{Ref|WT|191}} icy blue,{{Ref|AGttDW|135}} or stormy gray eyes,{{Ref|WT|252}} with forked blue tongues<ref name=":1">''[[Dragon guides]]''</ref> and dark blue blood.{{Ref|MR|276}}{{Ref|TDP|230}}


==Abilities ==
The head of an IceWing is shaped like a diamond and is very narrow, with spikes continuing down their back and tail and a ruff of extra spikes behind their heads. They are usually lean dragons with whip-thin tails that have icicle-shaped spines, ending in very sharp tips. They have serrated claws for gripping the ice.<ref name=":1">''[[Dragon guides]]''</ref> Some IceWings have unusual patterns, such as [[Lynx]], with dark freckles or markings on their faces and wings,{{Ref|WT|259}} and [[Mink]], with feathery patterns of gray along her wings, like whiskers or tufts of fur.{{Ref|TDG|44}}
IceWings can withstand subzero temperatures and very bright light. Their serrated claws are incredibly good at gripping ice and can be used to tear into their enemies' flesh quite easily, and being clawed by an IceWing has been said to be similar to getting clawed four times. According to ''[[The Dragonet Prophecy]]'' and ''[[Moon Rising]]'', IceWing scales radiate a chill, similar to [[SandWings|SandWing]] scales, which radiate heat. Instead of breathing fire, IceWings exhale a deadly freezing weapon called frostbreath, sometimes known by other dragons as "freezing death breath." This vapor can quickly induce terrible frostbite, and if the frost breath enters through another dragon's throat, it can kill them by fusing their internal organs. However, this can be countered by lava (and potentially other heat sources), as discussed below. They also possibly have something called 'frostscales' similar to firescales. it is rumored to have the opposite effect of firescales, making dragons freeze by touch. 


In the first book, it was shown that the frostbreath can cause limbs to fall clean off, as noticed by [[Clay]] as he flew over a battlefield. Clay described it as a cloud of glittering smoke when he battled against [[Fjord]] in the [[Sky Kingdom|SkyWing arena]]. Fjord shot his frostbreath at Clay's wing and damaged it, though his wing was repaired with mud provided by [[Peril]] later. When Clay shot fire into Fjord's mouth, the chill of his scales swallowed the flame. This caused the IceWing to have a bad coughing fit. Frostbreath can also be used to extinguish fires, demonstrated when [[Ex-Prince Winter|Winter]] extinguished the flames in the history cave by exhaling frostbreath. If it comes in contact with the soil, ice crystals will grow. An IceWing can be stopped from using this power for a short amount of time by hot metal, fire, or other warm and hot materials. This is showed in the prologue of ''The Dragonet Prophecy'', where [[Princess Burn|Burn]] first had her guards wrap [[Hvitur]]'s snout in hot iron chains, and then had them removed, planning to kill Hvitur before his scales cooled down and enabled him to breathe his frostbreath. This is also shown in ''Winter Turning'' when Winter enters the [[NightWings|NightWings’]] [[NightWing Island|volcanic island]]. He mentions that in this kind of heat that he will not be able to use his frostbreath, similar to [[MudWings]] not being able to breathe fire when it is too cold. IceWings are not comfortable in warm temperatures.
When upset, some IceWings have been shown to ruffle up the spikes around their necks.{{Ref|DoD|191}}


If a dragon is shot by frostbreath on the inside, the only known way for them to survive is for the victim to stay immersed in lava or a similar hot substance. [[Queen Battlewinner]] of the NightWings survived an attack where an IceWing shot frostbreath down her throat, but thanks to her internal fire reservoir she was able to survive for a short time; however, the fire could not hold it off forever and when she became desperate, she jumped into lava, which kept her temperature in balance. The ice in her body also discolored her eyes, teeth, scales, and throat to a frosty blue color. When she attempted to attack [[Starflight]] and [[Glory|Queen Glory]] in ''[[The Dark Secret]]'', the ice overwhelmed her and, despite [[Mastermind]]'s and [[Ex-Princess Greatness|Princess Greatness]]'s efforts to save the queen, she froze to death within seconds. [[SkyWings]] born with firescales like [[Peril]] are immune to frostbreath, but the area that was hit by the frostbreath does go numb for a while, while the firescales melt the frostbreath.
== Diet ==
IceWings prefer to eat creatures that live in the Ice Kingdom, such as reindeer, whales, penguins, hawks, polar bears, seals, walruses, and fish.{{Ref|AGttDW|135}} IceWing meals have been described as containing "bowls of dripping meat."{{Ref|WT|4}} They also consume scavengers,{{Ref|THK|131}} though not very often, as they are rare in the Ice Kingdom. Seals are common among the lower classes due to the gift of subsistence, which consists of holes in the ice found in three different villages where the lower-born IceWings live which are enchanted to always give the hunter a seal when they stick a talon in.{{Ref|AGttDW|151}} IceWings would also eat frozen berries and even have ice cream.{{Ref|TDG|217}}{{Ref|TDG|305}} IceWings typically enjoy their food raw.{{Ref|WT|154}}


In ''Moon Rising'', [[Moonwatcher]] describes IceWings as having sharp, glittering, and bright minds that are hard to read, but even harder to read when they are gathered together because their minds are said to "reflect" off of each other.
For event feasts such as coronations, IceWings may consume elaborate courses, such as kelp and sedge salads garnished with garlic and ginger, crab soup with moss, whale skin topped with polar bear meat, narwhal blubber seasoned with fulmar oil, diced puffin breast, grated gannet stomach stew, scavenger liver, shark heart, and desserts such as shaved ice flavored with maple syrup and lemons.{{Ref|AGttDW|146}} They will also eat dishes from other tribes, such as frozen cream made from milk and melons, from the [[MudWings]].{{Ref|AGttDW|147}}


=== Animus Powers ===
== Abilities ==
IceWings were once known for having many [[Animus Dragons]]. These animus dragons were carefully bred into the royal family and monitored cautiously, with strict rules for the use of their powers. IceWing animus dragons were only permitted to use their power once, for the benefit of the tribe, at the gifting ceremony on their seventh hatching day, although some dragons disobeyed this rule. The IceWings' line of animus dragons ended when Prince Arctic ran away with [[Foeslayer]], leading the IceWings to believe that the NightWings stole their magic. This also gave the NightWings the gift of animus powers. However, there could still be an IceWing animus out there because it is genetic and Prince Arctic had other siblings. 
IceWings can withstand subzero temperatures and very bright light.<ref>''[[Dragon guides]]''</ref> They have serrated claws for gripping slippery ice, which were described as "ten times sharper than normal claws" and "like getting clawed four times with each claw instead of once" when used offensively.{{Ref|TDP|168}}{{Ref|TDSp}} They are also known for having sharper eyesight than the other Pyrrhian dragon tribes,{{Ref|TDG|83}} and their scales emit an icy-cold chill,{{Ref|TDP|157}} which can freeze tiny drops of water on their bodies.{{Ref|L1|148}}


=== Known Animus Dragons ===
They can handle flight distances well but are weaker when subjected to heat.{{Ref|DoD|289}}
* [[Prince Arctic]]
 
* [[Queen Diamond]]
They can also exhale a freezing weapon called frostbreath,<ref name=":0">''[[Dragon guides]]''</ref> which appears as a cloud of sparkling smoke,{{Ref|TDP|157}} and can cause limbs to fall clean off from frostbite.{{Ref|TDP|272–273}} Scars from frostbreath look like blackened blisters, as seen on [[Mayfly]].{{Ref|WT|211}} The only known direct cure is the gift of healing, a set of narwhal horns enchanted by [[Queen Diamond]] to heal accidental frostbreath injuries. In other cases, fire, bags of hot rocks, hot mud, or related heat-emitting liquids are used to melt the ice and treat frostbreath on other tribes.{{Ref|DoD|147}}[[File:Frostbreath.png|thumb|[[Fjord]] using frostbreath during combat with [[Clay]] in the [[SkyWing arena]] from [[The Dragonet Prophecy (graphic novel)|''The Dragonet Prophecy (graphic novel)'']], by Mike Holmes]] Frostbreath forms ice crystals where it makes contact with dirt,{{Ref|TDP|272}} forms tiny chunks of ice when used on rain,{{Ref|WT|18}} and can be used to extinguish fires.{{Ref|MR|181}} An IceWing can be prevented from using their frostbreath for a short time by raising their body temperature either via a warm environment{{Ref|WT|90}} or manually heating them up (hot metal, fire, etc.).{{Ref|TDPp}} [[Fjord]]'s scales were described as "dripping with silvery liquid" while in the arena, which indicates that IceWings may be more vulnerable to warm conditions than other tribes.{{Ref|TDP|154}}
* [[Princess Frostbite]]
 
* [[King Darkstalker]] (also half [[NightWings|NightWing]])
A dragon affected by frostbreath will first feel freezing pain, shocking the affected area into paralysis, and is quite painful for the first few seconds until the area becomes numb. Victims of frostbreath will sometimes lose consciousness.{{Ref|DoD|146}} [[SkyWings]] who hatch with [[firescales]] cannot be hurt by frostbreath, though an impacted area may be numb for some time.{{Ref|EP|125}}[[File:Battlewinner freeze.png|thumb|298x298px|Frostbreath taking over [[Battlewinner]]'s body from ''[[The Dark Secret (graphic novel)]],'' by Mike Holmes]]
* [[Penguin]]
A fire-breathing dragon can survive having frostbreath shot down their throat for a short time, but the only known way to survive a long period of time after sustaining internal frostbreath injuries is by staying immersed in lava.{{Ref|TDS|168}} Internal frostbreath injuries can eventually overwhelm a dragon if they leave the lava,{{Ref|TDS|263}} which is shown in [[Battlewinner]]'s case.
 
As described in [[Moon Rising (book)|''Moon Rising'']], IceWings have sharp, glittering, and bright minds that are hard to read. Groups of IceWings will "reflect" off of one another and become even more difficult to read.{{Ref|MR|226}}
 
==== [[Animus magic]] ====
IceWings were once known for having more animus dragons than any other tribe, as well as having magic the longest.{{Ref|L1|124}} These dragons were carefully bred into the royal family and monitored with extreme caution, with strict rules for the use of their powers to keep their soul from turning evil. IceWing animus dragons were only permitted to use their power once,{{Ref|L1p}} for the benefit of the tribe, at the gifting ceremony on their seventh hatching day.{{Ref|L1p}} Some animus IceWings went against the rules, such as Queen Diamond who used her power four times — once for her normal animus gift, the gift of healing, another on [[Foeslayer]] to come back to the Ice Kingdom, again for the gift of vengeance (the Diamond Caves), and once to enchant the IceWing crown to make the wearer hate [[NightWings]] as much as she had. IceWings host a test similar to the [[SeaWings]]' [[Talons of Power ceremony]]{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Wings-of-Fire-News-at-Boskone-2020-831252663}} to find animus dragons.{{Ref|L1|116}}


=== Animus Gifts ===
The IceWing's line of animus dragons ended when [[Arctic]], the last known IceWing animus, ran away with Hope to the [[Lost city of night|Night Kingdom]], leading the IceWings to believe that the NightWings stole their magic.{{Ref|WT|37}}
* '''The Gift of Defense: '''The Great Ice Cliff, a wall on the border of the Ice Kingdom that shoots icicle spears at anyone who isn't an IceWing. This feature was first seen when one of [[Ex-Princess Blaze|Blaze]]’s soldiers attempted to cross it. IceWing hybrids can also cross the cliff, as stated by [[Typhoon]], a [[SeaWings|SeaWing]]-IceWing hybrid.
{{Dropdown
* '''The Gift of Diplomacy: '''Three bracelets that allow the wearer to get over the Great Ice Cliff despite their tribe and keep the wearer warm in the Ice Kingdom, as well as a heated dome near the SandWing border, so they don't need to wear the bracelet; created by Penguin.
|align = left
* '''The Gift of Elegance:''' An enchantment on the IceWing Palace that makes the inner walls mimic the weather outside.
|heading = Known Animus Gifts
* '''The Gift of Healing:''' Queen Diamond's first official tribe gift. She enchanted a set of narwhal horns to cure any IceWings of frost breath wounds.
|content = <p></p>
* '''The Gift of Light: '''A tree made of ice, the [[Moon Globe Tree]], enchanted and hand-carved by Frostbite. The tree grows moon globes which are used to light the area. These also have different brightness settings. Glory wanted a cutting to grow in the rain forest.
*'''The gift of compromise:''' This gift is a scepter, carved from dark blue rock and set with little diamonds, which reminds Snowfall of NightWings.{{Ref|TDG|50}} It is unknown what its purpose is.
* '''The Gift of Order: '''A wall that shows every aristocrat IceWing's name and their [[Circle Rankings|current ranking]]. 
*'''The gift of defense:''' The Great Ice Cliff, a wall on the border of the Ice Kingdom that shoots icicle spears at anyone who is not an IceWing. This feature was first seen when one of Blaze's soldiers attempted to cross it. IceWing [[hybrids]] can also cross the cliff, as stated by [[Typhoon]], a [[SeaWing]]-IceWing hybrid. Queen Snowfall intends to tear it down after punching a hole in it at the end of ''[[The Dangerous Gift]]'', and it is currently under destruction as of ''[[A Guide to the Dragon World]]''.{{Ref|AGttDW|143}}
* '''The Gift of Splendor: '''The main [[Queen Snowfall's Palace|IceWing Palace]], enchanted by animus twins to grow from the ground and never be cracked, melted, or harmed in any way from the outside which is invincible
*'''The gift of diplomacy:''' Three bracelets that allow the wearer to safely cross the Great Ice Cliff despite their tribe and keep the wearer warm in the Ice Kingdom, as well as a heated dome near the SandWing border, so they do not need to wear the bracelet; created by [[Penguin]].{{Ref|AGttDW|144}} These bracelets were stolen by NightWings, however, and have been lost for about two thousand years. The NightWings of [[Prudence]]'s time suspected there to be a fourth bracelet that the IceWings were keeping hidden.
* '''The Gift of Subsistence: '''Three ice holes on the outskirts of the Ice Kingdom where if a dragon sticks his or her claws into the lake they will always catch a seal. Winter thinks it is narrow-minded because it is built only for the lower ranks; any dragon who cared about their ranking wouldn't accept food which came so easily.
*'''The gift of elegance:''' An enchantment on the IceWing palace that makes the inner walls mimic the weather outside.{{Ref|AGttDW|144}}
*'''The Gift of Vengeance: '''[[The Diamond Caves |The Diamond Caves]] were Queen Diamond's second animus gift, enchanted so that anyone who touches [[Hope (Foeslayer)]] (a NightWing locked inside with animus-touched shackles) with a diamond-tipped spear can kill her (used for the [[Diamond Trial]]). The shackles that bound her were enchanted to refreeze her and revive her each time she was killed.  The only way to remove the shackles was to breathe frostbreath on them (Queen Diamond added this to the enchantment in case the IceWing tribe needed Foeslayer as a bargaining chip, but thought that no IceWing would ever even think of freeing her). Together, they were originally created because Queen Diamond was not satisfied with killing Foeslayer just once and instead wanted her to suffer for all eternity.
*'''The gift of healing:''' Queen Diamond's first official tribe gift. She enchanted a set of narwhal horns to cure any IceWings of frostbreath wounds.{{Ref|L1p}} Snowfall thinks that the inspiration for the gift was that Diamond herself was hit by frostbreath when she was a dragonet.{{Ref|AGttDW|144}}
*'''The gift of light:''' A tree made of ice, the Moon Globe Tree, enchanted and hand-carved by [[Frostbite]]. The tree grows moon globes which, once picked from the branches, hover over the shoulder of the dragon who picked them and cast a soft glow. They also have different brightness settings that can be changed by rotating the globe. [[Glory]] wanted a cutting to grow in the rainforest.
* '''The gift of order:''' A wall that shows every IceWing aristocrat's name and their current ranking. The names can be slid around like abacus beads if the IceWing rises or falls in rank. Dead IceWing names can be scratched out. There are Circles for each rank, with two different systems for adults and dragonets. There is an alcove in the wall set aside for the IceWing queen,{{Ref|TDG|19}} and the queen must consider that all IceWings on the Gift of Order are important to the Kingdom. The queen must also reorder the ranks of the dragons in the IceWing palace every night. It was destroyed at the end of ''The Dangerous Gift'' by Snowfall, although a piece of it was given to [[Jade Mountain Academy]] for future study.{{Ref|AGttDW|143}}
*'''The gift of splendor:''' The main [[IceWing palace]], enchanted by animus twins to grow from the ground and never be cracked, melted, or harmed in any way from the outside.{{Ref|AGttDW|143}}
*'''The gift of stealth:''' A pair of pale silver wristbands set with diamonds that can make one or more dragons invisible.{{Ref|AGttDW|145}} While dragons are invisible, they must turn visible again before adding more dragons to the invisible group. Dragons in the invisibility circle are only able to be heard by each other. Snowfall uses it to disguise her army when she first meets the dragons from [[Pantala]], then later to catch [[Crystal]] and [[Sky]], on two separate occasions. They were given to [[Sundew]] when she left with the stealth group for Pantala.
*'''The gift of strength:''' A delicate and elegant tiara, which is smaller than the IceWing crown, and gives immense strength to the wearer. Snowfall used it in ''The Dangerous Gift'' to destroy part of the Great Ice Cliff and the entirety of the gift of order.
*'''The gift of subsistence:''' Three ice holes on the outskirts of the Ice Kingdom where if a dragon sticks their claws into it, they will always catch a seal. [[Winter]] thinks it is narrow-minded because it is built only for the lower ranks; any dragon who cared about their ranking would not accept food which came so easily.{{Ref|WT|243}} It was created by [[Caribou (princess)|Caribou]] after [[Snowstorm (advisor)|Snowstorm]] showed her how the outer villages of the Ice Kingdom lived.{{Ref|AGttDW|151}}
* '''The gift of understanding:''' Only part of this gift is available in the Forbidden Treasury, a piece of unwearable silver.{{Ref|TDG|52}} It is unknown what its purpose is. The gift is connected to a story [[Tui]] has not finished yet.{{Ref|Event|https://www.crowdcast.io/e/thedangerousgiftevent}}
*'''The gift of vengeance:''' The [[Diamond Caves]] were Queen Diamond's second animus gift, enchanted so that anyone who touches Hope (a NightWing locked inside with animus-touched shackles) with a diamond-tipped spear can kill her (used for the Diamond Trial). The shackles that bound her were enchanted to refreeze her and revive her each time she was killed. The only way to remove the shackles was to breathe frostbreath on them (Queen Diamond added this to the enchantment in case the IceWing tribe needed Hope as a bargaining chip, but thought that no IceWing would ever even think of freeing her). Together, they were created because Queen Diamond was not satisfied with killing Hope just once, and instead wanted her to suffer for all eternity.
*'''The gift of vision:''' The gift of vision is an animus-touched ring created by the IceWing animus, [[Opal]]. It is enchanted and only shows up for certain queens who are not ready to rule or need to be taught a lesson to become more open-minded. The wearer cannot take this ring off until they have fully learned their lesson. It allows the wearer to see visions through other dragons while the wearer themselves is sleeping, which makes them more open-minded towards other dragons' situations and circumstances. It is a silver ring with a big opal gem in the middle, and it cannot be destroyed. This is shown when Snowfall tried to ask [[Luna]] for assistance to burn off the ring with her flamesilk, or when she was slamming it on the rock.
}}


== Society ==
== Society ==
The IceWings appear to be fairly sophisticated in comparison to the other tribes, being the only dragons to have a social hierarchy. Their social order seems to be a little reminiscent of a lower-level Russian 1800's society combined with something that seems a little Spartan. Almost all of them are full of themselves. They also seem to be good planners due to their use of the animus IceWings in their tribe.
IceWings appear to be fairly sophisticated, strict, and believe themselves superior in comparison to the other tribes, being the only Pyrrhian dragons to have a hierarchy. They are very prideful and often perceived as rude and arrogant by dragons of other tribes.{{Ref|WTp}} There are strict IceWing codes of behavior: most IceWings agree that the only way to make dragonets strong is to expose all of their weaknesses, and that shame and fear are powerful weapons in teaching. If everyone is disappointed in a dragonet, the consensus is that they will work harder to prove themselves.{{Ref|WT|7}} Most dragonets are seasoned warriors in the Ice Kingdom.{{Ref|WT|66}}
 
Even in times of general peace, IceWings still had minor skirmishes with SandWings and SkyWings.{{Ref|W3q|103}}
 
Royal IceWings are typically not affectionate, as Winter mentioned that hugging their family members would be considered undignified.{{Ref|WT|45}} The lines of guards that attend the IceWing queen are perfectly coiled,{{Ref|WT|58}} and IceWings are noble to their queen's orders.{{Ref|WT|92}} It is painful to hold the IceWing guard stance for too long,{{Ref|WT|58}} but Winter practiced for hours to get the pose perfectly right: his wings folded exactly so, his tail in the right position, his snout up and shoulders back.{{Ref|WT|58}}
 
The IceWing queen, according to the ancient traditions of the tribe, was required to assess and adjust the gift of order each night.{{Ref|TDG|18}} She also has a council of powerful IceWings to guide and support her.{{Ref|TDG|29}} Most queens are killed in royal challenges in a battlefield, an arena, or before the entire court in a bloodstained throne room.{{Ref|TDG|47}}
 
Royal IceWings in the time of ''[[Darkstalker (Legends)|Darkstalker]]'' stored the frozen heads of deceased royal family members on walls in the palace and slid the deceased's corpses into the ocean.{{Ref|W4q|140}} This tradition is no longer practiced.{{Ref|Event|2=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn7Jmbsc7M0|3=(13:50)}}
 
IceWings living in villages outside the palace are less obsessed with status and Circles.{{Ref|DoD|367}} The outer villages are made of ice structures and are named hyphenated phrases.{{Ref|TDG|59}} In the outer villages, scrolls are typically written on sealskin and are circulated between IceWing villages by wandering librarians. They often have revered storytellers, or bards, who memorize stories that they sing or recite. Stories include tales of the [[Great Ice Dragon]] and histories of the IceWing tribe and their heroes. Dragonets are chosen to be their village's bard based on memory and performance skill. [[Caribou (bard)|Caribou]] claimed that it is every young dragon's dream to be their village's bard.{{Ref|AGttDW|148}}


The aristocracy of the IceWing tribe is divided into seven ranks, or circles, of status, with the First Circle being the best and the Seventh Circle being the worst. They separate dragonets and adults into two different divisions. Before their seventh hatching day, IceWing dragonets climb up the ranks by hunting, training, performing the proper IceWing customs impeccably, and surpassing various tests given by the dragonets' parents or guardians. (For example, Winter was sent out to spend the night in a blizzard alone while he was still very young.) The current rank possessed by the dragonet on their seventh hatching day determines the course of the rest of his or her life, although adult dragons are still capable of dropping or gaining circles. Dragonets who were ranked in a high-ranking circle are housed in the queen's palace when they are adults and are granted input on important political and tribal matters as well. This system is called the Gift of Order, a wall of ice showing the ranks of every noble dragon and dragonet. The place where a dragonet ranks on their seventh hatching day determines where he or she will live as an adult.
IceWings have a mythological figure called the Great Ice Dragon, whom they swear by the teeth of.{{Ref|MR|226}} They also swear by snow monsters{{Ref|MR|289}} and believe in spirits under the ice.{{Ref|TDG|33}}


In Winter Turning, there was an instance whereas an adult IceWing wore an accessory to indicate their ranking. It was shown when Winter met the first guard that stood outside the gate after he had rescued Hailstorm and returned to the Kingdom of Ice. The accessory wore by the guard was describe as '<spanstyle="text-indent: 5%; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.35em; display: inline !important; float: none;">chain of five concentric silver circles</span>' which indicated the guard as 'Fifth Circle' among the adult rankings.{{Ref|WT|Chapter 20}}
IceWings can have pets such as arctic foxes.{{Ref|AGttDW|140}}


However, the Diamond Trial is also another last-minute possibility for rank movement. It is a test where the lowest-ranked IceWing challenges the highest-ranked. For the Diamond Trial, the low-ranked dragon must kill the highest-ranked dragon in order for him/her to advance to first place. However, this is risky and the challenger may end up getting killed by the dragon that is being challenged. If a dragonet dies or is exiled for some reason, their name on the ice wall of the Gift of Order is slashed through. Once a dragonet turns seven, they are moved to the adult rankings, which determine where they live.
IceWings have parties, talent shows, and competitions frequently and are always working hard to make something wonderful to share with the rest of the tribe. These include recipes, scrolls, songs, and jewelry.{{Ref|AGttDW|141}}


Only noble IceWings use this class system.
Many IceWings polish their scales to maintain a clean look. This can be done via rolling in snow,{{Ref|WT|253}} swimming in cold water,{{Ref|WT|131}} or other various ways.


IceWings have a strict behavior to uphold; Winter describes it as "undignified" when Moon hugs [[Secretkeeper|her mother]].
==== Circle rankings ====
[[File:Ranking wall adjustment GN.jpg|thumb|[[Tundra]] adjusting [[Winter]]'s rank on the ranking wall to first from ''[[Winter Turning (graphic novel)]]'', by Mike Holmes]]
Before the reign of Queen Snowfall, the aristocracy and nobility of the IceWing tribe were divided into seven ranks of status, known as Circles. The First Circle was the top, highest, or best, while the Seventh Circle was the bottom, lowest, or worst. IceWings below the age of seven were ranked as dragonets and graduated to the adult rankings on their seventh hatching day.{{Ref|WT|8}} A dragonet's ranking on their seventh hatching day determined the course of the rest of their life, and if a dragonet reached their seventh hatching day in the Seventh Circle, they were stationed to an arctic outpost for the rest of their lives.{{Ref|WT|25}} In families in the Ice Kingdom, the highest-ranked parent chose the names for their dragonets, regardless of gender, and were then approved by the queen.{{Ref|L1|15}}


IceWings tend to be very proud, stiff, and arrogant dragons. Tribal pride isn't a secret among the IceWings, and thus their tribe consists of very haughty and uptight individuals. On the rare occasion that an IceWing interacts with a member of another tribe, it's usually very formal and forced; the IceWings believe that their tribe is superior to any other and that the other tribes are “just a footnote in the great IceWing sagas that told the history of Pyrrhia." Thus, the entire time they're talking to someone, it's usually with disdain. ''(See [[scrolls]] for more on their education).''
This system was managed via the gift of order and consisted of a wall of ice showing the rankings of every noble and dragonet. The queen was required to adjust these rankings daily. Some noble dragons wore accessories to indicate their rankings, such as a necklace with circles on it.{{Ref|WT|240}}
[[File:Ice wing circle necklace.jpeg|thumb|A ranking necklace, from ''Winter Turning (graphic novel)'', by Mike Holmes]]


IceWings believe their stories are the true history and the only correct retellings of legends and events, with every other tribe's version being an altered retelling tailored for the tribe, despite the IceWing stories being exactly that.
IceWing dragonets raised their ranking through hunting, training, performing traditional IceWing customs, and passing tests given by their guardians.{{Ref|WT|3}} In the dragonet rankings, each hunt was still a chance to prove themselves and increase their rank.{{Ref|WT|3}} The highest-ranked dragonets were more respected. When a dragonet reached their seventh hatching day in the First or Second Circle, they would be housed in the queen's palace and allowed to provide input on important matters. When an adult went into Third Circle or lower, they could have lost their right to live in the palace.{{Ref|WT|249}} If an IceWing died or was exiled, their names were slashed through on the gift of order, as shown in [[Hailstorm]]'s case. If a dragonet went down in the rankings, their parents would too.{{Ref|WT|249}}


The royal family has a procedure of decapitating dead members before proceeding to store the IceWing's frozen head on the wall of dead royal family members and then slide the corpse into the ocean, according to [[Snowflake]] in ''[[Runaway]].''
The gift of order has since been destroyed by Queen Snowfall.{{Ref|TDG|303}} She is also working on destroying the gift of defense so that IceWings can become more open-minded to other tribes willing to help them during crises.
 
==== Diamond Trial ====
[[File:Diamond Caves interior GN3.jpg|thumb|[[IceWing gifts|The Diamond Caves]] where the Diamond Trial takes place from ''Winter Turning (graphic novel)'', by Mike Holmes]]
The Diamond Trial, also known as the gift of vengeance, was a way for IceWing dragonets to increase their Circle ranking in the tribe, generally as a last-minute effort to switch the places of two dragonets (the topmost and bottommost positions). It involved entering the Diamond Caves with narwhal horn spears, meant to touch a frozen NightWing - Foeslayer. When she was thawed, both contestants had to battle her. Foeslayer was then frozen again after she had been killed, leaving the two dragonets to fight to the death. However, the trial was rigged - only one of the dragonets, the one the IceWings wanted to win, was given information about the trial and how the spears actually worked.
 
The trial became defunct when Winter secretly freed Foeslayer during the events of ''[[Winter Turning (book)|Winter Turning]]''.


== Names ==
== Names ==
IceWing names are chosen by the family member with the highest rank and must be approved by the queen. They can be named after ice formations such as [[Queen Glacier|Glacier]], arctic animals (terrestrial or aquatic) such as Lynx, [[Prince Narwhal|Narwhal]] and [[Ermine]], words for "white" in various languages such as Hvitur, polar landscapes such as [[Tundra]], and polar weather such as [[Prince Hailstorm|Hailstorm]]. It is also possible for them to be named after blue and white gemstones such as Diamond and after seasons such as Winter.
Before Queen Snowfall, IceWing names were chosen by the family member with the highest Circle rank and the names had to be approved by the queen.{{Ref|L1|15}} It is unknown if this naming convention is still practiced. They can be named after ice formations like [[Glacier]] and [[Icicle]], arctic animals (both terrestrial and aquatic) such as Penguin, Lynx, [[Narwhal]], and [[Ermine]], words for "white" in various languages such as [[Alba]] and [[Hvitur]], polar landscapes such as [[Tundra]], polar weather such as Hailstorm or Snowfall, and mountains such as [[Changbai]]. They can also be named after blue and white gemstones such as Crystal, Diamond, and Opal, as well as cold seasons like Winter.


== Known IceWings ==
Click [[:Category:IceWings|here]] for a list of known IceWings.
 
==== Animus dragons ====
* [[Arctic]]
* [[Caribou (princess)|Caribou]]
* [[Darkstalker (L1)|Darkstalker]] (Half-NightWing, Half-IceWing)
* [[Diamond]]
* [[Frostbite]]
* [[Opal]]
* [[Penguin]]
 
==== Students at Jade Mountain ====  
* [[Alba]]
* [[Alba]]
* [[Prince Arctic]]
* [[Changbai]]
* [[Changbai]]
* [[Cirrus]] ([[Chameleon]]'s IceWing form)
* [[King Darkstalker|Darkstalker]] (also half NightWing)
* [[Queen Diamond]]
* [[Ermine]]
* [[Ermine]]
* [[Fjord]]
* [[Icicle]] (formerly; on trial in the Ice Kingdom for attempting to kill [[Starflight]] and Glory, and killing an unnamed NightWing by the orders of [[Queen Scarlet]])
* [[Princess Frostbite]]
* [[Winter]] (formerly; currently living with the [[Talons of Peace]] in [[Sanctuary]])
* [[Queen Glacier]]
* 2 unnamed IceWings
* [[Prince Hailstorm]]
* [[Hvitur]]
* [[Princess Icicle]]
* [[Lynx]]
* [[Prince Albatross]] (also part SeaWing)
* [[Prince Narwhal]]
* [[Penguin]]
* [[Queen Snowfall]]
* [[Princess Snowfox]]
* [[Snowflake]]
* [[Tundra]]
* [[Typhoon]] (also half SeaWing)
* [[Whiteout]] (also half NightWing)
* [[Ex-Prince Winter]]
* [[Fathom]]'s descendants (as Albatross was given to be part IceWing)
 
== Students at Jade Mountain ==
* Winter (currently living with the [[Talons of Peace]])
* Icicle (on trial in the [[Ice Kingdom]], for attempting to kill [[Starflight]] and killing an unnamed NightWing)
* Changbai
* Alba
* Ermine


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
* Some IceWings seem to be minimalists, describing [[Blaze's Fortress|Blaze's fortress]] decorations as "garish and gaudy," possibly because their homeland has very little to offer in the way of decoration: mostly ice and snow.
* IceWings may use fruit juice to make popsicles.{{Ref|Event|https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/275812823643193345/838991337738862642/Tumblr_l_201903406588238.png}}
* IceWings appear to other tribes as stuck-up, haughty, rude, and snobbish, due to their belief they are superior to all other tribes.
* There have been legends of animus IceWings that have gone mad from overuse of magic.{{Ref|L1p}}
* It is mentioned they only interact with other tribes if they stand to gain something from it.
* IceWings have a specific sleeping schedule.{{Ref|W4q|146}}
*Their breath has been referred to as "freezing-death breath" and "frostbreath." Freezing-death breath was used in the first arc, while in the second arc, it is always referred to as "frostbreath." It is highly likely that it was only called "freezing-death breath" because the Dragonets of Destiny did not know the actual term for it.
* IceWings have trouble smelling things properly in more crowded environments like forests or towns.{{Ref|WTp}}
* When it is too warm, IceWings can't use their frostbreath, much like MudWings (who can only breathe fire when they are warm enough, as seen in the prologue of the first book).
* IceWings can use their polished scales to make mirror signals by reflecting sunlight.{{Ref|WT|131}} Winter showed to do this in [[Winter Turning (graphic novel)]] to make a beacon signal for the others.
* In ''Moon Rising,'' ''Winter Turning'', and ''Darkstalker'' it is noted that IceWings have dark blue blood, but in the first book, it was described as bluish-red. In the graphic novel, it is portrayed as a dark shade of blue.
* There is an old IceWing tale that eating a shark heart can give a dragon strength; however, Glacier noted that many IceWings would get sick from eating it.{{Ref|AGttDW|147}}
* [[Winter]],{{Ref|MR|? (Chapter 24)}} [[Icicle]],{{Ref|MR|? (Chapter 18)}} and [[Snowflake]]{{Ref|w4|?}}{{Ref|w4|?&nbsp;}} have made references to "the great ice dragon" and "snow monsters," which means they likely have mythological figures, or at least mythology, as they read sagas of IceWing history.
* IceWings have bright, glittery minds, as shown in ''Moon Rising''.
* IceWings have incredibly weak night vision, though it may once have been stronger before the Gift of Light.
* SkyWings with firescales are immune to frostbreath.
*It is possible that animus magic originated from the IceWings, as so far, SeaWing and NightWing animi have been confirmed to be descended from IceWings.
* IceWings were the first known tribe to use their animus dragons in a controlled manner, whereas other tribe's animus dragons were killed before they could use their magic or went insane from overusing their magic.
* Being clawed by an IceWing is described as being clawed "four times with each claw instead of one" by Peril in ''The Dragonet Prophecy''.
* IceWings are portrayed as knowing how to swim, in both ''Winter Turning'', when Hailstorm reflects on how he felt in the body of [[Prince Hailstorm/Pyrite|Pyrite]] when he saw water and when it is mentioned that Icicle dives into the frigid ocean six times a day, and in ''Darkstalker (Legends)'' when two IceWings leap out of the water on a beach to kill some scavengers set loose by [[Clearsight]] and [[Listener]] before they jumped back into the water and swam away. This also proves that IceWings don't have as many issues with water as other tribes do.
* IceWings are shown to have scheduled sleeping times in ''Runaway''. When Prince Arctic is caught out of his room, the Queen sends him back to bed, after talking about the scheduled IceWing sleeping cycle.
* In ''Winter Turning'', Winter's thoughts revealed that IceWings can see very far like Skywings.
* Tui has confirmed that IceWings have accents that are different from any other dragon tribe, probably because they live the most isolated from most dragon tribes. They most likely have an accent in between English and Spanish, because most other tribes describe them to be 'high-pitched with a tinge of deep in certain words.'
* The IceWings have four palaces - the Queen's palace shown on the map of Pyrrhia, as well as three outer ones as mentioned in ''Darkstalker (Legends).''
* When IceWings blush, they turn blue.{{Ref|WT|?}}
* In IceWing society, the dragon with the highest rank in the family chooses their dragonets' names, and the queen must approve them.
* IceWings eat frozen fruit, sometimes impaled like popsicles.<ref>https://wingsoffire.scholastic.com/forums/topics/328664</ref>
* A typical Icewing's diet consists of seal, polar bear, fish, whales, and other arctic creatures.<ref>https://wingsoffire.scholastic.com/forums/topics/328664</ref>


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
Click [[IceWings/Gallery|here]] to see the gallery.
<gallery>
Typical IceWing by Sassy the Beagle.jpg|A typical IceWing (colored), by [[Joy Ang]]
IceTransparent.png|A typical IceWing (lineart), by Joy Ang
Transparent IceWing Base (Joy Ang).png|A typical IceWing (transparent), by Joy Ang
IceWing DE.png|A typical IceWing from the German publication, by [[Max Meinzold]]
</gallery>


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
{{References}}
 
{{EventReferences}}
{{IceWing Navbox}}
{{IceWing Navbox}}


[[de:Eisflügler]] [[fr:Ailes de Glace]] [[pl:Lodoskrzydłe]] [[ru:Ледяные драконы]]
[[cs:Ledoleti]]
[[de:Eisflügler]]
[[fi:Jääsiivet]]
[[fr:Ailes de Glace]]
[[nl:IJsVleugels]]
[[pl:Lodoskrzydłe]]
[[ru:Ледяные драконы]]
[[uk:Льодокрили]]


<pstyle="margin-left:24px;">
[[Category:Pyrrhian tribes]]
</p>
[[Category:Dragon tribes]]
[[Category:Tribes of Pyrrhia]]
[[Category:Tribes of Dragons]]

Latest revision as of 06:18, 26 October 2025

IceWings, also known as ice dragons or arctic dragons to humans, are a Pyrrhian dragon tribe that resides in the Ice Kingdom, the "head" of the dragon-shaped Pyrrhia, which is known for its cold winds, freezing temperatures, and, formerly, the Great Ice Cliff (also known as the gift of defense), before it was destroyed by Queen Snowfall,[1] their current queen.

The IceWings supported Blaze during the War of SandWing Succession, joining her alliance with the promise of a large portion of land near the SandWings' northern border if Blaze had won.[2]

Description

IceWing scales can range from silvery-gray[3] and white[4] to pale shades of blue[5] and purple,[6] intended to blend into their icy surroundings. Their coloring has been described as "silver like the moons," "pale blue like ice,"[7] "as pale as the moons,"[8] or "moon-white scales".[9] IceWings have dark blue,[10] sky blue,[11] icy blue,[12] or stormy gray eyes,[13] with forked blue tongues[7] and dark blue blood.[14][15]

The head of an IceWing is shaped like a diamond and is very narrow, with spikes continuing down their back and tail and a ruff of extra spikes behind their heads. They are usually lean dragons with whip-thin tails that have icicle-shaped spines, ending in very sharp tips. They have serrated claws for gripping the ice.[7] Some IceWings have unusual patterns, such as Lynx, with dark freckles or markings on their faces and wings,[16] and Mink, with feathery patterns of gray along her wings, like whiskers or tufts of fur.[10]

When upset, some IceWings have been shown to ruffle up the spikes around their necks.[17]

Diet

IceWings prefer to eat creatures that live in the Ice Kingdom, such as reindeer, whales, penguins, hawks, polar bears, seals, walruses, and fish.[12] IceWing meals have been described as containing "bowls of dripping meat."[18] They also consume scavengers,[19] though not very often, as they are rare in the Ice Kingdom. Seals are common among the lower classes due to the gift of subsistence, which consists of holes in the ice found in three different villages where the lower-born IceWings live which are enchanted to always give the hunter a seal when they stick a talon in.[20] IceWings would also eat frozen berries and even have ice cream.[21][22] IceWings typically enjoy their food raw.[23]

For event feasts such as coronations, IceWings may consume elaborate courses, such as kelp and sedge salads garnished with garlic and ginger, crab soup with moss, whale skin topped with polar bear meat, narwhal blubber seasoned with fulmar oil, diced puffin breast, grated gannet stomach stew, scavenger liver, shark heart, and desserts such as shaved ice flavored with maple syrup and lemons.[24] They will also eat dishes from other tribes, such as frozen cream made from milk and melons, from the MudWings.[25]

Abilities

IceWings can withstand subzero temperatures and very bright light.[26] They have serrated claws for gripping slippery ice, which were described as "ten times sharper than normal claws" and "like getting clawed four times with each claw instead of once" when used offensively.[27][28] They are also known for having sharper eyesight than the other Pyrrhian dragon tribes,[29] and their scales emit an icy-cold chill,[30] which can freeze tiny drops of water on their bodies.[31]

They can handle flight distances well but are weaker when subjected to heat.[32]

They can also exhale a freezing weapon called frostbreath,[33] which appears as a cloud of sparkling smoke,[30] and can cause limbs to fall clean off from frostbite.[34] Scars from frostbreath look like blackened blisters, as seen on Mayfly.[35] The only known direct cure is the gift of healing, a set of narwhal horns enchanted by Queen Diamond to heal accidental frostbreath injuries. In other cases, fire, bags of hot rocks, hot mud, or related heat-emitting liquids are used to melt the ice and treat frostbreath on other tribes.[36]

Fjord using frostbreath during combat with Clay in the SkyWing arena from The Dragonet Prophecy (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

Frostbreath forms ice crystals where it makes contact with dirt,[37] forms tiny chunks of ice when used on rain,[38] and can be used to extinguish fires.[39] An IceWing can be prevented from using their frostbreath for a short time by raising their body temperature either via a warm environment[40] or manually heating them up (hot metal, fire, etc.).[3] Fjord's scales were described as "dripping with silvery liquid" while in the arena, which indicates that IceWings may be more vulnerable to warm conditions than other tribes.[5] A dragon affected by frostbreath will first feel freezing pain, shocking the affected area into paralysis, and is quite painful for the first few seconds until the area becomes numb. Victims of frostbreath will sometimes lose consciousness.[41] SkyWings who hatch with firescales cannot be hurt by frostbreath, though an impacted area may be numb for some time.[42]

Frostbreath taking over Battlewinner's body from The Dark Secret (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

A fire-breathing dragon can survive having frostbreath shot down their throat for a short time, but the only known way to survive a long period of time after sustaining internal frostbreath injuries is by staying immersed in lava.[43] Internal frostbreath injuries can eventually overwhelm a dragon if they leave the lava,[44] which is shown in Battlewinner's case.

As described in Moon Rising, IceWings have sharp, glittering, and bright minds that are hard to read. Groups of IceWings will "reflect" off of one another and become even more difficult to read.[45]

Animus magic

IceWings were once known for having more animus dragons than any other tribe, as well as having magic the longest.[46] These dragons were carefully bred into the royal family and monitored with extreme caution, with strict rules for the use of their powers to keep their soul from turning evil. IceWing animus dragons were only permitted to use their power once,[47] for the benefit of the tribe, at the gifting ceremony on their seventh hatching day.[47] Some animus IceWings went against the rules, such as Queen Diamond who used her power four times — once for her normal animus gift, the gift of healing, another on Foeslayer to come back to the Ice Kingdom, again for the gift of vengeance (the Diamond Caves), and once to enchant the IceWing crown to make the wearer hate NightWings as much as she had. IceWings host a test similar to the SeaWings' Talons of Power ceremony[event 1] to find animus dragons.[48]

The IceWing's line of animus dragons ended when Arctic, the last known IceWing animus, ran away with Hope to the Night Kingdom, leading the IceWings to believe that the NightWings stole their magic.[49]

Known Animus Gifts

  • The gift of compromise: This gift is a scepter, carved from dark blue rock and set with little diamonds, which reminds Snowfall of NightWings.[50] It is unknown what its purpose is.
  • The gift of defense: The Great Ice Cliff, a wall on the border of the Ice Kingdom that shoots icicle spears at anyone who is not an IceWing. This feature was first seen when one of Blaze's soldiers attempted to cross it. IceWing hybrids can also cross the cliff, as stated by Typhoon, a SeaWing-IceWing hybrid. Queen Snowfall intends to tear it down after punching a hole in it at the end of The Dangerous Gift, and it is currently under destruction as of A Guide to the Dragon World.[51]
  • The gift of diplomacy: Three bracelets that allow the wearer to safely cross the Great Ice Cliff despite their tribe and keep the wearer warm in the Ice Kingdom, as well as a heated dome near the SandWing border, so they do not need to wear the bracelet; created by Penguin.[52] These bracelets were stolen by NightWings, however, and have been lost for about two thousand years. The NightWings of Prudence's time suspected there to be a fourth bracelet that the IceWings were keeping hidden.
  • The gift of elegance: An enchantment on the IceWing palace that makes the inner walls mimic the weather outside.[52]
  • The gift of healing: Queen Diamond's first official tribe gift. She enchanted a set of narwhal horns to cure any IceWings of frostbreath wounds.[47] Snowfall thinks that the inspiration for the gift was that Diamond herself was hit by frostbreath when she was a dragonet.[52]
  • The gift of light: A tree made of ice, the Moon Globe Tree, enchanted and hand-carved by Frostbite. The tree grows moon globes which, once picked from the branches, hover over the shoulder of the dragon who picked them and cast a soft glow. They also have different brightness settings that can be changed by rotating the globe. Glory wanted a cutting to grow in the rainforest.
  • The gift of order: A wall that shows every IceWing aristocrat's name and their current ranking. The names can be slid around like abacus beads if the IceWing rises or falls in rank. Dead IceWing names can be scratched out. There are Circles for each rank, with two different systems for adults and dragonets. There is an alcove in the wall set aside for the IceWing queen,[53] and the queen must consider that all IceWings on the Gift of Order are important to the Kingdom. The queen must also reorder the ranks of the dragons in the IceWing palace every night. It was destroyed at the end of The Dangerous Gift by Snowfall, although a piece of it was given to Jade Mountain Academy for future study.[51]
  • The gift of splendor: The main IceWing palace, enchanted by animus twins to grow from the ground and never be cracked, melted, or harmed in any way from the outside.[51]
  • The gift of stealth: A pair of pale silver wristbands set with diamonds that can make one or more dragons invisible.[54] While dragons are invisible, they must turn visible again before adding more dragons to the invisible group. Dragons in the invisibility circle are only able to be heard by each other. Snowfall uses it to disguise her army when she first meets the dragons from Pantala, then later to catch Crystal and Sky, on two separate occasions. They were given to Sundew when she left with the stealth group for Pantala.
  • The gift of strength: A delicate and elegant tiara, which is smaller than the IceWing crown, and gives immense strength to the wearer. Snowfall used it in The Dangerous Gift to destroy part of the Great Ice Cliff and the entirety of the gift of order.
  • The gift of subsistence: Three ice holes on the outskirts of the Ice Kingdom where if a dragon sticks their claws into it, they will always catch a seal. Winter thinks it is narrow-minded because it is built only for the lower ranks; any dragon who cared about their ranking would not accept food which came so easily.[55] It was created by Caribou after Snowstorm showed her how the outer villages of the Ice Kingdom lived.[20]
  • The gift of understanding: Only part of this gift is available in the Forbidden Treasury, a piece of unwearable silver.[56] It is unknown what its purpose is. The gift is connected to a story Tui has not finished yet.[event 2]
  • The gift of vengeance: The Diamond Caves were Queen Diamond's second animus gift, enchanted so that anyone who touches Hope (a NightWing locked inside with animus-touched shackles) with a diamond-tipped spear can kill her (used for the Diamond Trial). The shackles that bound her were enchanted to refreeze her and revive her each time she was killed. The only way to remove the shackles was to breathe frostbreath on them (Queen Diamond added this to the enchantment in case the IceWing tribe needed Hope as a bargaining chip, but thought that no IceWing would ever even think of freeing her). Together, they were created because Queen Diamond was not satisfied with killing Hope just once, and instead wanted her to suffer for all eternity.
  • The gift of vision: The gift of vision is an animus-touched ring created by the IceWing animus, Opal. It is enchanted and only shows up for certain queens who are not ready to rule or need to be taught a lesson to become more open-minded. The wearer cannot take this ring off until they have fully learned their lesson. It allows the wearer to see visions through other dragons while the wearer themselves is sleeping, which makes them more open-minded towards other dragons' situations and circumstances. It is a silver ring with a big opal gem in the middle, and it cannot be destroyed. This is shown when Snowfall tried to ask Luna for assistance to burn off the ring with her flamesilk, or when she was slamming it on the rock.

Society

IceWings appear to be fairly sophisticated, strict, and believe themselves superior in comparison to the other tribes, being the only Pyrrhian dragons to have a hierarchy. They are very prideful and often perceived as rude and arrogant by dragons of other tribes.[57] There are strict IceWing codes of behavior: most IceWings agree that the only way to make dragonets strong is to expose all of their weaknesses, and that shame and fear are powerful weapons in teaching. If everyone is disappointed in a dragonet, the consensus is that they will work harder to prove themselves.[58] Most dragonets are seasoned warriors in the Ice Kingdom.[59]

Even in times of general peace, IceWings still had minor skirmishes with SandWings and SkyWings.[60]

Royal IceWings are typically not affectionate, as Winter mentioned that hugging their family members would be considered undignified.[61] The lines of guards that attend the IceWing queen are perfectly coiled,[62] and IceWings are noble to their queen's orders.[63] It is painful to hold the IceWing guard stance for too long,[62] but Winter practiced for hours to get the pose perfectly right: his wings folded exactly so, his tail in the right position, his snout up and shoulders back.[62]

The IceWing queen, according to the ancient traditions of the tribe, was required to assess and adjust the gift of order each night.[64] She also has a council of powerful IceWings to guide and support her.[65] Most queens are killed in royal challenges in a battlefield, an arena, or before the entire court in a bloodstained throne room.[66]

Royal IceWings in the time of Darkstalker stored the frozen heads of deceased royal family members on walls in the palace and slid the deceased's corpses into the ocean.[67] This tradition is no longer practiced.[event 3]

IceWings living in villages outside the palace are less obsessed with status and Circles.[68] The outer villages are made of ice structures and are named hyphenated phrases.[69] In the outer villages, scrolls are typically written on sealskin and are circulated between IceWing villages by wandering librarians. They often have revered storytellers, or bards, who memorize stories that they sing or recite. Stories include tales of the Great Ice Dragon and histories of the IceWing tribe and their heroes. Dragonets are chosen to be their village's bard based on memory and performance skill. Caribou claimed that it is every young dragon's dream to be their village's bard.[70]

IceWings have a mythological figure called the Great Ice Dragon, whom they swear by the teeth of.[45] They also swear by snow monsters[71] and believe in spirits under the ice.[72]

IceWings can have pets such as arctic foxes.[73]

IceWings have parties, talent shows, and competitions frequently and are always working hard to make something wonderful to share with the rest of the tribe. These include recipes, scrolls, songs, and jewelry.[74]

Many IceWings polish their scales to maintain a clean look. This can be done via rolling in snow,[75] swimming in cold water,[76] or other various ways.

Circle rankings

Tundra adjusting Winter's rank on the ranking wall to first from Winter Turning (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

Before the reign of Queen Snowfall, the aristocracy and nobility of the IceWing tribe were divided into seven ranks of status, known as Circles. The First Circle was the top, highest, or best, while the Seventh Circle was the bottom, lowest, or worst. IceWings below the age of seven were ranked as dragonets and graduated to the adult rankings on their seventh hatching day.[77] A dragonet's ranking on their seventh hatching day determined the course of the rest of their life, and if a dragonet reached their seventh hatching day in the Seventh Circle, they were stationed to an arctic outpost for the rest of their lives.[78] In families in the Ice Kingdom, the highest-ranked parent chose the names for their dragonets, regardless of gender, and were then approved by the queen.[79]

This system was managed via the gift of order and consisted of a wall of ice showing the rankings of every noble and dragonet. The queen was required to adjust these rankings daily. Some noble dragons wore accessories to indicate their rankings, such as a necklace with circles on it.[80]

A ranking necklace, from Winter Turning (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

IceWing dragonets raised their ranking through hunting, training, performing traditional IceWing customs, and passing tests given by their guardians.[81] In the dragonet rankings, each hunt was still a chance to prove themselves and increase their rank.[81] The highest-ranked dragonets were more respected. When a dragonet reached their seventh hatching day in the First or Second Circle, they would be housed in the queen's palace and allowed to provide input on important matters. When an adult went into Third Circle or lower, they could have lost their right to live in the palace.[82] If an IceWing died or was exiled, their names were slashed through on the gift of order, as shown in Hailstorm's case. If a dragonet went down in the rankings, their parents would too.[82]

The gift of order has since been destroyed by Queen Snowfall.[83] She is also working on destroying the gift of defense so that IceWings can become more open-minded to other tribes willing to help them during crises.

Diamond Trial

The Diamond Caves where the Diamond Trial takes place from Winter Turning (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

The Diamond Trial, also known as the gift of vengeance, was a way for IceWing dragonets to increase their Circle ranking in the tribe, generally as a last-minute effort to switch the places of two dragonets (the topmost and bottommost positions). It involved entering the Diamond Caves with narwhal horn spears, meant to touch a frozen NightWing - Foeslayer. When she was thawed, both contestants had to battle her. Foeslayer was then frozen again after she had been killed, leaving the two dragonets to fight to the death. However, the trial was rigged - only one of the dragonets, the one the IceWings wanted to win, was given information about the trial and how the spears actually worked.

The trial became defunct when Winter secretly freed Foeslayer during the events of Winter Turning.

Names

Before Queen Snowfall, IceWing names were chosen by the family member with the highest Circle rank and the names had to be approved by the queen.[79] It is unknown if this naming convention is still practiced. They can be named after ice formations like Glacier and Icicle, arctic animals (both terrestrial and aquatic) such as Penguin, Lynx, Narwhal, and Ermine, words for "white" in various languages such as Alba and Hvitur, polar landscapes such as Tundra, polar weather such as Hailstorm or Snowfall, and mountains such as Changbai. They can also be named after blue and white gemstones such as Crystal, Diamond, and Opal, as well as cold seasons like Winter.

Click here for a list of known IceWings.

Animus dragons

Students at Jade Mountain

Trivia

  • IceWings may use fruit juice to make popsicles.[event 4]
  • There have been legends of animus IceWings that have gone mad from overuse of magic.[47]
  • IceWings have a specific sleeping schedule.[84]
  • IceWings have trouble smelling things properly in more crowded environments like forests or towns.[57]
  • IceWings can use their polished scales to make mirror signals by reflecting sunlight.[76] Winter showed to do this in Winter Turning (graphic novel) to make a beacon signal for the others.
  • There is an old IceWing tale that eating a shark heart can give a dragon strength; however, Glacier noted that many IceWings would get sick from eating it.[25]
  • A typical IceWing (colored), by Joy Ang
    A typical IceWing (colored), by Joy Ang
  • A typical IceWing (lineart), by Joy Ang
    A typical IceWing (lineart), by Joy Ang
  • A typical IceWing (transparent), by Joy Ang
    A typical IceWing (transparent), by Joy Ang
  • A typical IceWing from the German publication, by Max Meinzold
    A typical IceWing from the German publication, by Max Meinzold

References

  1. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 259
  2. ↑ The Hidden Kingdom, page 115
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Dragonet Prophecy, prologue
  4. ↑ The Poison Jungle, page 296
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Dragonet Prophecy, page 154
  6. ↑ Winter Turning, page 141
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dragon guides
  8. ↑ Darkstalker, page 14
  9. ↑ Darkstalker, page 174
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Dangerous Gift, page 44
  11. ↑ Winter Turning, page 191
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 135
  13. ↑ Winter Turning, page 252
  14. ↑ Moon Rising, page 276
  15. ↑ The Dragonet Prophecy, page 230
  16. ↑ Winter Turning, page 259
  17. ↑ Darkness of Dragons, page 191
  18. ↑ Winter Turning, page 4
  19. ↑ The Hidden Kingdom, page 131
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 151
  21. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 217
  22. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 305
  23. ↑ Winter Turning, page 154
  24. ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 146
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 147
  26. ↑ Dragon guides
  27. ↑ The Dragonet Prophecy, page 168
  28. ↑ The Dark Secret, prologue
  29. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 83
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 The Dragonet Prophecy, page 157
  31. ↑ Darkstalker, page 148
  32. ↑ Darkness of Dragons, page 289
  33. ↑ Dragon guides
  34. ↑ The Dragonet Prophecy, page 272–273
  35. ↑ Winter Turning, page 211
  36. ↑ Darkness of Dragons, page 147
  37. ↑ The Dragonet Prophecy, page 272
  38. ↑ Winter Turning, page 18
  39. ↑ Moon Rising, page 181
  40. ↑ Winter Turning, page 90
  41. ↑ Darkness of Dragons, page 146
  42. ↑ Escaping Peril, page 125
  43. ↑ The Dark Secret, page 168
  44. ↑ The Dark Secret, page 263
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Moon Rising, page 226
  46. ↑ Darkstalker, page 124
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 Darkstalker, prologue
  48. ↑ Darkstalker, page 116
  49. ↑ Winter Turning, page 37
  50. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 50
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 143
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 144
  53. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 19
  54. ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 145
  55. ↑ Winter Turning, page 243
  56. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 52
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Winter Turning, prologue
  58. ↑ Winter Turning, page 7
  59. ↑ Winter Turning, page 66
  60. ↑ The Winglets Quartet: Deserter, page 103
  61. ↑ Winter Turning, page 45
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 Winter Turning, page 58
  63. ↑ Winter Turning, page 92
  64. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 18
  65. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 29
  66. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 47
  67. ↑ The Winglets Quartet: Runaway, page 140
  68. ↑ Darkness of Dragons, page 367
  69. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 59
  70. ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 148
  71. ↑ Moon Rising, page 289
  72. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 33
  73. ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 140
  74. ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 141
  75. ↑ Winter Turning, page 253
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 Winter Turning, page 131
  77. ↑ Winter Turning, page 8
  78. ↑ Winter Turning, page 25
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 Darkstalker, page 15
  80. ↑ Winter Turning, page 240
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 Winter Turning, page 3
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 Winter Turning, page 249
  83. ↑ The Dangerous Gift, page 303
  84. ↑ The Winglets Quartet: Runaway, page 146
  1. ↑ Stated by Tui, source 
  2. ↑ Stated by Tui, source 
  3. ↑ Stated by Tui, source (13:50)
  4. ↑ Stated by Tui, source 
IceWings
Queens

Present: Glacier • Snowfall
Historical: Diamond

Royalty
(Present)

Crystal • Hailstorm • Icicle • Mink • Narwhal • Permafrost • Tundra • Winter

Royalty
(Historical)

Arctic • Caribou • Frostbite • Opal • Penguin • Snowfox

Jade Mountain

Alba • Changbai • Ermine • Icicle • Winter

Other Dragons

Cirrus • Caribou • Caribou • Caribou • Caribou • Caribou • Caribou • Fjord • Hvitur • Igloo • Ivory • Lynx • Snowflake • Snowstorm • Snowstorm • Snowstorm • Polar Bear

Hybrids

Darkstalker • Whiteout • Eclipse • Fierceclaws • Shadowhunter • Typhoon

Kingdom

Notable Features: Great Ice Cliff • Moon Globe Tree • IceWing palace • Diamond Caves
Villages: Among-the-Evergreens • Hamlet-That-Worships-the-Whales-Who-Sing-at-Night • Village-of-the-Plentiful-Seals • We-Remember-and-Venerate-Caribou • Where-No-Dragon-Goes-Hungry • Where-the-Terns-Fly • Where-the-Whales-Leap-at-Dawn


cs:Ledoleti de:Eisflügler fi:Jääsiivet fr:Ailes de Glace nl:IJsVleugels pl:Lodoskrzydłe ru:Ледяные драконы uk:Льодокрили

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