Chapter Text
When it comes to freezing temperatures, the coldest region in all of Ninjago's continent has to be the Frozen Wasteland to the northwest beyond the Floating Ruins. Even more frostbitten than the heights of the Wailing Alps for a large portion of the year, one can chance the cliffs and slopes and storms in tamer times. Be warned - the region is harsh, its comfort is biting winds and numbing snow. Warmth is but a distant memory.
Yet somehow, this expanse of sea ice and snow is home to the largest mammalian predator on the continent; the Polar Ice Bear. These behemoths are almost always involved in many tales regarding groups of explorers who attempted to embark on expeditions via land, only to be pursued for numerous days and nights on end. They hold no fear for humans, and only see them as a source of food - all except for one.
Even with them being the largest mammalian land predator, they are second to the titan who rules the northern seas. As when one takes a look beneath the surface, even the normally untouchable Leviathans - top of the foodchain in the oceans across Ninjago have a rival for this spot. It is known as the Iceberg Whale, who is rumored to be in one of Stiix’s most popular legends about Captain Soto and his crew narrowly escaping a turf war between a leviathan and a bull iceberg whale, with the latter freezing the front of the Destiny’s Bounty after a misfire.
There are no records of them eating people, though they do seem to follow expeditions in the hopes of snatching up a meal that tries to eat them, such as Frost Gators; supposed relatives to the great dragons of fantasy and myth despite an famous individual known for causing disappearances - and the Snow Serpent. A well known man eater that lurks along the coastline, said to bring memories of a time that should have remained forgotten to the world.
Then we have the Frozen Owl, a well studied coastal species once mistaken as an ill omen in ancient times now turned fan favourite across many bird enjoyers. However, above them all reigns royalty - a symbol worn by the white ninja, Zane Julien.
The Ice Emporer Sabre.
And while the area itself has more information about its wildlife comparatively, given that the only known 'special' kind of plant found is a berry bush dubbed 'Ice Berries' - which are a delicacy when made into pies or jam- there are many theories for the mountain that rests in the heart of the Frozen Wasteland.
It bears a striking resemblance to the Fire Temple built inside the volcano at the Forest of Tranquility, which has earned these two locations a duo status among fans known as 'Opposites'. Though where hardcore or casual fans are openly often curious about the Fire Temple, a majority of the presumed Ice Temple’s fanbase adore the more horror element its stories present.
It tells of a captain and their crew long before Soto and Nadakhan who had become stranded out on the open sea because of the sea freezing over, their boat too lodged in to break free. The original reason as to why they were there is unknown, but many assume it was a trading boat that had attempted to take the shorter route instead of the long one on the continent's southern end
Forced to abandon ship, the traders trekked across the ice with what they could to the warmer lands. Forced to endure the open blizzard, and the predators taking advantage of the sea ice... before long, the crew was only down to a handful from the large number previously.
When all hope was nearly lost, they had made it to a mountain that meant the promise of land, and with great haste entered the inside. Not realizing that they were crossing sacred ground which was under the jurisdiction of a guardian.
One who didn't take kindly to visitors.
The only descriptions are the ones left behind by the captain:
Fast as a chilling breeze sent by the clouds, its claws and teeth focused as falling icicles, a dull quiet announces its arrival before it even shows itself. For its hide is hard as the icebergs that fill the sea.