The Gathering Dark

The Gathering Dark is the first novel of the Ice Age Cycle. It tells the origin of Jodah, whose story continues in The Eternal Ice and The Shattered Alliance. It was written by Jeff Grubb, and published in June 1999. It is currently in its second printing for inclusion in Coldsnap fat packs.

Blurb
After the war comes the darkness.

Terisiare lies in ruins. Nations have fallen, goblins raid the land, and an oppressive faith throttles the city-states. Now deep within the walls of the Conclave of Mages, Jodah must decide if unlocking his own immense power is worth taking a step into the dark lands.

The epic of the Ice Age begins.

Plot
After the Brothers' War the continent of Terisiare is falling apart. Large nations are crumbling into smaller city-states, the Church of Tal is prosecuting all wizards, and each winter the cold gets worse. But in this environment we first meet Jodah, who is destined to become one of the greatest pioneers of magic on Terisiare.