The Ice Warriors were a race of reptilian humanoids from Mars.
Physical characteristics
Ice Warriors were large and imposing reptilian humanoids, reaching up to 7 feet tall. They had flattened, scaly faces with sharp fangs, large black eyes (RT: Descendance) and thin, green tongues (BNA: The Medusa Effect). They had claw-like hands, at least in their armour. They preferred cold climates and could be killed by extreme heat, though small fires were no more dangerous to them than a Human. (RT: Descendance) Due to the differences in atmosphere and gravity, Ice Warriors seem to be perpetually wheezing and tended to move slowly. (DW: The Seeds of Death)
Ice Warriors had a skeletal structure much like that of a Humans, though with a flatter skull, wider eye sockets and sharp fangs (RT: Ascendance).
Technology
Armour
Ice Warriors almost always wore thick, green, ceremonial armour. They usually wore a green helmet with a red blast-screen which covered everything but their mouths. For obvious reasons, they particularly hated it when an enemy fired at their eyes (DWM: 4-Dimensional Vistas). The common Ice Warriors wore patterned thick shell-like bulky green armour, while the Ice Lords wore lighter armour, a sleeker bullet-shaped helmet and capes (DW: The Seeds of Death) By the late 26th century, this armour was built directly into the body. (BNA: The Medusa Effect)
This armour was controlled by an implant at the back of the brain and powered by the Ice Warrior's nervous system. Ice Warriors also had artificial membranes inside their throats, allowing them to filter out the necessary gases for survival. (BNA: The Medusa Effect)
Weapons
Ice Warriors also used small, hand-held sonic weapons built into their armor just above their "hands" (DW: The Ice Warriors) or more colloquially "sound guns" (NA: Transit). The Ice Warriors tended to use sonic weapons (DW: The Ice Warriors) right up to sonic cannons (DWM: 4-Dimensional Vistas).
Transportation
On their homeworld of Mars, the Ice Warriors used air cars. (RT: Descendance)
History
In an early point of Ice Warrior history, the Doctor and Stacy accidentally interrupted Izaxyrl's rite of ascension. During the distraction, Izaxyrl was kidnapped by Lord Artix in order to stop the ceremony. If Izaxyrl was not an adult, he could not inherit the title of High Lord of Balazarus Mons from his father Uzoxx, which would mean Artix would take over. Though Izaxyrl was eventually rescued, the Doctor and Izaxyrl returned to the fortress of Darsus Mons to try to rescue Stacy and Ssard and were captured. Despite this, Artix was eventually defeated and Izaxyrl became an adult. (RT: Descendance, Ascendance)
- When this event occurred is unknown, though the Ice Warriors knew about Humans by that time.
The Ice Warriors made their first attempt to invade Earth in 1997, specifically the United Kingdom. (DW: The Dying Days) The next invasion was in 2044, when they attempted to use a type of Martian fungus, which would turn the Earth into a more "liveable" planet. (DW: The Seeds of Death)
In 2086, another invasion was attempted, leading to the Thousand Day War. By 2088, the Humans had won this conflict. (NA: GodEngine, The Dying Days) By the 22nd century, the Ice Warriors had become allies with the Humans. These Ice Warriors came into conflict with the Selachian Empire when one colony refused to sell weapons to the Ockorans. The Ockorans used their sun-stoker on these colonists, killing them. (PDA: The Final Sanction)
By the 26th century the Martians (Ice Warriors) colonised a planet and named it Neo Aries. (BNA: The Medusa Effect)
In the 31st century, several Ice Warriors trapped under a glacier tried to take over a scientific base (DW: The Ice Warriors). By the 40th century most of the Ice Warriors had renounced their war-like ways (DW: The Curse of Peladon)
Culture
Ice Warriors have a strong sense of honour. For example, after the Doctor saved Izlyr's life, he felt that he had to try to help the Doctor escaped. (DW: The Curse of Peladon) They also believed that in the case of a violent death, the victim will not rest in peace until the murderer has atoned for it. (BNA: The Medusa Effect)
The Ice Warriors used a hereditary system of ruler ship, with fathers passing on their land to their sons. These sons had to become adults first in the Ritual of Tuburr. (RT: Descendance) This was kept until at least the 40th century. (DW: The Curse of Peladon)
Ice Warriors were not known for their sense of humour. (BNA: The Medusa Effect)
In their early history, the Ice Warriors worshipped a deity called Tuburr. (RT: Descendance)
Clans
Much of the Ice Warrior's early history/culture was defined by clans and families. They had a very rigid society of castes and classes. There were many struggles for power between the different families.
When the Doctor and Stacy came to Mars, there was a struggle for power between the Balazarus Mons and Darsus Mons families. (RT: Descendance, Ascendance)
The 1997 attempt at invading Earth (more specifically the United Kingdom) was by the Argyre Clan. (DW: The Dying Days)
It was another breakaway clan which formed the attack force which sought to invade Earth in 2044. (DW: The Seeds of Death)