Kingdoms and Peoples of the Northlands
Athrothel
An
elven realm on the western shores of the Northlands. Athrothel is a
textbook example of an elven realm. The elves there are rustic and
woodsy, wise in the ways of woodcraft and the animals of the forests.
Their realm stretches along the wedge between the Long River and the
Broadrun, all the way from the banks of the Sard westward to the
coast. The elves are pressed along their northern borders by dangers
from the Snowdowns and Northern Forests. The elves of Athrothel are
very aggressive about defending their northern border. Their ranger
patrols cross into the Snowdowns, straining already uneasy relations
with Errovaise. The Shadowfell touches the Northlands in several
places in the Snowdowns the elves are determined to deal with these
northern threats before they pass their borders.
Belhig
A
dwarf-hold in the Fallowpeaks. In days gone by, Belhig was known for
the purity and workability of the gold mined there. Belhig gold was
known for being soft and having a singular glow that no other gold
had. Most of the veins had been tapped by the time of Zagrath's
return, but silver and iron were still there in relative abundance.
Much of the hold was overrun by goblins during the war, and now the
dwarves of Belhig are more concerned with reclaiming what is theirs,
rather than mining operations. They have struck an alliance with the
Knights Exemplar that in exchange for aid in driving out the goblins,
the dwarves will fortify Belhig and make it a defensive stronghold,
helping secure the Fallowpeaks, thus also securing the northern end
of the Neck.
Darranor
Darranor
is the most civilized kingdom of the Northlands. It owes its
dominance to a number of factors. Its position at the western end of
the Northlands, and thus the Sundering Sea, give it fairly ready
access to the open sea lanes leading to Eirfalia and all points from
there. They share a border with the elven realm of Athrothel. The two
nations are on excellent terms, trading freely, and sharing knowledge
and culture. Darranor's natural resources are also abundant. Forests
along the northern border, gem mining in the Glittering Hills,
fishing from three bays and two small freshwater lakes, and ample
arable prairie lands in the northern areas of the kingdom. Darranor
is also solidly allied with the Imperial College, having campuses in
all the country's cities and major towns. Darranor attempts to
maintain at least cordial relationships with the Sardonen
city-states, as much to keep Keldemar off-balance as anything. Facing
few interior threats, Darranor's chief danger is piracy on the
Sundering Sea.
Eärendi Princes
The
peoples of the Princes of the Eärendi are scattered and nomadic.
They have few permanent settlements, the main one being a walled and
fortified trade center near the Kelden Delta. As nomads, many of the
tribes of the Eärendi are renowned for their knowledge of horses.
They keep and breed a hearty breed of pony, strong and fast for their
size. The endurance of their ponies is also legendary. They are not
organized as cavalry, in a traditional military sense, but they do
possess an innate understanding of how to use their mobility to great
advantage. They are also legendary as mounted archers. They mount
frequent raids across the Kelden River into Keldemar. The object of
these raids is usually finished metal goods, especially weapons, and
occasionally wives. It is their independent nature that prevents them
from being one of the Northlands' more dominant kingdoms.
Jodas
The Kingdom of Jodas lies at the
eastern end of the Northlands, hard against the Grey Mountains. While
the King is strong and seemingly capable, Jodas is still a very
dangerous realm, as is much of the Northlands in general. All manner
of enemies and horrors lair in the Greys and Fallowpeaks. The Knights
Exemplar maintain a stronghold near the northern end of the Troll
Hills. They seem little concerned with anything other than threats
issuing from the Greys that are directly related to Zagrath. Orc
hoards don't count, the Knights are more concerned with demons,
devils, and powerful, independent undead. The dwarves maintain a hold
in the Fallowpeaks, held since ancient times. Yet between these
strongholds, and the stout-walled towns and cities of Jodas, danger
is every traveller's companion.
Keldemar
Located in the central Northlands,
Keldemar is somewhat insulated from dangers coming from the Greys.
Keldemar is not without its threats, however. The bulk of the
Northern Forest lies just across the Long River, which forms the
kingdom's northern border. Wolflings are a constant threat, as are
ettins and hill giants, more rarely. The focus of Keldemar's power is
along the Kelden River. The idea of the Sardonen City-States is a
thorn in their side, but they don't have the resources to project
their will that far west while maintaining their hold on the Kelden.
The Guild of Arcane Lore operates three chantries within Keldemar's
borders and plan on opening more. The rulership of Keldemar senses
their country's star rising and plan to ride it as high as it will
go.
Kilvdun
Another dwarf-hold, this one in the
Ice Peaks. The dwarves of Kilvdun are Arnhic dwarves. Arnhic dwarves
are known for being gruff and direct, loyal and honorable, and
absolutely vengeful. They never forget a slight, and will never allow
an insult to go unanswered. They aren't necessarily rash and
thoughtlessly violent, however, and consider repaying an insult
through craftiness and trickery just as valid as bloody violence.
Kilvdun was founded on a small vein of mithril, but any vein of
mithril is worth mining. Kilvdun is still a young hold, little more
than an outpost. Its growth has been hindered by frequent attacks by
creatures of the Ice Peaks, and shadow creatures coming up from the
Snowdowns.
Sardonen City States
There are four independent city-states
on the shores of Lake Sard. They aren't exactly metropolises, but
they are walled and maintain adequate defensive forces. Their
location is fairly safe, so their continued growth is likely. Though
they hold a mutual defense treaty between them, they are spirited
rivals, to put it mildly. Open hostility is not unknown, and at least
one attempt to spark such hostility by Keldish agents has been
ferreted out. Although their primary rivalry has been economic, a new
pressure point has developed. Two of the cities sponsor Imperial
Colleges, one is home to two chantries of the Loremasters, and the
fourth has established itself as being “friendly” for the
Alchemists' Guild. Currently the city is home to six Master
Alchemists, along with their attendant journeymen and apprentices.
Other Peoples of the Northlands
The Wesslings
Prior to the war, there was a group of
humanoids, commonly known as Wesslings
living in the Fallowpeaks. The Fallowpeaks are basically the area
between the Grey Mountains and the Cloudspears. While still
mountainous, the region isn't dominated by the towering peaks of the
Cloudspears, nor is it as wracked as the Greys by memories of the
war. Anyway, rumor holds that the Wesslings were very common along
the rugged Wess River Uplands. No one knows if they were destroyed in
the war or fled the war, but it is certain that there are no reports
of encounters with them since the war. In fact, the most recent
sighting report from a credible source was over 150 years ago. For
the most part they have quietly slipped into myth among the more
civilized folk, but those dwelling in the rural upcountry still talk
about them. There are some who believe the Wesslings will return and
once again trouble an already hazardous region.
The true nature of
the Wesslings may never be known, but by carefully analyzing credible
reports for common themes, a picture of them can be cobbled together.
- They were basically humanoid. The most common belief is that they were very primitive humans, though some scholars contend that their blood became intermingled with goblin or kobold blood at some point, thus producing a completely new race. This opinion isn't very popular, however. Not only are reports of humans and goblins or humans and kobolds producing offspring virtually nonexistent, such offspring would in all likelihood be sterile.
- The Wesslings were small, most being under 5' tall and rarely weighing over 100 lbs. There did seem to be warriors among them that were larger and stronger, seemingly bred to fight.
- They lived in tribes, which were extended families. It has been suggested that their intelligence was almost like a hive mentality or collective intellect.
- The leader of a tribe in all things was the tribe's matriarch. Without exception she was a shaman and by the time she had assumed the leadership of the tribe, she was very skilled in the shamanic arts. If it ever became necessary for the tribe to actually go to war (which the Wesslings tried to avoid whenever possible, preferring guerrilla type raids ), the matriarch would appoint a war chief who had total command in the field. It was far more normal that if the Wesslings needed to attack someone that the matriarch would hand-pick a warband and appoint a leader. The warband and its leader would be dissolved at the end of whatever purpose they had been assembled for.
- It is believed that the matriarch possessed some sort of arcane knowledge that allowed her to alter the course of a pregnancy. She used this ritual to ensure the proper balance of roles within the tribe. If warriors were needed, her ritual would cause babies to be born with a predisposition for the physical attributes necessary. The matriarch, it is thought, could even control the sex of the fetus using these rituals.
- The lifespan and development cycle of the Wesslings was believed to be fairly short as well. Although it is impossible to be certain, it is thought that their pregnancies lasted only 5 months. The child was expected to be a contributing member of the tribe by age 4. If birthed as a warrior, they were expected to be able to fight by age 7. The typical lifespan, barring violence, was the mid-twenties, except for the matriarchs who could reach the age of 40 in extreme cases.
- The Wesslings were commonly thought to be cannibals, but this can be debated. While it is known that they did eat human flesh, if they were indeed a new race mixing humans and goblins or kobolds, then would it truly be cannibalism? Of course, that question becomes moot when a Wessling takes to gnawing on your arm.
Creatures of the Northlands
The
inhabitants of Northern Calanthas are many and varied. A
(necessarily) brief examination of some of the more dangerous of them
follows. Unless noted otherwise those listed here may be found
anywhere in the Northlands. While this list is not exhaustive, it
should be noted that any creatures encountered in the Northlands that
do not appear listed here may well be considered out of place.
Bears
Cave
Bears are an all too common threat across the forested southern
slopes of the Cloudspears, living there since before time began. Dire
Bears somehow crossed the Frozen Strait in ages past and now range
all through the Icy Peaks and down into the Chill Bones. The human
barbarian tribes, as well as the dwarves of Kilvdun, hunt the bears
as rites of passage as well as for their pelts.
Demons and Devils
Hosts
of lesser demons and devils served in Zagrath's armies and are now a
plague across all Calanthas. Fortunately, powerful ones are rare
indeed, and generally easily avoided.
Dragons
Though
rare, dragons are a threat taken most seriously by the inhabitants of
the Northlands. Blues lair along the bleak northern coast, in icy
crags and frozen inlets. Greens make their homes in caves found among
the deeply forested southern slopes of the Cloudspear Mountains. Reds
seek their lairs in the Grey Mountains of the east, though they are
the least numerous. Lastly, the occasional White will find a suitable
lair on a frozen island or icy sea cave along the coast, where they
may prey on the Arns plying the Great Northern Ocean sea-lanes.
Ettin
These
brutes have inhabited the Northlands since before time. They are most
normally encountered in the western reaches of the Northern Forests,
in the foothills of the Ice Peaks.
Giants
There
are few giants in the Northlands, but the occasional reports do
persist. Earth Giants fought with Zagrath's armies. The survivors
fled into the fastness of the Grey Mountains following the Battle of
the Line The Cloudspears are home to Hill Giants, who have roamed
those mountains since before time. Occasionally a Frost Giant will
cross the Frozen Strait and plague the Ice Peaks. The Arns have a
legend about a tribe of Frost Giants they refer to as the
Rime-Thurses, which they believe are directly descended from the
Primordials. They believe these giants have a secret hold deep in the
Cloudspears and look to the day when they bring ancient war back to
the lands.
Wolflings
The
Wolflings of the forests of the Northlands are not the unintelligent
monsters they are thought of in other lands. These Wolflings possess
a basic intelligence and organization, bordering on actual
civilization. They live in tribes of extended families, and most are
led by a shaman. Individual tribes may threaten remote villages, and
have even challenged small towns, but the real (and feared) threat
posed by the Wolflings is a unification of the tribes and the
inevitable war they will bring.
Goblins
Goblins
have lived in the Grey Mountains since before time began. Some tribes
were conscripted into Zagrath's army, but most of them quietly
disappeared into their deep tunnels. While generally considered
untrustworthy, they are not wholly evil, anymore so than humanity
considered as a whole. They are prone to banditry and other illicit
activity, but some tribes do want to distance themselves from the
stereotypes. Tribes led by hobgoblins are universally of the evil
sort.
Griffons
In
the most remote reaches of the Cloudspears may be found Griffon
nesting areas. These are often the object of heroic quests, as great
warriors seek worthy mounts and wizards send parties in search of
related ritual components.
Harpy
These
spiteful creatures have called the Northlands home since before time,
too. They nest in the barren foothills of the Ice Peaks, known as the
Chill Bones.
Ogres
Another
portion of Zagrath's army left abandoned by his defeat. They are
slowly spreading westward, mainly keeping to the forested and hilly
regions south of the Cloudspear Mountains.
Orcs
Orcs
were used as shock troops as well as common foot soldiers by Zagrath.
When his northward advance was halted at the Battle of the Line, most
of his legions scattered into the remote and treacherous Grey
Mountains. While they are most common to the Greys, reports of tribes
of them are becoming more numerous in the Cloudspears, as well.
Owlbear
These
fearsome brutes may be encountered in virtually any forested areas of
the Northlands. They are much less common in the Southlands.
Spiders
Spiders
are a problem for most of the denizens of the Northern Forests. They
appear in all sizes, and it has been reported that Wolflings have
been seen using them as mounts. This hasn't been seen enough to be
considered an “arrangement”. The larger, more intelligent spiders
are mostly along the deep river valleys.
Stirge
These
loathsome pests are most common along the forested areas of the
Copper River, Kelden River, and the stretch of the Long River between
where those two branch off.
Trolls
Trolls
have lived in the Northlands since before time. They have
historically plagued the hills of southeastern Jodas. When Zagrath
brought his war north, he brought with him war-trolls, bred for the
battlefield. Following the Battle of the Line, these trolls scattered
all across Calanthas. Haunting the marshlands of the Kelden Delta is
a breed known as Fell Trolls. They are not to be trifled with, under
any circumstances.
Undead
There
are a variety of undead to be found throughout the Northlands. With
the war making it as far as eastern Jodas, there is no shortage of
bodies, and the dire priests of Zagrath had no hesitation in raising
the dead to do their bidding. Also, the most powerful among them knew
of dark rituals to unnaturally extend their lives. Once it was clear
the war was lost, they wasted no time performing these rituals and
establishing dark domains for themselves, mainly in the Grey
Mountains. From their dark towers and castles they spread all manner
of malcontent across all Calanthas.
Wolf
Wolves
roam all across the forested areas of the Northlands, but are most
common in the foothills of the Cloudspears. The so-called common
wolves of the Northlands possess a certain nobility and are often at
odds with the Wolflings and are sworn enemies of the worgs. They
often ally themselves with rangers and make excellent companions and
allies.
Worg
Also
known as dire wolves, they are the dark cousins of common wolves.
They possess a sinister cunning and seem to have an agenda that only
they understand. The Wolflings and wolves are their sworn enemies.
They will ally themselves with certain goblin tribes and allow
themselves to be used as mounts, when such falls in line with their
mysterious agenda. They may be encountered anywhere in the Northern
Forests, but the farther into the foothills one travels, the more
likely these encounters become. They also roam the Chill Bones and
Snowdowns, often running afoul of the elves of Athrothel.
Wyvern
Sometimes
called a dragon's poor cousin, wyverns are dangerous opponents. They
are most commonly encountered in the Grey Mountains and the Chill
Bones. It has been reported that Grey Mountain wyverns have made
pacts with red dragons to guard them while they sleep.
Areas of Interest in the Northlands
Broadrun River
A broad, mostly shallow and muddy
river, the Broadrun drains Lake Sard flowing out to the southwest.
The Broadrun forms the official border between Athrothel and
Darranor, though relations between the two peoples are so cordial
that the border is more of a formality than anything. There are no
bridges along the Broadrun, as it is easily fordable for most of its
length.
Chill Bones
A range of chalky foothills separating
the Ice Peaks from the Snowdowns. The chalky nature of the hills and
the bitter winds blowing down out of the Ice Peaks give the hills
their name, along with a reputation for being not only dangerous, but
just plain spooky.
Cloudspear Mountains
A range of tall, forbidding mountains
forming the northern shores of Calanthas. The Cloudspears are fairly
barren and bitterly cold. There are over 1000 miles from east to west
and 200 miles north-south. There are more than 11 peaks in the range
that are 20,000 feet or higher. Many dangerous creatures, including
dragons, make their homes in the Cloudspears, and this fact along
with the environment in general keep travellers to a minimum.
Copper River
The river forming the border between
Jodas and Ëarend. The river
takes its name from its bloody history as the Ëarendi and Jodas
fought back and forth over it. Those fights were forgotten with the
return of Zagrath, and in the wake of the war the alliances formed
are holding strong.
Fallowpeaks
The Fallowpeaks are a low range of
mountains forming a sort of transitional range between the Grey
Mountains and the Cloudspears. Not nearly as towering as the
Cloudspears, nor as haunted by the war as the Grey Mountains, the
Fallowpeaks are still treacherous and not to be overlooked.
Glittering Hills
A beautiful range of hills on the west
coast of Calanthas, in the southwest corner of the Northlands. The
hills take their name from the wide variety of gems found there. The
people of Darranor and the elves of Athrothel each mine there, with
few disputes.
Golden Heath
At the southern end of the Troll Hills
is an area of rough scrubland mercilessly scoured by cold winds
blowing in off the Sundering Sea. The Golden Heath is inhospitable
and dangerous.
Grey Mountains
Geologically speaking, the Grey
Mountains stretch over 3000 miles, from Faldrag northward to the
Fallowpeaks. They essentially form the eastern spine of Calanthas.
They belong almost exclusively to the forces of Zagrath now, and
those areas not under his direct control are still plagued by the
remnants of his defeated army. In the vicinity of the Northlands,
this takes the form of orcs, demons, devils, and various forms of
undead. The Grey Mountains are among the most dangerous places in all
of Aranor.
Greyflood River
A short, swift flowing river, the
Greyflood drains the Troll Hills, emptying into the Sundering Sea
just north of the Golden Heath.
Icy Peaks
The Icy Peaks are in the northwest
corner of Calanthas. They are as high and barren as the Cloudspears,
and even more cold. The bitter cold of the Icy Peaks is the stuff of
legend.
Kelden Delta
The marshy lowland where the Kelden
River carves countless channels in its final push to the Sundering
Sea. Nearly uninhabitable, the Delta is nonetheless home to several
exotic plants species with arcane and alchemical properties. There
are some who make a tidy living searching the Delta for these
“treasures”.
Kelden River
Broad and thickly forested, the Kelden
separates Keldemar from Ëarend.
It is fordable in several places. The timber harvested along the
river is used mainly in the construction of a Kendish fleet, to help
Darranor patrol the Sundering Sea for pirates.
Lake Sard
A fairly large freshwater lake in the
southwestern region of the Northlands. Lake Sard is fed by the Long
River. It is also drained by that river, the Broadrun, and one other.
The Sardonen City-States have sprung up on its shores, taking
advantage of the fishing and well-irrigated lands surrounding the
lake.
Long River
So-named because it is the longest
river in the Northlands. It has its headwaters in the Fallowpeaks,
and eventually empties into the Eirfalian Sea, just south of the
Snowdowns. It is navigable for most of its length, but is rarely used
for long distance travel, since most of its length lies under the
boughs of the Northern Forests.
Northern Forests
A loose term referring to all the
forested lands along the Long River, running the length of the
southern slopes of the Cloudspears. Different areas of the forest may
have other names, but the character of the forest remains the same:
dangerous. There is an elf-town near where the Copper River splits
off the Long River.
Snowdowns
Once possessed of an indefinable,
desolate beauty, the Snowdowns have changed in more recent times.
Although none can say why, the Snowdowns seem to have almost become
attuned to the Shadowfell, and its influence is very strong on the
'Downs.
Spider Haunt Valley
A narrow, rugged valley in the
southern Cloudspears. It is densely forested and filled with steep
hills and swift creeks. It is also teeming spiders of all sizes and
sorts. There have been rumors of bladespiders and drider sightings as
well. The valley is also home to several tribes of Wolflings, who
seem to have arrived at some sort of peaceful arrangement with the
spiders. This fact alone raises several uncomfortable questions.
Troll Haunt Forest
The forested regions of the Troll
Hills. If not for the Trolls infesting the hills, this would be a
very picturesque wood and there are indeed some few villages that
attempt to survive there. The land is good for farming and there are
many excellent quality trees for lumber harvesting. The Greyflood
runs through, offering fishing opportunities. If only it weren't for
all the damn trolls.
Troll Hills
A range of gently rolling and forested
hills in southeastern Jodas. The hills take their name from the fact
that they have been an ancestral home for trolls since time out of
memory. Otherwise, the area is beautiful and blessed with an
abundance of resources.
Wess River
One of the smaller feeders of the Long
River, it has carved a deep, rugged valley known as the Wessling
Uplands. The Wess is fairly narrow, but deep, swift, and very cold.
The Wess tumbles down many falls and cascades on its run to join the
Long River.
Wessling Uplands
The valley carved out by the swift
flowing Wess River. The valley is rocky and steep sided, with
numerous caves in the slopes. There are many legends and folk tales
centered in the Uplands.
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