Ironcliffe Connighclann Region
Encompassing the Nordjeim Basin, the southern regions of the Iron-Tip Mountain Range give way to some of the most fertile, relatively speaking, regions within Suranth. The Nordjeim Basin refers to the flat plain between the Glacial Sea and the Iron-Tip Peaks, highlighted by the Nordjeim River itself.
The Ironcliffe Connighclann is the ancestral homeland of Clan Ironcliffe, one of the four dwarven clans that survived the Sundering and the Wars of Reclaimation intact enough to be one of the dominant clans, one of those whom survived and some of the smaller clans whom simply did not have enough of their numbers survive would assimilate into, becoming part of Clan Ironcliffe. Grakenfior is the ancestral seat of power and home of Clan Ironcliffe, of course. However in this section we shall not be exploring the larger cities and towns.
No we shall explore the countryside, the smaller, but no less vital, communties within the Ironcliffe Connighclan, as well as what little can be offered in way of information about the region's more wild and unexplored frontiers.
Geography
The region known as the Ironcliffe Connighclann, geographically speaking, is best described and detailed by the biomes that make up the region, which is the approach we will use here.
Iron-Tip Peaks: Along the west coast, dominating a length and breadth of the region, this mountain range continues out from the Tir-Gach Connighclan, its dark stone peaks and brilliant white ice caps marking its glacial nature, the valleys within as lush and lively as one could hope in such a cold climate. Much of this mountain range is wild frontier as is true further north, however the more wild and dangerous areas of the range are cut in half here by a stretch contained roughly between the various rivers that eventually join the Nordjeim flowing from the north, and the White Fir River that flows from the easy to join with the the Nordjeim as well. This region of the mountain range is well populated, and it is within this region the karak (fortress city) of Grakenfior is located.
Ironspine Woodlands: This forest that surrounds the Iron-Tip Peaks along its western and southern edges gets its name for two reasons. The first being Ironbark Pines. These valuable trees are a known and favorite resource, for their lumber is a favorite amongst the Suranthi craftsmen to make things like tool handles, hafts for weapons, and other such simple but key objects. This is because when cut and properly dried and treated, the wood takes on the properties of forged iron, but not the weight. These trees, though found in any of the conifer forests all across Suranth, are notably predominant in this forest in particular, making up roughly a quarter of the trees in the forest. These woods get this name for another reason as well, of course. In the wilder regions, these woodlands and the edges of the Iron-Tip Range are the known favorite hunting grounds for Ironspine Burrowers, hulking brutish beasts with monstrously thick hides, insatiable appetites, marked by their tell tail back crest that is the color and shade of iron, which oft sticks a bit out of the ground as they burrow around, not unlike an orca or shark swimming near the surface on the ocean.
Nordjeim Riverlands: This whole stretch of land is, though a sub-arctic climate, relatively good farmland for hardy quick growing crops. Turnips, Potatoes, wild carrots, shallots, cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all grown here by those whom live here. Due to this fact, this area is where a great many of the rural communities are located in the Ironcliffe Connighclan, and this region is some of the safest, with the many roads connecting the various rural townships well patroled and well cared for.
Axehead Woodlands: These woodlands get their name from the few adventuring types that are mad enough to explore the region up Skull-Cracker River. These woodlands get their name for the many Greenskin tribes that live amongst the plateau, in the woods and mountains.
Battered Skull Range: This mountain range is well known by name and for its tie to Kurzan the Butcher, the ogre whom was marked as a champion of the Void, a chosen of Iracundia. This mountain range, by the scant reports of the few brave, bold or foolish adventurous types whom have explored this region, is a volcanic range. However its most well known feature is the many greenskin and joten tribes and clans that live amongst these mountains.
Iron-Tip Peaks: Along the west coast, dominating a length and breadth of the region, this mountain range continues out from the Tir-Gach Connighclan, its dark stone peaks and brilliant white ice caps marking its glacial nature, the valleys within as lush and lively as one could hope in such a cold climate. Much of this mountain range is wild frontier as is true further north, however the more wild and dangerous areas of the range are cut in half here by a stretch contained roughly between the various rivers that eventually join the Nordjeim flowing from the north, and the White Fir River that flows from the easy to join with the the Nordjeim as well. This region of the mountain range is well populated, and it is within this region the karak (fortress city) of Grakenfior is located.
Ironspine Woodlands: This forest that surrounds the Iron-Tip Peaks along its western and southern edges gets its name for two reasons. The first being Ironbark Pines. These valuable trees are a known and favorite resource, for their lumber is a favorite amongst the Suranthi craftsmen to make things like tool handles, hafts for weapons, and other such simple but key objects. This is because when cut and properly dried and treated, the wood takes on the properties of forged iron, but not the weight. These trees, though found in any of the conifer forests all across Suranth, are notably predominant in this forest in particular, making up roughly a quarter of the trees in the forest. These woods get this name for another reason as well, of course. In the wilder regions, these woodlands and the edges of the Iron-Tip Range are the known favorite hunting grounds for Ironspine Burrowers, hulking brutish beasts with monstrously thick hides, insatiable appetites, marked by their tell tail back crest that is the color and shade of iron, which oft sticks a bit out of the ground as they burrow around, not unlike an orca or shark swimming near the surface on the ocean.
Nordjeim Riverlands: This whole stretch of land is, though a sub-arctic climate, relatively good farmland for hardy quick growing crops. Turnips, Potatoes, wild carrots, shallots, cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all grown here by those whom live here. Due to this fact, this area is where a great many of the rural communities are located in the Ironcliffe Connighclan, and this region is some of the safest, with the many roads connecting the various rural townships well patroled and well cared for.
Axehead Woodlands: These woodlands get their name from the few adventuring types that are mad enough to explore the region up Skull-Cracker River. These woodlands get their name for the many Greenskin tribes that live amongst the plateau, in the woods and mountains.
Battered Skull Range: This mountain range is well known by name and for its tie to Kurzan the Butcher, the ogre whom was marked as a champion of the Void, a chosen of Iracundia. This mountain range, by the scant reports of the few brave, bold or foolish adventurous types whom have explored this region, is a volcanic range. However its most well known feature is the many greenskin and joten tribes and clans that live amongst these mountains.
Localized Phenomena
Nor'westors obviously, as with all of Suranth, these mighty storms are a thing to consider, especially in travelling anywhere near the coast. Avalanches are naturally a risk in the mountain ranges, but are especially common in the Irontip Range, the delicate balancing act of glacial pack ice and snow upon steep peaks and jagged cliff faces one that often shifts or breaks.
Fauna & Flora
The mountain ranges that dominate the landscape are home to bighorn sheep, a major and important food source for those whom live here, both humanoid and predator. Sword-tooth Tigers stalk the highlands, the apex predator, masters of cliff and peak, though the coastal regions are the hunting grounds of great white bears, the riverlands stalked by grizzlies. Many are the prey items, snowshoe hare, rodents, caribou herds, moose. Wolves and golden eagles hunt these lands as well, as one should expect. These lands, specifically the Irontip Range, are also the home range of the large and feared Irontusk Boars. However down in the lowlands one will find another notable prey item, a herd animal, musk oxen. These large, heavy creatures are a great food source and their hides a valuable resource as well, the thick hair a useful insulator for garments.
This surprising biodiversity is not only on land, but also aquatic, and especially notable in the regions river systems. Many are the species of fish and aquatic/semi aquatic species found here in both fresh and oceanic waters. Muskrats, beavers, otters, pike, bass, rainbow trout, and many more.
The plant life here is equally as suprisingly varied, from the many kinds of kelp, seaweed, and other semi aquatic and aquatic plants, the various species of conifer tree, and even a surprisingly wide variety of brush, berries, and even hardy wild flowering plants. This is in addition to the many types of mosses and lichens, which make up a dominant layer upon much of the wild spaces of such tundra climes.
Natural Resources
Within the Irontip Range, many minerals and ores are mined, naturally. However most notable in the region, the Nordjeim Riverlands are a production center of agriculture, where a surprisingly wide variety of food is grown. Wild carrots, potatoes, shallots, radishes, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries and blueberries among the most dominant and notable.
Tourism
Those whom visit the region often do not intend to visit places beyond whatever city or town they are journeying too, however that is their loss. There are many vibrant and worthwhile rural communities and locales to visit all across the Ironcliffe Connighclann. For those with an affinity and enjoyment for wines and spirits, the various communities within the Nordjeim Riverlands are well worth the visit. There is a vibrant artisan like culture here in regards to wine and spirits, one that any true enthusiast of flavor and taste will enjoy.
Rural Communities of the Ironcliffe Connighclann
One thing to remember when travelling these regions, the villages listed and shown here are not singular settlements with the population. Rather think of a rural community center being at the point shown upon the map where a large piece of the population listed live, and then you have smaller satellite communities within no more than half a day's walking distance away. Suranth recognizes these smaller sorts of settlements politically as part of the largest center of population.
Fisher Point (Population; 7182): The township of Fisher Point, centered around the large village of the same name which is located at the junction of the Wolf River where it joins the Nordjeim River. The various villages and hamlets in the area are all fishing and hunting communties, located all about the smaller rivers and streams in the region. The fur trade is alive and well here as well.
Copper Hill (Population; 7403): The township of Copper Hill is centered around the small mining town of the same name where around half the people in the entire township call home. The copper mine is the dominant industry in the town itself of course, and the the whole township is in the business of earth bound resources, with another smaller copper mine to the north, along with two granite quarries, and a marble quarry to the west.
Gilta (Population; 5138): The township of Gilta, named for the community of the same name where about half those whom live in the geographic area call home, exists because of the notable presence of gold in the mountains around here. Gilta is home to the largest gold mine, though there is a second smaller one. There is also a very small, but valuable, mythrium mining operation where naturally another village in the area has cropped up.
Salien (Population; 6081): The township of Salien is named for the town where about half those whom call the area home live, along the Nordjeim River's western bank. The glacial waters here, as the ice in the area had melted over time, the cliffs here left behind a large amount of salt. It is this valuable resource which is harvested and mined here, which is where the township's name comes from. The value of salt has increased in the last few years as new methods of food preservation, such as pickling and canning, have been brought to the forefront in society as technology has advanced.
Lumberfael (Population; 6783): This township, centered around the small town of Lumberfael, where some half of the people in the region live. Lumberfael itself is fed by all the small communities around it, most of which are hunting and logging communities, and this town is one with two large paper mills. The paper industry is a big one in the Ironcliffe Connighclann, and this is one of the townships in the region that lead the way in this industry.
Antler Valley (Population; 7103): This township, centered around a community of the same name, is more widespread than many of the others, with Antler Valley, the largest community, only being home to some two thousand or so of the people whom live in the area. As the name may suggest, caribou are plentiful in the area, and in fact, there are also ranches. Caribou herds are raised here by ranchers, domesticated much like cattle in regions further south of here. Moose are often quite common, relatively speaking. Domesticated caribou from this region, despite its size and relative rural aethestic make it a rather important location to the Ironcliffe Connighclann, and even all of Suranth. Caribou and moose raised by the talented ranchers here are a preferred labor animal and cavalry mount all across Suranth.
Snow-wood (Population; 4893): This township, centered around the town which it takes its name from, is one of mountain dwelling woodsmen, folks whom are handy and crafty, and generally have chosen to live a bit of a simpler life. Though not entirely disconnected from their home country, the folks whom live here live in large part off the land, hunting, fishing mountain ponds and streams, harvesting edibles from the valleys during the shorter summer and autumn months. Limited supplies move into the region and limited goods move out. Timber is one, another is slate, as there is a small slate quarry that another of the larger communitites in the area has popped up around.
Norbanks (Population; 9105): This township is one of the most populaous in the Connighclann, with fully half living in the busy river port town that gives the township its name. This town is first and foremost a garrison town, home to a military base for the Suranthi River Watch, which naturally is part of the Navy. Surrounding communities are simple rural communities that work agriculture, the limited crops and capability the region allows, and do quite well for themselves. There are many wineries and breweries in the communities in this township.
Fieldhaven (Population; 7528): The township of Fieldhaven is the agricultural center of the region, and though difficult, there are a multitude of farming communities that thrive here, specializing in the few crops that can thrive in the short growing season here in Suranth. The communities that make up this township are simple sleepy farming communities, there is not much worth talking about beyond that.
Corsyl Banks (Population; 5046): The township of Corsyl Banks, is named for its largest and principal settlement upon the banks of Glacial Sea, where about half the people whom live in the region call home. This small fishing town and lake port is also another military town, home to another small naval base. The surrounding villages outlying Corsyl Banks itself are a mix of simple fishing and farming communities.
Firbank (Population; 6255): The township of Firbank, named for the lumber mill town of Firbanks, is a forestry community. Most outlying villages are simple lumber harvesting communties, feeding the sawmills of Firbanks, and its healthy timber industry. Timber is shipped up and down the Nordjeim from here to many other communities in the region. The communities in the region are also no strangers to Greenskins, with raids being quite common, which plays a part in why there is a military fort within the town of Firbanks itself.
Vorgistal (Population; 7291): The township of Vorgistal is named for the town where about half the people in the region live. The town is a mining town, a coal mining town to be precise, though one with a wealthy bonus within the tunnels of its mines. Amongst the deposits of coal, there are small deposits of Onyx, the Manna Gem of Scath. These Shadow Gems are extremely valuable, and have brought a great deal of wealth into the region. Outlying communities are generally other mining or quarrying communities, including a marble quarry, a limestone quarry, and a tin mine.
Needle-Grove (Population; 4845): The township of Needle-Grove is named and shares its name with the community that is home to about half the people whom live in the area. The communities here are tied into the forestry industry as well, but the forests here are unique and special. Needlebark Trees, a very rare type of tree, the timber from them has a host of unique properties, but even more importantly to the people in this region, at the heart of each tree, deep in its trunk, will be an Emerald, the manna gem of Dulra.
Rural Communities of the Ironcliffe Connighclann
One thing to remember when travelling these regions, the villages listed and shown here are not singular settlements with the population. Rather think of a rural community center being at the point shown upon the map where a large piece of the population listed live, and then you have smaller satellite communities within no more than half a day's walking distance away. Suranth recognizes these smaller sorts of settlements politically as part of the largest center of population.
Fisher Point (Population; 7182): The township of Fisher Point, centered around the large village of the same name which is located at the junction of the Wolf River where it joins the Nordjeim River. The various villages and hamlets in the area are all fishing and hunting communties, located all about the smaller rivers and streams in the region. The fur trade is alive and well here as well.
Copper Hill (Population; 7403): The township of Copper Hill is centered around the small mining town of the same name where around half the people in the entire township call home. The copper mine is the dominant industry in the town itself of course, and the the whole township is in the business of earth bound resources, with another smaller copper mine to the north, along with two granite quarries, and a marble quarry to the west.
Gilta (Population; 5138): The township of Gilta, named for the community of the same name where about half those whom live in the geographic area call home, exists because of the notable presence of gold in the mountains around here. Gilta is home to the largest gold mine, though there is a second smaller one. There is also a very small, but valuable, mythrium mining operation where naturally another village in the area has cropped up.
Salien (Population; 6081): The township of Salien is named for the town where about half those whom call the area home live, along the Nordjeim River's western bank. The glacial waters here, as the ice in the area had melted over time, the cliffs here left behind a large amount of salt. It is this valuable resource which is harvested and mined here, which is where the township's name comes from. The value of salt has increased in the last few years as new methods of food preservation, such as pickling and canning, have been brought to the forefront in society as technology has advanced.
Lumberfael (Population; 6783): This township, centered around the small town of Lumberfael, where some half of the people in the region live. Lumberfael itself is fed by all the small communities around it, most of which are hunting and logging communities, and this town is one with two large paper mills. The paper industry is a big one in the Ironcliffe Connighclann, and this is one of the townships in the region that lead the way in this industry.
Antler Valley (Population; 7103): This township, centered around a community of the same name, is more widespread than many of the others, with Antler Valley, the largest community, only being home to some two thousand or so of the people whom live in the area. As the name may suggest, caribou are plentiful in the area, and in fact, there are also ranches. Caribou herds are raised here by ranchers, domesticated much like cattle in regions further south of here. Moose are often quite common, relatively speaking. Domesticated caribou from this region, despite its size and relative rural aethestic make it a rather important location to the Ironcliffe Connighclann, and even all of Suranth. Caribou and moose raised by the talented ranchers here are a preferred labor animal and cavalry mount all across Suranth.
Snow-wood (Population; 4893): This township, centered around the town which it takes its name from, is one of mountain dwelling woodsmen, folks whom are handy and crafty, and generally have chosen to live a bit of a simpler life. Though not entirely disconnected from their home country, the folks whom live here live in large part off the land, hunting, fishing mountain ponds and streams, harvesting edibles from the valleys during the shorter summer and autumn months. Limited supplies move into the region and limited goods move out. Timber is one, another is slate, as there is a small slate quarry that another of the larger communitites in the area has popped up around.
Norbanks (Population; 9105): This township is one of the most populaous in the Connighclann, with fully half living in the busy river port town that gives the township its name. This town is first and foremost a garrison town, home to a military base for the Suranthi River Watch, which naturally is part of the Navy. Surrounding communities are simple rural communities that work agriculture, the limited crops and capability the region allows, and do quite well for themselves. There are many wineries and breweries in the communities in this township.
Fieldhaven (Population; 7528): The township of Fieldhaven is the agricultural center of the region, and though difficult, there are a multitude of farming communities that thrive here, specializing in the few crops that can thrive in the short growing season here in Suranth. The communities that make up this township are simple sleepy farming communities, there is not much worth talking about beyond that.
Corsyl Banks (Population; 5046): The township of Corsyl Banks, is named for its largest and principal settlement upon the banks of Glacial Sea, where about half the people whom live in the region call home. This small fishing town and lake port is also another military town, home to another small naval base. The surrounding villages outlying Corsyl Banks itself are a mix of simple fishing and farming communities.
Firbank (Population; 6255): The township of Firbank, named for the lumber mill town of Firbanks, is a forestry community. Most outlying villages are simple lumber harvesting communties, feeding the sawmills of Firbanks, and its healthy timber industry. Timber is shipped up and down the Nordjeim from here to many other communities in the region. The communities in the region are also no strangers to Greenskins, with raids being quite common, which plays a part in why there is a military fort within the town of Firbanks itself.
Vorgistal (Population; 7291): The township of Vorgistal is named for the town where about half the people in the region live. The town is a mining town, a coal mining town to be precise, though one with a wealthy bonus within the tunnels of its mines. Amongst the deposits of coal, there are small deposits of Onyx, the Manna Gem of Scath. These Shadow Gems are extremely valuable, and have brought a great deal of wealth into the region. Outlying communities are generally other mining or quarrying communities, including a marble quarry, a limestone quarry, and a tin mine.
Needle-Grove (Population; 4845): The township of Needle-Grove is named and shares its name with the community that is home to about half the people whom live in the area. The communities here are tied into the forestry industry as well, but the forests here are unique and special. Needlebark Trees, a very rare type of tree, the timber from them has a host of unique properties, but even more importantly to the people in this region, at the heart of each tree, deep in its trunk, will be an Emerald, the manna gem of Dulra.
Maps
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Ironcliffe Connighclann
A regional map of the most populated Connighclann of Suranth, home to almost 470 000 of the nation's populace.
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