The Northlands

A very loose alliance of culturally-related kingdoms to the north-east of the Northern Ocean, the Northlands are home to a people collectively known as Northmen to the inhabitants of the Known World. Technologically, militarily and socially sophisticated, they are regarded simply as savage and warlike by most people in the Great Powers who have little contact with them and have to rely on hearsay and rumor. They are great traders and seafarers and have many settlements and trading posts all over Gaia. Most of the Northmen are Humans and there are few of the near-human species of the Known World found there. Therianthropes, however, are more common in the Northlands than elsewhere on Gaia and are not shunned and feared as they are in the Known World, but instead honored and respected.