Frostwarren

"Free Home of the Northlings..."

On the lower edge of the Zero Lands, just north of the Minus Peaks, lies the most unexpected of colonies. Here, a small community of battle-hardened halflings (called northlings) live in a burrow town called Frostwarren. Originally the halflings lived in a different burrow, one south of the Zero Lands, in the (slightly less) wintery realm of Greenhaven, just east of Bromstead. Today, there is no such place as Greenhaven, as the halflings that once called it home were rounded up by the armies of an evil night hag named Esondal, and forced into slavery. Her army of orcs and quicklings marched the halflings up through the treacherous Minus Peaks (where many of them perished) and over to a slave camp at the position where Frostwarren now stands.
Several generations of the northlings toiled under Esondal's iron fist, not seeing any way out of their horrible predicament. That is, until roughly 80 years ago...
Sentol Hardfoot was a slave just like all the others. Except he had something they didn't. Drive. Ambition. Long he planned an escape from Esondral's camp, not to run away, but to seek aid. He'd heard legends of a rough and tumble colony of dwarves, allegedly living in a nearby town called Snowforge. And apparently, these dwarves harbored no love for the night hag or her minions. The moment Sentol actually managed to pull off his escape, he headed straight for Snowforge to plead his case.
The legends were indeed true. Snowforge was real. There he found an initially skeptical audience amongst the dwarves. But soon, their hatred for the hag and her grip upon the region brought them around to Sentol's position. The northling convinced them that his bretheren would rise up against their captors, if only the dwarves marched upon the camp. Further, Sentol knew the cycle of the hag's army. Their comings and goings. There would be a perfect moment to strike, when nearly half her contingent would be out on raids. It was exactly what the dwarves were waiting for.
So, with Sentol at their lead, the dwarves of Snowforge marched upon the slave camp. They found it exactly as Sentol predicted, and also found the northling prisoners fully ready to assist in the revolt. A bloody battle ensued, but not long after it began, it seemed as if the slaves would prevail. But then Esondral arrived.
The night hag was more than a match for the combined dwarven and northling forces, and many fell from her vicious attacks. But Sentol found her weakness. It seemed Esondral gained much of her power from the staff she wielded. And Sentol finally managed to get it away from her. But at a high price, as he was mortally wounded in the act. The dwarven leaders quickly destroyed the magical artifact and drove Esondral out of the camp, and back to her lair. She never expected them to follow. But follow they did, having little trouble tracking the wounded hag.
Once back and within the relative safety of her lair, Esondral made the error of dropping her guard. Her small contingent of orc bodyguards were quickly dispatched and her quicklings frightened off. The hag then barracaded herself in her root cellar, with the dwarves hot on her trail. Instead of breaking in, they decided to bury her alive. It was then that another halfling, a sorcerer named Meadow Longfellow, came forth. Using the hag's own magic against her (Meadow collected various arcane items from the hag's lair), she sealed Esondral in her cellar, binding it shut with an unbreakable arcane lock. And it's there that Esondral remains, even to this day.
Shortly after, her remaining army disbanded and fled the region. And the northlings, having nowhere else to go (and fearing a second crossing of the Minus Peaks), decided to turn what was once their prison camp into a home. Today, there are few, if any, signs of the original settlement's dark purpose. But the northlings have been forever altered. They aren't nearly as carefree as most of their folk tend to be characterized. They are hardened, any many are quite adept warriors. There's even a small school of magic in the burrows, dedicated to Meadow (and the fact that she was the only thing standing between them and Esondra).
Visitors to Frostwarren are welcomed, if somewhat suspiciously at first. The halflings still conduct trade and continue relations with their dwarven comrades of Snowforge. In fact, several of the dwarves relocated to the burrows after the war, having fallen in love with the lifestyle and stout hearts of the northlings.
The only thing that remains of the dark days involves Esondra herself. Word of her imprisonment has spread, and several malicious powers in the region could benefit from her skills as an ally. If she were to be somehow freed, her first thoughts would be of revenge against those who locked her down in the bowels of the earth.

Demographics

Nearly 100% halfling, with a few dwarves mixed in (having emigrated from Snowforge after the battle).

Government

The northlings of Frostwarren have no love for powerful rulers. As such, their own government is run by a council of elders, nominated by the population, who serve indefinitely, but who can be removed by a vote of "no confidence" by the other members of the council.

Defences

The halflings of Frostwarren have extensively trained for battle, with even the most peaceful farmer having at least some combat training. They also maintain a permanent force of 200 halfling soldiers, ready to defend the town at a moment's notice. The small army is supported by around 20 dwarven auxiliaries, who live amongst the northlings in the burrow town.

Industry & Trade

As the halflings are fairly isolated in the Zero Lands, they tend to trade only with their closest neighbors. In this case, primarily the dwarves of Snowforge. They supply much of the dwarves food in return for metal craft and weapons.

Assets

The northlings maintain a well stocked armory, along with adequate food stores, allowing them to weather a long winter or even a protracted siege.

History

The history of the Frostwarren northlings is one fraught with oppression and violence. Their homestead having formerly been a prison camp in which they were captives. After defeating the hag (and her army) that enslaved them, the northlings made the seemingly odd decision to turn their former jail into a permanent home.

Architecture

Mostly reinforced halfling holes, many of which are interconnected to create something akin to a warren.

Geography

Frostwarren sits in a clearing beyond the Minus Peaks, in a partially green vale that connects with the sea.

Natural Resources

The halflings have managed to cultivate the somewhat fertile lands and have produced a good amount of food crops for their effort. This is their primary source of trade, and they share it with their "brothers" from Snowforge.

Alternative Name(s)

The Freehold

Type

Town

Population

1,200 halflings (northlings)

Inhabitant Demonym

Northlings

Location under

The Zero Lands