Narthica

Narthica is the northern continent of the western hemisphere. It has five countries on the main continent and a few smaller ones on islands surrounding the landmass. There is also an unofficial country on the very northern coast of the continent that is populated only with criminals and runaways, along with territories owned by Eterlanian countries on the northernmost islands.

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Countries

Whirlan

Located along the mid-eastern coast of Narthica is Whirlan, a nation of lakes, rivers, and forests. Whirlan has been led by the royal house of Calleron ever since the fall of House Nistern shortly after the country’s beginning. Whirlan is often the first country to be targeted by foreign nations, and as such has a strong army. Whirlan was founded first and has had a tenuous relationship with neighboring country Tierhal. It is currently struggling with occupation from Eterlania country Dalirn.

Tierhal

This kingdom is situated along the center of Narthica, bordered by Whirlan in the east, Decrowed to the south, Crystland to the north, and a mountain range to the west. Tierhal was founded just after Whirlan and is currently the most stable country. Its lands are mostly plains with some forests and a section of the Spiral Mountains. Tierhal has had very few power struggles and has been ruled tightly by House Enlim since the kingdom began. The most powerful houses of Narthica have roots here.

Crystland

Crystland is recorded as the largest country, although not the most populated. This is due to Crystland’s territory including frozen plains and ice fields, places where few wish to live. Thanks to this, many Frosters and Icers make their homes here and Crystland’s ruling house, House Kesterens, is a Frosting/Icing house. Despite the cold and the low population, Crystland is home to some of the most spectacular buildings in the world and Crystish architecture is praised in many travel guides as the most impressive feats of engineering in the western hemisphere.

Merino Lake (Crystland)

Decrowed

Narthica’s largest southern country is Decrowed, the only democratic republic on the continent. Decrowed was once a monarchy controlled by a dynasty of Flamers before the people rose and took over. Decrowed has been a republic for three centuries and has encountered no major issues thus far, yet is unable to secure solid treaties with its largest neighbors. Desert makes up most of this country’s land and much of the population lives in major cities or along the coast. Decrowed has trading alliances with island nations, an uneasy truce with Rifthaven, and an agreement with Whirlan that any illegal immigrants are returned.

Rifthaven

The smallest country on the main landmass is Rifthaven, a divided country ruled by a council of warlords who each govern their own territory and make nationwide laws as a group. Rifthaven’s only alliances are with Decrowed, a small island off their coast, and a truce with Tierhal, who shares their mountains. Rifthaven is very dry and mountainous to the east, but more agricultural toward the west, allowing them to grow their own food. There are few countrywide laws (most control travel and economy) and as such, laws and punishments vary depending on location. Currently, the warlord council is headed by Warlord Brian Levener, although competition is rising in the form of Warlady Rihanna Feltess.

The Wilds

The northernmost territory of Narthica is known as the Wilds and is divided into warring crime gangs and small governments. The Wilds are untouched by nearby countries, and fugitives from all over the continent travel there if they are able. In many guides, the Wilds are described as anarchy, and few travel there for reasons other than escaping the law.

Batricia

Northern Shores (Batricia)

Batricia is an islandic nation off the coast of Rifthaven that grows tropical fruit. Aside from small cities, the jungle covers most of the island. Batricia is known for its mangos, pineapples, and ember snakes. There are a few villages located in the jungle but these are rarely noted on maps or

mentioned in lists. Batricia trades mostly with Rifthaven, the Isles of Minna, and the Marieens.

Dicrices

South of Decrowed is Dicrices, a chaotic mess of a country ruled by a lax government that allows free travel between them and all other countries. Despite its organized anarchy, Dicrices is the number one refuge for runaways and fugitives of the law from other countries. Very little of the population is educated, and poverty abounds on this former tropical island turned crime hub.

Isles of Minna

Although each of the individual islands is smaller than most other countries, altogether these three are the same size as Batricia and larger than King's Castle off Whirlan. Collectively known as the Isles of Minna, Kiar, Narel, and Xuen are located just south of the Spiral Mountains and northwest of the nearby Marieens. The three are governed by a ruling council of six kings and queens who are elected. The Isles have this unique sort of government and are considered very strange by all but the Marieens, whom they trade with. Despite their bizarre culture, the Isles produce amazing jewelry and fabrics.

The Marieens

Named after their founder and worshipped goddess, Marie, these four islands are very religious. The citizens of the Marieens are very focused on building and creating without destroying nature. Although their architecture is nothing extraordinary, they create strong and sturdy buildings with special bricks that they trade to the Isles of Minna, Decrowed, and other nearby countries. The islands are also known to host lower levels of Gifteds than others, and the middle island is the center of huge festivals during the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Qirin

And then Qirin with their farms...Visitors must do no harm.

— Popular Narthican children's rhyme

A narrow strip of land south of Decrowed's Shard Peninsula, Qirin's island is believed to have once been a part of the main continent until storms or Gifteds wore the land away. Mostly flat, the island is home to farms for livestock that are traded up to Decrowed, Tierhal, Whirlan, and even across the mountains to Rifthaven. There are only two major cities, and the rest of the island is farmland and desert.

Setiress

A group of six islands that travel southward toward Bazilia, Setiress is only barely populated. However, those who do live there are highly trained fighters who learn to disable even the strongest Gifteds. Details of life there are scarce, but they are believed to be led by a council of generals. Only three of the islands are civilized, but the others are viciously guarded. All attempts to trade have failed, and most messengers never return.

Joseph's Hand

This island's continent is debated, as it is close to Setiress in Narthica, but closer to Bazila's main landmass than Narthica's. It is generally placed under Narthica since Bazilia still has more countries. Named after its shape and the man who discovered it, the island is relatively friendly and open to visitors. Positioned perfectly between Narthica and Bazilia, Joseph's Hand is a major hub for trade and travel, with the entire island one huge city covered in minor districts, docks, inns, and markets. Because of its constant travelers, the entire population is hard to determine, although permanent citizens are estimated to be around 80,000.

Overview

Narthica has a variety of geographic features, from mountains and hills to flat plains and fields, and from rivers and streams to deserts and valleys. The eastern area of Narthica is mostly forests and lakes, with marshes alongside coastal areas. Western Narthica has mountain ranges and plains, southern Narthica is desert, and central Narthica is primarily plains and brief forests. Northern Narthica is covered with another mountain range, frozen lakes, and an area of ice plains known as the Wilds.
Unlike most continents, Narthica has only a few countries on its main landmass: Whirlan, Tierhal, Crystland, Decrowed, and Rifthaven. Smaller countries are located on the numerous islands surrounding the continent, but these number less than ten. In the north of Narthica is an unofficial country called the Wilds, considered by other countries to be anarchy and chaos.

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Type

Continent

Included Locations

• Dicrices
• Drekker Woods
• Northwood Forest
• Shard Peninsula
• The Wilds

Included Organizations

• Isles of Minna
• Tierhal
• Whirlan

Geographical Features of Narthica

Northwood Forest (Tierhal)

Drekker Woods (Whirlan-Crystland) by Lilliana Casper

Novarre Swamps (The Marieens)

Tierhalan Cornfields

Roan's Hill (Rifthaven)