Northguard
Far to the north of Therengia, beyond The Frigid Depths, the imposing landmass of Northguard rises from the mist. Jagged shores of rock and ice give way to a mountainous region full of cratered valleys, tall spires of rock, thick taiga forests, and hearty creatures adapted to the extreme environment of continual winter.
Only the strongest survive here, huddled around their fires or living deep beneath the earth, eeking out a living from the stones and the shoals. It is an unforgiving and harsh existence, but, to some, it has become a home.
Only the strongest survive here, huddled around their fires or living deep beneath the earth, eeking out a living from the stones and the shoals. It is an unforgiving and harsh existence, but, to some, it has become a home.
Geography
The southernmost tip of Northguard is surrounded by an area known as Icetooth Bay, a breeding ground for whales during the brief summer months, and a natural harbor with the lighthouse of Wrecker's Point nearby.
Once ashore, the terrain is jagged, rocky, and inhospitable for as far as the eye can see; snow covers the ground for most of the year, and the meltwater in the spring months carves wide swaths through the countryside, creating unique rock formations and strange trenches in every direction.
Thick taiga forestland, the expansive Nilfshard Forest dots the countryside, interspaced with areas of low-lying valleys, harboring a modicum of life in an area otherwise devoid. Beyond those forests lies the Frostheim Mountain Range, an area so jagged it is said to be untraversable on foot.
Nearby, the peaks of the Jagged Iron Mountains rise high into the sky, the tallest range known in Kermoria, with the single volcanic mountain at it's center, Rimefire Peak soaring towards the heavens.
Beneath that peak, within Bloodsnow Valley in plain view for anyone brave enough to travel there, is the lair of Hoarfrost, Storm of Ruin, an elder dragon of immense proportions.
On the northern edge of this great valley lies Icicle Pass, overseen by the stoic Dwarves of Karak Hungren, a great Dwarfhold built into the solid rock of the pass. There, the Dwarves are engaged in a constant battle for resources not only with the Drake of the Valley, but also with the Elves living within nearby town of Frostberg.
Far to the north, at the extreme edge of the world, the true polar north, lies the deliberately-built city of Last Hope; built into the lee of a tall mountain, it is, unquestionably, the harshest living conditions a humanoid can endure; those that make their lives in Last Hope are truly some of the heartiest folk alive.
Once ashore, the terrain is jagged, rocky, and inhospitable for as far as the eye can see; snow covers the ground for most of the year, and the meltwater in the spring months carves wide swaths through the countryside, creating unique rock formations and strange trenches in every direction.
Thick taiga forestland, the expansive Nilfshard Forest dots the countryside, interspaced with areas of low-lying valleys, harboring a modicum of life in an area otherwise devoid. Beyond those forests lies the Frostheim Mountain Range, an area so jagged it is said to be untraversable on foot.
Nearby, the peaks of the Jagged Iron Mountains rise high into the sky, the tallest range known in Kermoria, with the single volcanic mountain at it's center, Rimefire Peak soaring towards the heavens.
Beneath that peak, within Bloodsnow Valley in plain view for anyone brave enough to travel there, is the lair of Hoarfrost, Storm of Ruin, an elder dragon of immense proportions.
On the northern edge of this great valley lies Icicle Pass, overseen by the stoic Dwarves of Karak Hungren, a great Dwarfhold built into the solid rock of the pass. There, the Dwarves are engaged in a constant battle for resources not only with the Drake of the Valley, but also with the Elves living within nearby town of Frostberg.
Far to the north, at the extreme edge of the world, the true polar north, lies the deliberately-built city of Last Hope; built into the lee of a tall mountain, it is, unquestionably, the harshest living conditions a humanoid can endure; those that make their lives in Last Hope are truly some of the heartiest folk alive.
Ecosystem Cycles
The northernmost reaches of Northguard are encased in ice and snow year-round, however, half or more of the continent experiences quite a great change in seasons, usually around the middle of the fourth month; the ice begins to melt, creating great waterways that drift from the mountains, winding southwards towards The Frigid Depths. As the weather warms and the snow melts, plants begin to burst to life, turning the otherwise stark-white landscape into a brilliant display of yellows, greens, and shades of reds and blues as grasses and wildflowers explode into being.
This transformation is short lived, as the greenery begins to die off by the middle of the ninth month, with frost settling in at night and the first measurable snowfalls beginning sometime soon thereafter. The waterways freeze over, and even the great Icetooth Bay becomes locked within ice, trapping the brave souls who live on it's shores in the city of Winterpyre for all of the winter months with no way of leaving except magically.
This transformation is short lived, as the greenery begins to die off by the middle of the ninth month, with frost settling in at night and the first measurable snowfalls beginning sometime soon thereafter. The waterways freeze over, and even the great Icetooth Bay becomes locked within ice, trapping the brave souls who live on it's shores in the city of Winterpyre for all of the winter months with no way of leaving except magically.
Localized Phenomena
Much of the Frostheim Mountain Range is volcanic; as such, there are huge tracts of land that are warmed by the magma beneath the earth, where snow and ice can not gather. These bare, rocky areas are home to a number of creatures not found anywhere else, uniquely adapted to this extreme environment; many are covered in multiple layers of fur on their upper portions, but often have soft, relatively hairless underbellies to press closer to the warmth of the stones and gather in what heat they can.
The extreme northern lands of Therengia can, on rare occasion, be treated to the auroras at night; however, this rainbow pattern of colors in the night sky is visible nearly everywhere in Northguard, several days out of each month. Researchers are unable to explain this phenomena, and it is attributed, by the locals, to be a peaceful sign from the Old Gods who once ruled.
The extreme northern lands of Therengia can, on rare occasion, be treated to the auroras at night; however, this rainbow pattern of colors in the night sky is visible nearly everywhere in Northguard, several days out of each month. Researchers are unable to explain this phenomena, and it is attributed, by the locals, to be a peaceful sign from the Old Gods who once ruled.
Natural Resources
Northguard is a wonder of natural resources, but it's remoteness and the extreme weather patterns prevent much of it from ever being tapped. Many of the fjords and rivers snaking their way from the mountains contain vast amounts of gold ore, and many of the mountains themselves are rich in iron, gold, and even platinum.
The nearby ocean of The Frigid Depths and Icetooth Bay are ideal for whaling and fishing when the icefloes break, allowing for a few months hunting of this valuable resource. This is done both commercially by many fishermen from Therengia, as well as the locals from Winterpyre to fatten their larders for the coming winter.
The area known as Troll's Fjord is aptly named as it is infested and nearly overrun with trolls; however, they are sought by many apothecaries and alchemists for the significant amount of potions and elixirs which are made with their blood.
The nearby ocean of The Frigid Depths and Icetooth Bay are ideal for whaling and fishing when the icefloes break, allowing for a few months hunting of this valuable resource. This is done both commercially by many fishermen from Therengia, as well as the locals from Winterpyre to fatten their larders for the coming winter.
The area known as Troll's Fjord is aptly named as it is infested and nearly overrun with trolls; however, they are sought by many apothecaries and alchemists for the significant amount of potions and elixirs which are made with their blood.
Tourism
During the summer months, some brave and hearty folk will travel northwards in an attempt to spend their time panning for gold amongst the fjords and back-water rivers of Northguard; this prospecting is especially dangerous, as many of these travelers are completely unaware of the dangers that lurk around every corner; One in three do not return from Northguard, and of the two who do, rarely do they make a second trip.
Type
Tundra
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