Nordur
Nordur is a region lying between the Drozhaniye and Thaidh Seas. The region is characterised by its taigas and tundras, and is sparsely populated.
Geography
At the base of the Khelreach Range in southern Nordur, the terrain is primarily composed of a dense Taiga, its coniferous forests rolling across the northern foothills of the mountains. Further north, towards the Thaidh sea, the trees part and grow more sparse, with the tundra of northern Nordur being dominated mostly by lichens, mosses, grasses and select shrubs.
Ecosystem
Excerpt from the Journals of Count Sveta Romanic, Novayan Alchemist circa 192IE
Little was known previously of the Nordur lands, with frequent expeditions cancelled due to poor weather making the land treacherous and impassable during the cooler periods. During warmer months in long periods of warm years, the terrain becomes muddied and difficult to traverse by carriage. As such, only recently have some discoveries been made.
Like Siarland, pine forests to the south are prominent, though the trees contain largely the endemic species with fewer Elven influences. Lichen and moss are still in abundance, but typically is less potent than their cousins to the south-west, likely due to slightly lower temperatures and a shorter growing season. Streams in this area are still clear from the run-off of the Khel’Reach. Smaller hairy species are typically more abundant in this region due to the evergreen nature of the trees providing forage and shelter year-round. Bears, thankfully, are much less prominent. This may also be due to lesser prey as while smaller beasts are in abundance, larger prey items such as deer and goats are fewer. During the summer, foxes appear to be the apex predator, when the wolf packs have migrated into the deciduous forests further north. This does not last, as the wolves also seek shelter of the southern forests in the depths of winter.
There is some geological evidence to suggest that recent volcanic activity had occurred further north where the granitic landscape was over swept by newer basaltic rock. These eroded volcanic hills, despite being further north tend to hold greater abundance of beech and elm trees where the branches grow thick and wide and I am told that The Nordur revere these trees with a religious significance and very carefully manage the timber taken from them, while small impermanent streams are teeming with small aquatic invertebrates and home to reed beds that support small herds of curiously large rodents. While some tales certainly do exist of their unmatched ferocity, aside from a crabby female in heat, or one that has recently borne a litter, these over-sized square-faced rats are generally friendly with all inhabitants of the forest aside those determined to eat them. Though they are very fatty and best served with mustard, or pine needle as my guide suggested, they are generally amicable animals. An interesting plant was pointed out to me. The leaves dark green with a noticeable purple tinge and small dark berries. Vackadome, he called it. Weaver’s charm. While not a fast dye, it turns purple the tunic of warriors, and as the sweat and blood loosens the dye from the fabric, and enters the eyes, mouth and wounds the warrior enters a blood-lust trance that fuels him through battle.
The flats, bogs, fens and marshes of this region all have one curious thing to note. Despite the altitude of the region and regardless of wind, against all-natural notion, the higher points of the bog are warmer overnight. One would expect the feet of the hills being lower and sheltered from wind to be more favourable for a night’s rest, but, the tops of mound, within the shelter of trees provides lesser chill from the cold currents of air that descend every night. My guide has warned me of the creatures that swim in the fog streams and has warned me to keep to the trees in the dark, so that the gods would be more amicable towards my foreign self. An interesting creature of very real flesh and blood much more than any myth did appear near our camp next to a stony rock face. A bird, with unnaturally long legs and eyes like small yellow orbs. It has a very curious and chilling call, lending to the notion to The Nordur that it was an omen of death. During the day, one notices the reddish tinge of the grasses and shorter shrubs in the bog regions and folklore would have you believe that the reason was the blood of ancient warriors that died in battle, when there is an immense amount of peat in the region. Further south, this would lend itself with excitement for the use of energy production, but The Nordur refuse to touch it to dishonour their ancestors. Ravens are often congregated in these and urban areas, where offerings are given for wisdom and prosperity.
Urban Nordur is cold and muddy, with few animals kept. Like Novaya, some attempt is made at producing linen, but due to the climate, is generally less profitable. Sheep are typically farmed in this region as they provide wool through the winter months. Large rams are kept fat and well handled until they reach adulthood, twice the size of a standard sheep, before they are castrated and harness trained, so that they may pull sleds of hunters throughout the winter. These sheep are preferred over horses due to their dual purpose and natural camouflage against predators. Whatever grain is harvested through the milder years is stored by the local katterdam, a woman who keeps cats to fend of the rodents. The Nordur as such have an inexplicable infatuation with these creatures.
Further onto the tundra, further caution was given surrounding beaches, ice, and the coastline in general. Despite the fascinating abundance of different species of mussel, algae, oyster and crab, and at least two separate species of seal or sea lion. Little shall remain recorded as I bore witness to what originally appeared to be a large fish lunge out of the water with a fin reaching at least as tall as a man and chase the pack of seals down the beach with its massive, webbed claws and using its dolphin-like tail for balance on the black sand. My guide showed me a comb made of a material he called Elfenben, which appeared to be peat-stained ivory, and told me a tail of how a powerful shaman-woman spent her day combing her hair instead of weaving cloth as she was told by her father, so he took the comb and threw it into the sea. She responded by unknotting her hair with her fingers next time he took her fishing and told her to gut fish, so he threw her into the icy water. As she clung to the side of the boat, he cut her fingers so that she sunk into the depths. She wound a powerful spell around her digits and created ten creatures. The Acklutt, the creature we had previously witnessed; the barnätare, a child eater; fiskätare, those that eat fishermen; and upon my look of horror refused to divulge more and insisted that I not fret.
Localized Phenomena
The night sky of Nordur and the islands north of it is characterised by colourful bands of light stretching across the heavens during the winter months.
Natural Resources
History
The Nordur have inhabitted Nordur for as long as recorded memory, a bastion of free humans even when elves ruled The North. Nordur did not boast large settlements for most of its history, with clans of nomads roaming across the region between temporary camps and villages with the changing seasons.
The first known major settlement to be established in the region is believed to be the town of Bjergvagt, with mentions in elven texts indicating its presence from at least 2250EA. Elven attempts to pacify the region produced little more than capturing sturdy slaves to send south, with Nordur's harsh winters proving too large a challenge for invaders from the South.
As well as The Nordur, clans of Goliaths roam the Vidde Tundra, raiding and pillaging settlements too small to fight them off and caravans underprepared for the harsh realities of travelling through Nordur.
Alternative Name(s)
The Far North
Type
Region
Location under
Included Locations
Related Ethnicities
Related Tradition (Primary)
Comments