Region - Heartlands
The Region
The Heartlands, aptly named for their central location, pulsate at the core of Arboria, enriched by an abundance of rivers and encircled by mineral-laden mountains. Control over the Heartlands equates to dominion over the Northern Realms. Those who dwell here are positioned not just for prosperity but also for strategic defense, as the region is conveniently shielded by mountains and seas alike. At present, the Heartlands are under the sway of two major powers, the preeminent forces within Arboria. To the east lies the Kingdom of Ardechia, a realm marked by its insularity and rejection of magic. To the west stands the Reich of Sturmgard, a melting pot of cultures and a sanctuary for the arcane. These two sovereignties exist in a perpetual standoff, a remnant of tensions born during the bygone era of the Great Migrations. The western expanse of the Heartlands reaches the borders of Lynora, nestled between the soaring Valpine Mountains and the expansive Jagged Sea. To the east, the region's reach concludes at the formidable Diynar Mountains, where the vast territory of Kyrus begins.Boundaries
The geographical scope of the Arborian Heartlands is generally agreed upon: from the coastal lowlands of Lynora in the west, where the shores meet the Jagged Sea, to the towering Diynar Mountains in Ardechia to the east, at the frontier with Kyrus, and stretching from the Nord Sea's chilly waters in the north to the formidable barriers of the Valpine and Messial Mountains in the south. Debate persists, however, regarding the easternmost extent of the Heartlands. Some contend that the expansive flats of Kyrus merit inclusion. Yet, the consensus often falters, citing the region's stark contrasts - the biting cold, the sparse development and population, and the relative poverty - as disqualifiers from the Heartlands' prosperous identity. The status of the Duchy of Vishigrad is similarly contested. While it's argued that all valleys with direct conduits to the Heartlands inherently belong, Vishigrad's elevated terrain prompts many to consider it an extension of the mountain ranges rather than the lowlands. This leads to the broader question: What constitutes the Heartlands? Initially perceived as the verdant lowlands spanning southern Arboria, the term evolved. Over time, "Heartlands" has come to denote the swath of land, whether undulating or flat, nestled within the embrace of the surrounding mountains and just south of the Nord Sea. This geographical feature has since become the defining characteristic of the Heartlands' identity.
History
Arboria's verdant expanses were once the exclusive dominion of the Elven people until The Cataclysm prior to the Great Migrations. The upheaval ushered in a frigid tide from the north that displaced the Feynarin Elves, wresting from them their ancient homeland and scattering their presence to secluded enclaves, predominantly in the western territories. The Elves' departure was more than a loss of sovereignty, it signaled the fading of their mystical influence, leaving the land bereft of its once vibrant enchantments, withering into the more mundane landscape we know today. In the eastern lands, particularly in Ardechia, Elves and their mystical arts are subjects of vilification. There, the once hallowed Feywood forests were razed, and practitioners of the arcane arts persecuted with lethal finality. Such actions reflect a deep-seated revulsion toward the Feyfolk and their magical legacy, painting them as anathema. In stark contrast, the west harbors a history of amicable Elf-Human relations, significantly influenced by the Elven mage Arish - The Lightbearer. His guidance enabled the Human migrants to navigate the perilous passage across the Nord Sea, finding refuge in the south's temperate embrace. There, alongside the Feynarin Elves who endured the Cataclysm's aftermath, a synergistic cohabitation blossomed. This enduring alliance is evidenced by the west's preservation of vast tracts of ancient Feywoods, a testament to their shared stewardship.
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Region
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