Noerdia
Geography
Snow and tundra.
Fauna & Flora
Holly: There are many species of this evergreen shrub. All have dark green, glossy leaves, some with smooth and others with prickly spines. The female of the species produces the recognizable berries — often bright red in color. Sprigs of holly leaves and berries are harvested by Vainites and Kainen, for use as a decoration in homes at their mid-winter festival. The berries are bitter and poisonous to humans, and should not be eaten.
Bonn: The bonn tree is best known for the hard-shelled capsule-like nut it bears, which is similar in size and shape to a chestnut. When properly dried and prepared, bonn nuts may be crushed to produce a small burst of flame for (1-3) points of fire damage. They are often used by travelers as quick fire-starters.
Juniper: This common evergreen has small spiked needles, and produces small purple berries. Some confuse the juniper bush with the linderberry. However, the fruit of the Juniper is poisonous, and should not be eaten. It causes vomiting and stomach upset in humans.
Pinyon Pine: The pinyon pine is a wide branched common evergreen is usually found in drier open woodlands with juniper. It bears cones of tasty edible nuts that are eaten directly, made into candies, or ground into flavoring for sauces. The nuts must be harvested just as they ripen, otherwise the wildlife of the region will clean them out.
Andic Fir: The andic fir is a tall densely-needled evergreen that grows in northern regions. It is often planted around Kainen villages to serve as a wind break in arctic plains areas, and is used in the construction of Nöerdic long-houses. The seed-cones of the andic fir burn with a spicy scent, having the effect of calming those who breathe the vapor. For this reason, cones are burned in ‘peace fires’ after a battle to restore berserkers to a normal state, or to prevent the onset of rage during peace negotiations.
Blackbark: Commonly found in northern arctic regions, the dark ragged branches of this thick-barked evergreen bear a soft and tarry wood. It can survive in a dormant state throughout the harshest of winters, even when completely covered in snow and ice. Blackbark gives off a thick black smoke when burned, whether dry or wet. It is often used for signal fires, concealment, or for "smoking out" adversaries.
Ruk-Zagan: This short and hardy bush-like evergreen likes to grow in cold rocky areas. The mountain-dwelling Ummir often plant stands of rukzagan near the entrances to their underground dwellings; its clinging root system prevents erosion. The thick scraggly 'rust-bark' of the tree, from which it gets its name, can be scraped off to be used as an infusion in brewing a spicy hot drink (also known as ruk-zagan). This drink provides resistance to the effects of cold temperatures (-1 IP per die of damage). A new skin of bark grows back on the bush each year.
Tear Pine: This tall species of pine tree grows in northern regions. Its name comes from the beads of watery sap that appear on its bark when the weather warms. The Jøtun of Nøerdewessa make use of this natural phenomena by carving faces in the bark of trees, with 'eye sockets' drilled into the inner core. This produces the effect of continually crying faces. Such trees are carved as tributes to the dead in tribal funerary rites.
Udek: This short shrub grows in hilly and mountainous regions. A member of the bean family, it produces dark pods with an oily seed. Düerguns press the seeds for oil they use in lanterns. The color of the oil's flame is white under normal conditions; but if the air becomes tainted with other gases, it tends to turn to a bluish tint. For this reason, udek oil is especially valuable to miners.
White-Eye Cedar: These tall narrow conifers have a strong pungent scent. Resistant to decay, its resilient wood is used for the construction of everything from boats to shingles to fence-posts. Kainen people often plant white-eye cedars on each side of the main entrance to their long-houses. The name comes from the small white blossoms that dot its crown throughout the year. A preparation made from these blossoms has been used to treat various illnesses related to vitamin deficiency.
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