Sacred North
Far above the maneuverings and machinations of the mainland nations, in the highest polar region of Zholmyr, the Sacred North sprawls across ice and snow. The official name of this long landmass is "Kirfar", but centuries of reverence and pilgrimage gave rise to the epithet that serves as its current title. The Sacred North is a vast, icy tundra covered in permafrost tundra, wind-blasted hills, and tall cliffs that dot the land. Despite its seemingly inhospitable terrain, multitudes of different creatures and races have made their home in the snow-covered. Besides its living dangers, the continent is also home to one of the most potent pools of quintessence energy found in all the world. The pool is protected within a temple called the "Eye of Mara" and is fiercely protected by the kalashtar civilization that resides in Sky's Corse, the only major settlement in the North.
Culture
From the intrepid explorer outposts of the west to the religious enclaves in the east, the Sacred North is a diverse place of spiritual awakening and reconnection to the divine. Petty wants and desires are left back on Dolmaya before anyone can make the journey north. For the kalashtar and those who make their lives in the holy city of Sky's Lash, days and nights are devoted to meditation, spiritual maintenance, and basic survival. For the trekkers and adventurers who brave the frozen wastes, each ice-cold moment is another test of mettle and chance to prove one's resolve. Either way, the Sacred North is void of whimsy and frivolity. Instead, residents and pilgrims strive for moral truth and actualization.
History
Very little is known about the ancient history of the Sacred North or the wilds of Kirfar. Any remnants relics of key moments past are shrouded in blizzard or buried beneath feet of snow. Instead, its modern history begins in much the same way of other regions of Zholmyr. A band of humans, desperate to survive the Times of Turmoil, made a last-resort effort to flee the horrors ravaging the northern reaches of Dolmaya. They built a large raft and sailed into the frigid Silverdust Sea, unsure of what lied beyond the blue horizon would be more or less terrifying than the land they fled.
Through either sheer luck or divine providence (depending on who you ask), the humans were able to successfully navigate the Skiova Ice Fields and find the mouth of the River Gleam. As they traversed up the river, the humans cautiously took in their new surroundings of snow and rock. But their most shocking observation came in what they DIDN'T see...or hear. Aside from the soft lapping of the river or the wind rustling across towering pines and windswept drifts, this new land provided the refugees with something they haven't heard in generations--peace and quiet.
The humans sailed on, looking for a place to settle and build their lives anew. It didn't take them long to find. On their fifth day of travel, the ship reached what initially looked like a waterfall careening down a high pair of cliffsides. Upon closer inspection, the refugees noticed that the water was moving upwards towards the tops of the cliffs. They took this wonder (which they called a riverrise) as a sign and founded the city that is now known as Sky's Corse, an homage to the ribbons of rainbow light given off by the mists of the riverrise by day and the sight of the aurora by night.
The Frozen Oasis
Type
Geopolitical, Theocracy
Power Structure
Transnational government
Economic System
Barter system
Official State Religion
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Friendly
The Federation and the Dhampir of the Sacred Lands continue to enjoy a close relationship of respect and appreciation. The Dhampir hold the Spolu races in high regard for their commitment to spiritual traditions and community. Likewise, the Spolu see the Dhampir as highly elevated beings whose benevolent and selfless services to the other nations is for the betterment of all mortals. Their pilgrims are openly welcomes in Spolu cities.
Cultural exchange
The Dhampir of the Sacred Lands were welcomed with open arms by the Grand Princess Inessa. For decades, the two lands enjoyed open borders and the Verkhovians looked toward the Dhampir as spiritual advisors to help guide their growth and progress. Now, the new Grand Prince views the Dhampir much more coldly, and their reputation in the Empire has chilled. Still, the two entities enjoy open borders and trade. The Dhampir greatly rely on the Verkhovians to supply them with food and materials for their polar settlements.
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