Shadowmarch

Shadowmarch is a vast continent covering 700,000 square miles, characterized by its diverse geography and lengthy winters. The continent is surrounded by the Ocean of Sorrows, known for its treacherous waters, and the Bleakreach Sea to the north, notorious for its glacial climes and icebergs. Prominent features include the Krûk-mor and Throrum-Morad mountain ranges, which reach heights up to 32,900 feet, creating subarctic environments that support unique flora and fauna such as winter wargs and shadow lynxes.
Shadowmarch's landscape also boasts the Frostbloom Forest and Northwood Bog, both blanketed in snow year-round, offering habitats for mystical creatures and contributing to the region's rich folklore. The continent's rivers, like the Shardflow and Ironvein, carve through frigid terrains, shaping lush riparian ecosystems. Lakes such as Dreadwater and Moon Lake add to the continent's mystical allure with their alpine forests and thermal ecosystems.
Economically, Shadowmarch thrives on trade, supported by the Merchants' Alliance, which connects remote regions through key trade posts like Frostwatch Outpost and Rivermeet Market. This network facilitates the movement of goods and cultural exchange across the continent, ensuring economic stability and fostering peace among the diverse city-states that govern the land.

Geography

Shadowmarch, a 700,000 square mile expanse, boasts a stark and diverse geography. Dominated by the towering Throrum-Morad and Krûk-mor mountain ranges, its peaks reach up to 32,900 feet, creating subarctic climates with heavy snowfall. Dense forests like Frostbloom and Shadowgrove cover vast areas, while the Shardflow and Ironvein rivers carve through the rugged terrain. The continent's lakes, such as Dreadwater and Moon Lake, add to its mystique. Surrounding waters include the treacherous Ocean of Sorrows and the icy Bleakreach Sea, with Stormcrown Bay offering a rare maritime haven. Shadowmarch's lengthy winters blanket most of the land in snow for eight months annually. This harsh environment supports resilient flora like frostleaf pines and hardy fauna like snow leopards and winter wargs. Rich in minerals, its landscape is both a resource boon and a survival challenge, shaping the tenacious cultures that call it home.

Climate

Shadowmarch's climate is predominantly harsh and cold, characterized by lengthy winters that cover over three-quarters of the continent in snow for eight months of the year. The northern regions experience extreme subarctic conditions with heavy snowfall and biting winds, while the central areas have slightly milder, yet still frigid, temperatures. Summers are brief and cool, offering a fleeting respite from the cold. The southern coastal areas, influenced by the Stormcrown Bay, have temperate winters and humid summers. This severe climate supports hardy flora and fauna adapted to the perpetual cold and challenging environmental conditions.

Fauna & Flora

The flora and fauna of Shadowmarch are uniquely adapted to its harsh, cold climate and diverse landscapes. The continent's forests, like Frostbloom and Shadowgrove, are dominated by resilient trees such as frostleaf pines, silverbirch, and shadowbark, which thrive in subarctic conditions. Hardy shrubs like winterberry and frost nettles are common, providing sustenance for the local wildlife.
Among the fauna, snow leopards, winter wargs, and shadow lynxes are apex predators, adept at navigating the snowy terrain. Frost bears and ironclad bears roam the forests, while elusive sky giants and mountain drakes inhabit the high-altitude Skyridge Forest. Mystical creatures like spectral wolves and forest phantoms add an eerie charm to the Wraithwood Forest. The rivers and lakes, such as the Shardflow River and Dreadwater Lake, are home to specialized cold-adapted aquatic species. Together, the flora and fauna of Shadowmarch create a resilient ecosystem, thriving despite the relentless cold and challenging conditions.

Natural Resources

Shadowmarch is rich in natural resources, reflecting its diverse and rugged geography. The continent's extensive mountain ranges, including the Throrum-Morad and Krûk-mor, are abundant with precious minerals and metals such as iron, silver, and mithril, making mining a crucial industry, especially for the dwarven populations. The fertile valleys and volcanic ash-enriched soils, particularly near the Gravendal Range and Ashflow River, support hardy crops and unique vegetation, essential for sustaining local communities.
Forests like Ironbark and Shadowgrove provide valuable timber from trees like ironwood and shadowbark, utilized in construction and crafting. The numerous rivers, including the Shardflow and Ironvein, offer clean, mineral-rich water essential for both agriculture and daily life. Lakes like Ash Lake, with its geothermal activity, contribute unique thermal resources, fostering specialized aquatic ecosystems.
The coasts and bays, such as those along Stormcrown Bay, support rich marine life, crucial for fishing and trade. Additionally, geothermal activity across the continent, especially near Ember Isle, provides a renewable energy source harnessed by various settlements. These abundant natural resources underpin the economy and survival of Shadowmarch's resilient inhabitants.

Maps

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  Shadowmarch

Type

Continent

Location under

Arathos

Included Locations

• Ashenvale
• Barak Varr
• Brookhaven
• Deepholm
• Eldermere
• Fernwood
• Gravendal Range
• Greenhollow
• Greenvale
• Harrowfrost
• Highplain Exchange
• Ironhold
• Khazadgrim Range
• Krûk-mor Range
• Mystwalker Ranges
• Ravenwood
• Riverbend
• Rivercroft
• Shadowgate
• Sil'Varune
• Stoneguard
• Thornridge
• Throrum-Morad
• Warcaller Hills
• Whispergrove
• Woodland Trade Haven

Related Historical Events

• 19856 EoS
  The Great Snowstorm
• 19850 EoS
  Appointment of Agnar Torvald as High Merchant
• 18700 EoS
  The Plague of Wraithwind