Normania

Geography

The landscape of Normania is a large flat, standing a fair bit above sealevel with the cliffs overlooking a pearl-white beach to the northwest. Normania is also the most central of the regions currently held by the Order of the Falcon. To the west, the peninsula of Brietaine stretches out from a grand landbridge. In the south, hills and mountains reach out to form great ranges. One leading to the region of Gothangela, the other forming a natural wall with entrance to Oquitaine. In the east, great woods with dark and forboding omens reach into Lore. North, the flat hills drop the altitude near the borders of the Marche.
The region has a vast amount of fresh water rivers, which spring out of the hills found all over the flats. Often, these sources and springs are protected by steampunk castles which tower from their hillside heights, or in the case of larger hilltops, an entire village might be found thriving on it's soil. Around the hills and the rare mountains, vast networks of rails and train networks can be found.
These rails are well establish, often maintained and even patrolled by regiments of Normani cavalary, which patrol their routes along the cities and major villages.

Fauna & Flora

Normania as a flat open landscape filled with glades, plethora of rivers and bountiful shrubbery is a paradise for horses. These noble beasts are well bred by nature itself and most of them near tame by their regions lack of wild beasts, yet at the same time they're kept wild enough by the hands of ranchers that use them to supply the army with warsteeds for the cavalary. The long white beaches, windling hills and flat terrain also gives them a lot of various breeds of horses that roam freely and can be used for different purpuses.

Natural Resources

The hills of Normania are known not only for their fresh water supply, though also it's rich amount of metals such as iron and copper. These resources has allowed the region to spare their wealth being mostly self sufficient in gathering materials needed to build, maintain and also use their industries.

History

The first founding of Normania happened thousands of years ago, shortly after forces from different groups of a massive Peregonian expedition first made landfall around the Blackwood. The area of Normania wasn't enshrouded by the dark woods, yet ripe with resources. The many tribes mostly stayed out of the flat, due to it's lack of cover. Making anyone who'd try to settle there ample targets for conquests, slavery and sacrifice. The noble knights of Peregon would not easily suffer a fate like this though, as their vastly superior numbers, dicipline and steel weapons made them near imperishable without the aid of the woods.
Normania thusly was conquered without a lot of bloodspill, as most of the tribes would run beyond the hills and to the depths of their guarding Blackwood. Though, a few weaker tribes ended up joining civilization from free will. The protection of their noble knights like a candle in the dark, against the encroaching powers of the abyss.
Ever since, Normania has had mostly smooth sailing as one of few regions to mostly avoid the vicious wars that came to form Diestria, accompanied by the internal ones to come. Instead they mostly served as the second greatest wine producer, after Oquitaine. This neutral stance slowly changed after the modern events of the Chimera War. An event consequential to the rapidly developing industry birthed from Westport's Technological Revolution, accompanied by aristocratic investments in their efforts. Mainly granted out of their close rival and friend of the Oquitainian baronies.
The Chimera War eventually lead into a full blown war between the Red Clergy and Normanian officials, over mentalistic research carried out by one house Ashford. Near twenty years of cooporation blown up in the blink of an eye, as it was believed the dark gods of the Abyss had finally managed to etch their claws into Normania. Millenia after their past worshippers were driven out by the knights.

Tourism

Plenty of higher middleclass citizens as well as the aristocracy enjoy to take the trains around Normania and beyond, as it leads through most regions of the Empire. At least all stabile ones, accompanied by a road to Westport which continues all the way through the Golden Dunes. Passing the grand Capital of the Golden Empire, while ending within the artistic city-state of Barrkad. Thanks to the current war with the Red Clergy, parts of it has been blocked off though. Something which have taken a toll for their otherwise great tourism.

Rough map of Normania

Made with Inkarnate

Type

Region

Included Locations

• Couen

Included Organizations

• Ordo Scientia

Owning Organization

Order of the Falcon

Contested By

• Diestria

History:
History of Normania

Ecosystem

Due to it's industrial nature, most beasts of Normania tend to stray far away from human civilizations. Lurking mainly in the woods bordering Oquitaine and Lore, or within the hills just north of Gothangela. Predatory animals such as wolves and bears have learned since years ago, that farmers with rifles are too dangerous to tango with, yet certain dire creatures still manage to prowl the landscape from time to time, even though they are rare.
Smaller critters and birds are far more common to find around the flats, as the lack of predators leave them with only mankind to fear. Yet the trainrails connecting them with the rest of the empire has hunting be a rare sport within the region, as most of their food is gained through trade or farming. Especially grains like wheat are commonly farmed. The rich amount of hillsides also make it one of the greatest regions of the empire where wine grapes easily grow. Thus many of the villages and castles can be seen having large vinyards colouring their slopes in blue, purple, red and green.

Ecosystem Cycles

Normania has a windy, humid climate and usually has a lot of downpour all over the year. It's summer is temperate enough without being too hot, while it's winters seldom get freezing cold and the snow that falls is usually somewhat molten. As the Diestrian industrial centre, this is a good thing as the two days a week rainy hours with the occational thunderstorm helps the air get fresh. The otherwise polluting remains of coal and whale oils are for the most part collected by particles of the rain and brought down to the ground, where it's soaked up by the earth. Leaving the region's air to be healthily fresh and breathable.