Auros' Road

"Auros' Road is named for one of the Old Gods, long forgotten by most of the people of the world and only remembered for the name of his Road. This region is marked by the bright night auroras that grace its sky. On a clear evening, one can see the road twist in miraculous colors out over the sea. The region is brutal - cold and unforgiving, lashed by storms from a cold sea and far from civilization - but this has bred industrious souls."

Geography

Auros' Road is a coastal region far to the north, marked by great mountains to the East, seas to the West, and vast forests for much of the South. It's most notable geography is the Aurian Range that marks its eastern borders. The volcanic mountains produce fresh and warm water from ancient glaciers, and from the mountains are cut numerous fjords and river valleys; most notable among them Veikrysfjord and the Veikryss River that runs from it to the city of Veikryss.
The further north that one travels, the more icy and cold the region becomes. The furthest settlement to the north is the garden citadel of Cithryl in the Cithrylyn Isles, one of the last known hold outs of the Aelvyn people. This place is well protected by harsh weather and near impassible condition much of the year, though the population there seems to survive well enough.
In the southwest of the region lies more fertile farmlands, which are claimed by both The Mekarite League and the Dvuer Sovereignty. The Sovereignty is separated from the rest of the region by the Aurian Range but does control a large section of the valleys and passes in the south that lead East and tend to mark the territory's border.

Localized Phenomena

The most famous phenomenon of the Auros' Road region is the titular Auros' Road - bold and bright auroras that bless the night sky almost every night. These events turn a dark place to light for their duration each night, and are the source of legend and myths in the region.
Additionally, the area is known for its numerous Rifts, which began to appear after the Burning of the Athenaeum Voreios - which was also located in the region.

Natural Resources

The region has an abundance of naturally occurring ores which provide the greatest abundance of wealth to its people. It is also heavily forested, which allows for a robust economy of woodsmen, hunters, and artisans. Though it is not widely believed, the region is also home to much rarer materials than much of the world, even those mystic in nature. Quarries, mines, and other similar industries are the most abundant here by any measure, with the most common village sporting at least one mine to pry precious metals from the earth.
The abundance of game and rare beasts has provided a steady supply of furs and food, and the waters of the seas and rivers are prime for fishing - both as a food source and for its alternative resources there-in.
The region has a short planting period and limited arable land. Farming is not an easy thing to do in the region. Aside from the southern portions of the region, little is done in the farming industry. Due to the small amount of arable land, and the contention over that land, The Mekarite League imports a lot of farmed goods from its other territories. Still, there are foods that grow well in the fertile volcanic soils of the south of the region - and if it were not for the contested nature of the land, it would likely be enough to feed the inhabitants.

History

In the Age of Elves, the Cithryl controlled much of the region. The citadel of Cithryl was considered one of their great cities, and a holy site to which many of the Aelvyn - "Elves" people traveled on pilgrimages. In the later years of that age, the races of Man began to build settlements here as well.
Near the end of the Age of Elves, conflicts between the Mekari people and the Cithryl led to the decline of the Elven population in the region, and its eventual abandonment of the area with the exception of the Cithrylyn Isles, which were viciously and violently protected from all incursions. The Dvuer Sovereignty appeared in the region at roughly the same time and began to combat the other inhabitants of the area for control over the more fertile regions.
Despite near constant fighting in the region, The Mekarite League has been able to provide a safe zone for trade in the past few centuries. The wealth of metals and ores from the north has provided a great boon to the local economy, though it has only heightened tensions between the Dvuer and the League.

Maps

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  The Auros' Road Region

  A map of the Auros' Road Region.

Alternative Name(s)

Mekari

Type

Region

Included Locations

• Aurian Range
• Cithrylyn Isles
• Veikryss

Contested By

• Cithryl
• Dvuer Sovereignty
• The Mekarite League