Welcome to the Hoedenheim Territory, nestled in the extreme north of the Hyperborean Continent—a land of untamed beauty and imminent danger. Imagine vast landscapes that seem to stretch on forever, interrupted only by the formidable Jormungandr Barrier Peaks cutting through the land like the backbone of a colossal beast.
In the Dynamo River Valley, where the temperatures are surprisingly temperate thanks to a supervolcano's warming touch, Dynamo Hill stands as a testament to the transformative power of arcanite. Lured by the glint of this magical mineral, settlers and prospectors from the south have flocked here in droves, turning what was once a quiet settlement into a buzzing hive of activity.
But Dynamo Hill isn't just about digging in the dirt. Stonegate Steam Engine Company is laying down tracks through the Jormungandr mountains, connecting the once-isolated region to the wider world. And then there's the pièce de résistance—the aerodrome. Imagine dozens of floating islands in the sky, a magical bazaar where airships of better or worse repute dance among the clouds, all vying for their share of arcanite wealth.
As you venture deeper into the territory, you'll encounter the enigmatic Inner Lakes District, a hidden gem nestled within the glacier's icy embrace. A green lake valley, fed by geothermal hot springs, is home to folk who have mastered mystical arts unknown in the Southlands, and who guard their secrets with devoted fervor.
Speaking of icy realms, the Glacier itself holds ancient wonders and dangers, yet it's not all frozen wastelands; amid deep pine forests, a Hundred Hamlets dot the Haslantic shores, each with its own tale to tell, and the Haslan Sea cradles a diverse ecosystem teeming with life.
It's a land where the rush for arcanite riches collides with the ancient beauty of Hyperborea. It's a land of contrasts, where skyships soar above, dwarves delve into the peaks, and the shimmering promise of magical wealth hangs in the air like a tantalizing secret. But beware, for in this land of extremes, danger is as prevalent as the breathtaking vistas that stretch out before you. May your adventures be as resilient as the territories that dare you to explore them!
From South to North, the broad geographic areas of the Hoedenheim Territory are:
Jormungandr Barrier Peaks
These tall, rocky mountains are the ancestral home of the Dwarfs and the rumored location of the Forges of Fury. Stretching across three-quarters of the Hyperborean continent, they form a continental divide, effectively separating north from south.
Dynamo River Valley
One of nature's most picturesque paradoxes is a geothermally-warmed haven around a supervolcano in the far north. Here, the Dynamo River Valley boasts a surprisingly temperate climate year-round. Dynamo Hill, the main settlement, is a buzzing hub thanks to the recent arcanite rush.
Mt. Dynamo
A towering colossus in the landscape, Mt. Dynamo is the heartbeat of the region. As the supervolcano that warms the Dynamo River Valley, it is a geological wonder. Its slopes are dotted with arcanite deposits, drawing miners and prospectors seeking fortune. The very essence of this mountain pulses with the magical energy of arcanite, making it a focal point in the race for wealth and power.
The Glacier
A testament to the volatility of nature, the Glacier was born when Mount Dynamo erupted 2,000 years ago, causing a volcanic winter that left behind a mile-thick sheet of ice. Hidden wonders and powerful White-class dragons lurk in its cavernous depths, making it a breathtaking but treacherous domain
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Inner Lakes District
An oasis within the icy heart of the glacier, the Inner Lakes District is a green lake valley heated by geothermal springs. Twisted trees, centuries old, guard this elven haven, where secrets are as abundant as the ancient defenses protecting their privacy.
Haslan Sea
Not a sea by technical definition, but the caldera of a nearly-spent supervolcano. Its sheer size forgives the misnomer, and its southern shores are a haven of thick boreal forests teeming with life. Fed by mighty rivers, glacial runoff, and countless springs, it's a bustling ecosystem beneath the northern skies.
Hundred Hamlets
Scattered like jewels along the Haslantic shores, the Hundred Hamlets are settlements that come and go, their stories written in the tides. Recording all of them would be tedious, mostly a concern for the locals, but each has its own unique character and tales.
Yeti and Abominable Yeti stalk the glacier's expanse, making their dens in the cracks and crevasses of the ice. The Quicksilver Creek has some pretty great salmon and trout fishing, as well as freshwater clams and smaller, bait fish which can net thunderhead trout in the Inner Lake District. Game is abundant, but requires careful stewardship because of the unpredictable and always-harsh weather of the region. The lake itself is a healthy coldwater biome, with all of the appropriate mollusks, fish, flora, and furry fauna appropriate to the region.
Vast mineral deposits lie beneath the ground of Hoedenheim, but the glacier makes these difficult to get to. The real wealth of the region is in the marginally-easier-to-access are caches of Lost Age technology and magic buried in the caches secreted by participants in the Thousand Years' War. Together with archaeological interests, the Hoedenheim Territory is a bounty of untapped resources.
Exploration and speculation are the prime reasons anyone comes to Hoedenheim. While surface harbours exist along the northern coast, the vast majority of visitors enter the territory enter through the Dynamo River Valley. See that region for more details.
Did You Know?
"Hoedenheim" is an old Ostorian word, meaning 'place of great desolation'.
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The Hoedenheim Territory
The vast wilderness of the ancient north has lain untouched for 5000 years. Now, the discovery of a new magical mineral drives an exploration boom to this uncharted land. What wonders will they uncover, hidden for centuries beneath the ice? Let's find out!
by MidJourney
The mouth of the Rocky Neeguas River, at the south end of the Inner Lake District
Alternative Name(s)
North of Nowhere
Such a nice touch to add the “Did you know?”factoid on this article. May need to steal that idea for myself. This is a very well done and thorough article.
Hey, thanks so much! That was Bones' idea, so I'll pass your compliments along!