The northernmost lands of Gaio are dominated by giantkin in the wake of the departure of the gods. Their cities and strongholds rise high and they rule over the scattered and disparate mortal races who share the landscape.
History of the Frosthalda
History of the major events and figures that have shaped the Frosthalda, the most-northern known and inhabited land of Gaio.
Titanic Age
-
C. 6000 ta.
Giant’s Rule
Cultural event -
Circa 3500 ta.
Clash of Storms
Disaster / DestructionThe conflict between two rival titans, Ceris “the Tide King” and Grotnmandyr “the Old Man of the Sea”, escalates to such intensity that the western lands of the Frosthalda are devastated by surging tidal waves and storms of catastrophic strength.
Location
Frosthalda
Imperial Age
-
C. 2700 ta.
The Rise of Harthrond
FoundingOver time, the rule of the giants in the Frosthalda diminishes through conflict and disaster, particularly due to their frequent violent clashes with the dragons of Kordania. In the eastern Frosthalda, a mortal civilisation begins to grow under its own leadership, calling itself Harthrond. It’s growing prosperity attracts most of the disparate mortals that survive in the Frosthalda and it grows into one of the major mortal civilisations in Kordania.
Location
Frosthalda -
C. 1700
The Shattering of Harthrond
Disaster / DestructionWhilst the true causes have yet to be discovered, disaster comes to Harthrond. Known to scholars as the Shattering, the region is devastated by a roiling surge of energy that scours the landscape, fractures the earth and wipes out most of the population of Harthrond. In its wake, the land is rendered cold, bleak and cursed, and horrific monsters stalk the freezing mists. Those who survived, furthest from the epicenter of the catastrophe, flee southwards into the Kesselbron mountains.
Location
Frosthalda -
C. 1700 - 1
Frosthalda Deserted
Population Migration / TravelWith the destruction of Harthrond and the displacement of its remaining populous, the Frosthalda is effectively bereft of mortal life. Only the fragments of giantkin and surviving dragons remain in its most isolated reaches.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 1690 ia.
Telimos in Exile
Life, Trauma/ LossTelimos, a colossal, living golem supposedly created by one of the gods of Giantkin, goes into self-imposed exile after the destruction of Hearthrond, blaming itself for the catastrophe. It believes the magical secrets of runes he imparted to Hearthrond early in its history set it on the path of destruction. After putting in place a plan to secure any of those true runes that remain at large in the world, Telimos secludes himself away in his hidden vaults, there to brood, forge and while away eternity in solitude.
Location
Frosthalda -
C. 900 ia.
Nurngard
FoundingUnbeknown to anyone, a group of dispossessed drow elves emerge from the tunnels in the Underdark into the catacombs of an ancient city of the Frosthalda destroyed by Grotnmandyr and Ceris’ clash. In utter isolation and secrecy, the drow settle there, naming their new home Nurngard. Over the following centuries, they restore the ruins which grows into a thriving city. Most of the society live below ground in the undercity, whilst above ground they build huge spires and towers from which they study the stars and constellations.
Location
Nurngard
Great War and the Collapse
-
Circa 106 ia.
Awakening of the Winter Witch
Life, SupernaturalA group of unwitting Nurngard elves stumble upon a colossal, labyrinthine glacier. Upon venturing into its glittering, crystal tunnels, they unknowingly disrupt the magical tomb of Scathene, a woods witch of the ancient Frosthalda. There is an eruption of magical energy as Scathene awakes, screaming, into the world once again, slaying every member of the expedition in an instant.
Location
Frosthalda
Common Era
-
Circa 5 ca.
The Great Migration Arrives
ExpeditionIn the wake of the loss of their homelands, the ragged, disparate survivors of Nezvied make their way northwards until eventually their emerge, haggard and weary into the Frosthalda. These migrators scatter into this chill and unforgiving wilderness, becoming the forebears of the Frosthaldan tribes that will go on to shape the continent in the coming centuries.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 53 ca.
The Founding of Gungarad
FoundingIn the wake of a terrible earthquake, the surviving dwarves of Kulduun arrive in the southern Frosthalda. After liberating the isolated communities there from the dominance of a brutal warlord, they found a new settlement and society. The Earldom of Gungarad emerges, a young and determined state eager to carve a prosperous future for itself.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 66 - 318 ca.
Soft Southern Pickings
Military actionAs the tribes grow in strength and number, solidifying their presence in Kordania, many start to look to the southern lands for opportunities for wealth. They are warriors born and bred, and the southern lands are bloated with treasures. An age of raiding and pillaging descends on Kordania, with Frosthaldan longships being a feared sight all the way to Askenhart.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 126 ca.
The Pyrachoskoppi
ExpeditionTravelling northwards from their ancestral home in the Massarlor Dales, the warlike Pyrachoskoppi centaurs arrive in the Frosthalda, driven by their animosity towards the outsiders being allowed to settle in the Dales. Their rage is further fueled upon emerging into the Frosthalda, for here as well they find foreigners settled here as well. Now, however, there is no one to restrain their battlelust.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 153 ca.
A Rivalry of Two Cities
FoundingTwo tribal confederacies begin to emerge in the Frosthalda, and each found cultural capitals of their own to solidify their dominance. Jormungrod in the west, and Erengorn in the east, the two factions are embroiled in a near constant state of intermittent warfare and skirmishes. The balance of power ebbs and flows, though neither side is able to overcome the other.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 186 ca.
The Two Lovers
Life, Relationship changeZiva, a female Hobgoblin of the Forberi tribe, and Imalrin, a male drow elf of Nurngard, become secret lovers despite the ongoing feuds between their two people. After their romance is revealed and personal tragedies on both sides, Ziva and Imalrin are able to put a halt to the fighting, unify the two sides, and are heralded as the founders of the Forberi Union, which persists to this day. The exiled Pyrachoskoppi bard Nyrikki composes an epic saga devoted to their love, which goes on to become one of the most beloved pieces in the Frosthalda.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 279 ca.
Guthrum the Rune Sage
Life, CareerAn erstwhile warrior, Guthrum of Jormungrod emerges from a personal tragedy with a remarkable discovery; the lost art of rune crafting, which he uses to spread the word of a new age for Jormungrod. Preaching peace, cooperation and charity, Guthrum teaches the secrets of runes to a select group of trusted followers. A movement emerges around him and his message spreads like wildfire among the Jormungrodi tribes.
Location
Frosthalda -
Circa 292 ca.
Lodge of the Ronslathr
Cultural eventThe runes that Guthrum introduced to the Jormungrodi seize the popular imagination of everyone in the Frosthalda. The secrets of their creation and use are at first closely guarded secrets by Guthrum’s closest disciples. As Guthrum’s followers spread his message across the land, they found a number of new lodges dedicated to the art of rune crafting. These Ronslathr Lodges, as they are known, go on to make an astonishing array of magical innovations.
Location
Frosthalda
Created by R. G. Duff-McGhie, 2018 - present