The Frost King's Vale
The Frost King's Vale is a large and diverse area spanning almost all of South-Central Ausren. The vale is bordered by the Dwarf-controlled Ironclad Mountains to the west, and by the Icespire Mountains to the north and east. Together, these two ranges shield the land of the vale from the harsh winter winds, making for a cold yet much more temperate climate than the rest of the region.
Dozens of settlements are scattered across the vale, ranging from small beastkin communes to hardy warrior villages to bustling port towns. For the most part, these settlements operate entirely independently, on a scale too small to be called cities. The whole region is technically ruled by Frost King Ozmander, a mysterious figure who has watched over the land for time immemorial. But while King Ozmander and his government work to ensure that the people of the vale are fed and safe from foreign invasion, they otherwise take a hands-off approach to governance.
The largest city in the vale is, perhaps unimaginatively, simply called Vale. The city is enormous, spanning the mouth of the largest river in Ausren and acting as the region's largest trading hub. Most of the goods passing south will travel through Vale at some point. The Adventurer's Guild Regional Headquarters is located here.
The greater vale, beyond the walls of the city, is known to be relatively peaceful. Like any area, monsters pose a non-negligible threat, but generally nothing that the land's inhabitants are unable to handle. That said, the mountains that surround it are an entirely different story. As one ventures into the foothills, monsters rapidly increase in both number and ferocity. As the trees begin to thin, dungeons thicken. It is even said that dragons dwell within the towering reaches of the Icespire mountains, for any adventurers strong enough to reach them.
Dozens of settlements are scattered across the vale, ranging from small beastkin communes to hardy warrior villages to bustling port towns. For the most part, these settlements operate entirely independently, on a scale too small to be called cities. The whole region is technically ruled by Frost King Ozmander, a mysterious figure who has watched over the land for time immemorial. But while King Ozmander and his government work to ensure that the people of the vale are fed and safe from foreign invasion, they otherwise take a hands-off approach to governance.
The largest city in the vale is, perhaps unimaginatively, simply called Vale. The city is enormous, spanning the mouth of the largest river in Ausren and acting as the region's largest trading hub. Most of the goods passing south will travel through Vale at some point. The Adventurer's Guild Regional Headquarters is located here.
The greater vale, beyond the walls of the city, is known to be relatively peaceful. Like any area, monsters pose a non-negligible threat, but generally nothing that the land's inhabitants are unable to handle. That said, the mountains that surround it are an entirely different story. As one ventures into the foothills, monsters rapidly increase in both number and ferocity. As the trees begin to thin, dungeons thicken. It is even said that dragons dwell within the towering reaches of the Icespire mountains, for any adventurers strong enough to reach them.
The Winter Fleet
The Winter Fleet is the single largest unified fleet in Galadria. While the Bay of Thieves might be able to field more ships in a conflict between regions, the Winter Fleet stands firmly united behind the rule of the Frost King. The fleet works to patrol the major trade lanes between Ausren and Ellinia, making piracy in the northern channel virtually unheard of. While the core of the fleet consists of a standing navy reporting directly to the city of Vale, it is augmented by a regularly rotating auxiliary contingent conscripted from the longships of the many seafaring settlements located along the coast.
Aye, we pledge our longships to the Frost King every year. Tis a good way to train the lads on how to sail and swing an axe. An' while the free people of Brunstead bend the knee to no man, we'll gladly heed the call of the one whose very breath chases away the frost and whose footsteps frighten the monsters of the mountains!
- Bjorn Eriksen,
Chief of Brunstead
Comments