Svart
The Isrudh Plains
Svart, one of the southern provinces of Valhedge that still borders Oriclan. Svart is a land scarred from battle and has now been taken back over by untamed wilderness. Its vast, snow-covered plains stretch as far as the eye can see, broken only by the silhouettes of jagged mountain peaks of disant lands that cut through the otherwise monotonous horizon. This province, known for its cold weather, is the transition to the cold grasslands in the Great Hold of Oriclan, with its more liveable settlements, their are Yergralffe who have bent the knee to the dwarven jarl so that they can stay and work here to support their families. The Verki loyalist have declared these people Isrudh, the dishonoured title of Valhedge. The moniker of the Isrudh Plains has been given by those loyal to the old rulers and the Jaagr. To the north of the province are where forests grow against the cold, here the people hold the first stronghold looking out onto the dwarven ruled grasslands.
The province is dominated by frozen rivers, vast tundras, and dense, frosty forests that conceal ancient secrets. Among these, the Brinravian Forest stands out—a dark and eerie expanse of pines and firs, their branches heavy with snow and ice. The forest is rumoured to hold hidden shrines, long forgotten by time, where ancient rituals were once performed by the yergralffe. The eerie silence that pervades Brinrav, broken only by the occasional howl of the wind, makes it a place of foreboding. A path through Brinrav leads to Laupvisey, a town built around a series of hot springs that warm the surrounding area, providing a stark contrast to the icy wilderness.
Svart is home to creatures adapted to survive its bitterly cold climate. The Adrarctic snow hare are agile and resourceful, making their homes in the deep snow drifts. The Adrarctic lion, a powerful predator, roams the forests and open plains, preying on anything that dares cross its path. Under the snow there are threats that slither rather than prowl. Shard Serpents stalk prey and cause frostnite with their venom.
The province’s capital, Dalfos, is a fortress of survival and innovation. Built into the side of a massive cliff, the city’s sprawling stone structures rise from the frozen ground, with narrow streets lined by thick stone walls designed to withstand the relentless winter storms. It is here that the province's Margrave resides, overseeing both the agricultural efforts of the surrounding regions and the extraction of valuable resources from the mountains. Mining operations around Dalfos yield precious metals, while trade in wool and furs supports much of the economy.
One of the most interesting landmarks in Svart is the Frostspire, an enormous stone obelisk located in the heart of Svart's frozen tundra. Legends say that it was constructed by an ancient civilization long before the yergralffe arrived, and its true purpose remains a mystery. Its smooth, icy surface is covered with cryptic runes, which have baffled scholars for centuries. Some believe the Frostspire is a marker of power, while others believe it to be the tomb of a forgotten king, its location now lost to time.
Svart's weather is an ever-present force, its storms unpredictable and its cold relentless. The winds howl, carrying snow across the plains in great sheets, making travel across the province treacherous. Yet, despite the inhospitable nature of the land, Svart's inhabitants are fiercely independent, enduring the harshest conditions with a determination forged from centuries of struggle.
The spirit of the yergralffe lives on in Svart, not only in the ancient shrines and artifacts left behind but in the people who call this province home. Their connection to the land is as deep as the snowdrifts that blanket it, their culture built upon survival and respect for the land’s brutal beauty.
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