Valhedge
Geography & Climate
Valhedge is a vast and unforgiving land in the northernmost reaches of Adrarct. Towering mountains, jagged cliffs, and frozen tundras dominate the landscape, carved by relentless winds and ice. The land is shaped by extremes—long, brutal winters and fleeting summers that offer little respite. Snow buries entire settlements, while fierce gales carve through valleys and across frozen lakes, their icy surfaces glinting under a pale sun. During winter, temperatures rarely rise above freezing, and relentless snowfall makes travel treacherous. Spring and summer bring a brief thaw, but melting ice leads to floods and mud, with only hardy vegetation managing to survive the constant cycle of frost and thaw. Despite its harshness, the land is marked by stunning natural wonders, such as the Frozen Falls of Haukdalur and the Gadarrian Springs, which provide rare warmth and shelter.Flora & Fauna
Life in Valhedge is shaped by survival. Its flora consists mainly of hardy conifers, frost-resistant bushes, and cold-adapted wildflowers like frostblossoms and wintertide blooms, which emerge briefly in the short summer. Moss and lichens thrive in the damp shade of cliffs and forests, adding muted color to the otherwise stark landscape. The region's fauna is equally resilient. Large herds of Adrarctic Cattle roam the tundra, their thick coats prized for warmth. Predators like the Adrarctic Fox, Snow Lynx, and the powerful Polar Bear hunt in the icy wastes, while prey animals such as Snow Hares and Woolly Boars sustain the region’s hunters. More formidable beasts, including the Glacier Bear and the Stormwing Roc, are whispered about in legends.Settlements & Landmarks
Valhedge is home to scattered, isolated settlements that cling to the land’s few resources. The provinces have sporadic villages and towns like Brinrav and Dalfos, where people survive through ice fishing, hunting, and mining. Ancient yergralffe stone huts still stand beside the Frozen Falls, their cliffside carvings showcasing the craftsmanship of a once-great civilization.Notable landmarks include:
The Stonemen of Hauk – Towering cairn stones, once used as ceremonial pyres and forges by the yergralffe. The Iceberg Fortress of Berg Verki – A floating stronghold owned by the Verki family, central to ongoing territorial disputes. The Gadarrian Springs – A rare source of warmth in the frozen expanse, believed to hold ancient magical properties.Culture & History
Valhedge is a land of resilience and conflict. Its people, hardened by the cold, have developed deep traditions of survival, craftsmanship, and reverence for nature. Festivals celebrate the return of the sun, and rituals honour the animals whose sacrifice sustains them. One such practice involves carving intricate patterns into skulls of people and animals for ceremonial purposes. The yergralffe, an ancient race, once dominated the region before their cities were buried under ice. Their long-standing conflict with the Ice Dwarves over the fertile lower lands of Adrarct has led to centuries of warfare, culminating in prolonged battles over the Berg Verki stronghold.Governance & Power
Valhedge is ruled by the Jaagr, powerful warrior-leaders who oversee their clans and territories. The ruling class, known as the Jaagrom of Valhedge, commands the land through strength and strategy, enforcing order in a region where survival is paramount. Each settlement is governed by a Margrave, responsible for maintaining stability and ensuring their people endure the hardships of the land, their respective territory referred to as Marches. The Northfeith, an elite force, protects key settlements and enforces the will of the Jaagr.Magic & Myth
Ancient magic lingers in Valhedge, woven into the land itself. Ruins of forgotten civilizations dot the landscape, their crumbling temples and stone pillars hinting at lost knowledge. Some believe the geothermal activity in Gadarr is more than a natural occurrence—whispers tell of hidden power, still shaping the fate of those who dwell in the frozen domain. 4E 0 In the lands of Jandar Verki, the 6 heroes regrouped their armies of man before pushing one final push to defeat the Onyx Elves. Dhara died in this final push which lead to many people beginning to follow Dhara as their god. 4E 0 Jandar owns the iceberg fortress of Berg Verki and that moves down through his family 4E 224 tensions begin to grow as Ice Dwarves challenge the berg for the ownership 4E 227 The first war of the North begins as the Ice Dwarves. 4E 230 a peace treaty is signed but the province of Berg is still up for debate. The Verki family claimed the ancestral home. 4E 255 A second war breaks out between the yergralffes and the ice dwarves. At this point the wars last a long time and many lives are lost.
Type
Region
Location under
Included Organizations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Inhabiting Species
- Adrarctic Cattle
- Adrarctic Fox
- Adrarctic Lion
- Bluewing Bat
- Ember Icebloom
- Frostblossom
- Frostvine
- Frozen Root
- Ghost Birch
- Glacier Bear
- Glacierback Walrus
- Icefang Lynx
- Polar Bear
- Rimehorn Stag
- Shard Serpent
- Sleetbloom
- Snow Hare
- Snow Lemur
- Snow Lynx
- Stormwing Roc
- Tundra Poppy
- Walrus
- Wintertide
- Woolly Boar
Related Professions