The Northlands

This area is made up of the land north of the Olag River all the way around to the peninsula north of The Spine, known as The Hook. The Northlands are particularly cold for Galladia, with areas such as the North Tower seeing cold temperatures most of the year, and frozen harbors during winter months. Fish are often caught in Colton and then cured to be sold throughout the northern reaches of Galladia during winter. The area just north of the Olag River is fertile farming ground, as the river carries sediment from The Spine and the Dancing Dunes. Settlements are largely confined to small villages along the roads between cities.

Geography

To the west, a largely flat plain covered in pine forests and gold grasslands. The land slowly rumples closer to the spine, with pine covered hills making up the landscape. Large cliffs make up most of the northern coasts. While summers bring some greenery and allow for farming in the plains north of the Olag river, the growing season is short. The Froles, or Forest of Frost lies east of Colton and is old, thick pine forest. While Spine's Head Bay would otherwise be useful for trade and fishing, violent winter storms blow off of the Congoma Ocean, and throw ships into jagged rocks and cliffs. A small settlement sits at the bottom of this bay at the foot of The Spine, but otherwise this area is mostly traversed by nomadic clans of half-orcs. 

Localized Phenomena

East of Colton, the Forest of Frost, or the Froles, is a dense, cold pine forest, for which it is said spirits walk among the trees, and ruins lay beneath the snow. The Northlands are one of the two regions in Galladia home to a significant number of Everstones.
While not well understood, the Aurora is believed to have a magical effect on the Everstones, and by nature Evermoss.

Climate

Bitterly cold winds blow down from the Artic Snowlands, and are largely diverted into the Northlands by The Spine. The climate of this region is that of cold pine forests, giving way to taiga, and frozen tundra farther north.

Fauna & Flora

Valar are raised in the north, but little else tolerates the cold temperatures. Various cold weather beasts hunt these lands as winter breaks, preying on hares, elk and reindeer. Alpen Trumpets, which produce a powerful stimulant, grow in these higher elevations of this region in spring, and go dormant in winter. Cluster of Blue Rose also can be found at the base of The Spine closer to the Dancing Dunes.

Natural Resources

Fishing and timber are the primary exports of this region, although the market for Alpen Trumpet is growing. Farming is possibly close to the Olag River, supporting farming settlements north of Arnea.

History

Some of the first peoples to arrive in Galladia called these lands home. Known as the Northerner civilization, these nomadic peoples (mostly humans and half-orcs) roamed the Northlands and Northern Arm millenia ago, following reindeer herds. This nomadic lifestyle eventually turned the Northerners into savy traders, sailing in the rough Mercator Ocean, and taking goods around the northern edge of The Spine, from villages along Lake Mundi and dwarven settlements in the Spine back to the Meridea Coast. In fact, the city of Colton first started as a seasonal fishing site, and where they would trade their wares before heading back north. Eventually the Northerners formed the Clans of Dune and Ice with similarly nomadic tribes from the Dancing Dunes. Trade flourished as these two hardy peoples wielded an unrivaled knowledge of their favored terrains, cementing them as some of the primary players in Northern Galladia.
Eventually, these peoples joined with their coastal kin to form the trade confederation known as the Olagren Sea Princes. Many Northerners ventured to their southern boundary and helped found the trade port of Arnea, along with peoples from the Dancing Dunes and Meridea Coast. Such a multi-cultural joining of various peoples was unique for the realms at the time. However, when the Forefathers arrived to the Northlands, the Northerners were hesitant to yield, having successfully governed themselves for centuries and gained mastery of the harsh North. While some of the "princes" of the Northlands gave in to the tempting offers of the Forefathers, others mounted successful resistances for years, hiding away in northern strongholds, and taking back enemy positions during harsh winter months. However, as supplies of tools and weapons dwindled following the collapse of the Fenmarin strongholds, so too did the resolve of the Northerners. A truce was signed, and the Northerners begrudgingly ceded control of their trade routes and cities to the Forefathers. Although, even today it is said burrows, hidden under snowy, tree-covered mounds, hold sacred weapons, ancient texts and buried Everstones.

Included Locations

• Colton
• The North Tower

Owning Organization

New Kingdom of Galladia

Contested By

• The Northern Arm