The Shieldlands
The Shieldlands is a dangerous and wild land. The people that reside in this region are representive of the land they live in.
The Dominant species within this dangerous land are the humans, these humans are said to have giants blood within them and some claim direct descendence from famous giants. The humans are a warrior culture and have in the past always raided along the East and West coasts of the both North and South Ardatia. Alongside their warrior nature, the Shieldites are renowned for their reverence of farming and farmers. A man who owns a farm in the Shieldlands is considered a rich and influencial man.
Alongside the humans live Hill Dwarves who reside amidst the great grassy hills within the centre of the region. These Hill Dwarves adopted the humans warrior culture and have either joined with human clans or formed clans of their own. Some of these Dwarves are known as Battleragers, running into battle wearing spikes on their armour.
Geography
Lakes and Fjords:
The coastal area of the shieldlands is known for its beautiful fjords set in steep cliff valleys. The Jarldoms along the coast enjoy the crystal clear waters that teem with sealife ready for catching. Fishermen must beware the creatures that lurk in the waters however, for entire ships have been known to go missing. Large islands are situated off the coast of both Hjarnborn and Hjalmars jarldom's, the former being an island used for the 9 year ritual sacrificing to the gods, the latter being a reaver stronghold.
The western fjords of the Shieldlands are Jotun Fjord seperating Gudrun and Hjarnborn's lands, Skyrr in the heart of Hjarnborns land and Hallr at Hjarnborn's border with both Morten and Hrolleif. The eastern coast has less true fjords with fjord Vordr the only true large fjord of that coast found in Erica's Jarldom.
Inland there are the numerous fresh water lakes and mountain springs. Along with the running rivers found sourcing in the many mountains. The larger lakes are Atferd in Gudrun's Jarldom, Fadir in King Sigurd's Jarldom, Stykker that resides on the border of King Sigurd's, Aesir and Hjalmar's Jarldom's. The largest lake however is Lake Vise surrounded on its northern shore by the Hvittopp mountains, three Jarls share its other shores, Tanra, Aesir and Torstein.
Mountains:
There are numerous mountain ranges in the shieldlands, large and small. The tallest peaks are found to the North of the region at the border with Metrus but the largest mountain range is known as Skjoldvegg, known in common as the Shieldwall.
The smaller mountain ranges from east to west are Cronfjell, a collection of small rocky mountains that form part of the valley that feeds in fjord Skyrr. Kjempe Dal in Aesir's Jarldom is dangerous territory, cerimonally occupied by the Jaedyrs, the group of enhanced monster hunters who use the rare plants, ores and monsters found in the mountains for their potions, bombs, weapon and armour (More can be read about the Jadyr in the Factions section).
The final two smaller mountain ranges are Højnisten in Hjalmar's lands, its waters flow into the Eastern sea. These mountains are known for the large amount of Wyverns and for the rare Great Cockatrice. The south eastern Brunstor mountains are situated on the border of Hjalmar and Erica's lands, these are known for the large creatures known as Behemoths whom it is rumoured compete with dragons for territory.
The highest peaks can be found in Hvittopp, known to Shieldites as both Frost Giant and Orc territory, its peaks are some of the tallest found in Ardatia, it also serves as the border to Metrus. The most revered creatures from this mountain range are of course, the White Dragons, rare but extremely dangerous. Skjoldvegg does not have as high peaks but the mountain range extends from coast to coast and covers the entire border between the Shieldlands and Grecia, many wars have been fought in these mountains, the blood of warriors can always be found along the border. Many dangerous creatures lurk in Skjoldvegg, Manticores, Shaelmars and Dire Trolls to name a few but the rare and nigh-invincible Gulgore is the monster to watch out for.
The Forests:
Numerous forests are found in the land of the Shieldlands but only some are worth taking note of. The larger forests all appear to house some form of Firbolg community, each one is small but tight knit (read more on Firbolgs in the Culture and Races section).
The first of these forests is the border with the Marble Coast, Nord Dal, a forest situated in a deep mountainous valley at the edge of Hvittopp. This valley is impassable in the winter but in the summer and spring, many traders from the Marble Coast venture to seek trade in the Shieldlands, sadly many of these traders fall prey to the Forktails that have made this valley their home.
Situated between Fjords Jotun and Skyrr is the Stedsegrønne, a forest of beautiful green trees that appears bursting with life. However this forest is best observed from afar and hunters tracking their quarry do not venture within 200 yards of Stedsegrønne even if they can see their chosen quarry. The forest is home to a group of Dryads and Nymphs who are very protective of their territory, especially since the famine started in Hjarnborn's Jarldom.
Further south in Hjarnborn's jarldom is Háreik, a forest famed for its tough ancient oak trees that stand firm through the years. It too however is beginning to suffer from the famine gripping the surrounding land.
Back to the north is Vinter Furu, a forest set to the backdrop of Hvitoppin Tanra's Jarldom, the trees are seldom not covered in snow. The forest itself provides the wildlife needed for the hardy people of Tanra's Jarldom to sustain themselves. The forest is teeming with Bulvak, wolves, foxes but also the more dangerous Frost Salamanders.
The south western forest within King Sigurds lands is Hvideg Forest. It is home to one of the larger communities of Firbolgs who live amongst the great white oak trees found only in the centre of the shieldlands. The second forest situated on the northern shore of Lake Fadir is Bladsø Forest, a large forest where an ancient temple stands and is used by the King for the nine year sacrifices.
Vandeik in Aesir's Jarldom is a large pine forest where the druids of the land congregate within the heart of the forest. This is one of the few forests where Humans and Firbolgs live in harmony. The forest is known to attract some of the stranger of the Shieldlands creatures in higher abundance than elsewhere.
Skogfjell in Torsteins jarldom is a forest at the foot of the Eastern Hvittopp mountains, it is teeming with Aurochs, Ice Trolls and the highly venomous White Basilisk. The most notable landmark in the forest is The Gods Hill, a place of great reverence among the priests of the Shieldlands, making a successful pilgrimage there is considered a sign you are blessed by the gods, for the path is hard and treacherous.
The forest in the north of Hjalmar's territory is a dangerous forest but it is also the location of numerous lumbar yards for the ships built for Jarl Hjalmar. The danger of the forest lies in the possibility of simply stepping on the wrong piece of land and falling into a Kikimore nest.
Fauna & Flora
There isn't much in the Shieldlands that can't kill you. However there are many exotic flora that cannot be found elsewhere.
The Faras Flower is only found in the forest of Stedsegrønne, sacred to various of the inhabitants rituals. The flower holds certain magical properties and thus is the target of both collectors and mages, attaining the flower however is extremely difficult due to the Dryads and Elves who protect the land.
The Sap of the White Oak found in Hvideg forest is unique to the forest. It is used in alchemical concoctions by the Firbolgs to induce hallucinations and visions in the Druids and Shamans that call the forest their home.
Of the creatures native to the Shieldlands, none are as famous as the Hvittopp Shieldbreaker, a dragon known to have scourged the land in times past. The dragon or at least one of the pair of dragons have not been seen since the Jaedyr named the Old Bear slayed the male of the pair.
Natural Resources
Many rich metals can be mined in the Shieldlands. Including the more common; gold, silver and mithril. Among the rarer metals found are; Dimeritium, Lazurite, Skyrite and Viridium.
Alongside the metals are other useful materials; Emperors Silk, Chordic Linen, Fennec Fur and the Silver Elk hide.
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