Regions of Hubworld: North

The north central mainland region of Hubworld is known Tirfinach from the Chellish for “land of giants”, although this term is usually used to refer to those parts of the land outside the Martian Empire. The Empire is the world’s smallest polity to call itself an empire, the title being a vestige of its former glory. For three millennia after the gods left Hubworld, the factions they’d created continued to wage war, with the Minervans being the first to declare peace with Newmanity, followed by the Dianans. The Martians were the last to stop waging holy war on the Newmans and the Venusians never stopped. But the cessation of holy war did not mean an end to war for the Martians, who saw no reason to stop expanding the empire they’d built. At it’s height, about 6000 years past (PB18K [18,000 Post-Bicaboom]), the Martian Empire directly controlled the southern half of Tirfinach, from the northern edge of the Plainchillain (a broad low-lying plain running east-west from the Spinal Mountains to Roger’s Moors, between the hills of the north and the Martian plateau) to the Hubbish Sea, from the Spinals to the Higher Sea, along with the Knob of Hobbs that touches the Hubbish and both High Seas. The Empire has since been reduced to its central plateau and is bordered by the southern edge of the Plainchillain (each new Emperor makes a point of attempting to traverse and conquer this region, but the exercise bears little fruit other than keeping the army occupied), the Rodite kingdoms to the northeast, and mountains to the east and south. The southeast forest between the empire and the mountains is known as Diana’s Refuge to most, being under the protection of Dianan Elves. The Martians, who refer to this forest as Faun’s Tangle, claim to leave this area free from logging out of respect for the god Faunus, but it is really for fear of getting stomped by female warriors. The Knob of Hobbs has returned to wilderness, with Sylvan Elf and Halfling villages enjoying independence from the world of kingdoms and empires despite the forest monsters that have to be kept at bay. The Hubbish city-states that once answered to the Martians are now independent and although the empire retains some western coastline, their once formidable navy has been reduced to a defensive patrol fighting a losing battle against pirates.
North of the Plainchillain the land turns to hills along the coast, and the rest is mountainous. These lands are occupied by a mix of Freefolk tribes and feudal societies, Human, Elvish, Dwarvish, Giantish, and Gnomish. The wilderness is home to many monsters, the ruins of collapsed civilizations, and several Chellish and Wotenkin Human tribes. The civilized areas of Tirfinach are overseen by Elvish, Dwarvish, Gnomish, and Giantish lords, as well as Rodite, Chellish, Chellodane, and Wotenkin Humans. The Druids are at their most powerful in this part of the world and operate in the open in Chellish and Chellodane societies. The freefolk tribes are often at war with one another and with their castled kin, but all are united in opposition to Martian expansionism. The kingdoms, on the other hand, in addition to experiencing regular disputes over land and titles, are rightly mistrustful of one another as regards their relationships to the Martians.
Off the west coast of Tirfinach are a series of foggy islands ruled by knight-lords, wizards, and Druids. To the northwest is the large island/small continent of Alfheim, home to the Snow Elves and Jovians.
Major cultures, societies, and subregions of Tirfinach and Alfheim:
The Martian Empire
The Plutonite Underground
The Souderwylds
Chellish Kingdoms and Clans
Wotenkin Kingdoms and Clans
Chellodane Kingdoms
Rodite Kingdoms
Elvish Kingdoms
Dwarvish Kingdoms
Mitjotunheim
The Vale of Kale
Alfheim