Northwind
Overview
Northwind began as a multitude of Uma's mining colonies. The dwarves had no interest in colonizing the harsh snow-covered northern lands, and humans unhappy with the elvish truces decided to head north to avoid all contact with other people. These mining colonies were quite successful, though, and Uma came to rely on their coal outputs. After the 100-Year War tore Uma into Everglen and Kengrim, the people of Northwind didn't know who to side with. Everglen was quick to claim the northern territories for themselves while Kengrim elected to make stronger bonds with the dwarves of Empiredon.
Everglen owned Northwind for most of its existence. Continued mining operations were funded, and missionaries representing Ehlonna and Pelor were sent to establish religious communities around the mining towns. Local orcs and giants were resistant to conversion efforts by the humans, though, and soon small wars broke out between the native people and the humans. Everglen needed the coal to fuel their economy and keep up with the technologically superior dwarves of Empiredon, so it funded campaigns to exterminate the giants and the orcs of Northwind. Though the last of these battles were fought hundreds of years ago, the pain they inflicted has not gone away.
Eventually, Northwind wanted to establish itself as its own nation. It sought to repair broken relations with the giants and the orcs, something the leaders of Everglen at the time had no interest in doing. Still, peaceful negotiations played out, and Northwind gained its official independence. It is still Everglen's closest ally to this day.
After the Mark appeared, many of the miners lost their minds. Several mines were closed after massive explosions and apparent mass suicides. The giants and orcs have made an alliance against the humans, and it seems that war will once again break out between the people.
Geography
Covered in mountains and vast evergreen forests and blanketed under a never melting snowfall, Northwind is a harsh country to live in. Farming is nearly impossible, and the people rely on trade from Everglen and Kengrim for foodstuffs that aren't meat and fish. The largest lake in Plimia, the great Snorok Lake, provides endless fish to those who brave its brutal waters. The Snorok is surrounded by the dense Zalingog mountain range, home to many giant clans. The Frostback Mountains separate Everglen and Northwind, though established trade routes have been mined through them.
The Snorok has water temperatures that are below freezing, but it never ices over. Magical scholars have come from far and wide to study it... And many have died in the process. In the far north lies the Ice Frontier, the largest tundra in the world. Nomadic orc and giant tribes eke out harsh lives in the Frontier. There are few maps of northern Northwind, and many conspiracy theorists believe that the northernmost lands hide massive cities free from sin where the global elite pull the strings of Plimia.
Demography and Population
Northwind is primarily inhabited by humans, orcs, and giants. Many giants were killed in religious wars with humans, and tensions are still high in the current day. Particularly violent giants enjoy sailing the waters of the Snorok and attacking fishing boats.
Nations have condemned both Everglen and Northwind for their actions against the giants and the orcs, and efforts have been made to repair the relations. Because Northwind is so sparsely populated, though, talks are slow, and the world often moves on before new small-scale wars break out and reignite debates.
Territories
Northwind owns very little livable land in comparison to most nations in Plimia. They have no desires to expand their borders like Everglen, Kengrim, or Malfastar, though. Instead, the people of Northwind are often trapped battling one another: humans against giants, giants against orcs, and orcs against humans. The Ice Frontier is uninhabitable for most humans and is home to nomadic giant and orc tribes.
Technological Level
Northwind is relatively behind when it comes to cutting edge military technology, but their mining technology is second only to the dwarves of Empiredon. The few cities of Northwind have comparable education levels to those in Everglen, and the two often share moral structures when it comes to magical education.
The massive mining camps of Windglen, Gralen, and Zalingog are home to some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world. While many miners still struggle with manual tools in other countries, Northwind has outfitted their workers with state of the art vehicles and tools powered by coal and steam. With some help from the Wizard's Tower of Locksburg in Everglen, Northwind has managed to mitigate air poullution as well through magical wards and channeled spells.
Government Structure
People vote in a leader (Minister) but have little to no say in what the Minister decides. Aides are also elected to help the Minister, but he/she always hold the last call. Rules until resignation or death. The Giants possess a more violent governing system where he who can claim the throne will become the Smasher, or the leader
Major Cities of Northwind
- Windglen (Capital city, on the southern coast of Lake Snorok)
- Gralen (Originally an Everglen military outpost, located between the Frostback Mountains and the southern Zalingog Mountains)
- Zalingog (Large mining town on the eastern coast of Lake Snorok. Nestled in the Zalingog Mountains)
- Weltin (Small mining town on the border of Kengrim. Warmest town in Northwind.)
- Uk'Tau (Giant capital in the Ice Frontier)
Northwind's capital, Windglen
Capital
Windglen
Government Structure
Totalitarian Democracy
Neighboring Nations
- Everglen
- Kengrim
A human ship braving Lake Snorok
Comments