Norica

A region of western Vanareon, north of Sippar and south of Averaigne.
It is bounded to the south-east by Trustor.
In the east, it extends up the Brin River valley until it reaches Lammu. This 'panhandle' is often referred to as the Northlands, or as the Corridor, as it once provided a narrow link between Norica and the rest of the Rankan Empire between Trustor to the south and the Barrier Peaks to the north.

Geography

Geographically Norica is divided into two main parts.
The northern part is the valley of the Brin River (also known as the White Foal River as it approaches the sea). This is broadly flat and fertile agricultural land, rising in the east into the foothills of mountain ranges. Coastal areas are marshy and wooded, making sea access restricted to a few coastal towns and villages. Northern Norica is covered by scattered argicultural villages and market towns, and is generally regarded as a safe and settled area.
The southern part is hilly and wooded, rising into the mountains that separate Norica from Sippar. This is much more spersely populated, with small villages huddled in narrow mountain valleys. These villages scratch a meagre living from agriculture and livestock herding, plus forestry and mining - there are a number of small silver and iron mines in the hills.

Climate

The climate of Norica consists of mild and wet winters, and warm summers. Winds from the south-west bring warm and wet weather, and the ocean mitigates the climate considerably. In summer, winds shift to come from the south, which brings warmer and dryer air.
In winter, snow is common on high ground, and many villages in Southern Norica may be cut off for long periods of time.

Fauna & Flora

Southern Norica is noted for its dense mixed forests of broad leaf trees and conifers (more common at higher altitude). These forests are home to a wide variety of common wildlife such as deer, bears and wolves.
Northern Norica has few wild creatures and mainly has domesticated animals.
Northern Norica is mainly populated by Human and Halfling villages (either mixed or segregated).
Southern Norica is about 80% Human, with small and scattered populations of Dwarves and Wood-Elves.

Natural Resources

The northern part of Norica is mainly agricultural.
The southern part produces large amounts of timber from forests, and also has a number of silver and iron mines.

History

Southern Norica was originally part of the Wood-Elven kingdom of Trustor, along with Sippar.
Northern Norica was part of the Kingdom of Averaigne.
The whole of Norica was conquered by the short-lived Barovian Kingdom. When this collapsed, Norica became part of the Ilsig Empire.
Norica was one of the first parts of the Ilsig Empire to be conquered by the Rankan Empire, as part of their expanision strategy looking for an outlet to the open sea. For about a century, Norica was the only Rankan access to the open sea, and Sanctuary became a major Rankan port, until the conquest of Acoria.

Type

Region

Location under

Vanareon

Owner/Ruler

Kadikithis

Owning Organization

Rankan Empire