Higveld Baruntacht Estate
This, the smallest Baruntacht by size and population in the province, is by no means unimportant. Indeed the Isle of Higbolv is of great importance due to its strategic location, and due to its wealth, a wealth built off the sea, and the tough and hardy whaling crews and seal hunters.
The isle of Higbolv is of great strategic import to all of Suranth due to her location, smack in the middle of the currents and routes used for most sea trade along the NPA signees coastlines. Along with this, the wealth of the sea, in whale oil, meat, and all other associated goods that can be harvested or made from other parts, supplemented by the bounty from seal hunting to the north. These two trades, along with a general naval prowess, are the true engine of this little island's prominence. As such, despite not being as populated, or as glamorous perhaps, as other positions and estates, the Higveld Baruntacht is a great honor to be bestowed, for you are being entrusted with the caretake and trust of a place of great economic and strategic importance. The isle sits about a hundred and thirty kilometers off the coast of Suranth at the closest point on the isle to the mainland. The island itself is less than a hundred and fifty kilometers across. Currently one Alec Varnis, once the Fleet Admiral of Suranth's impressive navy, holds seat as the Fiolag of these lands, having retired from the Navy to take the mantle but a year earlier after his father passed in a Shivers outbreak. The island is blessed in many ways as well, not the least of which is a pleasant lack of Greenskins, for they are no sailors and as such have never made it over from the mainland. Some goblins may be capable enough of handling simple crafts to travel rivers, but they are not truly sailors, oceanic travel and shipbuilding has always been beyond them, and many are simply terrified of the concept.
That is not to say it is a place without danger. The Yigri Peaks hold their own dangers of course, not the least of which be dreaded Bestial tribes, mostly of the yeti variety. Pirates are a risk as well of course, though whaling vessels are generally well armed and well manned and not a favorite target of any but the boldest pirates. The biggest risk is for those living on the east and north sides of the island, from the people whom sail over the horizon, the Void worshipping raiders known as the Sea Wolves. They've a homeland far off to the north, much closer to the tear in the world, and are a brutal, pillage and plunder hungry people. Raids normally don't target the mainland, but raids on Higbolv are far more common, generally happening two or three times a year. Usually these are seen off, if with a price in casualties, and the people fair well, as its generally one raiding party versus one town or settlement. But long is Suranthi memory, so the navy keeps a strong presence here as well, in case the Sea Wolf peoples ever once again unite under one figure, as the stories suggest they did in the age of Sundering, to launch an invasion, much like they did just before the world shattered. The people of Higbolv are admired by those on the mainland for their sheer stubbornness and will to thrive and survive, and are admired and highly favored by the Navy if they choose to join, for their bravery, courage, and instinctual comfort at sea.
The isle of Higbolv is of great strategic import to all of Suranth due to her location, smack in the middle of the currents and routes used for most sea trade along the NPA signees coastlines. Along with this, the wealth of the sea, in whale oil, meat, and all other associated goods that can be harvested or made from other parts, supplemented by the bounty from seal hunting to the north. These two trades, along with a general naval prowess, are the true engine of this little island's prominence. As such, despite not being as populated, or as glamorous perhaps, as other positions and estates, the Higveld Baruntacht is a great honor to be bestowed, for you are being entrusted with the caretake and trust of a place of great economic and strategic importance. The isle sits about a hundred and thirty kilometers off the coast of Suranth at the closest point on the isle to the mainland. The island itself is less than a hundred and fifty kilometers across. Currently one Alec Varnis, once the Fleet Admiral of Suranth's impressive navy, holds seat as the Fiolag of these lands, having retired from the Navy to take the mantle but a year earlier after his father passed in a Shivers outbreak. The island is blessed in many ways as well, not the least of which is a pleasant lack of Greenskins, for they are no sailors and as such have never made it over from the mainland. Some goblins may be capable enough of handling simple crafts to travel rivers, but they are not truly sailors, oceanic travel and shipbuilding has always been beyond them, and many are simply terrified of the concept.
That is not to say it is a place without danger. The Yigri Peaks hold their own dangers of course, not the least of which be dreaded Bestial tribes, mostly of the yeti variety. Pirates are a risk as well of course, though whaling vessels are generally well armed and well manned and not a favorite target of any but the boldest pirates. The biggest risk is for those living on the east and north sides of the island, from the people whom sail over the horizon, the Void worshipping raiders known as the Sea Wolves. They've a homeland far off to the north, much closer to the tear in the world, and are a brutal, pillage and plunder hungry people. Raids normally don't target the mainland, but raids on Higbolv are far more common, generally happening two or three times a year. Usually these are seen off, if with a price in casualties, and the people fair well, as its generally one raiding party versus one town or settlement. But long is Suranthi memory, so the navy keeps a strong presence here as well, in case the Sea Wolf peoples ever once again unite under one figure, as the stories suggest they did in the age of Sundering, to launch an invasion, much like they did just before the world shattered. The people of Higbolv are admired by those on the mainland for their sheer stubbornness and will to thrive and survive, and are admired and highly favored by the Navy if they choose to join, for their bravery, courage, and instinctual comfort at sea.
Geography
Below are very brief descriptors and hooks to give you an idea of geographic regions, as well as the larger towns. The towns will also have rough population listed in brackets, and a limited description of the place, along with two or three interesting rumors, hooks or facts. Villages will be but pins on the attached map, with a brief description and a population listed not much else.
GEOGRAPHIC PLACES OF NOTE:
Yigris Basin and Fallows Basin: These regions are the two small heartlands on the isle of Higbolv, the central features of Lake Yigris and the Yigris River in the north, and Lake Fallow and the River Fallows in the south. This island has its own ecology of course, and is in many ways unique, including game, which is limited. Mostly smaller animals one might expect, and a distinct lack of caribou or moose. That doesn't mean no large game animals live on the isle, the dominant large game animal in the lowlands are musk oxen. These lowlands are thick with brush, almost uniquely so, and many useful and edible plants grow wild in these lowlands despite the harsh environment. As to predators, on the island one will find a distinct lack of the most successful predator from the mainland, wolves. Here white bears dominate the coastal regions and snow-cats are the dominant predator inland. Communities dot the rivers and lake shore, though it is a harsh and dangerous place, as it buts up to the Yigri Peaks mountain range.
Yigri Peaks: This small mountain range, and by comparison in size to those found on the mainland, it is small, despite dominating almost a quarter of Higbolv Isle, is a strange and dangerous place. As in most wild places in Suranth, the Bestials, the hated yeti, are one well known and therefore prominent danger. However far more dangerous things call the harshest and tallest peaks home here. White wyvern rule the skies, and other bestials, creatures of feathers and talons and wings, harpies as scholars call them, make their home here. Local legends even tell of a tribe of Stone Joten deep in the mountains, though they've not been seen for a long time, and many would believe such tales to be naught more than that. These mountains haven't been tapped or mined or even prospected, as they are seen as too dangerous to be worth the effort, as well as the population in the region is not large enough to feel the need to expand in such a way.
TOWNS/CITIES:
Higveld (11549): https://www.worldanvil.com/w/tariek-rough-collection-twaren-stormborn/a/higveld-settlement?preview=true?
Port Fanitz (9167): Port Fanitz sits as the southern most settlement in the Baruntacht and sits second in size only to Higveld only forty or so kilometers to the north. Higveld is the major port in the region, and one would think that another successful port town so close to Higveld would be unlikely. However the secret is that each port is the central location for two lucrative, but different, oceanic businesses. Higveld is the largest and busiest port for whaling, just due to their larger populace, they can handle processing that volume and traffic of such massive creatures harvested from the sea. Port Fanitz, in contrast, is the central point and perfectly placed along the southern coasts and bluffs, to play host to the lobster and crab fishing industry, and it is this localized boon, all about the coasts of the peninsula that the town is built upon. These coastal waters are the ones most thick and consistent for such game of the sea to harvest. It is a place full of the sea, a town of sailors, tough men and women. Recently, someone set fire to a lobster fishing vessel while it was in port, and the town is in an uproar, demanding justice. One Jacob Turney stands accused and charged, as two eyewitnesses claim they saw him near the vessel and leaving in a hurry but a minute or two before the vessel went up in flames. However he maintains his innocence, and his wife continues to claim it is impossible, for he was home with her, in their bed, though she won't say more about it, even when asked the obvious question 'If you were asleep how could you know for sure?' He's set to stand for sentencing by the local judge in a week, and if found guilty, will hang.
Seal Point (7246): Located on a smaller island off the north-east coast of Higbolv Isle, Seal Point is a large town named for its location, mostly because this little island is thick with harbor seals, as they live in the waters all about the northern coast and this location is where they gather to mate and give birth every year in mid autumn. The island and the waters around always have a healthy seal population, however during this four to six week window in the middle of autumn sees the seals outnumber the humans on the island easily three or four to one. As such they are a resource and one harvested quite willingly. The coastal waters of course, given the seal population, well naturally orca and other oceanic predators that would hunt and eat seals will be found patrolling these waters. This town is heavily, massively reliant on the seal population for wealth and food and most other resources. Which is a problem, and in recent times, the last two to three weeks, they've been having a truly terrifying issue. At least half of any seals that have been hunted and brought into town, their meat has been toxic, and now many are sick, and so far between two and three hundred have died. It is no poison none of the three local alchemists or their apprentices can identify, and no infection or disease that either of the two local docktors or their staff can identify. Add to this that one hunter claims to have seen someone wandering amongst the seals, someone whom was no longer human, and doing....something.....to the creatures of a magical nature, the fear is spreading through the town that a witch is among them, or hidden in the caves and coves nearby. Another couple dozen people have died in the lynch mob riots that have erupted in the two weeks since this story, people being wildly and without evidence accused of witchcraft and handled by mob justice. As such the local police have been supplemented with locally stationed military and martial law has been put into effect in the town. A request for witch hunters' aid was sent a week ago, and they arrived this morning.
GEOGRAPHIC PLACES OF NOTE:
Yigris Basin and Fallows Basin: These regions are the two small heartlands on the isle of Higbolv, the central features of Lake Yigris and the Yigris River in the north, and Lake Fallow and the River Fallows in the south. This island has its own ecology of course, and is in many ways unique, including game, which is limited. Mostly smaller animals one might expect, and a distinct lack of caribou or moose. That doesn't mean no large game animals live on the isle, the dominant large game animal in the lowlands are musk oxen. These lowlands are thick with brush, almost uniquely so, and many useful and edible plants grow wild in these lowlands despite the harsh environment. As to predators, on the island one will find a distinct lack of the most successful predator from the mainland, wolves. Here white bears dominate the coastal regions and snow-cats are the dominant predator inland. Communities dot the rivers and lake shore, though it is a harsh and dangerous place, as it buts up to the Yigri Peaks mountain range.
Yigri Peaks: This small mountain range, and by comparison in size to those found on the mainland, it is small, despite dominating almost a quarter of Higbolv Isle, is a strange and dangerous place. As in most wild places in Suranth, the Bestials, the hated yeti, are one well known and therefore prominent danger. However far more dangerous things call the harshest and tallest peaks home here. White wyvern rule the skies, and other bestials, creatures of feathers and talons and wings, harpies as scholars call them, make their home here. Local legends even tell of a tribe of Stone Joten deep in the mountains, though they've not been seen for a long time, and many would believe such tales to be naught more than that. These mountains haven't been tapped or mined or even prospected, as they are seen as too dangerous to be worth the effort, as well as the population in the region is not large enough to feel the need to expand in such a way.
TOWNS/CITIES:
Higveld (11549): https://www.worldanvil.com/w/tariek-rough-collection-twaren-stormborn/a/higveld-settlement?preview=true?
Port Fanitz (9167): Port Fanitz sits as the southern most settlement in the Baruntacht and sits second in size only to Higveld only forty or so kilometers to the north. Higveld is the major port in the region, and one would think that another successful port town so close to Higveld would be unlikely. However the secret is that each port is the central location for two lucrative, but different, oceanic businesses. Higveld is the largest and busiest port for whaling, just due to their larger populace, they can handle processing that volume and traffic of such massive creatures harvested from the sea. Port Fanitz, in contrast, is the central point and perfectly placed along the southern coasts and bluffs, to play host to the lobster and crab fishing industry, and it is this localized boon, all about the coasts of the peninsula that the town is built upon. These coastal waters are the ones most thick and consistent for such game of the sea to harvest. It is a place full of the sea, a town of sailors, tough men and women. Recently, someone set fire to a lobster fishing vessel while it was in port, and the town is in an uproar, demanding justice. One Jacob Turney stands accused and charged, as two eyewitnesses claim they saw him near the vessel and leaving in a hurry but a minute or two before the vessel went up in flames. However he maintains his innocence, and his wife continues to claim it is impossible, for he was home with her, in their bed, though she won't say more about it, even when asked the obvious question 'If you were asleep how could you know for sure?' He's set to stand for sentencing by the local judge in a week, and if found guilty, will hang.
Seal Point (7246): Located on a smaller island off the north-east coast of Higbolv Isle, Seal Point is a large town named for its location, mostly because this little island is thick with harbor seals, as they live in the waters all about the northern coast and this location is where they gather to mate and give birth every year in mid autumn. The island and the waters around always have a healthy seal population, however during this four to six week window in the middle of autumn sees the seals outnumber the humans on the island easily three or four to one. As such they are a resource and one harvested quite willingly. The coastal waters of course, given the seal population, well naturally orca and other oceanic predators that would hunt and eat seals will be found patrolling these waters. This town is heavily, massively reliant on the seal population for wealth and food and most other resources. Which is a problem, and in recent times, the last two to three weeks, they've been having a truly terrifying issue. At least half of any seals that have been hunted and brought into town, their meat has been toxic, and now many are sick, and so far between two and three hundred have died. It is no poison none of the three local alchemists or their apprentices can identify, and no infection or disease that either of the two local docktors or their staff can identify. Add to this that one hunter claims to have seen someone wandering amongst the seals, someone whom was no longer human, and doing....something.....to the creatures of a magical nature, the fear is spreading through the town that a witch is among them, or hidden in the caves and coves nearby. Another couple dozen people have died in the lynch mob riots that have erupted in the two weeks since this story, people being wildly and without evidence accused of witchcraft and handled by mob justice. As such the local police have been supplemented with locally stationed military and martial law has been put into effect in the town. A request for witch hunters' aid was sent a week ago, and they arrived this morning.
Maps
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Higveld Baruntacht
These are the lands and towns under the control and guardianship directly of the Fiolag of Higveld, whomever that may be. Currently that title is held by an older gentleman whom retired from his post as Admiral of the Suranthi Navy only a year earlier after his father died in a Shivers outbreak. Fiolag Alec Varnis is in his fifties now and served with impressive distinction in the Suranthi Navy for twenty-five years, the last ten of them as Admiral.
Type
Territory
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