The Northwoods
The difficulty of traveling through the mountains except by Dipper's Pass renders most of the Northwoods remote and isolated. Some significant cultural differences further separate the people of the Northwoods from the rest of Valor. Because of all this, the area is often neglected or forgotten in the country's considerations, despite being sizable and productive.
Geography
True to the name, most of the Northwoods is forested. However, there are also wide clearings and open valleys, bare rock bluffs, and sparse (if any) woods close to the shore. The weather here is significantly colder than the rest of Valor, with heavy snowfalls common in the winter, and cool drizzle possible even in the summer.
There are few flowing rivers in the area; most freshwater is found in small springs or creeks, or from wells. Most sappers also have above-ground cisterns used to collect rainfall or snow melt for use.
Fauna & Flora
Caribou are plentiful and, along with rabbits, form most of the meat diet of the locals. Seafood is also a large part of their diet, with vegetables from home gardens and various foraged mushrooms and herbs.
Owlbears sometimes venture down from the mountains, but mostly the wolves keep them at bay. Neither typically encroach on the Sappers' bear dogs--huge, fluffy mastiffs bred to protect and work beside their masters.
Natural Resources
Timber, otherwise-rare herbs and medicinal plants, and antlers are commonly harvested resources here. Maple syrup is a local favorite, and is exported south as well. The Raithar Empire ran a number of mines in this area along the full width of the country, but these are now mostly abandoned. The one exception provides a good percent of the ore used by Valoran smiths.
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