Bitter North

Bitter North

1. Blackmoor

The Archbarony of Blackmoor is very remote, found between the infamous Land of Black Ice, the Icy Sea and the Cold Marshes. Originally a set of Flan settlements, Blackmoor was also at one time a far flung fief of the Great Kingdom, until strife and the arrival of nomads cut it off forever. The people of Blackmoor subsist thanks to many volcanic vents and hot springs here; banding together for defense against the dangerous monster-filled countryside. Indeed, the former capital Blackmoor Castle is now nothing but an orc-infested, dungeon-haunted ruin. Furthermore, there are reports of many oddities in the area such as the legendary City of the Gods and the enigmatic Egg of Coot. All these reports are a magnet for adventurers.

2. Wolf Nomads

The broad steppes between the Fler River and the Howling Hills is home to the Wegwuir, or Wolf Nomads. The Wegwuir were once part of the Relentless Horde which broke up after their ruler’s death into tiger and wolf tribes. Despite their nomadic culture, the Wegwuir maintain a couple permanent settlements to conduct trade of furs and horses with the south. The Wolf Nomads, known for their skirmishing light cavalry, at one time ranged farther east creating a rivalry with the Rovers of the Barrens, yet today they are mainly concerned with an ongoing struggle against the evil of Iuz. The Battle of Black Water Bend was their greatest victory to date, though Iuz still holds their sacred hills.

3. Tiger Nomads

The vast territory between the Dramidj Ocean and the Fler River is claimed by the Chakyik horde, also called the Tiger Nomads. Once part of the massive Relentless Horde with their Wolf Nomad cousins, the tiger tribe is now content to roam their prairies and have even established permanent towns and mines to conduct trade southward. The Chakyik are still warlike however, continually battling with the Wegwuir or raiding their trade neighbors Ekbir and Perrenland until hostilities cool. The Tiger Nomads are known for their swift light cavalry whose horn bows and lances are feared.

4. Perrenland

The Concatenated Cantons of Perrenland is a confederation of highland dwelling clans of varying heritage (mainly Flan) that first banded together to fend off invasions from both nomad and civilized states. Perrenland has only been conquered once, for a brief decade when the armies of the witch-queen Iggwilv poured from the Yatils to terrorize the populace until her eventual imprisonment. Since then, Perrenland has seen much prosperity, trading across Lake Quag and south through mountain passes. Perrenland is best known for its rugged, well-armed mercenaries (that sometimes include Highfolk demi-humans) who see service in nearby states like Ket and especially Furyondy where they gladly fight against Iggwilv’s son Iuz.