The Far North

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Expert	Jak Snide
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While not technically a country, the cities in the icy wasteland to the north of Igala are often collectively known and referred to as 'the far North.' There are different towns of varying types and makeups, detailed below.

The Far North

To the northwest of Riva, over the Shuman Mountains, lies the realm of the Frozen North. A harsh and inhospitable land, this area of the world is populated by some of the bravest of men, outcasts from far and wide and the fiercest monsters in all the realms. The tundra is mainly populated by tribes of greenskins and yeti barbarians, but over the last few decades settlers have arrived from the South, seeking riches in raw materials which are abundant in the North. Apart from iron and precious metals, oil has been discovered recently, earning the attention of the more technologically advanced nations. But perhaps the most valuable material to be found in the lands, mythril, is rumored to be in great abundance. While the finds have been few and far between they have been enough to encourage more than one family to pack their bags and head North. There are three main towns in the region, and countless small settlements.

Sanguinia - The City of Commerce

The nearest city to the caravan routes leading through the Shuman Mountains, Sanguinia is the first, and only, stop for a merchant in the North. While the other two towns have far better access to the natural resources of the land, Sanguinia is where these materials are sold. The city is a mixing pot for all the cultures of the realms, with even a couple of monstrous races being present. Despite this, humans are in the majority, and command more respect than any other race. The town is ruled by a council of merchants, each with his or her own "domain." At the moment the chief merchant is a man named Daman Krillam, rumored to once have been an inhabitant of Baron, although it is as likely he was from any of the other nations. Despite his title as a merchant he is a well-respected warrior, and has command of all matters concerning iron and other practical metals. During his reign he has overseen the construction of the city walls which have saved Sanguinia from countless attacks.

Tel'mar - The City of the Damned

While the "city" is not the hell pit it's name implies, it's inhabitants more than justify it's name. This is the last stop for the rogue and the outcast, and the one place where those not accepted elsewhere can find peace. The inhabitants are from almost every race in the realms, with orcs and elves living side by side with humans and nekojin. Despite the relative tolerance and peace amongst the town's inhabitants, street violence is common, and with no official law keeping force, it goes unchecked. While the more common street gangs are mostly occupied with petty theft and gang warfare, the true force of criminal activity in the city is controlled by a small organization called the Crimson Rogues. This organization is mostly composed of the toughest thugs and brigands the city has to offer, but also harbors a number of particularly shady characters. The leader of this organization is a complete mystery, although the current "face" of the Rogues is a grey elf called Lothan Lir, who has earned respect for his commanding presence and fear for his skill in combat, a trait rarely found in the grey elf race. In opposition to the disorder of the town is the Tel'marian Militia, headed up by a renegade yeti called Hweneth. Possessing an intellect greatly superior to the others of her race, she leads a small band of soldiers from all walks of life. Despite their small numbers they are a force to be reckoned with, having received some of the finest training in the lands from a drow named Filraen, who's previous occupation was the master of blades of his family back home before they suffered and unfortunate "accident", with Filraen being the only survivor.

Heylemn - The Frontier

This city is the furthest away from the caravan routes of the Shuman Mountains, and is the least visited of the three cities. Despite this the city is quite wealthy due to the oil fields that lie beneath the Redwaters, the lake which houses Heylemn on it's eastern shore. The Redwaters are called so because of the aquatic monsters which inhabit them, making any expedition to discover oil a bloody affair. Despite the dangers most of the town are riggers, and spend most of their lives in boats or on the makeshift drilling platforms. The city is ruled over by a single man, a Valthi named Alex Thorndike, who lives a life of luxury due to the money he makes selling the riggers Valthi technology with which they drill. The town is watched over by the Order of Heyl, goddess of law and order, who's holy pilgrims first settled the area, resulting in the town's name. These clerics treat any break in the law harshly, which has resulted in a large prison northeast of the town. Not many who enter the prison make it out again, and the lower levels have been sealed off since twenty three years ago as a result of some catastrophe.

-- Jak Snide