Arctic Plain

The arctic plain is located north of the great forest of Elvandar. Most of the year, the area is covered by a thick  layer of snow, and only creatures adapted to frost and ice dwell there. It is said that many secrets and even treasure can be found below the ice, but the native frost-giants, called Thursen, make travelling there extremely dangerous. North of the plain, the wild northern ocean starts, and to the west the mountains of Giat bar the way.


Arborea

After landing their dragonships at the bay of Ar-Samrach on the coast of Forostar in the Year 0 A.A., the humans built their first city, which they named Arborea after a gigantic oak in the heart of the town. The fortified city was built on a sandy shore, surrounded by an ancient forest which was immediately cut for lumber. This harvesting angered the Elves and sparked the Race Wars, during which humanity retreated behind the walls of Arborea.

This war continued until the arrival of Sathonys’ killer race of Insects, which laid siege to the city of Arborea. The human ranks were depleted by the long Race Wars, and the destruction of Arborea and the Human race seemed inevitable. However, the city was spared from destruction when Asral, the God of War, was impressed by the courage of the humans in the face of an insurmountable odds, and drove away the Insects with a rain of fire.

With the retreat of the Insects, the various races have settled into a long peace. Arborea has become a major center of trade and learning, with many guilds, shops, and an active harbor for shipping and transport. However, occasional attacks by the Insects still occur, leaving the city’s residents at considerable risk.


Dwarven Underground

Since the time they assisted the humans, elves and halflings in the war against a strange insect race from another continent, and the time they made the great dragons from the mountains of Giat extinct with the aid of the fierce tshahark warrior race, more and more dwarves can be seen around the human capital of Arborea. This doesn’t mean dwarves are flooding to Arborea all the time, but there are trade relations between a relatively hidden dwarven outpost in the mountains of Giat and the humans as well as the elves.

Additionally, groups of adventurers stumble through the entrance of this outpost from time to time and enjoy the shelter the place provides in the harsh Giat mountain-climate. Having become acquainted with the not-so-tall folks, they spread stories about the hospitality of the dwarves inhabiting the old dwarven mining settlement.

The most famous thing about the dwarves besides their wary nature is the strong dwarven beer (samples are often found carried the direction of Arborea, but they never seem to be able to reach their destination…), and the rather strange food the dwarves love to consume. Find out more by yourself, just pay a visit to them.


Elvandar (Map)

Elvandar, home of the Elves and most beautiful of all known cities, is located deep in an evergreen forest which stretches across nearly the entire land between the mountains of Giat and the eastern ocean. To the north, the  forest ends in a vast tundra and to the south it changes to a mixed forest, which is the border to the realm of Arborea. The city of Elvandar is a relatively new settlement, which was founded by the Elves after their old hometown Eal-Deliah was destroyed in the great race-war several centuries ago. Unlike their old capital, Elvandar now has a gigantic city-wall, a masterpiece of elvish architecture and a sign of enourmous wealth. Rumours say that all who have seen the buildings of Elvandar sparkling in the sunset will never forget that sight again.


Naarved

Between Elvandar and the eastern ocean, where steep cliffs rise out of the raging sea, a small village can be  found on a narrow strip of land. This little settlement is called Naarved and is mainly inhabitated by fishermen and sailors. According to some rumours, pirates occasionally seek out Naarved as hideout and the citizens there tend to be not as law-abiding as they should be. But since the village is in the middle of nowhere, the major cities aren’t very interested in this fact.