World Encyclopedia

The area west of the River Gar is quite widely populated and provides the northernmost fiefdoms of the kingdom under the Earldom of Gar, whose ruler is the Eorl Llion Barsim, the high chief of the Badger Tribe. The region whilst having substantial tracts of farmland is lightly wooded with mainly deciduous trees and a great rolling landscape. Ferns and grasses provide undergrowth with meadowlands breaking up the woodland (similar to modern parkland). The woodland is light enough to allow horsemen to pass unhindered. Jars forest on the other hand is quite dense and only its edges and a few trails are passable by horsemen. The flora is a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest with bracken undergrowth. The hills to the west , as they leave the forest, are lightly grassed but with large amounts of bracken. The region between the rivers Gar and Iril is known as the Gar Marches and is held by the three March Wardens. The terrain is initially quite similar to the rest of the Earldom, being light woodlands. However, as you travel east and north the terrain becomes moorland and due to the majority of the population being centred on the three Caers of the Wardens, the lack of population in the Marches makes the region wild and relatively lawless. The Marches form the northern frontier of the kingdom. The river Iril bends to the north forming the border of Urtind, and beyond the river lies Darken Forest, a dark dense forest full of evil and shadow. This huge forest stretches many leagues to the north and east and forms the domain of Shugaloth, an ancient wyrm of a deep emerald hue.   At present an uneasy truce exists between Shugaloth and King Karonus. Karonus has recognised Shugaloth as an equal monarch and Shugaloth has recognised the power that Karonus has. This has averted any outright was between the two but has not stopped the many border skirmishes which occur. Shugaloth is unusual in that she has used her brood to form the hierarchy of nobility within Darken. However, any that reach an old age are summoned to the court and are usually removed so avoiding any problems. This has on occasion caused an old dragon to flee the forest and ravage the land until it has been killed or left the area.   Many of the roads within the Eorldom are safe and when traveling most people you encounter during the day time will be merchants traveling to the next town or market, or farmers going to and from their lands. Occasionally you would find a B’ran’s warband making a patrol ensuring the safety of the land. As you cross the river Gar everything changes, you enter true wilderness. Initially travel in the Marches means that you are more likely to come across the natural beasts of the land both small and large. These largely stay to themselves unless they are provoked. At night most people do not travel and the chance encounter with nature tends to be more antagonistic.   Sometimes the Marches are known to have brigands or, especially along the borders of Darken, you may encounter goblins or a Twylyth Du scouting party. The areas southeast of Banwulfsburh are very marshy and known for chaos eels and much worse. In fact much of the marshland shores of Lake Altau are very wild and care must be taken to remain safe, travel at night is not recommended.   The Marches contain several animals that are unique to these lands. The Ceirwmawr, which is a long legged herbivore that roams throughout the Marches. The Marches also have several large predators: the Marches Lion which are known to the locals by their Tylwyth name Llew Rhostir, and Wyverns as well as packs of Wolves and Wargs both indigenous and that cross over from the Darken forests. These predators from the Darken are rare, since they have to swim across the river, but when they are hungry they do it.