Hadorstadir
Cold, unyielding, remorseless, Hadorstadir, or Hadorstadr, (Haðorzstaðr, the "Fiercest of dwellings") is a cruel landscape. Often confused as being a part of Brianey, due to their close proximeties and relative similarities to those who've never been to or aren't knowledgeable of either region, Hadorstadir is an island that is as equally bloody and isolated, as it is a place of trade and center of ancient culture.
Because many outside of the two regions don't know they are different locals, they are surprised to find a region in the north that is colder than Brianey, if only marginally. Hadorstadir is known primarily for being the native land of the Vörðr , a race of warriors known as barbarians to most other peoples, and for the gigantic monsters that supposedly roam the region, which are undoubtidly a result of the small pockets of magical energy scattered throughout. The region bears similarities to both Brianey and to the eastern regions bordering the south of the Allfire Peaks, implying, in addition to various cultural stories of the regions, that Hadorstadir was birthed in a Crumbling, although exactly how old the land is are unknown.
Geography
Hadorstadir is a massive landmass, with a few smaller islands within close proximity, that is rugged and rough in the north and flat and low in the south. Many of the shores of the region are lined by fjords, narrow, long, deep inlets of sea that are lined by tall cliffs, and these fjords are Hadorstadir's distinguishing features. One such place of note is the Hilgar Falls , whose clifftops are lined with beautifully dazzling waterfalls, from the many rivers that flow from the northern mountains, the Jöttinhol . These snow capped peaks are isolated to the north and bring an almost constant flow of run off, to the alpine tundra and the rolling hills below. The lowlands are also filled with various hot springs, which are spread throughout the entirety of the island. Throughout the island are many small pockets of magical power, which have noticable effects on the land, and people tend to offer sacrifices in these spots to the gods, believing the locations to be the roots of a celestial tree.
Fauna & Flora
The island is covered by mixed forest on the eastern half, while the west are home largely to rolling hills. The forests are widely varied, with the dominant trees being a mixture of spruce, oak, aspen, some yew, linden, hazel, and holly. In some places in the most northern reaches (just short of the mountians), there are patches of Skywood trees, but they’re rare and are difficult to access, making use of the trees effectively impossible.
Large animals are common on the landmass: the common large forest animals include deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and musk oxen. In the open tundras, herds of great mammoths roam: Hadorstadir is one of the few places in the world mammoth herds of such size still exist. The region once possessed its own species of Giant, known as the Jötnar, but at some point they became extinct and left only their bones behind. A creature that hasn’t dissappered from the ecosystem are the Troll which terrorize the countryside with their screeching. Other predators include brown bears, foxes, lynxes, eagles, and the large lupine predators known as Vargr. On the frosty shores of the island, polar bears are the top predators on land, stalking the beaches’ bountiful population of seals and walruses.
Natural Resources
Hadorstadir is a relatively poor region, in terms of resources. There are iron mines, but they’re fiercely fought over by the tribes, with the mines providing only enough iron to keep the people weaponized. The forests of the island are an excellent source of lumber, but most of it is used by the tribes for building homes, halls, and longboats. The coasts of the island are some of Kadagard‘s richest fishing grounds, with fish being a common food item of the coastal villages. The rolling, central hills are excellent pastures for cattle, horses, and sheep, which the Vörðr take great advantage of. As do they the many rivers that flow from the Jöttinhol, making for the best fields in the region.
Alternative Name(s)
Hadorstadr, Haðorzstaðr, Vörðrstead
Type
Island
Location under
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Inhabiting Species
Related Myths
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