Ostenweld

Ostenweld, the harsh and unforgiving land in the northeastern corner of the continent, is a place where the elements rage with unrelenting force and only the hardiest of people survive. This is a land shaped by extremes—towering mountains, fiery volcanoes, and icy tundras—where the land itself seems to challenge all who dwell within it.   To the west of Ostenweld rises a vast and imposing mountain range, its jagged peaks reaching high into the sky, their snow-covered summits often lost in the clouds. These mountains are not only a formidable natural barrier but also home to one of the most dangerous features of the land: a massive, active volcano nestled at the base of the range. The volcano, known as Astrex, occasionally rumbles to life, sending molten rivers of lava flowing down its slopes, reshaping the landscape and leaving a trail of scorched earth in its wake. The air is thick with ash, and the sky often appears dim, as if the land itself is perpetually cloaked in the shadow of fire and smoke.   At the foot of the volcano lies the capital city of Ostenweld, a grim, fortified settlement known as Forgeburg. Built from the stone and metal of the mountains, the city is a bastion of industry and survival, where the ever-present heat of the volcano is harnessed to fuel its forges. It is here that the finest smiths and craftsmen work, forging weapons, armor, and tools from the volcanic metals and obsidian found in the surrounding region. The people of Forgeburg are hardy, known for their iron wills and unyielding determination, traits they need to survive in a city constantly at the mercy of the volcano’s whims. Despite the risks, Forgeburg thrives as a hub of trade, commerce, and industry, its people determined to build a future in the shadow of destruction.   To the north, the land gives way to a frozen tundra, a vast and desolate wasteland where the sun is a rare and fleeting visitor. The tundra stretches out in all directions, its barren plains broken only by sporadic patches of ice and snow, and the occasional skeletal remains of ancient forests long since lost to the cold. The wind here is relentless, howling across the flat landscape and carrying with it a biting chill that seeps into the bones. Life is scarce in these frozen wastes, with only the most resilient of creatures—wolves, polar bears, and other hardy beasts—able to survive in this inhospitable climate.   To the west, a range of colossal mountains rises from the tundra, their icy peaks sharp and imposing. These mountains are known as the Frostfangs, and they stand as a formidable wall between Ostenweld and the unknown lands beyond. The higher slopes of the Frostfangs are perpetually covered in snow and ice, with glaciers clinging to the cliffs like frozen rivers of stone. The mountains are said to be home to ancient beasts and creatures of legend—dragons, ice giants, and other monstrous entities that make the upper reaches of the Frostfangs their domain. Few dare to venture into these mountains, for the cold is so intense that even seasoned adventurers risk freezing to death before they can reach the summit.   Ostenweld's people, however, are not deterred by the brutality of their land. They are a hardy folk, shaped by the harshness of their environment. They wear thick furs and crafted metal armor to shield themselves from the cold, and their society revolves around the forge, the hunt, and the mastery of survival in the face of constant danger. The people of the tundra are often nomadic, living in small, fortified villages and traveling with packs of sled dogs or on horseback to hunt the large, hardy game that roams the frozen plains. These people have adapted to their surroundings, their culture built on strength, endurance, and resourcefulness.   The very essence of Ostenweld is defined by struggle—against the elements, against the land, and against each other. But within this struggle lies a fierce pride and a deep connection to the land itself. The harsh, unforgiving nature of Ostenweld has forged a people who are unbreakable, their lives intertwined with the fury of the mountains, the volcano, and the tundra. They live in the shadow of constant danger, yet they endure, their spirits as indomitable as the land they call home.