Virkin -region-

The Bastion Against the Ice Creatures

Approaching Virkin is not like entering a bustling trade hub or an organically grown settlement—it is a fortress, pushing into the rugged plains of Nyrian like a mighty breaker of snow. Its towering walls do not stand against foreign armies—there are no neighboring kingdoms, no rivaling peoples. But here, amidst the desolate expanse, lurk enemies that know no reason. The beasts of ice, nesting in the Sprakmarka, do not wait—they come when the cold sinks hunger and madness into their bones.   From the fortress, the Rune Warriors venture forth, not only to fight but to maintain the balance of the land. They push deep into Sprakmarka, hunting the creatures’ broods before they grow into an unstoppable threat. The remains of slain beasts are crafted into weapons, their bones polished, their hides tanned—nothing is wasted. Some young creatures are captured and raised, either for sustenance or as training foes for recruits proving their worth.   Beyond the fortress, an arena spreads across a natural, sunken valley, surrounded by protective walls high enough that even the strongest beasts cannot leap over them. Here, the finest young warriors are tested—those who enter must prove they do not fear the ice.  

Life Behind the Walls

Virkin is more than a bastion—it is the core of the Rune Warriors' company, where discipline and battle spirit reign. The Ice Master leads with ruthless precision, while the Frost Watchers coordinate the troops. Every warrior dons Rune Armor, meticulously crafted from the scales of fallen ocean leviathans, magically reinforced and imbued with an essence of cold so potent that even fire shudders before it.   Near the fortress lie small villages and homesteads, supplying the warriors with food and clothing. No luxury, no excess—only what ensures survival. Farther out is a separate town, home to those who have left the fight behind. Retired warriors live out their final winters here, gathering in frost-clad lodgings, recounting stories of expeditions none should have survived. A dueling arena allows the elders to test themselves against the young—a final trial of strength before the ice claims them for good.  

The Ice Wall and Gjaska’s Abyss

Yet Virkin is not the end of the world. Beyond it looms Yodunskuld, the colossal ice wall—a bulwark of nature itself. Here, Rune Warriors confront the unknown, embarking on explorations, scaling frozen cliffs, and chasing through deep, treacherous caves.   At the farthest edge of the wall lies a well-hidden cavern, an outpost guarded by a few who protect the supplies stored within. The air is cold—colder than the fiercest blizzards—and yet, there is an eerie moisture in the darkness. Here, everything is preserved—nothing rots, nothing decays, yet nothing ever truly freezes.   Warriors call this place “Gjaska’s Abyss”, an odd name for the deepest cavern known to them. Young recruits often hear tales that the great chasm beginning in the southern cliffs ends here. None have ever confirmed it—and no one who ventured too deep into the cave ever returned to tell the tale.