Nokmar Barony

Nokmar is a heavily forested region, with towering trees blanketing much of its terrain. The land is rich and fertile, sustaining thriving ecosystems and a variety of settlements. Rivers and streams wind through the forests, their waters glinting under the dappled light filtering through the dense canopy above. Rolling hills rise sporadically, their tops offering breathtaking views of the sprawling woodland. In the heart of Nokmar lies the infamous Vale Forest, a sprawling woodland once known as the Great Forest before it was shrouded in a cursed mist. This mist is said to warp the mind and soul, twisting even the purest hearts into malevolence. The trees of the Vale Forest are darker and more gnarled than those of the surrounding woodlands, their eerie silhouettes standing as a stark reminder of the forest's tainted nature.

Once a place of majesty and reverence, the Vale Forest was a sanctuary of ancient magic, its groves home to powerful elven and dryad kingdoms and mystical creatures. But some centuries ago, a calamity befell the forest, unleashing the cursed mist that now dominates its depths as a grim reminder of the sins of the past and the malice and pain left scarred on the land. The mist is more than a natural phenomenon; it is alive, seeping into the hearts of those who linger too long within the forest. People who venture into its depths often return changed—if they return at all. Those who survive speak of hearing whispers, seeing phantoms, and feeling their own thoughts twist against them. The Vale Forest has since become a place of nightmares, feared across the empire and beyond.

Nokmar’s proximity to important trade routes and its role as a gateway to the Jade Valley have made it a melting pot of cultures. Humans, elves, and dragonkin live alongside one another, their coexistence enriching the province’s traditions. Despite the ever-present shadow of the Vale Forest, the people of Nokmar celebrate their diversity with festivals, art, and music that draw travelers from all corners of the empire. This cultural variety is reflected in Nokmar’s architecture, cuisine, and crafts. Villages feature a mix of elven elegance, dragonkin symbolism, and human practicality, while markets buzz with goods and flavors unique to the region. However, the shadow of recent troubles—banditry, mysterious disappearances, and political unrest—adds an edge of caution to daily life. Nokmar’s history is one of tenacity. The people here have weathered invasions, plagues, and the ever-looming threat of the Vale Forest. They are resourceful and courageous, often taking up arms to protect their homes or venturing into the forest to retrieve lost loved ones or recover ancient relics. Though many fear the Vale Forest, it also serves as a source of opportunity for adventurers, scholars, and mercenaries. Tales of hidden ruins, powerful artifacts, and ancient knowledge lure the brave and the foolish alike. Nokmar thrives on this influx of travelers, who bring wealth, trade, and stories to its bustling towns and villages.

Nokmar is a province defined by contrasts: light and shadow, hope and despair, beauty and danger. Its people endure with unyielding resolve, their diversity and culture shining brightly even as the Vale Forest casts its long shadow. It's Baron, the maverick leader Arven LaCronus, who continues to lead Nokmar down an interesting path of change and a drive for a more diverse and united province, in much criticism from his contemporaries elsewhere throughout the Empire. It is the denizens of Nokmar who will truly decide the fate and future of Nokmar.