Northern Lands

The Northern Lands marks the northernmost end of Torineya, and it is a cold and unfriendly piece of the landmass. A significant part of it is covered by never-thawing snow, and sled dogs are very important animals to travel through the Northern Lands.

Humans discovered these lands in the 852nd year, by an expedition led and funded by the Goldehands family. The famous trader and his family came to this cold region from Taland to escape the unfair persecution in their homeland. By the 850th year, James Goldenhand, the head of the family, was a successful trader in the Hassingshore, the big port city in Taland. The mayor of the Hassingshore decided to nationalize the successful business and dragged Goldenhand to the political squabbles, where James was framed as a rebel and revolutionist against the current Taland crown. James gathered his family, and a few hundred loyal employees, and led his family fleet to the far north. Eventually, the expedition reached uncharted territory, where James finally believed that no one would follow him this far. The first settlement found was named First Step Harbor.

The only intelligent beings at this end of the world were the giants of the Icy Moon Tribe and the barbarians of the White Lake. The giants live on the mountainside of Blue Moon Mountain - the highest peak of Oblivion Mountain Ridge; they do not care about humans until they invade their mountain... Which they usually try not to do. The newcomers of the Northern Lands also preferred not to bother barbarians in the southern part of the lands, but with time some of the citizens found a way to trade with the settlement and even built a rough road to the White Lake.

Next to the First Step Harbor, the White Castle was built to make a home for self-proclaimed nobles of the Goldenhands and the families who were deemed to be most valuable for the cause of charting new territories. Still, the first citizens of the First Step Harbor couldn't complain even if they did not become nobles - James treated everyone fairly, and good work was always well rewarded. Besides residential houses, First Step Harbor includes a water windmill, a small port, general stores, a sled dog nursery, and administrative buildings.

After the first settlement was developed enough, the never-stopping James Goldenhand organized and sent a sea expedition to find a place for another port to expand the influence over the lands. Making the way through raging storms, the brave explorers eventually found a hidden bay, barely visible from the sea. If it would not happen, the entire expedition might have been lost to the sea - and the new settlement was named the New Hope harbor due to that.

Simultaneously, the three islands north of the First Step harbor were explored and made to use. Trondo, the biggest island, is now the main landing point for any trading vessels, featuring a massive pier, a big market, and a lively inn; Kano, the second big, is now home to wharves where specialists from First Step harbor are happy to repair damaged ships. Kano also has some merchant accommodations for ones preferring the quieter atmosphere. The small island Milo is, in contradiction, pretty much not inhabited but sometimes serves as a temporary base for fishermen.

The map of the Northern Lands with more details about the points of interest: