✦ THE NORTHERN FRONTIER OF AETHERIA ✦
“Where winter never sleeps,
and the ancient ice remembers.”
✦ THE NORTHERN SNOWLANDS ✦
The Northern Snowlands are a vast frozen region located at the northernmost edge of Aetheria.
Endless fields of snow stretch toward distant mountains, while frozen forests, glaciers, icy rivers, and enormous frozen lakes dominate the land.
Winter rules the region for most of the year.
Temperatures can fall far below freezing, especially during the long northern nights.
Blizzards can appear without warning.
And beyond the snowline lie places where few outsiders have ever survived.
The people who call the Snowlands home have learned to respect the cold rather than attempt to conquer it.
✦ THE FROZEN NORTH ✦
The Northern Snowlands contain several distinct environments, each shaped by the endless winter.
Endless fields of snow and ice where powerful northern winds sweep across the land.
Ancient evergreen forests covered in permanent frost and heavy snow.
Towering mountains covered in glaciers and ancient frozen caves.
Enormous lakes whose surfaces remain frozen throughout most of the year.
A massive field of ancient ice believed to contain secrets buried beneath its surface.
The most remote region of the Snowlands, where almost nothing is known.
✦ THE WINTER ✦
The Snowlands experience some of the harshest weather in all of Aetheria.
Snow covers much of the northern landscape throughout the year.
Powerful storms can completely erase trails and make travel nearly impossible.
During winter, darkness can last for extremely long periods of time.
Even during daylight, the northern sun often provides little warmth.
✦ CHILDREN OF THE FROST ✦
Numerous peoples have adapted to life within the frozen north.
Skilled hunters and trackers capable of surviving the harshest northern conditions.
Clever and adaptable communities often found near forests and snowy settlements.
Powerful northern inhabitants known for their strength and endurance.
Nomadic communities who travel across the frozen plains with their herds.
Nocturnal hunters and scouts who navigate the northern wilderness beneath moonlight.
An ancient race believed to possess a natural connection to ice magic.
✦ CREATURES OF THE FROZEN NORTH ✦
The Snowlands contain creatures that have evolved specifically for life within the frozen wilderness.
Large wolves with thick winter coats that hunt silently through snowstorms.
Massive predators capable of surviving temperatures that would kill ordinary creatures.
Magical northern deer whose antlers shimmer beneath moonlight.
Ancient dragons capable of breathing freezing magic instead of ordinary flame.
Powerful birds that hunt across the frozen plains and mountain valleys.
Rare magical creatures said to appear only during the northern aurora.
✦ THE ANCIENT NORTH ✦
The ice of the northern lands is far older than many of the civilizations surrounding it.
Frozen ruins can sometimes be found beneath glaciers and layers of ancient snow.
Some explorers believe entire settlements remain preserved beneath the ice.
Ancient structures trapped beneath centuries of ice.
Forgotten communities believed to have vanished during ancient winters.
Strange chambers buried deep beneath the oldest glaciers.
Nobody knows what remains sealed beneath the deepest ice.
✦ ANCIENT POWER ✦
Magic within the Snowlands is strongly connected to ice, wind, moonlight, and ancient spirits.
Some northern magic is believed to be older than the kingdoms themselves.
✦ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ✦
On certain nights, brilliant ribbons of light appear across the northern sky.
The people of the Snowlands call this phenomenon the Aurora.
Some believe the lights are created by ancient magic.
Others believe they are spirits traveling across the heavens.
Whatever the truth may be, the northern people consider the Aurora sacred.
✦ THE OLDEST CREATURES ✦
Ancient Frost Dragons are believed to have lived within the northern mountains for thousands of years.
Unlike many dragons farther south, Frost Dragons rarely interact with humans.
Their enormous nests are hidden inside glaciers and frozen mountain caverns.
Northern villages leave offerings near certain mountain caves in hopes of keeping sleeping dragons undisturbed.
Nobody knows how many dragons sleep beneath the ice.
✦ BEYOND THE KNOWN NORTH ✦
Beyond the settled regions lies an enormous expanse of untouched snow.
It is known simply as the White Silence.
There are no permanent roads. Few landmarks exist. Even experienced travelers can become lost.
“When the snow takes your footprints, turn back.”
✦ THE OLDEST SECRET ✦
Deep within the northern wilderness lies a place known only through ancient stories.
Nobody knows exactly where it is.
Some believe it is the source of all northern magic. Others believe it is an ancient frozen temple.
Some believe an ancient being sleeps beneath it.
Whatever lies there, the people of the north do not seek it.
✦ THE RULES OF THE NORTH ✦
01 — Never travel alone during a blizzard.
02 — Never enter an unknown glacier cave.
03 — Never disturb a sleeping creature.
04 — Never follow strange lights across the snow.
05 — Always respect northern shrines.
06 — Never assume frozen ice is safe.
07 — If the wind suddenly stops, turn back.
The kingdoms may build roads.
They may build fortresses.
They may send armies north.
The North belongs to those who understand it.