Northern Hordelands

• Previous
• Next

The Northern Hordelands is made up of plains broken by hills, lakes, clusters of mountains, towering plateaus and deep depressions. The weather of the region is unpredictable and often turbulent. These weather patterns are a result of the Primordial Storm. This perpetual storm near the heart of the region is also the cause for the numerous elementals that can be found in the region.

The wild and uncivilized peoples of the Northern Hordelands have bitterly resisted domination by their more advanced or more powerful neighbors. The Jara Hordes under their wicked khans have raided the lands, but failed to establish any lasting hold. The legions of the Orchish Empire have marched in and then been driven out after costly losses. The elves of the High Wood Country have attempted to extend their territorial buffer, only to see the barbarians of the Northern Hordelands raze the forests around them.

For thousands of years, this region north of the Lands of Purity was home to chaotic peoples. The barbarians of the land included the Theegans, gnolls, jara, and scattered bands of humanoids. The introduction of sig-lorms to the southeastern corner of the Northern Hordelands added some semblance of civilization. Unfortunately their nation was short-lived.

In the Second Epoch, a balance of power existed across much of the Northern Hordelands. The root of this was the Sig-Lorm of Hinnbjalf, spreading civilization, both intellectual and entertainment. When Hinnbjalf fell to a volcanic eruption, becoming the home of fiery aliens, the region's old ways of raiding and conflict returned with a vengeance.

In the Third Epoch, the Luran Alliance, supported by Nordern, pushed into lands long considered part of the Witch Horde. This was a wild and lawless area spanning the Buruthran Plain and into the Luran Hills. In the Buruthran War (1824 - 1829 ), the Witch Horde was pushed further north. The lands that fell to what would become the Divine Empire, became new trade routes, relatively safe, all the way to Kugirmuk.

These Theegans are a crude and barbaric people, but their assimilation into a lawful society will inevitably curb these tendencies in future generations.

- Crusader Lanunur, "records from Internment Camp 6"

The lands of the Northern Hordelands have hundreds of thousands of horses. It is said that the horse population outnumbers all the humanoids of the region. In times of war, the Theegans, with their superb riding skills, make them much sought after mercenaries.

The Underdark region beneath the Northern Hordelands is called Phangul.

Region Maps