The Northern Kingdom: (Approx. 350,000)
Under the auspices of Forseth’s blessing, The Northern Kingdom has grown from a mere idea to a thriving metropolis. As if moved by some unseen impulse, people from all over Valacia –including most of the surviving population of Stelville and the Tuad nation – the Esterwall, and Vaedijhal immigrated. Wanderers even arrived from places far across Terrestia, some claiming to have done so on purpose; while others, bewildered, said that they were going about their daily business and suddenly were far from their homes, creating an extremely diverse kingdom.
Monopolizing the magic item trade from Vaedijhal and developing a sophisticated metallurgic and crated materials, the Northern Kingdom quickly became wealthy and prosperous. The combination of many different peoples from across Terrestina allows new advancements and materials to be made lost since ancient days. Architectural wonders and artistic masterpieces are created, leading to a new golden age whose effects spread across the continent. Soon with the help of the Eladrin and the Elves, airships and fleets carry northern goods far and wide.
Three major cities have grown in this overwhelmingly urban society
Capital City: Elfroad (pop. 150,000) Ruled by King Garron and Queen Ti-On Aamatiir.
A thriving city, Elfroad has grown into a thriving metropolis with the incorporation of much of the former population of Stelville. Enriched by the magic item trade, the city has become a haven for artists and magic craftspeople. Many of the buildings look as if they were grown from the ground, works of living stone of almost unsurpassed beauty. Even common workshops exhibit a utilitarian form that reflects some deep inner beauty.
A fortified city, the walls of Elfroad are grown from the earth and fused with the bedrock in a process discovered by an unlikely couple composed of an elf and a dwarf. Made of a single sheet of rock, its high towers soar above the plane and both mages and far sighted riflemen keep watch for the inevitable invasion. The garrison is well manned and extremely well trained by the Crown Prince, Jamis. Using newly improved firearms and advanced infantry techniques, they are prepared to both defend the city and march to war against the Necromancer when the time comes.
Architectural Wonders:
The Pantheon: Shortly after the rediscovery of the Titanomachy, the king commissioned a great temple be built to honor the gods. Drawing in artists from all over Terrestria, the building hearkens to an age long past, full of ancient holy relics. Rivaled in size only by the castle and the mage’s guild in the whole kingdom, the building consists of one large room with four sides, different gods arranged by alliances. Next to each shrine is a larger than life chair carved to represent each god’s domain. Strangely, it is impossible to sit in them.
The temple has become a microcosm of society, with different races and religious orders making pilgrimages to see not only the Titanomachy but also the place that is widely held to be the meeting place of the gods. Additionally, a semi-permanent sect of Kolos’ priests have taken up residence in front of the painting, claiming it as a holy relic of their god. The shrines are tended by a new holy order – the Dawnbringers – who make sure the proper rites are observed and keep pilgrims from different religions from fighting. Additionally, the order is charged with identifying persons of interest who enter the city, reporting directly to the King’s court.
The Castle, Watcher’s Haven: Built originally as a gatehouse to guard the southern road to Vaedijhal, Watcher’s Haven has grown from its humble origins to a fortified castle. From the central keep, tall walls, grown from the ground of a single stone surround both the Haven and the town. Four towering spires reveal the landscape for miles and provide a vantage point for the city’s highly trained mages and riflemen. On the central tower, a large jewel glints, from where it is said, the king keeps watch on the whole world.
The Army:
Relatively small (approx. 30,000) but extremely well trained, the main army of the Northern Kingdom maintains its garrison in Elfroad, though it is often on patrol. Focusing on superior weaponry and tactics as opposed to brute force, the soldiers of the Northern Kingdom use both firearms and small groups tactics to maintain battle readiness. Soldiers train for a number of different possible scenarios, including Fay, Necromancer, and Lower Planar incursions, in addition to traditional mortal warfare. Additionally, they have drilled in a maneuver designed to get small units through portals before they close, allowing for unsurpassed mobility through the kingdom’s network.
The core of the city’s defenses are physical and magical in nature. The army utilizes the most advanced and reliable of firearms, coupled with excellent officers and preparation. In addition to standard shot, it is known that the king maintains stores aimed to combat specific threat, including mountains of cold iron and electrum shot. In addition to his local forces, most of the royal family and high nobility are accomplished mages and are armed with new siege and tactical spells created by the king and his allies. Finally, it is said that the King has secured a great weapon of the ancient world from the clutches of the Necromancer.