Skarsind
Overview
Skarsind is a place of alpine slopes and valleys, pine forests and rising mists, set in what's known as the Great Vale, a bowl of mountains that holds both Skarsind and the forest of Hercynia. Gildenheim in the east was the second largest settlement in Wintermark. Founded by Gilda Heimssdottir, it stands over the entrance to a frozen underworld cavern into the walls of which are carvings in a mysterious alphabet that are said to be the source of the magical runes used throughout Wintermark.
The folk of Skarsind were particularly noted for their fine rune work and many of the best artisans and runesmiths traveled here to study their craft. There were troubles with tribes of yetis that live in the valleys above Skarsind, but most of the danger here came from the Thule barbarians living on the far side of the mountains in Otkodov.
Skarsind has always been riven by conflict; a saga called Lament for Skarsind is popular in some parts of Wintermark.
Recent History
In 373YE a savage blizzard swept down out of the mountains. The blizzard raged for three days, serving as magical cover for an army of Thule barbarians who marched beneath it. They attacked Gildenheim with the assistance of a dozen enslaved Artok, smashing great holes in the defenses. The blizzard continued for another four days, and the orcs used the advantage it gave them to ravage many of the low-lying halls. The Winterfolk who were not killed in the attacks were taken as slaves. Some small pockets of resistance remained - mostly based around the mines and halls to the north-east - but the situation looked increasingly desperate. Following the initial attack the weather remained unnaturally harsh, with snow falling for nine months out of each year, and supplies and the will to fight both dwindled. There was little doubt that the Thule were employing powerful magic to reinforce their position - including the use of powerful Winter rituals to reinforce their armies with hordes of walking corpses created from battlefield dead - packs of which still represent a recurring nuisance to those attempting to rebuild the territory.
Throughout 377YE, Imperial forces pushed into Skarsind. In the Autumn, they succeeded in driving the Thule forces out of the territory and reclaimed it for the Empire. The inhabitants are beginning to pick up the pieces of their lives, and the damage done by the rapacious barbarians is slowly being assessed.
Major Features
Gildenheim
At it's height, Gildenheim was the second largest settlement in Wintermark. Founded by Gilda Heimssdottir, it stands over the entrance to a frozen underworld cavern into the walls of which are carvings in a mysterious alphabet that are said to be the source of the magical runes used throughout Wintermark and the wider Empire. In 373, it fell to the barbarians after a long siege. Inge Suvvisdottir, most recent of the bearers of the crown of Wintermark, fell with it. Despite the demands of Wintermark senators for resolute and overwhelming response, Emperor Walter dithered and did nothing to support the defense. The town itself has been devastated by barbarian occupation, although some optimistic explorers believe there is still a chance that the crown of wily king Ulmo may still be recovered.
The Brilliant Shore
When the sun reflects on the workings on the cliff faces near Gildenheim, the reflection is blinding and it is this phenomenon that gives the white granite quarry it's name. The Brilliant Shore was one of the first areas seized by the Thule when Skarsind fell, and reclaimed at the turning point of the recent war.
The Brilliant Shore is a Bourse position which produces white granite. Under Imperial control this Bourse position produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. Currently the status of the seat is debated; the Imperial Senate declared it a National resource in the control of Wintermark but the Imperial Synod have contested this decision through the use of their veto
Regions
Crow’s Ridge
The hills of Crow Ridge are the location of the craggy stronghold of Crow's Keep, a lookout tower and beacon. Has not been heard from since the barbarian invasion, but hope still live that it holds. It was high and well-fortified, with deep wells, they say; its stormcrows crafty and wise in war.
Keyword: Hills
Estermark
The forested hills of Estermark are the site of two (formerly) wealthy settlements - Krysse and Gulhule. These towns appear to have fared better than Gildenheim at the hands of the barbarians. Winterfolk who managed to escape slavery, or who were left behind during the Thule retreat, are already beginning to rebuild their homes and their lives.
After it's fall in 371YE, Krysse became a bastion for the barbarians protecting their eastern flank. In happier days it had close ties with nearby Mormyk in the Varushkan territory of Miekarova and was a local centre of trade between the two nations, hosting a market at each turning of the seasons. Now that Skarsind has been regained, it remains to be seen if the market can be restarted.
Gulhule is a valley settlement known for its runesmiths and well-crafted weaponry taken by the barbarians in 372YE. Empress Britta was instrumental in buying sufficient time for the people of Gulhule to escape the barbarian advance; many of the smiths fled and managed to found forges elsewhere, scattered across the Halls of Wintermark. Now that the Thule are defeated, it remains to be seen how many of them choose to return. Of special interest to the Empire are the status of the mines here; the black maggots of the Thule have stripped the area and many captured runesmiths are said to have been sent north into the forbidding homelands of the barbarians.
Keywords: Forested, Hills
Gildermark
This region is the site of the town of Gildenheim and was the centre of Thule presence; their shamans and warlocks seemed fascinated by the icy caverns beneath that settlement. This flat region has been almost entirely denuded of trees - first by the Winterfolk, and the by the rapacious Thule. Their interest was possibly fired by the presence of the Brilliant Shore, one of the largest quarries of white granite in the Empire.
Pakaanan's Pass
The hills of Pakaanan’s Pass hide the site of Pakaanan’s tower, an enigmatic tower of mammoth bone that is said to be impossible to enter. The Thule magicians appear to have made several unsuccesful attempts to breach its walls. Given it allegedly contains the notes, paraphernalia and failed experiments of the legendary volhov. No-one has ever managed to enter it - or discover why Pakaanen spent so much time here in virtual exile from the forests of Miekarova where he was born.
Keywords: Hills
Skogei Glens
The forests of Skogei Glens are the site of the settlement of Skogei. This region was the last to be brought into Empire, in 154YE, and it's halls were first to fall during the invasion of Skarsind. In 371YE its wooden walls were burnt, and few can now be found who once lived there. Recaptured by the Empire relatively early in the big push of 377YE, it was quickly reinforced with makeshift defences. There has been some discussion about building a more sizable fortification on the ruins of Skogei; surveyors have suggested it represents an opportunity to build a castle that could help protect the whole of Skarsind.
Keywords: Forested
Solvihill
Forested Solvihill was in the hands of the Empire until the disaster of 376YE. The well defended foresting town of Solvi served as a base of operations for the Imperial campaigns to drive the barbarians out. Once a foresting town providing wood and charcoal to wider Wintermark, it was adopted as the base of campaign for the Imperial forces led by General Dunstan Irontongue. The settlement was hard pressed, and he led an aggressive series of sorties to relieve the pressure. He fell on one of these raids early in 376YE alongside Empress Britta. His body was never recovered.
Keywords: Forested
Southpine
There are forests here, but they are not extensive and neither are there many hills, meaning Southpine is reasonably open - which is a rarity in the uneven terrain of Skarsind. The settlement of Torfast, in the heart of Southpine, represented the high watermark of the barbarian advance in 373YE. It was retaken by Wintermark, League and Varushkan forces in 375YE, the first of the Skarsind settlements to be returned to the Empire. It is now reasonablyfortified, and bears the scars of many battles. It guards a major trade route from Skarsind’s forges down to the League city of Temeschwar.