The Human Region
Text and images provided by Ascaron, the
Original Post is updated regularly by Carolyn Hacker.
The Human region is primarily a feudal society, positioned just north of
the High Elf region. It is bordered by mountains, and the climate is one
that supports several forest areas.
The central landmass is divided by rivers into three primary sections:
eastern, central and west. The feudal system and the division of the
landmass by rivers and forest cover results in a region that is in
immediate danger of being torn apart by intrigues and the resulting
battles, which grapple to ruin the land.
Capital
As a feudal society, there isn't one main capital. Artamark is the
central empire, with a capital city of Greifenburg located on the
peninsula in Ostbrander. To the east is the DeMordrey free barony, and
to the west is the Urtamark free barony. The economy of the region has
developed into one with a focus on agriculture and farming. Given the
pyramid population you find in a feudal society, the few at the top
benefit the most from the good economy.
The grand homes are composed of stone and other materials indicating
affluence. The areas around these residences are composed of villages,
where the homes are half timbered structures. While they don't look too
bad at a glance, in most cases more than one family is cramped into a
space that's far too small for the number of people living there. In the
countryside, the peasants live in thatched huts.
Inhabitants
The majority of the population here is Human of course, with the bulk of
them being in service to one lord or another. The political situation
keeps things very agitated though, so you have to sometimes wonder how
any of them survive.
The DeMordrey and Urtamark baronies are constantly at loggerheads with
each other, and the fighting being reported in the northeast section of
the region indicates a concentration of trouble. As if that wasn't
enough, there are also rumors of activity from an obscure and disruptive
cult in the southeast.
Environment
Whether it's caused by the geographic location or the dense forests, the
area is covered in a hard cold light reminiscent of medieval middle
England. It's a place where you can easily imagine bandits and strange
creatures suddenly appearing out of the shadows, then quickly vanishing
into the forests again when their nefarious work is done or they need to
escape.
The flora is a mix of pine and deciduous trees, as well as scattered
shrubbery. The forests here are very thick, which makes them very good
for hunting game as well as a place for outlaws and other unsavory types
to hide.
The fauna is about what you'd expect from heavily forested areas
bordered by water and mountains. There is a variety of game to be hunted
in the forests, with turtles and fish by the various water areas. Some
domesticated livestock can also be found, especially near the capitals
of the baronies.
