THE HIGHLANDS

The Highlands are the northernmost province of Avalance and are often thought of as desolate by southerners. Where one day, long ago, the lands were covered by ice, the northern Highlands are now the only part of Avalance that are snowy and frozen outside of winter. From the snow covered lands next to the Frozen Abyss, to the plains that border the Glade in the south, the Highlands are known for their harsh living conditions. The people are harsher and know no other than winter and the eternal cold.

In these cold lands you'll find many predators like bears, wolves and lynxes, birds of prey like eagles and owls and even beasts like dire wolves and ice dragons in the far north. Besides these hunters you'll also find many prey animals, think of deer, moose and reindeer who are ridden up in the far north. Smaller creatures often do not survive the long winters, but during the summer you'll see the occasional ferrets, rabbits and other small mammals. In between the ice sheets the seas of the Frozen Abyss are ruled by leopard seals, whales, orcas and even narwhals, who are hunted for their horn to be sold as a unicorn horn.
The flora found throughout the highlands consist of pinewoods and boreal forests. Bearberry and cotton grass is spread throughout the land seen in small patches as if holding onto each other, brazing against the cold winds. Fuzzy coverings on stems and leaves provide additional protection from the wind.

When you ask a lowlander about the highlands, they will tell you that it is inhabited by savages. Yet, these people are very far from savage. They are strict and brute, but they do have a clear hierarchy and the common people have great respect for their Great House. Yet, desertion and crimes are punished greatly here, often by throwing them in the boiling basin. These people are used to harsh climate and will not complain about a bit of cold, often looking down on the lowlanders.

House Freyr was created when a stubborn son was banished by his father, the King of all of Avalance at the time, to live his life in the snowlands. No longer was he the heir to the throne, instead handing it all to his younger sister. Over the years, this family has tried to gain back their rightful throne, yet have never succeeded. They believe that one day, their Lord will sit on the throne again, to rule the lands the way they should be ruled. Their ruling over their own province is fair and just, though their punishments hard.

APOLLO FREYR Lord of House Freyr