ARKIO - North Wildermarch

The official cartographical term for the Northern Marches is Arkio

The Northern Marches

The Northern region of the world is known to the Westerners as the Northern Marches or the Wildermarch. The area is somewhat difficult to reach from the West as it is separated by the Aurulents and Mountains of Or. Beyond these mountains is a series of cliffs that drop into to a small valley. The valley, called The Hollow, is somewhat barren and was never arable land. As such it is unpopulated territory but is relatively flat and is often covered in snow during the winter. Despite this, there are old roads and trails that are remnants from when the area was traversed by explorers. East of Meridian, the Hollow is more easily accessible as there are routes in the Eastern Provinces that are still used.

At the north edge of the Hollow is an escarpment of cliffs that lead to a higher elevation of forest. There is a tower at the base of the northern cliffs that leads to the top of the shoulder and was built as a means to traverse the terrain from the valley to the plateau. This tower, called the Sun Spire, was once used as a means of traveling between the North and the South but has more recently fallen out of use. A popular rumor was that the Witch of the Wild began performing untold spells and incantations that created that fruitless environment of the Hollow. This is uncertain to be true and could only be rumor. Still, the Hollow and the Sun Spire are not commonly used anymore and have not been for nearly a hundred years.

Beyond this valley and on the plateau, there is some span of forest that ends at an open plain. The forest is inhabited by Flora Elves that have no interest in joining human society. Their cousins, the Faun Elves, are also unwelcome here. This area, called the Wilderwood is where the Flora Elves originated many thousands of years ago. Some eventually migrated southeast away from these forests and took up residence in what is considered the Eastern Provinces. In the East is where the descendants of the Grand King and the Blessed Queen came from but their true descendants are from the Wilderwood. The Wilderwood is known as the Brightleaf Vale to the inhabitants because of the glowing white leaves that grow from many of the trees. The Wilderwood stretches north and ends at the open plains.

This area is home to the Giants of the Vipa Grasslands. This extensive meadow does not have a name in the South and is simply considered the Northlands. Many Giants here possess the Champion power of Terramancy. They are a tribal people but there has not been a war between the tribes for nearly 500 years. They lead a peaceful life on these plains and are content to live in their own territories. There is a an area known as the Canyon of the Tortoise or Kacchapa Nagodara near the eastern region of the Grasslands. The canyon buts up into the Black Mountains of Khand. There is a large ruin in this canyon that is built, torn down and rebuilt with the Terramancy power. This area is often used for trading between tribes twice a year. Beyond the Black Mountains is the Kaloda Sea. To the west is the sea and the Great Bay of Lavanoda. Here is the dwelling of several Giant fishing villages.

To the North is Mount Meru and the monastery that serves as Green Site of the Ouroboros Gate.