North Lands

The North Lands lie in the north of Mereldia, founded by pilgriming gods with their folks at the end of the war. It is shared with the native gryphons and other creatures that call it home. While having the most mass of any Mereldian country, the North Lands are mostly barren land with only the south being heavily inhabited. The capital Nordberg is, as the biggest city of Mereldia, an economical metropol and especially famous for its splendid Magic Academy.

MAP PLACEHOLDER

Geography

The North Lands stretch across the far northern reaches of Mereldia, a rugged and unforgiving region shaped by harsh winds, jagged mountains, and dense, shadowed forests. Much of the land is wild and uninhabited, broken only by scattered villages and a handful of cities in the southern valleys. Snow-covered plains, steep cliffs, and narrow passes dominate the landscape, making travel treacherous even for those familiar with the terrain. Rivers rush fiercely from the mountains, carving deep gorges and feeding icy lakes, while highland plateaus are exposed to bitter storms year-round.

The forests are thick and dark, dotted with hidden glades and enchanted groves where magic lingers in the air. Valleys and mountain paths conceal both natural and unnatural dangers: ancient beasts, magical predators, and curious, often capricious fae. Raptors—frighteningly intelligent creatures born of old witches’ experiments—roam the high mountains and snowy plains, while smaller magical creatures can be found lurking wherever magic is strongest. Some, like the elusive Novein, are harmless and rarely seen, while others, like the great magical beasts rumored to be tamed by powerful mages, pose serious threats to unwary travelers.

While a life in a village in the North Lands is usually a quiet but deadly affair, life in the cities is much different. They are always bustling with activity and instead of feral predators one will have to look out for criminals or faekin.

To keep order, there is a loose social system in place, one less strict than in other countries but it still should not be ignored.

Gods

Royalty

High Society

Commoners

Wilders

Forsaken

Guardians of Nordberg

Royal Families

Mountain lords | Officers | Academics

artisans | merchants | skilled workers

The Poor | Criminals

Convicted criminals | Witches

Gods

Social Order

The guardians of Nordberg are regarded as gods and are prayed to by those living in the North Lands. In contrast to religions based on holy texts like the Book of Prayer in Koruna, this one is thoroughly founded in history. These gods were those who led survivors of the war to safety and founded Nordberg and the North Lands themselves. They are seen as saviours by the people of the North Lands and therefore have been declared holy. While not holding governing power, they still serve as advisors to the governing channels and their words are highly respected and often adhered to.

The gods in question would be:

Aylinn (cervine) [light | earth]
Isolde (feline) [light | air]
Nexus (avian) [dark | fire]
Vesta (equine) [light | fire]
(fox?) [dark | water]
Feifne (cervine) [dark | earth]

They can generally be found in the Nordberg Cathedral and some of them—especially Isolde and Aylinn—also entertain personal conversations with worshippers, giving advice and guidance. Others are barely ever seen (Nexus) and don't talk to visitors (Feifne).

Royalty

In the North Lands, there are several Royal Families, each commanding over their own city, with the exception of Nordberg, which is ruled by six royal families at once, each for their own district of the city respectively.

High Society

High Society consists of wealthy merchants, influential traders, and the elite who hold power in the cities and towns of the North Lands. It also includes mountain lords, high-ranking officers, and respected scholars or advisors whose knowledge and influence shape politics, commerce, and culture. Members of this class enjoy privileges, maintain their standing through wealth, skill, or lineage. Their wealth and position often draw envy and rivalry from others.

Commoners

They are the backbone of the North Lands, made up of villagers, artisans, and skilled workers who sustain daily life in towns and villages. Commoners are steadfast and reliable, rooted in their homes and communities, and essential for keeping society functioning amidst the harsh northern climate. While they rarely hold great wealth or political power, their labour, craft, and resilience form the foundation on which the North Lands endure.

Wilder

Wilders live on the edges of society, often itinerant, poor, or involved in crime. True to their name, they are untamed and resourceful, shaped by a harsh environment that demands cunning and adaptability. While some survive through honest work, many rely on trickery, scavenging, or petty theft, making them both feared and necessary in a land where survival often means bending the rules.

Forsaken

The Forsaken occupy the lowest tier of North Lands society. Convicted criminals, exiled witches, and those deemed too dangerous or dishonorable are confined to dungeons or other secure facilities. Feared and despised by most, they live under harsh laws and constant supervision, and survival depends on cunning, resilience, and the ability to endure brutal conditions.

Everyday Life

Life here is a constant struggle for survival, and the inhabitants have grown as bitter and unyielding as the mountains themselves. Crimes are punished with brutal severity—stealing a loaf of bread might cost you an ear nailed to a pillory, or a limb. Old superstitions thrive, particularly those surrounding witches and dark magic. Yet, paradoxically, the North Lands are among the most accepting places in Mereldia when it comes to the dark arts, and both faekin and demonkin live openly as common members of society.

Slavery has never existed in the North Lands. When contact was made with Koruna and Eriwon, laws were enacted to outlaw it entirely. Travelers entering the North Lands with a slave can expect that person to be liberated by the authorities, with compensation provided.

Your Character

Your character can live in Nordberg (the biggest city in the North Lands) or somewhere in the areas outside of it. If they live outside of Nordberg, please pick a settlement from the map. A lot of the more remote settlements are hard to get to due to the mountains (don't underestimate mountains) so keep that in mind for roleplaying.
Due to the high danger of wild fae, people here hold prejudices against most faekin, though are still generally more accepting. A paradoxical combination.
Your character does not have to celebrate all of the festivals, but the majority of the population celebrates the religious ones!
Your character will know the North Lands' lore and be wary of faekin. The locals know how to treat the wild fae with respect and avoid them, in order to not invoke their ire.
They will own clothing due to the harsh climate, as they'd freeze otherwise.

When it comes to Nordberg, your character doesn't have to live in the district where its species lives, but they can just settle everywhere in Nordberg (for non-gryphon characters it is recommendable to not settle into Sraderham though, because gryphons prefer to keep to themselves.

More information can be found on the lore pages. The section for the North Lands in particular can be found here.