Demaroth (4e)

The Icy Northern regions are uninviting, and known to harbor only the heartiest of folk. Present in the north are a number of sub regions. Each is described as where it is closest to for the other regions of Alghamtar. The lands are not mapped by anyone outside the area, and it is theorized only the Glacier Dwarves know the truth.

Domain of Zak'Thus - Lord of Winter
Zak'Thus is an Ancient Wyrm White Dragon who chaffed at the rule of the Imperial Court. He took his brood and headed north. He settled on a small mountainous island south of the mainland and north of the court. He spent his time enslaving Neanderthals and making the island his home. He has continually worked against Midgard and even has been known to call himself Jormungand when fighting them so as to mock their gods and religion. He venerates no power but does traffic with Frostfell beings and Ice Elementals. Nothing good comes from his island, only death.

When the Imperial Court began raiding they demanded he pay tribute. He instead sank Dragon Masts from the court as well as longships. Sometimes he would even raid Dragon Masts while they tried to sail home with their plunder, only to rob them and take their crew as slaves. Currently he remains a dissenting power but still no friend to Midgard.

Ravnøy
Giant Ravens have always inhabited the island north of the Consulate of the Stars. The work with the Neanderthals and the Dwarves often, seeing them as kindred spirits. They often assist Dwarves from Midgard and Neanderthals roaming around. They bring word of on coming storms and ships, and have even been known to carry some whom they become friends with.

The Dwarves of Midgard always refer to the Ravens as Honored Guests, viewing them as directly blessed by their god, Odin. They live in Covens of extended family units. These are known to have flights (three to six) younger Ravens flying long distances away from home at a time. The covens tell people they answer to their masters Huginn and Muninn, Odin's Ravens. In conversation they say that they follow Huginn and Muninn as if they were real and on the Prime. Direct questions to this however lead to coy games and joking from the Ravens.

Every year an entire Coven moves to the mainland, to Ravn Fjell. This Coven is the direct communication to the Dwarves of Midgard. They often fly back and forth to their island bringing news. The Giant Ravens are tended to by families of Kenku.

The Packs
The Longtooth and Razorclaw Shifters live in two separated, primitive and vicious affiliations of packs. They have begun to forge packs with the Dwarves of Midgaard. They live in poverty and little is known of their tribal practices.

They are fiercesome warriors and have come to be combative with most of the peoples of the Frostfell. No one will slight their ferocity, mostly because they are unwilling to observe the implications of other nations' sovereignty or laws.

Det Jøtunn Vegg
The Jotunn, or Frost Giants, live in this wasteland of rocks, snow, ice and mountains. They want nothing more than to destroy the Dwarves of Midgard and take the Lake of Frost for their own. They believe the Great Mother dwelt within the world and her womb gave birth to the lake. As such they believe it is theirs since they are the chosen of the Great Mother.

The Jarl is the master of the Frost Giants and refuses to rest. He demands that all will cower before the Giants. He is in alliance with Zak'Thus and has been for just about a year. He is also attempting to make contact and an alliance with the Frostfolk. If he were successful he may be able to lead a powerful army into Midgard and lay siege the ancient fortresses.

He wants the Lord of the North. His Queen, Allyanna, is a Frost Giantess who is a Cleric of the Great Mother. She has devised a ritual to embody the Great Mother but requires control of the lake for it. If it were to come to pass their off spring would become supernaturally powerful and they could conquer all of the north.

Midgaard
The Glacier Dwarves (normally called Dwarves in this area) of Midgaard are a proud Norse society. They refer to themselves as the Midgardians. They are proud and sing old songs of war and glory in the honor of their gods. They hold true to the old ways and fight hard. They do not recall the origins of their country, but they do remember that they once lived in the lowlands of this continent. They would fight against the brutish Shifters and would have to defend themselves against the Jotunn.

When the Dragon Masts of the Imperial Court came and began raiding, the Dwarves moved higher into the mountains. They were forced to carve fortresses out of stone and ice, yet still the Dragon Masts followed them up the rivers. Finally they could take no more, and the Dwarves made an alliance with the Giant Ravens. The Ravens scouted while the Dwarves built Longships and began to counter attack the Dragon Masts. While no decisive victories have been won, there have been numerous skirmishes which have allowed for times of quiet.

The Dwarves never resettled the low lands. They were left for the Shifters. They have refortified the lake and many of the rivers and now are a dominant power in the north. Their elite raiders, Vikings, are lethal and known to be so powerful that people are considered lost if engaged in melee.

Minos
The island of Minos is a rough, rocky, and harsh place. The Minotaurs are the only beings who have taken up residence. They use tribal combat and ancestral teachings to defend their sovereignty. Recently the Minotaurs of Minos have forged a pact with the nation of Midgaard. The Minotaurs are receiving food stuffs from Midgaard, while Midgaard receives military support which can easily take the legs out from beneath a Jotunn.

Minos has also begun to send envoys to other nations in and effort to gain more resources for their nation. They have established contact with the Tribes of the Goliaths and the two see each other as blood brothers.