Volskor #

One predominant theory as to the origins of Volskor, first circulated by the Orek Herald Kregan Arkest tells of a mighty beast called Ergath that held a deep hatred for the warmth of the sun. Ergath would fly up and fill the sky during the day, blocking out the sun and repelling its warmth from the world, and return to the land at night to roam the continents, his massive form crushing villages and towns wherever he passed. One day, their lives destroyed and left cold and on the verge of starvation, the villagers of a small Orek tribe gather together in desperate prayer to any who might hear them. Legend holds that after twelve days of prayer, Falen - the mortal god of war - appeared one night, when the moon was at its highest, and promised to slay Ergath.

When the next morning came and Ergath rose into the sky, Falen followed. A great battle ensued, but with skill and mastery Falen slew Ergath. As the beast fell, Falen ripped its heart from its chest and cast it down. The heart fell down into the ocean, crystalizing and freezing solid as it did, where it formed the land mass now known as Volskor.

In recent times, the Arcanum Order has begun to advance a second theory. Backed by what little amounts of research they have been able to conduct, they believe Volskor’s creation and current state to be linked with a number of cataclysmic events that research suggests may have occurred before the earliest history. Evidence in support of this theory includes the presence of indicators that one or more nexuses of power may be present on Volskor; in other parts of the world that are easier to study, these locations are associated with unnatural landforms that seem to have been crafted independent of the natural cycle of weathering and erosion. They also note the abnormally cold climate, indicating that some external force may have long been influencing temperatures there.

Many more theories exist about the origins of Volskor, but until a dedicated expedition can establish a long-term research operation, it will be difficult to confirm any of them.

Geography #

Volskor is a large triangular landmass set upon the northern seas of the Ever Reach. Nearly the whole of the continent is covered in either flat tundra, or mountains. With the cold temperatures, many of the inland lakes and rivers on Volskor are frozen over.

Traversing the continent is equally difficult. While uneven dirt roads and paths exist, they are generally unmaintained - especially in the mountains. They regularly freeze over, or become blocked by rocks, avalanches, snowfalls, or other impediments, and may not be cleared for months or even years at a time.

For this reason, the primary modes of transportation for the inhabitants of Volskor are either by some means of flight, or by sleds which can glide along the top of the snow without regards to any impediments underneath.

Climate #

The climate of Volskor is a deadly cold. In the winter, nights are long and daylight is hard to come by. Temperatures are regularly cold enough to freeze anyone not adequately prepared to death in an hour or less. Natural agriculture is nearly nonexistent due to temperatures. Only plants suitable to freezing temperatures can grow there, though some Orek naturalists have recently been experimenting with the use of magic to protect plants from the cold.

Ecology and Inhabitants #

Volskor is extremely sparesly populated, with a population of just 72,000 and a population density of just .15 inhabitants per square mile. The harsh cold and difficult terrain make living there dangerous and difficult. Still, a number of settlements do exist. The most prominent inhabitants of Volskor are the Orek, a good-natured but formidable race of humanoids. Originally nomads, they came to believe that their patron Falen slew a great beast and cast its heart down to the world, where it formed the land of Volskor. They settled the continent as a tribute to the Orek patron Falen and resolved to learn to survive there. For the Orek, Volskor is a harsh but beloved promised land.

In addition to the Orek, a number of small villages exist inhabited by different cold-blooded species such as the Ursians, a bearlike race accustomed to the dangers of the continent. These villages are generally unincorporated, independent, and self-sustaining. Some are welcoming to visitors while others are not.

The most prominent non-Orek settlement is the Citadel of the Ancient Oath, set deep in the northern mountains of the continent. The citadel is a fortified armory, surrounded by a network of support infrastructure such as food and supply transports, and manned by soldiers of the Volskor Pact, a coalition of nations. Much of the world has speculated as to the reasons for building and maintaining such a place at so high a difficulty, but the soldiers there carry a solemn oath of silence towards their mission at the fortress.