Ancient Giant Lands
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| Location | The far north, beyond Eden's borders. |
| Biome | Frozen wasteland, mountains |
| Races | Giants |
Introduction
In the far north of the continent of Eden, even leagues beyond the mighty Denur Holds, the ice is thick, the snow covers all you can see, and beasts larger than most southern tender souls could possibly imagine. ‘The Ancient Giant Lands’ people of Eden call it, a frozen wasteland that is as deadly as its enchantingly beautiful. It is a land mostly unexplored by the civilizations of Eseron, mostly due to the impregnability and the harsh untamed conditions of the land, but also in part due to the rumors of humongous creatures that make their home there. These creatures are called Giants by most, hence the region’s name; ‘The Ancient Giant Lands’. The giants are the guardians of the northern reaches and build their castles and camps there from which they keep the southern races of Eseron’s continents apart. Very few have successfully made the trek across the white snow-topped peaks and even fewer have made it back to tell the tales of their journey. It is a mysterious land, a deadly land, a land only few would ever dare to enter, for death is all that awaits those who dare to venture there.
Geography
The Ancient Giant Lands are defined by a rugged, untamed landscape, where jagged mountain peaks rise and vast frozen plains stretch as far as the eye can see. The climate here is brutal, the bitter sting of Lilith’s Veil never seems to end, while the relief of Eden’s Shine is nowhere to be seen, nor will it ever be in sight. Snowfall is near-constant, and the air is thick with the freezing chill of the northern winds.
Beneath the snow, old Denur legends speak of rivers carved from ice that run through these ancient lands, feeding gigantic glaciers that have stood since the beginning of time. Some say the heart of the Ancient Giant Lands is marked by an enormous chasm known only as “The Frozen Maw”.
The only signs of civilization in those rugged lands are the camps, trails, and structures of the giants that dot the north as tribes of these large horrors stalk the land, migrating from valley to valley as their supplies run thin. These trails are sometimes used by daring adventurers from the southern lands who have dubbed them the “bone trail” to reach other continents. The name bone trail hails from the markings these daring wanderers use to navigate the paths, for the only sign that travelers are still on the track are the scattered bones along the snowy paths that signal the passing of giants before them.
History
The Ancient Giant Lands have always been an enigma for scholars, the unchartered lands are unknown, and no one knows what exactly lies in these mysterious frozen wastes. In the early days of civilization, Giants descended from the Dzarthas Mountains each winter, ravaging the northern lands aimed at scavenging for supplies and raiding for riches. Their brutal incursions targeted the Denur people, who were forced to defend themselves in the harsh cold season. In response in an attempt to put an end to the brutal incursions, the Denur began constructing fortified mountain holds along the mountainous borders of their land to ward themselves from the beasts. These Holds armed with advanced defense, gradually shifted the migration patterns of the giants as they could no longer venture south without certain losses which would at times doom an entire tribe, and over the centuries the Giant incursions died down, and then mysteriously ceased altogether for long stretches at a time, making migrating giant tribes a rarity in modern times. Some believe something changed within the Ancient Giant Lands as a whole, but if that is true, we may never know for certain. The far north will forever have an enchanting allure to daredevils and those who wish to uncover its secrets. Perhaps one day they will be laid bare and the paths beyond Eden swing open. However, that is a tale that is for now yet to be told.