The Circyin Tundra

[Yeorl Oakenleaf]

To the far north of Darasum lies a vast frozen mountain range known as the Circyin tundra. While the tundra is the most unforgiving landscape in all of Darasum and by far it's most dangerous region - even out doing the Sundered lands; it is still the most densely populated. A tight packed hodgepodge of barbarian clans, families of giants and numerous other beasts - the small tundra is a boiling point and the sounds of battle are rarely if ever not heard within the frozen wastes. The tundra while divided constantly and then redivided among a power struggle between the many tribes has been dominated by one faction with a relative permanency; the Orcs of the Derniad expanse. The many barbarians of late have began pouring out of the tundra and into Norse-Fend with the recent waning of Axon power; their former annoying and harmless frequent cattle raids - turning into a full blown invasion. Led by union between the former Lion Tribe and Panther Tribe - the two have carved themselves a new state in the North Eastern half of Norse-Fend and the steps of the steppes; constantly causing the civilized Orcs of the Derniad hell.
Stretching from one end of the Circyin to the other in the far south is a belt of non-frozen land known as the Derniad expanse; the Derniad is a long steppe and is said to be the birth place of the Orcs. The Orcs similar in nature to the Aer and Ironers, were among the original inhabitants of Darasum and are the chosen children of Gaia. It is said that the Orcs were created by her to be her guardians and the civilized Orcs go about this task with a zeal, they believe that the one tract of fertile land within the Derniad is their holy land - blessed ground placed their for them to defend against the savage uncaring chaotic beings of the Tundra.
To the far north of the tundra is a large bay known as the Moon Sea, it is said that the waters of the moon sea are a pure white. It is foretold in tribal legend that a golden hero in the ages long before Men came to Darasum from Sirna; upon his death swam to the bottom of the Moon sea and left behind a token of immortality in his grave. It is said that if one were capable of reaching the bottom of the vast depths, they would uncover the forgotten heroes tomb and find within it treasures of unimaginable power.
The Circyin is famous as well for it's vast underground tunnel network, the tunnels go hundreds of feet under ground stretching thousands of miles across, some caverns being as large as cities - some even containing the ruins of mysterious ancient cities; now inhabited by goblins or the strange and savage creatures that live under the ice. It is a curious thing that the majority of the tundra has some kind of tunnel network under it with many different openings in strange places all over; many people find it strange that the heavier beasts and settlements don't simply fall through the ice into the tunnels below. Which leaves the question as to how and why? It is said by the shamans of the Fareyes tribe that the old ones who lived under the ice enchanted their tunnels with forgotten magic; whether or not that is true remains to be found.
Another famous land mark within the tundra is the famous Dragonspire, a stone mountain in the shape of a Dragon - it is believed that the ancient Dragon Queen Selyesnaxx, forged the mountain with her kin thousands of years ago in order to shape the perfect roost for a Queen. However with time the Dragons died off and so did their history more or less; leaving the younger generation for the most part either, feral or unknown to the ways of the once majestic Dragons. Today the roost is no longer home to the Dragons who themselves emerged from under the Circyins floor thousands of years prior, it is now the home to the Rostarga Giants - distant cousins of the Orcs. The Rostarga Giants are docile creatures until infested by their mysterious symbiotic partners
the Ephemeral Tundra Wisps. For the most part the Giants and the Wisps keep to themselves within the halls of the mountain but lately they've been found wandering as if taken by a new found ambition, it is rumoured by the Barbarian tribes that they are searching for something - no one is sure as to what.
The Circyin tundra is of course known to be the land of the Giants and many Giants exist in different capacities than the Rostarga, opposed to banding together in a collective - most Giants are keen on simply staying together in large families of twenty and thirty giants, often leading tribes of Human barbarians. Giants are an ambitious violent people for the most part, they love nothing more than ruling over their own Humans treating them like pets more than subjects. A study is being taken within the Mage college of Axony as of two hundred years ago at the bribing of one Giant, Colin Farfooted, to see if Giants are capable of dying of old age - since it's always been a question. Colin Farfooted has out lived all of his testers and will turn 404 next year, which surprisingly has made him the most well respected Historian in Axony. He's what birthed the saying: "As big as you are old and farfooted." Referring to an ugly man. The average Tundra Giant stands about 11'4", covered from head to toe in hair - often being confused for brunette Yetis, well the hairier ones any ways.

The Circyin Tundra, dangerous, beautiful and ancient - underneath the blindingly clear blood stained ice, lies mysteries and treasures the likes of which can be found no where in the world. Home to the righteous and civilized Orcs of the Derniad, the covetous and greedy Giants, the ancestral home of the original Dragons and all manner of other creatures.

The factions within the Tundra are:

The Orcs of the Derniad Expanse: Proud lovers of nature, the Orcs are the chosen people of Gaia and protect her land with a zeal. They believe that their sole mission as a people is to defend the steppes, known as the Derniad, within the completely frozen tundra. The Orcs while considered by the Humans to be savage beasts; due to their many wars with one another - when the ancient human kingdom of Kotepia wanted to expand to the north; are anything but savage. They have a unique culture, valuing mobility - still deeply routed in nomadism. The Orcs capital of Tsetserleg, is a grand tent city, walled by grand wooden walls carved of the ancient tundra cedars, which in ages past soared hundreds of feet into the air. The Orcs are led by a great Khan, the current being Fuyu Hutdai - descendent of the famous hero, Uru Hutdai - who wandered the lands as a companion to the four heroes of light who defeated the Dread Father.

The Rostarga Giants and Ephemeral Wisps: Rostarga Giants- Distant cousins of the Orc, the Rostarga Giants are docile until inhabited by their symbiotic partners; the Ephemeral Wisps.

The Barbarian Tribes of the Tundra: The primitive warrior people who inhabit the Tundra, an assortment of Goblins, Wilderkin Orcs, Humans and Giants all existing in relative harmony... Harmony being they all band together to kill one another, even their women fight. An old scholar known as Cornelius Fischer from Laernhein, arguably the most civilized nation on Darasum, once asked the chief of the Crimson Tongues why there was no racism among his people: "If man wield axe, man swing axe? If women swing axe, women can wield axe." Was all he replied before rushing off to battle against a host of trolls and troglodytes. While it's impossible to give a proper summary of Barbarian culture and their important cities, (Or lack there of) it is because they all differ so wildly in their beliefs that it'd be foolish to even attempt it.