Antara had long been known as an arctic wilderness, nestled in the frozen tundra of the far north within the Wildlands. It stretched out endlessly, a vast and desolate expanse of snow and ice where few living beings dared to venture. The southern reaches of Antara were flat, barren tundra, but the heart of the land, in its central and northern regions, rose into towering mountains. These jagged, ice-clad peaks pierced the sky, reaching thousands of feet into the heavens. The entire region was subject to a cruel and unforgiving climate, where frigid winds howled, and the treacherous terrain challenged even the hardiest of travelers.
Human Settlements
Amidst this stark, frozen wilderness, only three human settlements were known to exist. Wolvenridge and Ye’moor lay along Antara’s southwestern coast, while Whiteboar Outpost stood isolated in the heart of the region, near the frozen Lake Namook. The hardy Nordisa humans who inhabited these remote villages were few in number, but they had learned to survive in this inhospitable land. Their homes were simple, sturdy log dwellings, reinforced with thick layers of animal hides. At their center, a large hearth roared with flame, offering the only warmth against the bitter cold outside.
wilderness
mountains, arctic tundra
few humans, ariock giants
tundra, ice cap
500
Wolveridge
Just north of the Ardessmus region was this small, windswept settlement on the shores of the frigid sea. It consisted of a handful of weather-beaten wooden shacks, connected by a single trail to the outside world. The tide was gentle here, barely shifting between the twilight of day and night. The people of Wolvenridge were sailors, hunting seals and other arctic creatures to sustain themselves. The village had a small, rickety pier, where their sea canoes swayed gently in the icy waters.
Ye’moor
Ye’moor perched upon the rocky ridges of the coast, lay about 25 miles north of Wolvenridge. This quaint village, built within the crags and crevices of the ridge, was a sight of rare beauty amid the starkness of the north. The icy cliffs sparkled in the faint sunlight, their jagged edges softened by layers of snow. The people of Ye’moor lived in harmony with the frozen sea, their homes nestled into the natural hollows of the rocky slopes.
Whiteboar Outpost
Whiteboar Outpost, the sole trade hub in all of Antara, housed around 100 souls. These were hunters and traders, hardened by years of survival in the frozen wilderness. Situated on the shores of Lake Namook, Whiteboar was accessible only by the Frozen Road—a treacherous, gravel-strewn path that wound hundreds of miles north from Alberad in Ardessmus. For most of the year, Lake Namook was frozen solid, its icy surface glistening in the cold, save for two fleeting months in summer when the ice briefly thawed.
The Frozen Road
The Frozen Road, a 300-mile stretch of rugged dirt and gravel, was the only lifeline between Whiteboar Outpost and the southern reaches of civilization. Those brave enough to traverse it faced countless perils, from blistering winds to the deadly creatures that roamed the wilderness.
Ariock Giants
Among the mountains of Antara, the Ariock Giants made their home. Towering elemental beings, impervious to the cold, they had been drawn to these peaks by the fierce winds and the solitude of the highlands. Their majestic abodes, carved into the rocky summits, were all but unreachable by mortal feet. Many had tried to reach the giants’ homes, hoping to glimpse their mysterious world, but few returned from the attempt.
Mount Vollmar
At the center of Antara, the towering majesty of Mount Vollmar loomed. Its peak soared over 31,000 feet, crowned with ice and snow, surrounded by an endless expanse of lower mountain ranges. The journey through these mountains was perilous, and even the most seasoned climbers feared the wrath of Vollmar’s heights.
Caverns of Vollmar
Beneath Mount Vollmar, a series of yawning caverns plunged into the earth. Known as the Caverns of Vollmar, these dark, icy tunnels led deep into the Everdeep, a place whispered of in fearful tones. Here, in the shadow of the great mountain, lurked fearsome creatures—Tundra Ogres, Ice Worms, and the dreaded Winterkin. Few humans dared to explore these caverns, despite rumors of rich platinum veins hidden within. Some brave souls ventured into the depths, lured by the promise of treasure, but most never returned from the perilous descent.
Arctic Wildlife
Despite its harshness, Antara was home to a variety of wild creatures. Among them, the most common were wasteland birds, seals, and whales, along with the resilient grey oxen and wolfen foxes. Snow hawks soared through the skies, and common wolves prowled the frozen plains. Rarer still were the dire winter wolves, and only the luckiest—or unluckiest—might ever glimpse the elusive Thunder Bears, fierce and majestic, hidden deep within the northern wilderness.
Antara remained a realm of danger and wonder, where the icy winds carried ancient whispers, and the mountains stood like eternal sentinels, watching over a land that time had forgotten.