Niflheim is an icebound, arctic wilderness, which is home to thriving populations
of Ice Giants and Winter Dragons. Flesh-scouring blizzards whip across the
mountain plateaus of the interior, where the whiteness is broken by ice-blue
glaciers and mysterious lakes, whose waters resemble quicksilver.
Islands of life
The fjords and coves Niflheim's southern coast are inhabited by the Northmen,
a hardy race of pale-skinned, black-haired humans. The northmen are a seafaring
people, who trade, fish and stage the occasional raid on more fertile lands
to the south. Their architecture resembles that of the Mahirim, but it is simpler
and shorn of most decorative features. Typically, the houses of Northman villages
are huddled close under the protection of solid landward walls. The Northmen
rely almost exclusively on ocean travel, and few roads connect their settlements,
which are like islands under siege by sea and ice.
The warlord
Six years ago, an Ice Demon called Illgarm arrived in Niflheim. He has spent
the last couple of years gathering monsters under his rule, and he recently
coerced the leaders of several Northman communities into joining his cause.
As a result of his spurring, Northman raids have grown frequent, and some of
them have been co-ordinated (or at least simultaneous) with land-raids by rampaging
monsters. Northman ships have been transporting giants, ice dwarves and other
monsters across the sound separating Niflheim from the Icegard, and many monster
camps have sprung up on the mainland's frozen northern shore.
Illgarm is building an enormous castle, which is to serve as his foremost
seat of power. Though few have seen it, the castle is reputed to be of truly
gargantuan size. It is being constructed by Ice Dwarves and Ice Giants on a
large, permanently frozen lake in the heart of Niflheim.
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