Aaldan Plateau
The Aaldan Plateau is a vast raised plateau mostly ringed by the Altain mountains, but bordered on the east side by the Twinkling Fields and the massive Ox-Birch Cut on the west. The pass at Altair and at Balient’s Breach are both cursed and shunned – leaving the west as the only safe way in and out of the area for the living. It is mostly a level elevation, with rolling hills and plains. Before the fall of Dundaria and endless winter, it was not populated over-much. The plateau is prone to high winds and cold air, but the mountains were rich and near mountain grasslands perfect for grazing and raising hearty grains. The heartiest of souls dared to make a living here in both past and present. Now the plateau is nothing more than a defensive measure against the Lich Lords. The populace here, like North Gate garrison, is given aid and supplies for their endless battle with the Lich Lords – mostly through allies in the north as relations with the High King of Oerdney are not good. A series of towers, special built to withstand the freezing rains, raging winds, and frozen climate after ages of experience and failure are scattered in various lines of defense and provision. The ever-fire towers burn in constant vigilance, standing watch over the fields of approach to the east. Their main defense is the ice (ironically mainly created by the sorcerous powers of their foes), channeled and directed against the undead foes the come from fallen Dundaria to the east.
Like their larger organized neighbors in the Free City of Kaald, the denizens adhere and practice the Freelander Way and look down upon those who “Cause a Stirring”. The many freeholds of the plateau nominally look to the powerful Freeland of Kaald to represent them – they are united by cause and culture.
A series of freeholds run from west to east along the southern edges, c each centered around the holdings of several families making a clan.
- Antrea ; Sortavala clan
Population: approx 11000 - Bashanta; Arsenyev clan
Population: approx 16000 - Kasivabora ; Tomari clan
Population: approx 9000 - Orenburg ; Volkhov clan
Population: approx 15000 - Osinovka; Skovorodino clan
Population: approx 21000 - Tashino; Kurganinsk clan
Population: approx 13000
There are a large number of abandoned watchtowers that dot the landscape. The crumbling base of an ancient watchtower is a good place to stop and rest. Dreams will be fitful, rest will come hard and memories of the battles fought at the ruins invade the dreams of the characters.