Kaldtor

In the days after the Gloom, in the young, violent days of Ash Fall, those who survived the cataclysm emerged to find a dark, cold land filled with the most vile creatures of Sycharia. Banding together, were-blood humans, goblinkin, small folk, orc clans, giantkin, and the last of the dwarven empire of Ghimlinor fought to clear the land for civilized people. Naming their land Kaldtor, the fur clad people built sanctuaries surrounded by high wooden walls. Inside, in ornate longhouses, the jarls ruled with order in the wilderness of chaos. Whether the rigid military society of the Bear Clans or the seafaring longships of Hajeland, the people of Kaldtor live hard, fight to the death, and are fierce believers in their ancient Primal Gods.  

In Kaldtor, there are numerous smaller clans focused around providing an essential service to the Jarls: farming, logging, mining, hunting, textiles, weapon making, etc. Each of these smaller clans declares allegiance to a regional Jarl and are led by karls. Jarldoms are not hereditary. Any person willing to make a claim to the seat of the jarl must be elected by the karls.

There are currently five Jarls in Kaldtor.  Jarl King Jorg of the Bear Clans (goblinkin), Jarl Queen Jamilia of the Wolf Clans (were-blood and human), Jarl King Durbler of the Aegir Clans (small folk), and Jarl King Matithion of the Raven Clans (giantkin), and Jarl Queen Uhtreh of the Hellir Clan (orc and dwarf).  There is no easy peace in Kaldtor. Jarl Kings are relentlessly territorial and clans have centuries old feuds between smaller clans. Although there are trade agreements with the Deliverer Barrens Trade Alliances, the Northern Kingdom, and Tidestone, each agreement is negotiated with the Jarl. Battles for the right to trade the rich iron of the Mines of Ghimlinor, the logging of old growth trees, and the rich grains of the Fuglelands lead to violent battles, regular hostage-taking, and hostage-exchanges. Moreover, producing a hybrid species is considered a triumph in the region. Finding people of mixed-species heritage (Ohrien: impure) is common and they are not allowed to lead but are considered thralls in every region except Ulvescov.