Arnhelm

Arnhelm was a snowy tundra, south of the Forsaken Wastes, and frequently seen as a first line of defence against Forsaken raiders coming south during the spring and summer months. The native humans were known as Arnhelmings, and had a proud culture of proving oneself through combat.

Arnhelm also bordererd the Sea of Ice to the east, and the kingdom of Harposs, to the south east. They were frequently at war with the slavers of Harposs, though they allied with them just as frequently.

Geography
Arnhelm was a moderately large country, predominantly tundra, due to its' northern position. The Thanegrav foothills covered most of the kingdoms' northern border, and the central and southern areas of Arnhelm were dotted with lakes and forests. Most of the terrain was fairly flat, with fields of tall grass being predominant to the south.

It was bordered by the Sea of Ice to the east, the country of Hadrask, to the north, and the Forsaken Wastes beyond that. The slaver nation of Harposs sat to the south east, and Morovel, the land of sorcerers, sat to the south. To the east was the Frosty Mire, home to dozens of orcish tribes.

Climate
The north and north east parts of Arnhelm are generally frigid, and warm up to 'chilly' during the summer months. This is due largely in part to the cold air constantly blowing from the Sea of Ice. Most of the north is covered in snow year round, but the top layer of ice and snow does melt away the further south one goes.

Regions
Thanegrav Foothills- Foothills stretching along the northern border of Arnhelm, so many battles have been fought in this region that it is nearly impossible to take a hundred steps in any direction without finding some relic of a past battle.

History
Founded by the great raider known as Hafjorg Hundgrim, Arnhelm was free of elven dominance, for the most part. The land itself was not especially fertile, it bordered the Sea of Ice, granting the settlers a bounty of seals and other sea dwelling creatures.

The Arnhelmings had good relations with a small outpost of dwarves during their early days, trading and defending each other from bands of marauding orcs and forsaken. While the dwarves remained a minority, their metalworking skills were greatly appreciated.

The capital, Tronjhel, was built several years later, inland, and to the south of the Thanegrav foothills. Tronjhel would be besieged several times during its' early years, and razed to the ground twice.

It speaks to the hardiness of the Arnhelmings that they not only rebuilt their capital, they learned from their mistakes, and rebuilt it twice as strong as the last time. Eventually, the capital was one of the most impressive cities in Arnhelm, and perhaps better fortified than some of the border forts.

After the fall of the kingdom of Hadrask, and their people becoming refugees and mercenaries, Arnhelm became the front line against the hordes of Forsaken. While they were no strangers to fighting the northern savages, they ended up fighting on two fronts. It was only with the aid of the Harpossan fleets and a surprise attack by a massive orc horde that allowed the people of Arnhelm to survive the onslaught.

Because of the constant threat of orc and forsaken invastions, the people of Arnhelm developed a culture largely based around combat and honour. Jarbrarda, the god of righteous strength, is the primary deity for most of the country. Most towns are fortified in some manner, and a line of watchtowers and forts were constructed along the northern border and the coast of the sea.