History and Geography of Midgard
Almost a millennium ago the land mass of Midgard was violently corrupted by a titanic struggle between two competing dynasties. In the North were the Gundvir and to the south the Porithians. Both sides controlled forces of magic so powerful that when the final battle commenced and the two sides collided a tremendous crack was caused in the earth and the very ground they stood upon opened and swallowed both armies. The Black Sea rushed into the gapping hole and covered the entire area. It is common belief that the "Windy Isles" is near where the great battle took place.
Through the ages the Gundvir have existed to conquer then retire back to their homelands, infrequently do they attempt to control or rule the people of the lands they defeat. A few unique individuals have succeeded in the past but eventually their empire faded or reverted to its old politics.
Several regions represent the ancient Gundvir people. Each region has splintered from the original barbaric empire. Each have undergone some change in custom and language to establish a particular flavor of their own. Cimmeria is located closest to the civilized lands where Nemedia and Aquilonia lie on its eastern boarders. Cimmeria is noted for its hilly nature. Little else is known of its people excepting those encountered elsewhere and they show signs of a fierce proud people. 
To the Northwest of Cimmeria is the region named Sif. This land is a rocky weather beaten place with a few scraggly trees here and there. The southern portion of Sif is dominated by a large mountain range with a towering mountain near the center of the region that can be seen from the sea
and always has snow on its upper peaks. The entire land mass is almost completely surrounded by ocean
except for the tiny isthmus that connects it to Cimmeria. Three different oceans encircle Sif, to the south lies the Black Sea, the Sea of Fate to the northwest and the Norse Sea to the east. The coastlines are lined with jagged peaks that look black from the sea. Little is known of the people that live here. A group of experienced soldiers, armed heavily, departed for Sif over fifty years ago and were never heard from again. Legends speak of Giants and Trolls that inhabit the region.
Vanaheim is a heavily forested isle with a mountain range in the northeast. The people of Vanaheim are noted sailors and vaunted ship builders. They maintain one of the largest fleets in all of Midgard. The people are called Vanites and their native tongue and written language are unique to Midgard. Several ethnic groups make up a diverse culture that live in small family hamlets who cooperate in trade and ship building. 
Asgard is located in the west of Hyperborea and north of Gunderland. Hilly countryside in the north gives way to flat pasture land in the south. Several large cities used to exist here, yet all have fallen and are in ruin due to the constant fighting amongst the warrior clans and attacks from the giants of Gunderland. The main language spoken here is the common Gutta and its various forms of slang. The Asgardians are typically cattle and goat herders always on the move in small family clans. A few clans reach numbers into the hundreds. 
Hyperborea lies east of Asgard and west of the border kingdoms home to thousands of dwarves. To the south is the land of giants, Gunderland. On the northern border is the north sea. The land varies from hilly and rocky to flat and forested. Hundreds of lakes are found in the western lowlands. The clans of Hyperborea are ruled by the emperor who lives in the "hollow hills" near the border kingdoms. A city of sorts, the "hollow hills" is a huge burrow built into the underground. The people speak Gutta and those dealing with the dwarves a bit of Dwarven. They trade heavily with the border kingdoms. A constant state of tension exists between the Hyperboreans and the giants of Gunderland. The emperor keeps a standing army of warrior clans to ward off invasion by the giant kind. 
Gunderland is home to the Giant kind, it lies south of Asgard and Hyperborea and it borders the Norse sea on its south and west flank. The region varies in terrain from hilly rocky outcroppings and deep gorges to monumental forests with huge trees that tower above even the giants. A small port village named Hum is known for finely made clothing for those hard to fit extra large humans. These giants are friendly and many can be found throughout the region. Several giant clans are at war with Hyperborea over border rights and infringements.
Kush is located on the southern fringe of Midgard. It’s neighbor to the east is Stygia and it’s northern and western boundary is the Black Sea. The climate is warm and dry providing enough harvest for the local population. Five leagues or so off the coast the land turns into a bleak desert that extends south for a interminable distance. The largest city is Xuthal, a port city that also is the domain of the king of Kush. The people are dark skinned, black haired and lanky. The native language is a variation on the Porithian tongue that can almost be mistaken for another as they butcher it by shortening and abbreviating the words that makes it hard to understand to natural born speakers of the common Porithian.
Stygia lies to the east of Kush and it also has the Black Sea as its northern boundary. It also quickly turns to desert off the coastline. The barrier mountains to the east is a impassable border with Argos. Shem is the largest city and houses the hierarchy of the Sygian rulers. They worship a serpent that is bound in a circle and appears to be eating its tail. They rule with a firm cruel hand with a low tolerance for crimes against the people. The people of Stygia speak a odd dialect that few in Midgard can understand. A noted characteristic of Stygians is the dark skin and black hair with unusually bushy eyebrows. 
Argos has boundaries with Stygia and the Barrier Mountains to the south, the Black Mountains and the Elven Kingdoms to the east and Zingara to the north. Dalos is the largest city and a port that resides on the west boundary which is the Black Sea. Argos is ruled by three separate entities that seat three Over Lords in the Council of Elders in Argos. One Over Lord represents the people and is elected through a complex semi-democratic process. Another Over Lord represents the land owners and bankers. Finally the last Over Lord is elected from the Temple of Forseti. Argos is a bountiful land with plenty of rain and sun for crops. Its people speak the common Porithian tongue.
Zingara lies north of Argos and west of the Black Mountains. To the north Zingara has boundaries with Aquilonia and Corinthia. The largest city is Asgrim and is referred to as the city of thieves. One of the largest independent nations in Midgard, Zingara is a vast timberland with large tracks cut for farming and villages. The river Oisa is the boundary with Aquilonia and a multitude of smaller branch streams and rivers feed it from Zingara. Corrupt from the King through the ruling class on down to the wealthy merchants this nation feeds on a frenzy of deceit and lies. The people speak the common Porithian tongue and suffer from the abusive aristocracy. 
Corinthia is situated north of Zingara and the Black Mountain, east and south of Koth and borders on the great wastes to the east and portions of the Elven Kingdoms. The oldest settlements of Midgard are located in Corinthia. The city of Caruth is noted for its ancient buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Similar to Zingara, Corinthia is a wealth of forest and easily cultivated land and it’s people speaking the common Porithian tongue do well in this climate. A large armed force is always active to prevent the nomad hordes that occasion to cross the great waste and invade the wealthy land. The people are noted for their height, blonde hair and broad shoulders. Corinthia has a monarch on the Throne but that is merely for appearances as the powerful baronies control this nation. 
Koth is located north of Corinthia and has boundaries that include the great waste to the east, the border kingdoms to the north, the Norse Sea and Nemedia to the west. Koth is a hilly wilderness that is not as populated as the other neighboring nations. The city of Zamora is completely walled in to prevent attacks from the Dwarves. The people are tall, pale of skin with redish hair and speak the common Porithian. Koth is ruled by the leader of the defense forces. 
Nemedia lies south of the Norse Sea and borders the wilderness of Cimmeria to the west and Koth to the East. To the south lies boundaries with Aquilonia and Corinthia. Considered a City-State, Nemedia’s climate of steady rain and cold winters leave little time for planting and harvesting. Trade with Aquilonia and Corinthia is brisk. Nemedia is divided into many small states that are ruled by the cities or major towns they encompass. The people are tall, pale of skin with redish hair and speak the common Porithian.
Aquilonia is the last nation of Midgard described in this journal and for good reason, it maintains the best troops, the wealthiest people and the grandest city of all, Kordava the city of dreams. Over looking the Black Sea this beautiful city sits atop a great rise of land extending above the ocean. A great wall around the perimeter discourages attack. The people are happy here, tall and strong with medium builds and thick brown hair. They speak the Porithian common tongue. The Emperor oversees the city and the land is divided into small districts that rule themselves. The land is rich for farming and plenty of timber is available for building. Aquilonia sits between two great rivers, the Oisa and the Mir. Both feed the nation with small streams and creeks.
This page © Copyright 1997, Scott Alexander