The Geography of the Northlands

Each nation has its own currency, but not all money is accepted everywhere. The Freuhaven currency is the most widely accepted currency in the Northlands because the Free City of Freuhaven has a stable economy and government, and if Freuhaven fails, everything is lost anyway. The Freuhaven coinage is as follows:
1 platinum noble =
5 gold imperials =
10 electrum orbs =
50 silver marks =
500 copper commons

The Ullysian currency, another widely used money south and west of the Marvent Sea, is as follows:
1 platinum besant =
5 gold drachma =
10 electrum hyperpyrons =
50 silver denarii =
500 copper nomisma

The Cassenddian krone (1gp) and nib (1 sp), Karmani galleon (1 gp) and moon (1 sp), Marbleheader crown (1 gp) and tricrown (3 gp), and Swordslands lion (1 gp) and falcon (1 sp) are also widely used, although on a more regional scale. If coin from an enemy or far-away nation is used, it is generally accepted at 50-70% of its face value, if at all.

In the south, Freuhaven's reputation is not as well known, and many shopkeepers view northerners suspiciously, so most businesses will accept Havener coinage at 50-90% of its face value. In addition, some southern businessmen test the authenticity of their coins by imprinting a stamp on the coin to test its malleability. Freuhaven has outlawed this practice and any coin with southern imprints marring it will likely be valued at 70-90% of its face value.

Before the wars, there were two trade fair routes that merchants would travel every spring. The Crescent Fair is a series of trade fairs starting in Rylkennen, Cassenddy, went through Westmarch and Kelgaard down through Eastfair, Kammerander and ended in Pummelford, with some traders continuing on to Oelnitz in Chalteran. A competing route, the Imperial March, has roots further back in history, but has lost some prominence with the breakup of the Karmani Empire. It starts in Oelnitz and winds up the coast to Karming and back down the other side through Alamayn to Fredericksburg. Since the wars, however, trade along both fair routes is down substantially, as they both pass through dangerous areas.

Many countries are still recovering from the wars of the last decade, and there are often material shortages and higher costs as a result. In the northern countries devastated by the Dark Wars, bartering is the surest means of trade on the common level and transportation of goods has fallen drastically due to the war, roads in disrepair, and banditry.

Dwarves of the Northlands tend not to settle in territory dominated by other races to a large degree. They rule two countries, Haakon and Lunderholm and are also found in the Iron Hills and Tuornen Highlands near Freuhaven, in the Wolfsbaen Mountains and all along the Crystal Mysts. Many dwarves can also be found in the besieged city of Seagate, in Gran Lausanne, Medinine, and in the Needles. Dwarves from Haakon and Lunderholm keep to themselves and most rarely interact with humans and other demihumans. Those dwarves living in the outside world are much more friendly towards other races.

Elves are few and far apart. Most left in the Great Migration in 1Pd to go to unknown lands to the east. As a result, there is a lot of discrimination and prejudice against them because they are so few in number. There is one large enclave of elves still in the Northlands, in the Vyllanor Forest centered around Eriandren. This group of elves has become increasingly isolated, due to the massive humanoid activity in the northern reaches of the forest. Other elven centers include Freuhaven, Gran Lausanne, and Quedlinberg.

Gnomes are found throughout the Northlands in almost as great numbers as the dwarves. They don't keep to themselves as much and are found in all parts of society. Many gnomes live in the northern Iron Hills near Hasthness, in mountains of Ullysia, and in Windemere Range of Shennendam.

Halflings have no nations of their own and are not very numerous. There are halfling communities in Freuhaven, Karming and the Vyllanor Forest.