The Highlands

While few settlements can be found in the Highlands due to the Hold's small size, the few that are present are by no means insignificant. Listed below are these settlements.

• Hjarvat: Situated on the banks of Lake Headwater, Hjarvat is the capital of the Highlands and the largest city in the Hold. Unlike other settlements in the region, Hjarvat's economy is focused on agriculture and freshwater fishing as opposed to mining. The city sits in one of the few areas in Kalvete with soil that allows for farming, but the region is still limited to certain crops that originate from the Highlands. Hjarvat also holds a great historical and cultural significance to Kalvete, being the birthplace of the Valkyries. These warriors of old not only played an important role in the Marsigur Wars that founded the Kingdom, but the Valkyrie Festival held in their honor each year is an important aspect of life in the Highlands. Furthermore, Hjarvat is a notable hotspot for Kalvetian cuisine, with restaurants that were established and run by some of the Kingdom's greatest chefs.
• Risinngard: Risinngard is found in the south of the Highlands, nestled against the base of the Spine of the North. Its location in the mountains has made it quite the productive mining town, providing ample resources to the Highlands and the rest of Kalvete. While things are mostly quiet in and around the town, the nearby mountains do hold ancient remnants of Kalvete's past. Chief among these is the Titan's Throne: A massive throne carved from the very mountains for the Giant race. While the trek to the Throne is dangerous, many choose to brave the journey to uncover its secrets.
• Háumdal: Found in the northern regions of the Highlands, Háumdal is a small mining town near the source of the Hofá River. Alongside its lucrative mining industry, the town also sits at one end of the Northern Rift. As the Rift is the only navigable route to the Hold of Nordisk, Háumdal is the closest settlement to the region and plays a major role in exporting necessary resources to such an isolated region. As such, the town has greatly benefitted from the large number of travelers who pass through the area.

The Highlands consist of mountainous forests and pristine waterways, nestled within which are locations important to the Kingdom's culture and history.

The Highlands are located on Hátlön Plateau: A region of foothills to the west of the Spine of the North. Where the Hátlön doesn't meet the Spine, dramatic rock walls drop into the rest of the Kingdom below. Covered in somewhat sparse taiga and rocky landscapes, the geography of the plateau contributes to a more humid environment and sees somewhat frequent rain and snow. The soil in the Highlands is also noticeably more fertile than other Holds in Kalvete, being one of the few places in the Kingdom that supports an albeit limited agriculture industry. The Hátlön has one of the most unique environments present in all of Kalvete through its isolation, which has attracted settlers throughout the Kingdom's history.

While none of the waterways in the Highlands are navigable, they still have played a crucial role for those living here. The capital of the Highlands, Hjarvat, sits on the banks where the Frásnúr River flows out of Lake Headwater. Alongside providing drinking water, it contributes to the fertility of the region's soil and greatly benefits the Highlands' small agriculture industry. Alongside the Frásnúr, the Hofá River also begins its journey to the sea in the Highlands. Many other, smaller streams and creeks flow through the Hold as tributaries to these major rivers, which further contribute to the region's humidity.

Beyond its unique environment, the Highlands are also home to countless places that hold great historical significance. Primarily, the Highlands were home to the Valkyries: A group of female warriors who greatly contributed to the formation of the Kingdom. To honor their legacy, the Valkyrie Festival is held annually to grant young women to follow their precedent and prove themselves as Valkyries in their own right. In addition to the Valkyries and their legacy, the Highlands has a notable history in Kalvetian cuisine. The great chef Gorm Ramsison, who was known across the Kingdom, lived in Hjarvat all his life and opened the restaurant Gorm's Hearth, which remains open to this day. But the history of the Highlands extends even further into the past, with the Titan's Throne being one of Asobria's few standing remnants of the Giant race.

The Highlands' economy is one of the most diverse in the Kingdom of Kalvete, with multiple significant industries that contribute greatly to the nation. The largest is easily mining, taking advantage of the abundant ore within the Spine of the North. As the Hátlön Plateau also has uniquely fertile soil compared to other regions, however, the agriculture industry is also a major facet of the Highlands' economy. This has proven especially beneficial in recent years, as the Holy Empire of Acolytius has conquered the rest of the Kingdom's arable land. Finally, the Hold also has small industries in fishing and logging, despite these being easily overshadowed by other Holds. While the Highlands are quite small compared to other Holds in the Kingdom, it still pulls its weight in the nation's economy.

The current governing body of the Highlands is listed below:

• The current Jarl of the Highlands is Blagr Nikolasson.
• The current Lawspeaker of the Highlands is Frodí Astridsson.
• The current Hersir of the Highlands is Katla Gruthlsdottir.
• The current Ilker of the Highlands is Freydis Gruthlsdottir.