Norska is a frozen, unforgiving land, shaped by the primal forces of elemental chaos. Its barren tundras, frigid winds, and perpetual blizzards make it one of the most inhospitable regions in the known world. However, Norska was not always a land of such bitter cold. Its current state is the result of the cataclysmic battle between Borealis, the once benevolent deity of winter, and Skald, the Elementari of Ice. The remnants of their colossal clash seeped into the land, imbuing Norska with an elemental essence of cold that has gripped the region in an unrelenting perma-frost ever since.
Clash of The Colossus
Before its descent into eternal winter, Norska was a land of seasonal cold, but one where life could endure. That changed when Borealis, then a protector of the cold northern winds, engaged Skald, a colossal Elementari of Ice, in a battle that forever altered the region. The two titanic beings fought fiercely, clashing with elemental force and fury that reshaped the landscape.
Though Borealis managed to imprison Skald beneath a great glacier, the lingering presence of Skald's elemental power seeped into the land. As Borealis fought and ultimately succumbed to the despair of being unable to defeat the titan outright, his essence became corrupted. This despair, combined with Skald's lingering frost, transformed Norska into a land blanketed in eternal winter. The elemental energy of cold permeated the soil, creating a realm where ice never melts and the air itself chills to the bone.
The unrelenting winter twisted Borealis as well. Once a benevolent god, he became a deity of chaos and despair, his corrupted power spreading through the land. His influence extended to the nomadic tribes who once lived in relative peace, turning them into savage, war-hardened people who embraced the brutal conditions and worshipped the Khaos gods. Thus, the nomadic tribes became the Unknowns and the Tribes of Khaos, forever changed by the corruption of their land and god.
Howl of Everwinter
Today, Norska is covered in a rime of unending frost. The landscape is a desolate mix of frozen tundra, jagged ice-covered mountains, and glaciers that stretch for miles. Snowstorms are a constant, with violent maelstroms and blizzards sweeping across the land with little warning. The southern regions of Norska are particularly volatile, where the collision of cold and hot air patterns from the Forlorn Flames of Fyrashan to the south creates deadly ashen blizzards and severe weather patterns.
Only the strongest, most resilient creatures and people can survive in this harsh environment. The Ice Wyrms and Rhemoraz, enormous predatory creatures that prowl the frozen wastelands, are a constant threat to those who dare to cross the tundras. Meanwhile, the Norskans themselves have adapted to this brutal land, their bodies hardened by the cold, their minds sharpened by the constant struggle for survival.
The Tribes of Khaos
The corruption of Borealis also led to the rise of the Tribes of Khaos. Once peaceful nomads, the tribes were twisted by the eternal winter and the dark influence of their corrupted god. The Norskans now worship the gods of Khaos, including Borealis in his new form as the god of despair and endless winter. The tribes have become savage warriors, raiding and pillaging across Norska and beyond, their lives driven by the need to survive in such a brutal and unrelenting environment.
Though they are often at war with each other, the Tribes of Khaos will unite under the banner of a Warrior-King, becoming a near-unstoppable force of wrath and destruction. Their raids are infamous, striking fear into the southern lands, particularly the Y’azi Empire, which has been devastated by Norskan incursions.
Ancestry of the Cloud Giants
Legends tell of a time when Norska was the ancestral home of the ancient Cloud Giant, massive beings who lived in the clouds of Anauroch. It is said that the Cloud Giants ruled over Norska long before the rise of the Tribes of Khaos and that their great citadels still remain hidden in the mist-shrouded mountains. While few have ever encountered these giants in modern times, their legacy persists in the myths and stories of the Norskan people.
A Land of Survival
Norska is a land where only the strong survive. The brutal winters, the endless snowstorms, and the constant threat of predatory beasts make it a place where weakness is not tolerated. The people of Norska are shaped by their environment, becoming warriors of unparalleled strength and resilience. Whether battling the elements or their enemies, the Norskans are relentless, driven by a need to conquer or die.
In the end, Norska stands as a testament to the power of nature and the corruption of gods. It is a land where survival is a constant battle, and where the line between life and death is often as thin as the ice that covers its frozen wastes.