Today I had a bad case of procrastination — between the new season of “Orange is the New Black” and finally having a copy of the new Dresden novel. I’ve only got a bit before I have to get ready to leave for work for the day as I’m typing this sentence.
So, I figured I’d do something quick, simple and still substantial. Then, after a few minutes of brainstorming, I decided to talk a little more about the frontier city-state of Halifar, which, is located in the Harlifaran Tundra.
As know either remembered or now read, this city-state is is surrounded by tundra: cold-temperature grasses, pine forests, mountains and fjords.
The city itself is located in one of the few area long the coast where land is at sea level, and with the fjords surrounding it on either side, it is easily defensible from sea.
On the land, the city is ringed by a large wooden palisade made from the iron pine tree. This wall is meant to keep barbarians and arctic elves turned back.
In fact, at one point, the iron pine was common in the northern areas but has become rare from overuse when it was a major export from the northern outpost during the Blue Empire’s hay day. Now, its harvest is closely controlled by the regent who rules for the Blue Emperor. As such, it is very expensive, and lumberjacks who cut the trees are specially trained and have travel deep into the forests to find the trees — all while turning back arctic elves that seek to prevent them from harvesting.
Fishing and whaling are also major industries in the city-state. Salmon and sturgeon are popular catches, as are the caviar that fishmongers sell to the southern city-states are high prices. Shellfish is another major source of high-priced comodities. But whale oil and perfumes are the most lucrative of the trade-goods pulled from the northern waters. In fact, in this city-state, a prevailing tale is that the goddess Orisana stepped from the waters in otterskin leathers and taught a young man the art of whaling.
Then, of course, with the various forms of furred wildlife creates a fairly decent pelt trade. White foxes, minks, polar bears, griffins and the occasional white dragon provide exotic materials for furriers and tanners in business.
Despite also facing the has environ, as I’ve already mention, the greatest threat to the city-state are barbarians. The primitive tribes of the north are fierce warriors and primarily survive by raiding. The arctic elves, however, have seen the destructive ways the city-state’s residents have exploited the natural resources of the area. They don’t always attack the city, but attack those who try and harvest iron pine or catch the whales of the sea.
I think you’ve got a fairly good idea what this area is like. However, I did want to mention that, in two weeks, I won’t have a post up. I’ll be on vacation and will take a break. You’ll still get one more post next week before the break, so savor it and this one.
The Bloodrift Canticles 