Overview
Bjarnholt is a southern Valrindor land of fjords and forests led by Thorik. Its capital is Stormhaven, which guards Stormhaven Strait. Through Thorik, Bjarnholt joins Skarnheim, Vintergard commanders such as Halgarr, and the Skarnheim Alliance against the spreading darkness; Stormhaven and northern Bjarnholt become front-line territory.
Geography
Bjarnholt has rugged forests, cliffs, narrow fjords, coastal waters, and ports used by traditional longships and foreign vessels. Stormhaven stands on a small hill on the southern side of Stormhaven Strait, with a large bridge crossing the narrow waterway toward Bjarnholt's northern side.
Sea routes connect Bjarnholt with nearby powers such as Haverloch. After Lythariel clears much of the darkness, trade routes linking Bjarnholt with Haverloch cities become more efficient, and Brighthaven skyships are visible over the region.
Darkness surge
During the Valrindor darkness surge, Bjarnholt is hit after a long quiet period. Territories fall quickly, the darkness creatures grow stronger, thousands are gone, and Stormhaven is at risk. When Jin reaches Stormhaven, the wall of darkness has nearly reached the city, villages beyond the defenses are gone, and local guards and mages are holding the front with rune-forged weapons.
Lythariel defends Bjarnholt directly. She travels there to fight the darkness, holds it back around Stormhaven, and later clears large areas of corrupted land, turning them fertile again. By a later stage, she has cleared much of northern Bjarnholt. Occasional patches still grow from essence overuse.
Alliances and Later Activity
Bjarnholt takes part in Valrindor diplomacy through Thorik. Garrik meets Thorik as Kaldaryn expands, Sigurd and Thorik seek Kaldaryn's aid against Varnhallow and the darkness, and Halgarr brings Vianna and Virel to negotiate with Thorik over passage and refugee support.
Bjarnholt also sends forces beyond its own front. Thorik, Lythariel, and Bjarnholt-aligned mages join Virel and allied forces around Rimvold, committing Bjarnholt to Virel's attempt to retake Rimvold from Zain.