Overview
Vintergard is a cold mountain nation in Valrindor, with Kaldspire as its high-elevation capital. Svanhild and Halgarr keep the nation aligned with Skarnheim.
The nation sits on routes between Ashenford, Strothgard, Skarnheim, Rimvold, and Thundermarch. During the Shaper Attack on Rimvold and the darkness threat around Bjarnholt and Stormhaven, Vintergard answers Skarnheim's calls: Svanhild summons Vintergard's army, leads the vanguard against shapers near Rimvold, and sends Halgarr toward Bjarnholt when darkness threatens Stormhaven.
Geography
Vintergard is a snowy highland country of frosted peaks, near-vertical cliffs, forests, rivers, fjords, and cold roads. It borders Skarnheim across a fjord, stands west of Ereshval beyond a narrow ocean and high rock wall, and can be reached from Ashenford by way of Strothgard.
Roads descend along eastern cliffs toward Kaldspire, with the ocean far below and desert visible in the distance. The high country includes scattered villages, sparse mountain settlements, and harsh winter conditions that make fur-lined clothing and protected routes necessary.
Society and Travel
Vintergard's settlements use thick wooden construction, angular snow-bearing roofs, reinforced gates, heavy wool clothing, and guarded roads. Guards carry rune-marked axes, mages patrol walls, and travelers are questioned at guarded gates.
Runic magic powers daily movement and defense. Travelers ride rune-inscribed planks across snow and roads at high speed. Large cart animals pull goods with glowing rune-inscribed harnesses.
Rule and Alliances
Svanhild leads Vintergard from Kaldspire during the Shaper Attack on Rimvold and Skarnheim-led northern defense efforts. Halgarr is a Vintergard commander from the northern guard who handles guard checks, escorts, negotiations, and messages for Svanhild, Sigurd, Thorik, and their allies.
In diplomacy, Vintergard and Bjarnholt answer mostly to Skarnheim. Their own leaders conduct diplomacy, military commands, and negotiations. Garrik also seeks alliances and non-aggression pacts with Svanhild.
Features and Locations
- Kaldspire, Vintergard's high-elevation capital.
- Snowy mountains, near-vertical cliffs, high passes, forests, rivers, and fjords.
- Guarded gates with rune-armed guards and wall patrols.
- Rune-inscribed travel planks and rune-harnessed cart animals.
- A hidden mountain cave containing an ancient cosmic-blue flagship and guarded by white and yellow-orange birds.
History
By 2103 AX, Vintergard is a smaller nation formed after Uriandel's dominion splinters. Skarnheim maintains good relations with Vintergard, particularly with Kaldspire.
During the 2107 AX Fall of Malverand, Sylvia and Benedict use independent leaders from Kaldspire of Vintergard as their cover for meetings with Raphael. Raphael demands Vintergard's obedience and orders them to disclose any sightings of Isandriel and his followers, and parts of Vintergard later slip back under Malverand control alongside Crosford and Ashenford.
During Eira's northern route across Valrindor, Eira, Lythariel, and Silas pass from Ashenford through Vintergard on their way toward Skarnheim and Thundermarch. At the guarded border, Halgarr allows them passage after judging them capable mages. Svanhild later receives them in Kaldspire and directs them toward Thundermarch by way of Skarnheim.
Vintergard continues to join Skarnheim-led diplomacy and military planning. Svanhild can summon Vintergard's army for Skarnheim's response to the Shaper Attack on Rimvold and the darkness threat around Bjarnholt and Stormhaven. Halgarr escorts envoys, carries messages, and opens talks involving Bjarnholt and Haverloch.
During Xarion's high-mountain journey, Xarion, Jin, Aelius, and Drendyll travel into Vintergard's peaks to reach a hidden cave containing an ancient cosmic-blue flagship. Later flights along the narrow ocean place Vintergard west of Ereshval, with steep rock walls, high mountains, and heavy snow near the coast.