Críochan

Críochan is an area in The Lowlands province, which encompasses the Imperial county of Chrichheim. It is bordered by the North and Mid Lows to the west, the county of Isernheim to the east, and the Vampiric Union to the south. The largest settlement is the hamlet of Monamaol.
Sometimes the more general name 'Borderland' is used to refer to the area - particularly in Isernheim's own border areas.
== Geography ==
Críochan features a geography that is as varied as it is dramatic. The area is characterized by rolling hills and fertile valleys that make up the bulk of its terrain, ideal for both agriculture and as natural defences against Vampiric incursions from the south. The northern part of Críochan exhibits more rugged and forested landscapes, which gradually soften into gentler pastures as one moves southward towards the border with the Vampiric Union. The weather in Críochan is typically temperate with marked seasonal changes - winters can be harsh and biting, especially in the elevated regions, while summers are mild and conducive to growing seasons.
== Economy ==
Críochan's economy is a combination of agriculture, trade, and military presence. The fertile valleys of Críochan are utilized extensively for farming, producing a variety of crops and supporting livestock that feed both the local population and nearby areas. This agricultural productivity is complemented by skilled craftsmanship in textiles and leatherwork, industries that have developed to utilize the raw materials produced locally. Additionally, its position as an important border area necessitates a significant investment in military infrastructure and the garrisoning of troops, which, in turn, supports a range of service industries from blacksmithing to provisioning. Trade roads to and from Isernheim also facilitate a small but necessary service industry for travellers and merchants.
== Wildlife ==
=== Flora ===
Críochan's flora is a lush and vibrant testament to the region's fertile landscapes. The rolling hills and expansive valleys are dotted with a tapestry of wildflowers, including heather, bluebells, and gorse, which paint the landscape with bursts of colour and provide food for local wildlife. Dense woodlands comprised of oak, ash, and elm are interspersed with hidden groves where luminous mosses and whispering vines grow, which are said to move and respond to the presence of creatures. Along the riverbanks, willows and alders thrive, their roots intertwining with the waterways, creating lush, green corridors that are crucial for the ecosystem’s balance and beauty.
=== Fauna ===
Críochan's fauna supports a variety of species well-adapted to both its pastoral and forested terrains. The fields and meadows are home to foxes, hares, and a plethora of bird species, including skylarks and curlews, whose calls embellish the rural soundscape. The woodlands provide shelter for red squirrels, badgers, and roe deer. Streams and rivers teeming with trout and salmon attract otters and herons.
=== Atypical Species ===
Like all parts of Magnula, there are various kinds of creature that live here that don't conform to typical bestial classifications. A popular legend amongst the local populace speaks of mist hounds, spiritual beings that resemble domestic dogs. It is said they roam Críochan's more rural areas on misty mornings and that their howls are signs of incoming misfortune. A significantly rarer, but infinitely more imposing, presence is that of the hill giants which are said to wander the area's higher and more isolated locations. More often than not, their presence is only marked by knocked-over trees or large footprints. Undead monstrosities from across the Vampiric Union's border can also sometimes wander in Críochan, where they not doubt cause havoc for travellers and citizens.
== Settlements and Landmarks ==
* Monamaol - a small hamlet. Mainly agricultural, it also hosts the Imperial fort of Trinuic as well as the ruins of an old abbey that are considered culturally significant to the settlement.
== Trivia ==
* Críochan is inspired by the Scottish Borders area, an inspiration that is perhaps most clearly reflected in Críochan's other name, Borderland.