Nord Highlands

Nord Highlands (ノルド高原) is an independent mountainous region northeast of Erebonia, northwest of Calvard and south of Remiferia.
== Background ==
Historically, the Nord Highlands have deep ties with Erebonia, yet they are not formally part of the Empire. The Eisengard Range serves as a natural barrier between the two. Apart from two Imperial military bases, the Zender Gate and the Watchtower, and one unnamed Republic base, the Nord Highlands consists mainly of vast expanses and a Nomadic Settlement.
Nord Highlands is known for their breeding and raising of horses. Most of the war horses used by the Imperial Army of Erebonia descended from Highland stock. The horses raised for Erebonia are one of the nomads' primary sources of income. The Golden Stallion, Erebonia's coat of arms, is said to depict a Nord-raised warhorse.
The Nord Nomads live in the Highlands in the northern part of the Empire. They are known throughout Erebonian history as people of spiritual faith, living their everyday life hunting and stock breeding. The people of this region have been nomads since ancient times, with their livelihood revolving around tending sheep and horses in these pastures.
=== Landmarks ===
 The most notable landmark is a gigantic statue in the northern side. According to the legends, the enormous statue represents the Guardian that once sealed away an evil djinn in the ancient quarry. Other legends suggest that this is the same Guardian that gave the nomads' ancestors permission to inhabit the Nord Highlands.
The statue reminded Jusis Albarea of a tale that originated in the Dark Ages and spread throughout the Empire: "When the land roils with the tide of war, a colossal knight, wreathed in flame, will come forth to quell the conflict."
Other landmarks include an ancient quarry in the northeast, the triangular shaped rock at the center of the southern fields, and the Stone Circle, a ring of standing stones in the southern field. The Stone Circle acts as an access point to the Spirit Path.
The statue is actually the empty shell of Lost Zem, Sept-Terrion of Earth. 1200 years prior, around the time of the Great Collapse, the body of Lost Zem landed here after the final clash with Ark Rouge, Sept-Terrion of Fire, over Osgiliath Basin that resulted in the creation of the Great One. Ark Rouge's remains can be found on Bryonia Island, off the coast near Ordis.
=== History ===
Ruins spread through the Nord Highlands reveal that it was once inhabited by a Neolithic civilization, presumably prior to the Great Collapse. The presence of the Animist stone circles, the Ancient Quarry and the wind's importance in Nord culture are all remnants of this ancient civilization. 
Dreichels Reise Arnor, an illegitimate son of the deceased Emperor Valius Reise Arnor V, had been shunned by his family and moved to the Nord Highlands. There, his noble nature and disposition endeared him to the locals and he was accepted. After the War of the Lions started, Dreichels was visited by his childhood friend Roland Vander, who revealed the plight of the empire and the worsening war. Dreichels resolved to enter the conflict, joined by several trusted spear-wielding warriors of Nord who formed the core of his army. The descendents of this group, such as Wallace Bardias can still be found in the empire in the present.
== ==
=== Background ===
The Nord Highlands are Class VII Group A's third field study location. Rean, Alisa, Emma, Jusis and Gaius arrive at the end of their first day to the Nomadic Settlement, the home of the latter. The next day, Lacan Worzel, Gaius' father, gives them their tasks. 
On the evening of the second day, they meet Gwyn Reinford, Alisa's grandfather, at Lake Lacrima, and bring him back to the settlement to help fix their truck. During the night, the Imperial Army Watchtower is attacked at the same time as the Republican base. Group A learns of the attack the following morning and witness the Imperial and Republican armies preparing for retaliation.
After an investigation on the Watchtower, Group A deduces the attack came from the highlands. They discover the mortars used to attack the tower, and spot the same flying figure as the Aurochs Fort intruder from the previous field study. They chase Millium Orion to the Stone Circle, where she challenges them to a battle. After defeating her and Airgetlam, she reveals she's after the culprits of the attacks on both armies, leading Group A to the Ancient Quarry where they're hiding.
War is ultimately avoided with the arrest of the culprits and the intervention of Lechter Arundel, captain of the Intelligence Division and member of the Ironbloods, group that Millium is also a part of.
=== Maps ===
<tabber>
|-|South=
South
|-|North=
North
</tabber>
=== Enemies ===
==== South ====
* Winged Snake
* Grass Hopper
* Ostrich
* Brutal Buffa
* Brutal Infant
* Rhinocider
* Thunder Loach
* Thunder Quaker
* Millium
==== North ====
* Stony Croaker
* Infant Drango
* White Fang
* Zaurtoise
* Creepy Sheep
* Hippogriff
* Stone Golem
=== Treasure Chests ===
Area 	Key	Contents
South	1 	Monsters: Rhinocider, Thunder Loach, Grass Hopper ×5
South	1 	Suzaku
South	2 	All Sepith ×200
South	3 	Saintly Force
South	4 	Monsters: Rhinocider, Thunder Loach, Grass Hopper ×5
South	4 	Flame Tongue
South	5 	Chrono Drive
South	6 	Tearal Balm
South	7 	EP Charge III
South	8 	Soft Stole
North	9 	Tearal Balm
North	10 	Monsters: Hippogriff ×2, Infant Drango ×6
North	10 	Byakko
North	11 	Dark Matter
North	12 	All Sepith ×200
North	13 	Earth Pulse
North	14 	Groundbait
North	15 	Heat Up
North	16 	Monsters: Hippogriff ×2, Infant Drango ×6
North	16 	Harvest
=== Quests ===
*Turning Over a New Leaf: The Epona Grass is found at various spots in the South highlands.
*Return to Zender: Thunder Quaker can be found on the south central area of the South highlands.
*Cameraman Caravan: Norton can be found in front of the Guardian's statue in the North highlands.
*Wandering Sheep: Two of the sheep are found in the South highlands, and three in the North highlands.
*Nord Highlands - North Monster: Stone Golem can be found at the southwest of the North highlands.
=== Fishing ===
Location 	Fish 	Beginner Rod	Deluxe Rod	Lakelord Star
Nord Highlands - North 	Gray Crab 	52.63% 	33.33% 	—
Nord Highlands - North 	Rockeater 	31.58% 	33.33% 	—
Nord Highlands - North 	Salamander 	15.79% 	33.33% 	—
Nord Highlands - North(New Game +)	Gray Crab 	50.76% 	27.03% 	8.7%
Nord Highlands - North(New Game +)	Rockeater 	30.46% 	27.03% 	8.7%
Nord Highlands - North(New Game +)	Salamander 	15.22% 	27.03% 	21.74%
Nord Highlands - North(New Game +)	Queen Crab 	2.03% 	10.81% 	34.78%
Nord Highlands - North(New Game +)	Pale Salamander	1.52% 	8.11% 	26.09%
== ==
=== Background ===
After the start of the October War the Watchtower came under attack of Calvardian and Noble Alliance forces from both sides, leaving the 3rd Armored Division cut off from the rest of the Imperial Army through the use of an orbal jammer. With the battles coming near, the nomads moved their settlement further north to Lake Lacrima.
Rean and his allies travel to the highlands through the Spirit Path in search of more Class VII members, witnessing a skirmish between the Noble Alliance and the 3rd Armored Division soon after arriving. After traveling to Zender Gate and learning of their dire situation, they head to the previous nomad settlement, where they're ambushed by a Nidhoggr squad, working under the Alliance. After the intervention of Gaius, the jaegers retreat, with the others noticing that their communications are still functional.
Gaius takes Rean and the rest to the new settlement at Lake Lacrima, and then to the northeast area of the highlands where Gwyn, Alisa and Millium were investigating the source of the interference. Gaius and Rean reach them in time to save them from the attack of a Cryptid, returning to Lake Lacrima afterwards to make a plan to disable the jammer. They head to the area where jaegers previously attacked the Watchtower from and infiltrate it once the soldiers there head to another skirmish in the highlands.
After their infiltration, the Noble Alliance retreat from the Watchtower, leaving the highlands with no Alliance presence. With the battles stopping, the nomads begin their move back towards the central settlement.
=== Maps ===
<tabber>
|-|South=
South
|-|North=
North
|-|Northeast=
Northeast
</tabber>
=== Enemies ===
==== South ====
* Winged Snake
* Grass Hopper
* Brutal Infant
* Thunder Loach
* Ostrich
* Brutal Buffa
* Thunder Quaker
* Nereid: Cryptid
==== North ====
* Creepy Sheep
* Infant Drango
* White Fang
* Zaurtoise
* Rhinocider
* Hippogriff
* Galion Cougar: Quest
* Magic Knight Ortheim: Quest
==== Northeast ====
* Golden Owl
* Grass Mole
* Diving Ananta
* Stony Croaker
* Stone Golem
* Unsurtr: Story
* Guilder Quaker: Quest
=== Treasure Chests ===
Area 	Key 	Contents 	 	
South	1 	Curia Balm 	 	
South	2 	Marble Ring 	 	
South	3 	EP Charge II 	 	
South	4 	Monsters: Ostrich ×4, Grass Hopper ×4	 	
South	4 	Ingenuity 	 	
South	5 	Teara 	 	
South	6 	Cloud Shoes 	 	
South	7 	Wind Vest 	 	
South	8 	Sepith Mass ×200 	 	
South	Trial 	
{| class="article-table" style="width:100%;margin:0px"	Characters	Contents
 	Megalon Buffa, Brutal Buffa ×2 	 	 	
 	You've heard it a Millium times before: nice Gaius finish last.	 	 	
=== Quests ===
*The Nord Highlands: Rean and Valimar arrive at the Stone Circle in search for more Class VII members.
*The Watchtower: After finding about the jammer, Rean and his group infiltrate the Watchtower from the south.
*Highlands Hunt: Nidhoggr's monsters are set loose in the north highlands.
*Foaling Around: One of the nomads' foals is lost in the highlands.
*Zats Amore: Private Zats lost a memento during a skirmish in the south highlands.
*Monster Madness: The Magic Knight can be found in the north highlands, in front of the Guardian's statue.
*Nord by Nord-east: Guilder Quaker can be found at the center north area of the northeast highlands.
=== Fishing ===
Location 	Fish 	Feather Rod	Excellent Rod	Lakelord Star II
Nord Highlands - North 	Crayfish 	44% 	22% 	7%
Nord Highlands - North 	Rockeater 	27% 	13% 	4%
Nord Highlands - North 	Warrior 	13% 	26% 	22%
Nord Highlands - North 	Salamander 	13% 	26% 	22%
Nord Highlands - North 	Gladiator 	3% 	13% 	44%
Nord Highlands - Northeast	Fighter 	38% 	21% 	8%
Nord Highlands - Northeast	Anor Carp 	38% 	21% 	8%
Nord Highlands - Northeast	Carp 	11% 	25% 	25%
Nord Highlands - Northeast	Trout 	11% 	25% 	25%
Nord Highlands - Northeast	Pale Salamander	2% 	8% 	33%
== ==
The Nord Highlands are mentioned as being the site of lots of tension between Calvard and Erebonia. A patrolling Calvardian gunship had inadvertently attacked the nomadic settlement, mortally wounding Gunther Barkhorn in the process. Gaius, present at the time witnesses the death of his mentor before being bestowed with a stigma, prompting him to leave and train as a Dominion of the Gralsritter.
The Nord Highlands also features as the location for some final bonding events.
== ==
Rean and his allies return to the Highlands on the tip-of that Scherazard Harvey and Olivert Reise Arnor might be located there following their disappearance along with the Courageous II. They reunite with the Worzel family in the settlement and soon discover Calvardian tanks infiltrating the region. After confronting them, they discover them to be unmanned and apparently operated autonomously. After several more strange events including fighting a Simulacrum of Arios MacLaine atop the watchtower, they discover the Courageous II hidden behind a huge cloaking field, much bigger than any current technology on Zemuria should be able to produce.
By the time they reach the ship, Olivert has already mostly freed himself, his wife and the other crew members from the curse-affected dissidents that took them hostage. After retaking the ship, they suddenly come under fire from autonomous tanks from both Calvard and Erebonia. The ship manages to escape with the assistance of Aurelia Le Guin.
During the search for 'something they missed' and the source of the control behind the war machines, Sara Valestein discovers an autonomous Railway Cannon. Rean also confronts the damaged Simulacrum of Aidios, destroying it after a battle around the stone colossus. They are too late to stop the railway cannon from firing and it nearly destroys the Nomadic settlement. Grasping some unknown power, Rean summons his new Panzer Soldat, Tyrfing and destroys the ordinance just in time, crashing to the ground in the process. Above, a mysterious, Divine-Knight looking figure teleports in using spatial control and disables the Courageous II and Gaius's Merkabah before leaving just as quickly. Roselia and Zeit arrive in time to prevent catastrophic damage and injuries. Later, while discussing the events in the elder's tent back at the settlement, they make plans to head to Mishelam where Olivert's missing Sonorous Seashell has been traced to. 
== Locations ==
The Nomadic Settlement is a settlement that exists between the northern and southern plains of the Nord Highlands. While it is mostly stationed there during the calm periods, it is also easily disassembled and packed - so it can quickly be moved by the people of Nord depending on the seasons or circumstances.
Lake Lacrima (ラクリマ湖畔) is a lake in the northwest of Nord Highlands. The nomads settle here for a set amount of time during the year. Gwyn Reinford also has a cabin near the lake.
The Ancient Quarry is a quarry built by the Neolithic Civilisation in the Dark Ages. Local legends dating back from the Neolithic era suggest that the Guardian sealed away an evil djinn in the quarry. This being was later revealed to be Ginosha-Zanak.
The Aria Shrine (風霊窟) is one of the mysterious ruins scattered around Erebonia that once served as workshops for the Gnomes. Sealed within is a huge chunk of Zemurian Ore. Accessible in .
==== Military installations ====
Zender Gate is a military installation located south of Nord Highlands. It marks the border between Erebonia and Nord Highlands.
The Watchtower (監視塔) is a military installation located in the south-east of the Nord Highlands. They are considered the first line of defense for the border with Calvard, overlooking one of their bases.
== Map ==
== Gallery ==
<tabber>
|-|Cold Steel=
Nord_highlands_-_south_plains_3_(sen1).jpg|Introduction
Nord_highlands_-_north_section_1_(sen1).jpg|Nord Highlands - North
Nord_highlands_-_north_section_2_1_(sen1).jpg
Nord highlands - guardian statue 1 (sen1).jpg|North guardian
Nord highlands - south section 4 (sen1).jpg|Nord Highlands - South
Nord highlands - south section 5 (sen1).jpg
Nord_highlands_-_south_plains_2_(sen1).jpg
Nord_highlands_-_south_plains_1_(sen1).jpg
Nord_highlands_-_stonehenge_1_(sen1).jpg|Stonehenge
Nord Highlands Concept Art 1 (Sen).png|Concept Art
Nord Highlands Concept Art 2 (Sen).png|Concept Art
|-|Cold Steel II=
Nord_-_Northeast_Highlands_1_(sen2).png
Nord_-_Northeast_Highlands_2_(sen2).png
Nord_-_Northeast_Highlands_3_(sen2).png|Aria Shrine
Nord_-_Northeast_Highlands_-_Fishing_Spot_(sen2).png|Fishing spot
|-|Reverie=
Nord Highlands - North (Reverie).jpg|Nord Highlands - North
Nord Highlands - North Guardian (Reverie).jpg|North Guardian
Nord Highlands - South (Reverie).jpg|Nord Highlands - South
Nord Highlands - South Stonehege (Reverie).jpg|South Stonehege
</tabber>
==Trivia== 
*Nord means "north" in several languages.
*The Nord Highlands was first mentioned in .
*The people of Nord are mostly inspired by Mongols, having a nomadic society, living in ger that can be moved, being skilled riders and worshipping the wind (the supreme god of the Mongols was Tengri, a sky deity). 
**They also fight predominantly with cross-spears, which are Japanese weapons called yari. Mongolian spears are similar to a Chinese guangdao or a Japanese naginata, and the Mongols were known for mounted archery.
Category:Countries
Category:Erebonia Locations