North Lows

The North Lows are an area in The Lowlands province, which encompasses the Imperial county of Chrichheim.
The North Lows was once part of a much larger area, known as The Chrich Lows, but it was split up during the Age of the Republic into the Mid Lows, North Lows, and South Lows. 
It was once part of the Kingdom of Albran before the uniting of Chrichheim. Popular legend suggests that the North Lows was where the modern flag of Chrichheim was first created. Since then, the area has been the site of many battles between Chrichheim and the Vampiric Union. It was also the site of a significant Imperial victory over the Arachi during the Emergence War. The North Lows are chiefly agricultural, with farming and coal-mining forming significant parts of the local economy.
== Geography ==
The North Lows occupies a pivotal stretch of land in The Lowlands province, characterized by its rich agricultural fields and close proximity to Dunedyn. This area is defined by a gentle, rolling terrain that provides ideal conditions for farming, interspersed with areas of coal mining that hint at the region's industrial contributions. The climate is temperate, with relatively mild winters and warm summers, fostering the growth of a variety of crops and supporting a diverse ecosystem. The North Lows' position has also made it a site of historical significance. The landscape bears the scars and triumphs of its past, making it a region of both agricultural bounty and historical depth.
== Economy ==
The economy of the North Lows is firmly rooted in agriculture and coal mining. The fertile lands are extensively cultivated, producing a wealth of grains, vegetables, and fruits, alongside pastures for livestock, which not only feed the local population but also supply goods for trade with neighbouring counties. Coal mining, an industry with deep historical roots in the area, remains a significant economic activity, contributing to both local employment and the broader industrial needs of the Empire. This blend of agricultural abundance and industrial enterprise creates a robust economy that sustains the North Lows' communities.
== Wildlife ==
=== Flora ===
The flora of the North Lows is a vibrant testament to the area's fertile and varied landscapes. The agricultural fields bloom with crops and are bordered by hedgerows that provide habitats for a multitude of species, while wildflowers sprinkle the meadows with colour throughout the spring and summer months. The area's woodlands, though not as extensive as in other areas, are home to oak, ash, and beech trees, under which ferns, mosses, and a carpet of bluebells thrive in the damp, shaded earth. Along the streams and rivers that lace the landscape, willows and alders stand, their roots intertwined with the water's edge, supporting a diverse array of aquatic plants and insects.
=== Fauna ===
The fauna of the North Lows are home to a wide array of species. The fields and hedgerows are bustling with life, hosting small mammals such as hedgehogs, rabbits, and voles, which in turn attract predators like foxes and birds of prey, including kestrels and barn owls. The area's streams and rivers are home to otters and a variety of fish species, while the woodlands shelter red squirrels, badgers, and an assortment of birdlife, from the melodious song thrushes to the strikingly plumed pheasants. This abundance of fauna contributes to the area's ecological balance, supporting agriculture through natural pest control and pollination.
=== Atypical Species ===
Like all parts of Magnula, there are various kinds of creature that live here that don't conform to typical bestial classifications. The rolling fields and quiet woodlands are said to be watched over by earth elementals, sometimes seen as fleeting shapes among the morning mists. Beneath the moonlit sky, the silvery outlines of fae creatures can occasionally be glimpsed, dancing in circles where the wildflowers grow most thickly. The ancient battlefields, steeped in history and blood, are rumoured to be haunted by spectral warriors, echoes of the past that persist even centuries later.
== Settlements and Landmarks ==
* Tuath - an agricultural village that is a popular holiday spot for the upper-merchant and noble classes, from both Chrichheim and Isernheim.
== Trivia ==
* The North Lows are somewhat inspired by East Lothian, a council area in Scotland.