Northlands

The Northlands is one of the largest kingdoms in Ashdrad with a capital of Northstone. It has been ruled over by House Daike for hundreds of years, but when Raelor Vayne conquered Ashdrad, the Daikes bent the knee and as a reward, kept their lands and ruled as Primes.

## History

### Early History

The majority of the Northlands' inhabitants are descended from the Sons of the North, an ancient ethnic group that can be traced back thousands of years. A common motto used by northerners is "I carry the blood of the north" which is a way of reminding people of their strength; the Sons of the North were known for their might and prowess.

### House Daike

House Daike rose to power when its founder, Ramsen Daike constructed the first ship, Sweet Tonda, named after his wife. After this he built many more, and from the riches he gained he constructed Northstone and a great road connecting it to the southern part of the Northlands. He was hailed and praised, and declared himself King of the Northlands, and founded House Daike, making the sigil a ram's head against a light brown field. Ramsen created the family motto, *Head, Heart, Hand* to remind the realm of House Daike's strength mentally and politically, empathetically, and also physically.

Ramsen died of age and after he passed his son, Dagon Daike, oversaw the completion of Northstone, as well as the road, which became later known as the Ramsroad, and was extended to run all the way south to Windsel.

### Raelor's Rise

*Main Article:  The Northlands in Raelor's Rise*

## Geography

### Castles

* Northstone, sits above the capital city of the same name, the ancestral home of House Daike.
* Highgate, where House Rotsar rules the city from.
* Smallcastle Seat, the home of House Smallcastle, mocked as the "Halfcastle" for its small size.
* Northgate, the ancestral seat of House Waters, on the northern coast at the mouth of the Rumbel River.
* Sadarly Hall, a castle close to the city Sadarly, ruled by House Sadarly.
* Sander's Stone, the seat of House Sander.
* The Orchard, a castle on a hill surrounded by a pink and green orchard, ruled by House Greentree.
* Rumbelstone, at the narrowest crossing point of the Rumbel River, can control trade across the Northlands, the seat of House Rumbel.
* Hornhold, ruled by House Greathorn, the northernmost castle in the Hornlands,

### Settlements

* Northstone, below the castle ruled by House Daike.
* Highgate, connected to the castle of House Rotsar, the most populated city in Northstone and mocked the "Rotting City", a spin on words.
* Sadarly, a successful port city run by House Sadarly.
* Fairbloom, a small town controlled by House Godden.
* Redroost, a town on a hill and the seat of House Broon.
* Tarrarley, ruled by House Tarrar.
* Farfate, ruled by House Arken.

## Government

### Feudal System

* House Daike, Highlords of Northstone, Prime of the Northlands
	+ House Rotsar, Lords of Highgate
		- House Smallcastle, Earls of Smallcastle Seat
		- House Tarrar, Earls of Tarrarley
		- House Godden, Earls of Fairbloom
	+ House Sadarly, Lords of Sadarly
		- House Broon, Earls of Redroost
		- House Sander, Earls of Sander's Stone
		- House Greentree, Earls of the Orchard
	+ House Rumbel, Lords of Rumbelstone
		- House Greathorn, Earls of the Hornhold,
		- House Arken, Earls of Farfate
		- House Waters, Earls of Northgate

### Military

The Northlands have one of the strongest militaries in the world.

## Culture

### Ethnicity

The main ethnic group that Northlanders are descended from are the Sons of the North, which make up approximately 90% of the Northlands' population. The remaining 10% is migrants from Ashos.

### Beliefs and Customs

* Northlanders believe in reincarnation in the form of animals, plants, humans and even fungus.
* Northerners are renowned for not holding any superstitious beliefs and ignore the rest of the realm's advice, for which they are branded as foolish.
* No one can wed before their twentieth name-day.
* Only two people can walk together at a time.
* If you are not in someone else's household or family, you cannot touch them unless you have a valid reason, such as saving their life.
* Facial hair must be removed as it is seen as disrespectful to other people.
* When killing someone, you must first look them in the eye.
* Loyalty and honour above all else.
* Before having a child, men must have killed at least one other. This is because "in order to give life, you must first take it."