Pig Meadows

A view of Pig Meadows

Pig Meadows is an area in the north-west of The Lowlands province, which encompasses the Imperial county of Chrichheim. It is slightly larger than many of the other areas in The Lowlands, yet it is very sparsely populated. Pig Meadows' largest settlement is Noclais.

The area has been inhabited by humans for over 2,000 years. First by pre-Empire tribes, then Old Chrich clans, then the Kingdom of Albran, and finally the county of Chrichheim as part of the wider Empire of Man.

The local climate is temperate and somewhat mild. The soils are also extremely fertile. Most of the land settled land is farmed, and agriculture is a huge part of Pig Meadows' economy. Average daytime temperatures generally vary from between 7 °C in winter and 16 °C in summer.

Pig Meadows contains incredibly well-preserved historical sites that once belonged to pre-Imperial humans, including some of the best in the Empire. It also has an abundance of wildlife - particularly of the avian variety.

## **Geography**

Pig Meadows is a mostly low-lying area, except for some sharply rising sandstone hills in the west. There is also a large number of lochs but these are small in size and only supplied by a stream or rainfall.

The area is notable for the absence of trees, which is attributed to the often-strong winds.

Pig Meadows has a cool temperate climate that is characterised by its common rainfall and strong winds. In winter, especially, the winds get particularly fierce.

## **Economy**

The soil of Pig Meadows is very fertile and most of the settled land is taken up by farming, agriculture being a very important part of the area's economy. An overwhelming majority of this agriculture is used for the grazing of sheep and cattle, with the rest mainly used for cereal production.

Fishing from the area's lochs is also a notable industry, though one that is significantly limited in scope due to the lochs' small sizes.

Notable exports include wool, cheese, beef, whiskey, and beer. There is one Chrich whisky distillery operating in Pig Meadows, called Scamp Park distillery, and can be found close to Noclais. Nevertheless, general economic growth is somewhat stunted by the area's sparseness and relative isolation.

## **Wildlife**

### **Flora**

The flora is Pig Meadows is defined by its vast grasses and many varieties of wildflower. This includes the common heather, the Chrichheim primrose, and meadow buttercup.

There are not many trees in Pig Meadows, which is believed to be the result of the strong winds. However there are still a few small patches of woodland which display the types of tree that are able to grow here - such as willow, aspen and downy birch.

### **Fauna**

Pig Meadows is home to an assortment of different insect life - and luckily most of it is not dangerous. In particular, butterflies, bumblebees, and dragonflies enjoy the variety of plant life. These insects act as a reliable food source for many different bird species, such as ravens.

Near the various small lochs, little colonies of voles and even otters can be found. The Pig Meadows sheep is a peculiar variant of the typical domestic sheep that is endemic to the Pig Meadows area. They are unusual due to their diet, which mainly consists of the algae that grows in the lochs and ponds; though toxic to most other animals, these sheep have evolved a way to consume it safely and indeed seem to prefer it to conventional grasses.

In the meadows hedgehogs, rabbits, and hares thrive. Many of their normal predators, mainly foxes and badgers, do not exist in any large numbers in Pig Meadows and this has allowed them to expand dramatically.

### **Monsters**

Atypical species that can be found in Pig Meadows include nuckelavee, trow, hags, and various other forms of fae. There are even stories of strange finmen (fishfolk) living in the area's larger lochs, but there is no evidence to prove that such creatures exist.

## **Settlements and Landmarks**

* **Noclais -** a hamlet of medium size and the largest settlement in Pig Meadows. It is notable for it's sheep herding as well as its position as a stopping-off point for inter-county travellers.