The Northern Reaches as depicted on the Aranna world map
The Northern Reaches as depicted on the ingame world map
The Northern Reaches are a geographical region of Aranna. It is the ancestral homeland of the diverse peoples who eventually united under the banner of the Empire of Stars. The fortress of Snowbrook Haven is prominently situated in this region, serving as a significant stronghold for the Empire.
History[]
This region was in Antiquity part of the Empire of Stars, lying just south of its ancient capital Iliyara.
At the time of the DS2 campaign, at least the southern part of it is goverened by the Kingdom of the Northern Reaches. The lorebook about its Kings and Queens indicates the kingdom has existed for a thousand years, and as the events of DS2 take place in the year 1243 of the Second Age, it must have been founded roughly about 200 years after the First Cataclysm.
Geography[]
The Northern Reaches encompass a vast and varied landscape, including towering mountains, dense forests, and icy tundras.
It consists of three main areas:
- Snowbrook: the frostbitten east is the heartland of the Kingdom of the Northern Reaches. Its capital, Snowbrook Haven, is situated here, as well as Snowbrook Valley, the Garden of the Ancients and the Azunite Catacombs.
- Vai'lutra: the warmer west is covered by the Vai'lutra and Vai'kesh forest, the Elven town of Aman'lu and the Elen'lu Isles are situated here. It is safe to assume the Elves kept a certain level of autonomy within the Kingdom, but they were definitely a part of it.
- The far north: labeled "The Northern Reaches" on the Aranna world map, nothing much is known about this vast empty space between Snowbrook Haven and Iliyara. On the ingame map, the region isn't depicted at all. While the Kingdom may lay claim to this territory, it can be seriously doubted they had much actual control over it. The maps rather seem to suggest the far north of the Northern Reaches was a vast, empty space of barren, inhospitable lands.
Culture[]
Government[]
The region is governed by the Kingdom of the Northern Reaches. Princess Evangeline, the hero's companion, will one day inherit the kingdom from her mother the queen.
Demographics[]
The green western forests are inhabited by Elves, Taclak, and Vai'kesh, while humans inhabit the snowy eastern area.
Sources / Lore[]
Apart from the maps, see also the lorebook Kings and Queens of the Northern Reaches.
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Notes[]