Gaz F10 The Kingdom of Kaarjala - Vaults of Pandius

GEOGRAPHYThe watershed for the MaanselkäRiver’s final leg is called Itämaa (“eastland”). Here, the climatic transition zonecreated by the Great Sampo (see below)is buffeted by the damp air massesmoving inland from the coast. The resultis a cool region with frequent downpoursin summer and heavy blizzards in winter.Enterprising nobles sought to colonizethis territory at various times afterKaarjala’s founding, but the climate andperiodic incursions by sea raiders, theQeodhans, prevented any lastingestablishment. Less than two thousandfreeholders – primarily of mixedSaamari, Littonian, and Qeodhan stock –currently make their homes along theshores of Itämaa. Shonak raids areinfrequent, but they pose a sufficientthreat to compel the inhabitants to formdefensive coalitions in times of need.Climate andEnvironmental NotesWere it not for the moderating effectsof the Great Sampo, Kaarjala’s climatewould be truly arctic – frigid winters,short, cool summers, and very littleprecipitation. Thanks to the artifact,however, the kingdom enjoys a northerntemperate climate similar to that ofcentral Littonia. This pocket of warm airhas resulted in the creation of a transitionzone surrounding it, where it collideswith cold air masses circulated by thepolar jet stream. Conditions within thiszone – which ranges from 10 to 25 milesin width – are truly terrible, with frequentsleet and hailstorms, high winds, andgenerally damp conditions. The presenceof this zone has masked many of theeffects of the Rimal Hag’s influence overthe region of Tuonela.Kaarjala lies many miles north of theArctic Circle, and it has long days duringthe summer, and short ones in winter.Although it does not experience the truepolar days and nights of regions furthernorth, the period around the summersolstice is marked by several days duringwhich it is never truly dark; although thesun does not remain fully above thehorizon. Likewise, the dead of winter ismarked by a period where the sun doesnot rise and twilight conditions prevail.Although blessed with numerous riversand lakes, Kaarjala is too far inland for itsclimate to be regularly affected by oceancurrents on the Alphatian Sea. It receivesmoderate precipitation, averaging 80rainy days per year. Thunderstorms are arare occurrence.Winter lasts from mid-Eirmont to earlyFlaurmont (four and half months). Arcticpressure leaks through the Sampo’sprotective shield, and winter ischaracterized by moderate snowfalls (6-8inches per month) and cold temperatures(-25° to -15° C, -13° to 5° F).Spring is marked by quickly risingtemperatures and scant precipitation. Theseason runs 11 weeks from Flaurmont tolate Klarmont. The temperatures rangebetween 0-6° C (32-42° F), but it feelsmuch colder in the transition zone due tothe dampness caused by colliding airmasses. Planting is done quickly oncethe snows have cleared.Summer typically lasts seven to eightweeks with light precipitationpunctuating an otherwise dry period.Temperatures range from 14° to 20° C(57° to 68° F).Autumn begins at the beginning ofAmbyrmont, and lasts until earlyEirmont. This is a particularly stark andgloomy time of year, as the floweringplants go dormant until spring anddeciduous trees are largely unheard-of.Temperatures average 10° to 15° C (50°to 59° F), with frost first appearing in lateAmbyrmont.Communities and RuinsMost Kaarjalans live in small, ruralcommunities that make use of theavailable timber for construction. Thesevillages are largely self-sufficient.The Vaarana who maintain a seminomadiclifestyle often have more thanone permanent dwelling, typically takingthe form of sod huts in the north andframe dwellings in the south and east.When following their reindeer herds,though, the Vaarana live in a circular,tepee-like tent known as a laavo,constructed of inward-leaning woodenpoles with a floor of birch twigs coveredwith reindeer fur carpets. All dwellings,whether permanent or temporary, arearranged around a central fire.Ahmovaara: This bustling farmingvillage (410) is located at the crossroadsfor routes connecting Kaarja, Rovaniemi,and Polvijärvi. Although most of thepeople spend their days raising crops, agrowing number make a living by servingthe needs of the growing number oftravelers who use the roads.Ekola: Most people in this village of130 occupy themselves with hunting,tanning, farming, or harvesting localherbs. Disquiet has recently fallen overEkola, due to a string of disappearancesin the surrounding forests. No bodieshave been recovered, but hunters claim tohave seen spirits and other, less savorycreatures nearby.Iisalmi: Many of the 270 inhabitantsof Iisalmi are hunters and woodcutters,but a fair number also supplement theirdiet by catching lake trout and pike inHämäräjärvi. Local tanners have begunto experiment with different treatmentsfor hides, and they have produced leatherthat is amazingly water resistant. Wordof this discovery is making its way toKaarja.Kaarja: Kaarja, the capital, is also thelargest Kaarjalan settlement with apopulation of 7,600. It was one of thefirst permanent settlements established bythe Saamari after passing out of theIcereach, and it is known throughout thefar north as the home of the GreatSampo. As with many of Kaarjala’slarger settlements, Kaarja is protected bya wood and earth palisade, and most ofits buildings are wooden. The mostnotable exception to this construction isthe Royal Palace, an imposing structurethat doubles as a refuge in times of war.Lovajärvi: Lovajärvi was a quietvillage of woodcutters, until thediscovery of bog iron decades ago in thenearby swamp brought unexpectedriches. As more people flocked to thevillage, the locals pressed deeper into theswamp in search of more deposits, andcloser to the domain of the Rimal Hag.Angered at the intrusion, she sent a forceof undead in AC 973 to eliminate thethreat. None escaped the swift slaughter.Now Lovajärvi is shunned, and thewilderness is slowly reclaiming itsbuildings. Were adventurers to visit, theywould find the local temperatures are12