Kûron (continent)

Kûron is the northernmost continent in the Known World. it lies to the north-east of Ardenyr, but much closer to the north pole. This high latitude placing makes Kûron an inhospitable, harsh, and frigid continent.

Definition and Boundaries
The southernmost extremities of Kûron are easy to define; the sharp, rugged coastline of the south-west, and the smoother bays of the south-east. To the north, however, the borders of the continent of Kûron are less obvious. While a great wall of shard-like mountains separates the habitable areas of the south from the frozen wastelands of the north, the continent does indeed continue north of the mountains. This land to the north of the mountains is mostly unexplored, due to the strong, freezing winds from the far north, and barbarian tribes roaming the white landscape. Kûron is therefore mostly used to refer to the habitable lands south of the Northern Mountains

Geography and Climate
Along the northernmost side of the continent are lofty, jagged mountains dividing the (mostly) habitable areas of Southern Kûron, from the Endless Ice. It is unknown how far north the Endless Ice stretches. It is said that in the middle of the Endless Ice, a mountain with no visible top dominates the frozen waste.

Along the southern side of the Northern Mountains, barren tundra steppes dominate the landscape, while further to the south taiga landscapes are common.

The east of the continent is mostly mountainous and hilly, consisting of vast stretches of uninhabited land. The horselords of Talor populate the east of the continent sparsely.

In the far west of Kûron, the Frozen Sea clashes violently with the sharp, rocky coastline. Most of the west of the continent is barren tundra, with the exception of the slightly more hospitable valley along the Rocky Brook.

The main fertile area of Kûron is located on the interior of Wailing Wind Bay. The prevailing winds at this latitude are warmer and come from the west, allowing for the highest concentration of farms on the continent.

In the far south of Kûron, a long peninsula reaches down towards the Warmlands. While the Bardur Peninsula is the warmest region of Kûron, it's mountainous and hilly nature makes widespread farming difficult. Instead, the Bardur Peninsula is know for its fruit, especially stone fruit.

Ureš
The main centre of civilisation in Kûron is the Kingdom of Ureš, based around the fertile river basins of Wailing Wind Bay. The capital of Ureš is Karan Dun, located at the mouth of the Mountainblood, where good anchorage in Wailing Wind Bay is possible. The port serves as the main connection for the cities of Wailing Wind Bay. The Kingdom of Ureš also encompasses 5 other main settlements. The large city of Garos is also located in Wailing Wind Bay, but at the mouth of the more easterly Coldwater River.

Oslar
Oslar is the southernmost Kingdom in Tadon. Known for its stone fruit, Oslar is located on the warmer Bardur Peninsula. While the climate of Oslar is much warmer than the other Kingdoms of Tadon, the hilly and mountainous nature of the landscape makes crop farming difficult. The capital of Oslar is Osport, located at the mouth of the Brendas River, facing west to the Bay of Kûron. Osport is the busiest port on the continent, trading with all the coastal cities of the Kingdom, as well as the Kingdoms of Midon and Wizron to the west. On the eastern side of the peninsula, a long, crooked spine of mountains means that Highwatch-on-the-Sea is the only settlement of Oslar facing the Great Blue Ocean.

Talor
Talor is the easternmost Kingdom of Kûron, and is where the Kûro are said to have awakened The largest political entity of Kûron, Talor is also one of the least densely populated. The Kingdom consists of only three main settlements The capital of the Kingdom, Tarmirak, is located far to the east in the foothills of the mountains, where the two main tributaries of the River Placid meet. The southernmost settlement of Talor, also located on the River Placid, is Rivergate, which serves as the main point of entry to the kingdom. The final settlement is that of Hejarak (Highrock), located in the far north-east in the foothills of the mountains.

Midon
Midon is located in the west of Kûron. Bordered in the north by the Northern Mountains, and in the south by the Bay of Kûron, the Kingdom of Midon is bordered in the east by the Langflars, and in the west by the River Swift. While mostly consisting of cold steppes, the southern coast is warm enough to support the widespread cultivation of hardy crops.

Wizron
Wizron is the most inhospitable of the Kingdoms of Kûron. Mostly tundra and uninhabited hills, the only tillable land is located in the sheltered Fernas River valley. The main settlement of Wizron is the fortress of Wizrak, located on a cliffy point in the westernmost extremity of the continent. Wizron is known for the High Order of Wind Whisperers, an ancient order of learned men and women, trained to interpret prophesies given by the Great Winds.