Location: South shore of the Great Bay, at the tip of a peninsula.
Area: 9,478 sq. mi. (21,325 sq. km.)
Population: 90,000, including 2,000 halflings.
Languages: Alphatian Common (Alpha dialect, official), Elvish (Shiye-Lawr dialect), Hin (Lalor dialect), Heldannic, Thyatian Common.
Coinage: Alphatian Standard: Crown (gp), mirror (sp), judge (cp). Coins of many other nations are in common circulation here.
Taxes: 20% income tax, collected yearly.
Government Type: Independent monarchy part of the New Alphatian Empire.
Industries: Agriculture (grows barely enough for its own use), fishing, logging, mining, and trapping.
Important Figures: Ericall (King, human, male, F20)
Flora and Fauna: Alpha features the plants and animals one expects of the northern wilderness. The Peninsula claimed by Alpha is devoid of monsters thanks to the Regent Pass, but cold- climate creatures (such as snow apes, white dragons, frost giants, frost salamanders, and sasquatches) fill the rest of Norwold, as well as several scattered goblinoid tribes.
Further Reading: CM 1 - Test of the Warlords, GAZ - Dawn of the Emperors boxed Set, AC1010 - Poor Wizard's Almanac to AC1012 - Poor Wizard's Almanac 3, and Joshuan's Almanac.

Description: by Synthala of Aasla

Alpha, the City of Rangers and Foresters, is blocked off from the inland by a large stretch of mountains that cut off the entire peninsula at the neck. There is only one way through these mountains; an enjoyable hiking path known as Regent Pass. This narrow and rugged gap is guarded by a fortress garrisoned with an entire unit of the King's Guard, including his best woodsmen, climbers, and trackers. This fortress marks the true limits of the king's lands, despite having once claimed all of Norwold as his kingdom.

At first glance, the City of Rangers and Foresters appears to be one immense fortress, with circles of walls within circles of walls to provide ample defense against any invading force. But despite the intense fortifications, the city earns its name by the numerous parks and woodlands found within the imposing walls. In fact, more wild animals can be found within these enclosed parks than in the land outside the city walls.

Alpha has a remarkable deep-water port within the Great Bay, and ships from around the world can often be spotted within the large harbor. Numerous fishing boats can also be seen scattered throughout the Great Bay.

Most Alphans are simple farmers or fishermen who do not have the typical Alphatian disdain of non-spellcasters. Being removed from the former Alphatian mainland, magic did not become so mainstream in Alpha as to affect their lives very much. In fact, many of them are awed or cowed by displays of the arcane.

They are polite and welcome strangers eagerly in exchange for courtesy and the occasional stories about your travels. Most will mind their own business, and rarely will anyone try to interfere with your plans. The peasants are content to simply do their work and not get involved in politics and "important"things.

Still, I have changed subjects. The wedding was a grand affair, attended by almost all the nobles still affiliated with King Ericall (unfortunately for him, that means only a handful). Wealthy merchant families as well as respected priests (such as the Priests of Zirchev) or other town members were also permitted to attend. To celebrate the union, the Town Watch has been renamed to the Queen's Guard. In fact, the love-smitten king has placed her in charge of the Queen's Guard; they are rumored to place any of the Queen's orders before any order given by Ericall himself.

The other major event concerns amassing a large defense force. King Ericall believes in an invasion from Oceansend, and reports of more Heldannic Knights entering the City of the Sea can only confirms his worse fears. [Ed's Note: This was obviously before Oceansend managed to reclaim it's independence.] King Ericall has started conscripting soldiers, but many oppose this initiative. The decision is very unpopular with the commoners. Many believe that Ericall will recall the law any day now.

If there is any sight worth seeing above all others, it would be the temple known as the Forest of Zirchev. And despite what you may believe, this account is not biased by my worship of that very Immortal. The Forest of Zirchev is a large temple made out of strong and sturdy oak that stands just over three stories high. A large brass bell tops the tallest spire, which can be clearly heard throughout the city. The true beauty of the temple is its sheer simplicity. Zirchev, in His wisdom, ordered that there be no fancy decorations, extravagant use of riches, or even statues made to honor Him. The only thing indicating that it is a house of Zirchev is a carving of the Forest Immortal's face just above the main double doors.

Zirchev has granted us many wonderful birds who "sing" the hymns during the prayers that honor Him. This wonderful chorus has earned the admiration of many Alphans. Even priests of other Immortals have been known to observe a ceremony or two just to hear the wonders of nature sing in honor of Zirchev. Because of this, many Alphans have a greater respect for nature than most city-dwellers, as the numerous city parks and the wildlands in the area can attest to. Nature will therefore never be mistreated, and we owe it all to the Forest Immortal.

Location: West of Oceansend, in the Icereach Mountains,bordering Lake Gunaald.
Area: roughly 500 sq. mi. (1,125 sq. km.)
Population: About 300, including 250 dwarves and 50 humans.
Languages: Alphatian Common (Alpha dialect), Heldannic,Dwarven.
Coinage: Alphatian standard : Crown (gp), Mirror (sp), Judge (cp); gold nuggets or barter commonly used.
Taxes: none, inhabitants sometimes give goods to their baron to gain his protection against dragon attacks.
Government Type: Barony in name, no real government.
Industries: Fishing, Mining (gold), Crafts (goldcraft, weaponsmithing).
Important Figures: Baron Arcadius (human, male, M20), Sandryth (gold dragon, male, young adult), Clanmaster Tark Takkras (dwarf,male, F10).
Flora and Fauna: Arcadia consists mostly of high mountain, overlooking western Lake Gunaald. The cold freshwater lake is rich in fish, which constitute all the animal life that can be found in the area. A few evergreen trees grow in the small valley bordering the lake, soon replaced by small scrubs then bare rocks on the towering mountains. Some rare chimeras and wyverns make lair in caverns high in the mountains, while dragons from the Wyrmsteeth to the east occasionally swoop by.

Description: by Arcadius

Hello dear reader. You don't know me yet, as it is my first time writing an article in the famous Mystaran Almanac. So, let me introduce myself briefly first, and we shall go on with the very article later. My name is Arcadius, wizard and scholar from the lands of Norwold. I was born a Traladaran in a small village of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, now a Kingdom, but left my homeland in pursuit of greater knowledge. After some years of adventuring around the Known World and beyond, I opted for settling in Norwold where King Ericall of Alpha was giving lands and titles to worthy heroes - and it seems I did qualify as one such, since I was given the title of Baron. I conduct studies in the Tower of Arcadia, concentrating on my favorite subjects, which are history, legends and lore, plus occasionally other fields including magic.

I spoke with a young Glantrian wizard named Alasdhair McAllister during a visit of mine in the elven Barony of Ironwood. He told me of his work as a correspondent for the renowned Mystaran Almanac - I myself own a copy of every tome -, and of business he had in his homeland that would prevent him from completing his tour of Norwold. I told him about parts of the country he hadn't been able to see yet, and just before leaving, he asked me to replace him as official correspondent for the Norwold region. After the initial surprise, I agreed - and there we are. I hope I can live up to Alasdhair's expectation - and offer you as interesting and complete description as he would have done.

Alasdhair encouraged me to start this year with my own, petty barony. Though I find this somewhat pretentious, I shall simply do as he suggests; besides, that should help you know me better than with just this brief introduction.

Most of the land is thus high mountains. This does not mean it is a poor land, however: Though there is almost no vegetation and virtually no animals, the soil is rich in valuable minerals, mostly gold. A small clan of dwarves runs profitable gold mines a few miles north of the Tower of Arcadia. The highest peaks are covered with everlasting snowcapes, and cold winds from the north blow during most of the year.

The Tower of Arcadia is built on top of the highest peak, and is surrounded at all time by snow. Unless you are well-equipped, I do not advise you to go there by normal means; the best way to reach the tower is by air, or by magic. When the sky is clear, the tower can be seen from below, including by fishermen at work on the lake. Most of the time, though, clouds block the sight, as the peak's end stands above the cloud line.

A feature of note is Lake Gunaald, which is frozen during a good part of the year, typically from mid-fall to late spring or early summer. It is a freshwater lake, whose waters abound with delicious white fish called gunaald (the lake is named after the fish) that fetch high price on Leeha's, Alpha's and even Oceansend's markets. Several families live off the lake's bounties, fishing from small boats in the summer, and making holes through the frozen layer of ice the rest of the year. Most of those fishermen live in the sheltered valley stuck between the lake and the high mountains, because it is quite safe from the cold northern wind thanks to the mountain range.

One peculiarity of the barony that surprises many fellow nobles, especially King Ericall, is the fact that I do not enforce taxes of any kind on the few inhabitants of Arcadia, or even a single law. Truth is, the dwarves govern themselves, with their own regulations and justice, and that wouldn't be wise to meddle in their internal affairs. As for the fishermen, they are simple people who don't need any law to tell them how to live their lives. However, they both fear me and praise me for supposedly keeping any dragon attack on them at bay, and when they can afford it donate fish supplies or, more rarely, offer their services. The dwarves also accuse me of being an agent of the dragons that only want to steal their gold, but they tradewith me anyway.

The rest of the population are native fishermen of Antalian descent who have been living off the bounty of the nearby lake for an unknown number of generations. They sell the gunaald they don't eat to the Takkras dwarves, or smoke it and carry it downriver and sell it to the Hins who are fond of it. And the leftover they give to me, hoping the dragons and I keep on leaving them alone...

The Barony of Arcardia is fairly recent in comparison. I was appointed baronial status in AY 2002 [Editor's Note: AC 1002], and the erection of Tower Arcadia took until AY 2004 [AC 1004] because of its uneasily-accessed location. And yet I got help from the Dwarves - for a hefty price, but that was well worth it. Since Arcadia is so isolated from the rest of Norwold and since I do not levy an army, Arcadia has been unconcerned by the recent wars that have spread throughout the continent. With no taxes or troops coming from Arcadia, I am left pretty to my own devices by King Ericall.

The only exception to this concerns dragonkind. I am in permanent contact with the Kingdom of Dragons in the Wyrmsteeth through Sandryth, a golden dragon. This is part of an agreement between the Council of Dragons and myself upon establishing my barony, which states they would agree to share some of the knowledge they have accumulated over the millennia with me - I hope to one day being allowed into their hidden city - in exchange for my help in having the humans and especially their lords not encroaching upon the draconic lands or slaying non-renegade dragons. Sandryth and I are diplomats of sorts between the two races.

On that matter, there is one event in recent history that I wish to clarify, concerning the dragons' assault on Heldannic Warbirds above Oceansend. King Ericall did ask me to petition the Council for such an action, but I was not surprised when Sandryth answered that the dragons would not get involved into human business and hereby violate an ancient treaty, unless the Heldanners actually attacked them first. However, Ericall was not satisfied with that decision and tried to find some more open-minded dragons - as he didn't need a full commitment from the dragons in the first places, just a handful of them to keep the Warbirds in check. Thus he contacted a young, active red who was upset by the conservatism of the Council and decided to act, sure that the Council Elders would in time back the move.

Location: northeastern reaches of the Icereach Range, Norwold.
Area: app. 5,000 sq. mi. (11,250 sq.km.); about 2,500 sq. mi. (5,625 sq. km.) around each volcano.
Population: Believed to be 2,500 efreet, 1,000 fire elementals, and 400 sollux.
Languages: Unknown languages from elemental plane of fire.
Coinage: Unknown, if any at all.
Taxes: Unknown, if any at all.
Government Type: Unknown.
Industries: Unknown.
Important Figures: Feudelance (Brother of the Sun, sollux, male, F14).
Flora and Fauna: small plants and animals common in more southern regions than Norwold.
Further Reading: CM 1 - Test of the Warlords, GAZ - Dawn of the Emperors boxed Set.

Description: by Synthala of Aasla

Those who've read the Mystaran Almanac for AC 1014 probably remember an entry describing the Arch of Fire. At the behest of the editors of the Almanac, I've returned to the region to verify reports of a war taking place at both Mount Cantrinus. It seems indeed a great battle is taking place. But first, let us take a look at the area.

A large ribbon of flames leaps out of Northern Mount Cantrinus and lands a good four days walk to the south in Southern Mount Cantrinus. The arch created must reach a height of 4 to 6 miles (7 to 10 km) at the very least. It seems that the two volcanoes form some sort of planar conduit, creating a loop to and from the Elemental Plane of Fire. Because of this, sage believe that the Arch of Fire will be a permanent feature of the region.

The vegetation here is rather unusual for Norwold. Because of the intense heat in the areas directly around the volcanoes, species that are normally not present in the north are thriving here. Even small mammals that normally avoid the cold and snow can be found scurrying about. Despite this, vegetation and animals are very rare; it's just too dangerous to have a thriving ecosystem. Another problem is the fact that the rivers of lava often change course, burning up whatever is in the way. Most areas are also covered in solid rock, obviously of volcanic origin. There is therefore little soil for plants to grow or live on.

Southern Mount Cantrinus is the home to about one thousand fire elementals. Although more friendly than the efreet, they still have no cares what-so-ever about the life here on the Prime Plane, and one can never be too sure what type of reception to expect from them. Sometimes they'll burn visitors, sometimes they won't. Those that aren't destroyed are either conscripted and forced to fight the efreet, or thrown out of their territory.

A new culture has arrived on the scene since last year. A camp of about 400 sollux [A full description of a sollux is available in the Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix.] have been created in the plains between the two volcanoes. These strange, red skinned humanoids are very war-like and disciplined. They are obviously trying to eliminate the efreet on Northern Mount Cantrinus, and have engaged in numerous battles with them.

Unlike the other creatures, the sollux are at least approachable by visitors. It seems that all the sollux here are members of a Brotherhood of the Sun, some sort of knightly order which has sword to destroy all efreet found on Mystara. Their leader, Feudelance, invites everyone to join them on their holy mission. It seems this event is a first in the history of their people. Never have so many Sun Brothers united to face the efreet. Then again, they claim that never has there been this many efreet in any one place. Feudelance insists that this is merely the staging ground for the efreet and that they will try to invade all of Mystara from here. The Sun Brothers plan on stopping them well before then, however.

The sollux found here at the Arch of Fire are very militaristic and orderly. Still, they are also all Sun Brothers, therefore I have absolutely no idea whether their true communities behave in this matter, or whether this is just the way of life at their military camps. After all, one can't judge the Thyatians by the way their Legionnaires behave in their various camps.

Feudelance wishes to thank the writers and editors of the Almanac, as it was through their description of the Arch of Fire that they learned of the presence of the efreet. Now the battle rages on, and Feudelance insists it will continue until every last efreet is destroyed.

The fire elementals, which have been saved by the arrival of the sollux, do not participate in the war. They merely watch the two groups fight it out. If thankful for their rescue, they have yet to show it.

Still, the Arch of Fire is best viewed from far. If you get too close, you will more than likely get caught up in the interplanar war that is transpiring. And unless you happen to be immune to fire, it is definitely not something you want to see or do.

Location: Southwestern reaches of Norwold, just west of the Heldannic Territories. It is also just north of Wendar, a nation of the Old World.
Area: 125,000 sq. mi. (281,250 sq. km.)
Population: 280,000, roughly 25% human and 75% goblinoid; estimated demihuman (elf) population: 500.
Languages: Denagothian, Orcish, Gnoll, Goblin, Heldannic, Elvish (Geffronell dialect). Coinage: Gold (gp), Silver (sp); barter common.
Taxes: 30% income tax, collected yearly.
Government Type: Dictatorship in which the ruler calls himself King. Industry: Hunting, Raiding, Mining, Agriculture (grows barely enough for its own use) Important Figures: Landryn Teriak, the Shadowlord (vassalich,male, M14). Flora and Fauna: The area known as Denagoth comprises one great oak forest to the east that dates back to the old Blackmoor era and another forested region to the west mostly made of dead trees. Throughout the whole region the terrain is rocky and difficult to cultivate, if not impossible.

The Avien Plains, in the central southern part of Denagoth, is the only area where the soil is somewhat able to produce crops and where cattle can be tended without particular problems. The northern zone is basically a rocky waste that gives way to swamps and to the frozen tundra at the highest latitudes. The animals commonly encountered in Denagoth are moose, elks, bears (all species, especially grizzlies), wolves (even dire wolves), wild boars, snakes and mountain lions.

The land is a heaven for goblinoid races, and many tribes of orcs, hobgoblins, goblins, bugbears, gnolls and some ogres live in the foothills and on the highest peaks of the mountains, as well as in the forests.

The Mengul Mountains are home of a vast variety of monstrous species, such as: snow apes, white apes, giant bats, dragons (white), harpies, giant ferrets, sasquatches, and unicorns. Black dragons abound in the swamps and forests of the entire region, unchallenged masters of the draconic race inhabiting Denagoth.
Further Reading: X11 - Saga of the Shadowlord, AC1011 - Poor Wizard's Almanac 2 and AC1012 - Poor Wizard's Almanac 3.

Description: by Cristopher Dove

Once a venerable wendarian elf told me: "Denagoth be the place where Evil abides, for nobody could stand its filth but Cursed Beings". I must say I was eager to see this accursed place with my very eyes, and this is the reason I joined the Elven Army in their Crusade. Now I have seen and I have lived to tell of it, but still in my dreams I am haunted by... by the malign spirit that impregnates this place, I dare say. Denagoth is an ancient land dominated by savage folks which have nothing in common withus humans.

Denagoth is a land where only the fiercest can survive, where every day you've lived on you know it's a day wrestled away from death's grasp. I strongly believe Denagoth is a land of fiends and monsters, and no matter what the elves will do to conquer and to claim it as their own, they will never tame the beastly soulof this region.

In this report to the Almanac I will only detail the south-western part of Denagoth, that is the only region so far explored by the Elven Army. If things go well as planned, I will be able to see the western part next year, and maybe then I'll send my next account (if I'm lucky enough to be still alive).

There is however the possibility I go with a secret expedition to the northern uncharted lands for a very important mission, because they seem to require someone who is experienced with ancient history and dead languages. Either way, dear readers, you will have to wait until next year for the rest of my report about Denagoth and its inhabitants.

Geron itself is a rather small village inhabited by humans only, the kind of stock you can find only in Denagoth. Tall, muscular and hairy people with rather dark complexion with the love for war and hunt: this is the portrait of the common Denagothian human male (and female), and he doesn't seem so much different from the humanoids that live above the plateau. Before the war Geron counted about 150-200 souls, along with a standing Denagothian contingent of 100 pikemen (all humans). Now they've been reduced to only 50 people, mostly teenagers and women, while the soldiers have all been killed.

Another feature of this village was the Temple of Idris, a small building dedicated to the worship of this ancient and obscure deity which seems to be at the center of every denagothian community. After the siege of Geron, the temple was burned down by the elves and its priests left inside to suffer the same fate [Author's note: the elves almost seemed to enjoy the sight of those humans screaming in pain while burning alive. This was the first of many atrocities I had to witness in this war from both parts, and this has led me to draw some conclusions on Denagoth I will expose fully at the end of this chapter].

Once you leave Geron, you have to face the climb to the top of the plateau, which means about one or two days marching on steep trails, exposed to chilling winds, landslides (or avalanches, depending on the period of the year) and fierce predators both terrestrial and aerial. Once arrived at the top of the plateau, the traveler finds himself in a cold grassland bordered to the east by a marvelous thick green forest of oaks, whereas another forest can be seen (in the days of clear weather) far ahead to the north.

The Elven Army chose to explore the eastern forest, called Great Forest of Geffron, because this was the place where the previous expedition was being held prisoner along with some native elves. The Great Forest of Geffron is a breathtaking place, especially if you love nature in all its wild beauty. It is doubtless the most ancient forest I've ever seen or heard of, and I've myself seen many Alfheimers sigh of astonishment and of joy while they began exploring its trees and paths. The oaks are so high that even the elves were afraid of climbing up to the top branches to take a look of the surrounding area, so that many times the sergeants of each squadron had to threaten the lookouts to make them accomplish their duty. Yet, the stunning beauty of the place is somehow dulled by the constant threat posed by the humanoids and the monsters dwelling here. The animals living inside Geffron must have been seriously reduced in number by these monsters, for we have encountered very few of them, and the elves have also reported no sign of fairy folk presence inside the woods, which is quite alarming in such a silvan environment. Along the common pathways found inside the forest, remains of burned down elven villages can be found, with dozen skeletons still dotting the grass in most cases. These are, according to the elves of the first expedition, what remains of the Geffronell elves who lived in the forest, exterminated some decades ago by the forces of the Shadowlord who now rule overthis region.

As a final note about Denagoth, I have a consideration to make that arose from my observation of the facts occurring in this war. I know that every war is a sad and dramatic event that can often transform soldiers into cold killers, but this consideration doesn't help to explain the mutation I'm witnessing in the elves engaged in this conflict. They are not fighting for their homeland, nor for their close relatives and they have no past grudge against the Denagothians, save the common hatred of elves towards goblinoids. And yet they have many times showed such a contempt and a fury towards both human and humanoids that have led them performing inhuman deeds. The burning of the Idris Temple in Geron was a good thing, but the way they assassinated the priests (by letting them burn inside it) was a sadistic act the elves normally would have condemned. Also, the ruthless slaughtering of villages of goblinoids has been a common practice since our entry into the Geffron Forest, and when I say slaughtering, I don't mean killing of goblinoid warriors, but mass murder of females (even pregnant ones), elders and whelps. Sure, I know they could have posed a problem later on, but something still mystifies me about this whole thing. The elves are somehow becoming more feral and much more similar to the goblinoids they fight, and I suspect this has something to do with this land. Denagoth is a cursed land in the very sense of the term, and whoever walks on this soil seems bound to become prey of his darker instincts. I don't know what or who bestowed this curse upon Denagoth, but I suspect the Shadowlord is somehow connected to it.

Whichever the truth, the evil that permeates this place has a nasty effect on those who live here, enhancing their chaotic and beastly nature: I only hope for the elves' sake they manage to win this war before they are turned into the same enemy they're trying to defeat.