Ikronao

Ikronao

Quick Facts
Population	14,680,840
Area	367,021 sq miles

Ikronao stretches across the northwestern reaches of the Northern Lands, flanked by island-speckled coasts to the west and rolling interior highlands to the southeast. It is a temperate province marked by sweeping grasslands, scattered forests, and rising inland terrain that hints at ancient geological upheaval. As one of the larger and more fertile provinces, Ikronao is both agriculturally rich and culturally proud.

Climate

Ikronao experiences a temperate oceanic climate, influenced heavily by prevailing maritime winds from the northwest. Winters are mild with damp air and frequent fog along the coast, while summers are warm and breezy, particularly inland where the land is more open and sun-soaked.

• Temperature range: 35°F – 78°F (2°C – 25°C)
• Rainfall: Moderate to high, particularly in the coastal and forested areas
• Snow: Light and infrequent in coastal regions, but can dust the higher inland ridges in winter

Landscape & Biomes

The province is divided naturally into three ecological bands:

🌾 Grasslands (75%)

The dominant biome, especially across the central and western lowlands, is made up of tall golden grasses and wildflower-dotted prairies. These plains are ideal for grazing and grain farming, supporting most of the province’s agriculture and rural settlements.

• Frequent sightings of herd animals (both wild and domesticated)
• Windswept steppes occasionally interrupted by glacial erratics and standing stones

🌳 Temperate Deciduous Forests (22%)

Found mostly in the north-central and inland southeast hills, these forests are dense with oak, birch, and maple. They are home to hunting lodges, lumber camps, and old, half-forgotten paths.

• Vibrant foliage in autumn
• Myths abound of forest spirits and hidden druidic circles

🌲 Temperate Rainforest (<1%)

Tiny pockets of temperate rainforest exist along the northernmost coastlines and some offshore islets. These are damp, shadowed regions thick with moss-draped evergreens and near-constant mist.

• Considered sacred or untamed by some locals
• Rich in fungi, rare herbs, and birdsong

Elevation & Terrain

• Average elevation: ~455 ft above sea level
• Highest point: 3,499 ft, located in the Southwest Highlands, where bluffs rise sharply from the grassland floor, capped in cool air and ringed by forest skirts

The terrain grows more rugged toward the inland southeast, forming a spine of hills and shallow cliffs known locally as the Brae Marches, which mark the transition toward Craesoth’s uplands. These highlands are windier and rockier, but sparsely settled.

Natural Features & Settlements

• Rucolm, the coastal capital of Ikronao, is nestled among coastal bluffs and known for its sea-facing cliffs and wind towers
• Inland rivers cut shallow, winding paths through the prairie, often flooding in spring and forming lush wetlands
• The Islets of Rothun offshore are volcanic in origin and lightly forested; few are inhabited year-round

Economic Activity

• Agriculture: Barley, oats, and root vegetables dominate, along with large livestock herding operations
• Forestry: Especially in the eastern forested zones; sustainable logging is common
• Fishing & Salt Harvesting: Along the coastlines
• Trade: Coastal ports serve as northern hubs for shipping goods from the mainland inland or across the sea to Astra

Cultural Traits

• Ikronaoans are regarded as independent, straightforward, and resilient—traits forged by the open land and frequent coastal gales
• Their folk traditions favor wind instruments, harvest festivals, and ancestral cairns
• Reverence for Thaea, the goddess of change and mischief, is common in port towns, while rural communities often appeal to Eldrin, the god of earth and harvest