Hrimfax
The island off the northeastern mainland of Realmgard is known by a name which in the local language means “Frost Mane”, most likely a reference to the sight of blown snow billowing off the island’s numerous mountains.
Primarily running from southwest to northwest more or less along the middle of the island, many of these mountains are volcanic and hot springs are abundant on Hrimfax. Similarly, the volcanic soil has granted the island fertile farmland despite the long winters of its northern locale.
Despite the popular conception in Realmgard of Hrimfax has little more than one large block of ice where winter never hands, Hrimfax is actually overall quite temperate and well-suited to farming, though the winters are indeed long and cold.
Hrimfax was not unified under a single ruler until fairly recently, with the historically disunited character of the island stemming from its geography. The mountains dividing the island stymied overland travel between the western and eastern sides of the island, facilitating the growth of numerous independent petty kingdoms.
At times in its history, intense volcanic activity leading to famine has led to large-scale emigration from the island, most notably the voyage of the twin leaders Helgi and Hunding, which culminated in many of these Hrimfaxi refugees becoming vassals of Gallicantu and being granted land in the Duchies of the Sea. Similarly, the rise of the Hrimfaxi vikings is often attributed to a lack of land available to second and third sons, leading them to search for better prospects elsewhere.
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