Ieara
Ieara is a coastal region of the realm of Fronen on the continent of Beluaterra. It has a rich and noble history and has been part of Fronen for several generations. The land is home to a harsh climate, producing rough men who are battle hardened simply by the nature of surviving life in Ieara. Though life there can be difficult, it also has considerable natural resources, and pockets of truly beautiful land, especially on the coast.
Climate
Ieara is a vast area of stark landscape, which is frozen for much of the year. The soil there is frozen from 10-35 inches down, making it impossible for trees to grow. Instead, bare and sometimes rocky land can only support low growing plants such as dwarf shrubs, sedges and grasses, mosses, and lichens. There are two main seasons in Ieara - winter and summer. During the winter it is very cold and dark, and during the summer temperatures rise and the top layer of the permafrost melts, leaving the ground very soggy. The land is covered in marshes, lakes, bogs and streams. This has hindered more than one marching army marching on this region.
Ieara is a very windy area however, in terms of precipitation, it is desert-like. During the summer the permafrost thaws just enough to let plants grow and reproduce, but because the ground below this is frozen, the water cannot sink any lower, and so the water forms the lakes and marshes found during the summer months.
The more fertile area of Ieara can be found on the coast. This is where the greatest proportion of the the human population of the region lives, being the most fertile and usable farmland. The coast sees warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and by and large mimics the temperate zones of inland regions on Beluaterra.
Native Plants and Animals
The biodiversity of the tundra region of Ieara is low, with only 1,700 species of vascular plants and only 40 land mammals able to be found, although thousands of insects and birds migrate there each year for the marshes. There are a few species that do live in the tundra region that thrive and have large populations. Notable animals in this area of Ieara include caribou, hares, foxes, snowy owl, lemmings, and bears.
There are however areas on the coast which are home to many other plants and animals. Especially notable are the great varieties of fish that can be found in the coastal ocean waters. Many other species of animal can be found here as well, all flocking to the more temperate and resource rich coastal lands.
Politics
The people of Ieara are historically very loyal to Fronen. Given the strength of the nation to which they belong, they are comfortable and secure in their homes, maximizing their production potential and keeping them in good spirits. They are totally devoted to Fronen, and are kept well in line by their region lord. It remains one of the core regions of Fronen to this day.
The region lord of Ieara is Jaden Arylon. He maintains his estate on a sprawling parcel of land overlooking the ocean on the coast. He has become well known amongst the peasantry of the region as a fair minded, just lord who cares about his people.
When Fronen is required to make war, the armies of the realm are able to draw upon renowned archers from Ieara. Time and time again in battle, the archers of Ieara have proved to be essential to the ranged attack of Fronen, helping turn the tide in battle repeatedly. There are plans by Jaden to begin construction on new recruitment and training centers to possibly draft recruits and train them as infantry soldiers or cavalry, though no official announcement has been made.
