Current Monarch: Queen Elizabeth Yates and Queen Elanwyn 

Current Voice : Queen Elizabeth Yates

The craggy and rain swept land of Norholt stood for many years as the only principality in Albion, ruled by a Prince who was, in truth, not a mortal man but a fae. This situation shifted significantly once his true blood became known, and ultimately led to the dramatic changes that saw his fall from grace, the rise of new blood to the throne, and Norholt’s transformation into a true Realm of Albion under their rule.  The Prince, known as “The Wyvern”, continued to command influence and respect for some time after the new monarch’s ascension, but today is in exile for actions deemed against the creed of Albion.  This has not ended the turbulent matters the monarch must contend with, however, for the lost 13th Baron was revealed to be an elf princess, who was released from the mountain prison where the Prince had held her captive for long centuries. Strife tore the land until a truce was realised.

Norholt is a small realm, yet a potent one; its relatively new monarchs are the embodiment of the drive and energy that suffuses Norholt’s people, whose wildness of spirit echoes the wildness of the mountainous land they call home.  Habitable land is at a premium amidst the crags and peaks that account for so much of Norholt, leaving its small population focused into a few small settlements and a single city, Norholt itself. It is those same mountains that provide a large proportion of Norholt’s wealth however, with their mines and quarries producing the best quality stone in all of the Ten Realms, save for the dwarven mines of Deepreach in Elmet, with much of the rest coming from its fishing fleets, second only to those of Essex. It is in large part thanks to the fiercely independent and hard-working nature typical of Norholtians that these two industries thrive as they do.

Norholt is a deeply traditional realm. Ingrained in the populace is the importance of one’s blood; who your family is, and was, determines a great deal for Norholtians, and all native-born nobles can trace their lineage back to one of the original 13 Barons. Social class is also of far greater importance than in most of the other Ten Realms, and much emphasis is placed upon performing the duties of one’s station as befits the feudal system they are all born to; peasants serving their nobles, nobles bearing responsibility for their peasants, and the middle classes betwixt the two.   

Aside from its mountains, Norholt is famed for two other things; strange creatures, and knowledge.

If you would seek fantastic beasts, then Norholt is where to find them – the mountains are filled with all manner of beasts both natural and supernatural, with hunters of such creatures never far behind. Norholtian hunters are famed as monster slayers both in and out of the warhost, and are one of Norholt’s chief exports.

Hunting a thing without knowledge of it is often deemed high foolishness, which is why Norholt’s other great strength goes hand in hand with its hunters; lore, and the study of it. The great Library of Norholt is considered to be one of the foremost seats of learning in the known world, and Norholtians are rightly proud of this title. The vast archives of the Library contain a veritable forest of scrolls, tomes, hidden secrets and long-forgotten lore on matters both mundane and magical; who knows what intriguing mysteries and wild tales await within.