Map A.04 - Kara Sea

Arctic region reaching from 82.34°N south to 72.51°N. A frozen sea and continental enclave in the extreme north of Asia. The region is occupied by the Samoyeds, a gnoll people who are progenitors to the gnolls of Bjarmaland, west of the Ural Mountains. A lightly used trade route rounds the Yamal Peninsula from the west, advantaging the passages the Ob and Yenisey rivers offer into the heart of Siberia. The gnoll settlement of Dik'Don is the more northern market place in the world.

Hexes are 20 miles in diameter. Total area depicted equals 366,450 sq.m.

Features

Byranga & North Siberian Lowland

An enormous peninsula and gnoll kingdom extending past the east edge of the map shown, the base of which merges with the North Siberian Lowland, a plain with broad and dense muskeg swamps and permafrost lakes. The highest elevations are attained in the nort, in the Byranga Plateau, a ridge of folded rocks between 900 and 1700 ft. above sea level. The descent to the north shore is gradula, the land being covered with a moraine, numerous beach ridges and inland marine debris. There are many indentations, but only those at the mouths of the Yenisey and Khatanga rivers are large. South of the Byranga Plateau are many scattered lakes, the largest being Taymyr. This enormous lake extends more than 100 miles from east to west; it is covered with ice from late September until June. The tundra areas south of the lake are full of smaller lakes and marshes.

Tundra range predominates, but the aridity associated with the far north means there are few swampy areas once clear of the North Siberian Lowland. Vegetation is interspersed with patches of bare rock.

Gyda, Yamal & Yevey Peninsulas

Three northern extensions from the continent, mostly flat, with numerous lakes and small rivers. The ground consists of permafrost and is covered by tundra. These characteristics can also be found on the islands along the coast, Shokalskogo, Oleniy and Sibiryak. Belyeye Island has some lichens, grasses and dwarf willow shrubs; reports have been confirmed that the island is occupied by quaggoths, primitive ape-like humanoids. The Yamal Peninsula extends 430 miles from the mainland, not shown on this map. Mammoths are common. All three peninsulas are part of the goblin region of Biyetia.

Islands of Buyan

Mythical lands have never been viewed by Europeans; even the inhabitants of the mainland are hardly aware of their existence. According to legend, the Buyan Islands are able to appear and disappear. Three brothers, demi-gods of the northern, western and eastern winds, dwell here. The three largest islands, Bolshe, Nauk and Oktyab, are named for them. The Zoryas, solar demi-goddesses who are the daughters of the solar god Dazhbog, also dwell here.

Kara Sea

An arm of the Arctic Ocean between Jotunheim and the mythical Islands of Buyan. The western part of the sea is deep, though in areas that are 120 mi. from the mainland, depths of 50 fathoms are common. Open navigation lasts from early August to early October in the northern part, while the southern is usually open for navigation in July. Ice may be met at any time during the navigation season, but open areas can be found. Fog is frequent during the summer months. Tides range from 1½ to 2½ ft., except where constricted by inlets.

Rusin Island in the far north is part of the Realm of Jotunheim; most of what appears on this map is covered with a permanent ice sheet, though the coasts are free of ice.

Pyasin Gulf is a bay at the mouth of the Pyasina River that drains western Samoyadia. The climate in the area is severe, with long and bitter winters and frequent blizzards and gales. The gulf is frozen for nine months in a year; in summer, vessels are never free of ice floes. Further east, the Tallya Gulf remains frozen most of the year; it has never been penetrated successfully by shipping, though multiple efforts have been made.

Provinces

Biyetia

The Haftsmark of Biyetia is the northernmost land of the Kingdom of Magloshkagok, a goblin realm in western Siberia. The Haftsmark is a military league of forts scattered south of the Kara Sea. The haftsmark is huge, covering 599.9 hexes, with a very sparse population of only 11,223; nearly every inhabitant is goblinish in race. Expanses of tundra are broken by the mouths of huge rivers (not shown on the map). A harsh climate, a permanently frozen subsoil and a sparse population preclude economic activities apart from hunting and fishing.

Samoyadia

The Kingdom of Samoyadia is a gnoll realm and homeland of the gnoll people, in the furthest north of Siberia.