Geography

The country of Thembria is located on a small continent just below the Arctic Circle, far north of the country of Usland. Relatively isolated from its neighboring continents, Thembria is well within flying distance from the many cities, ports, and trade routes within the hemisphere, including the harbor city of Cape Suzette.

Because it lies so close to the frozen northern regions, Thembria possesses a cold tundra climate marked by freezing temperatures and frequent snowfall. As a result, most of the continent is covered by a layer of snow and ice, although a few of its freshwater lakes and streams remain unfrozen year-round. Much of Thembria's soil has been untouched for years, concealed beneath snow cover. The annual warm season, when temperatures rise just above freezing, lasts only a couple of months and marks the time when most of the country's little farming and agriculture is done. During the rest of the year, however, Thembria is so cold that unheated water supplies often freeze solid, resulting in water shortages for many Thembrian camps and small villages.

The cold climate of Thembria, coupled with moisture-laden winds blowing in from off the ocean, produces a thick layer of clouds which hang in the skies over the continent. Perpetually dismal, the Thembrian skies often remain completely overcast for weeks at a time, breaking occasionally to reveal sunlight (usually during the warm season). The latest overcast period has lasted three whole years, interrupted only by the recent arrival of Cleanser's Comet. This unique atmospheric situation baffles meteorologists but fascinates sociologists, who speculate that the gloomy Thembrian skies may influence the Thembrian people's own cheerless disposition.

Most of the Thembrian countryside consists of several chains of mountains (of which Mount Morslush is the tallest) spread across the continent, separated by wide valleys and snow fields. A massive pipeline also runs through the southern regions of Thembria. Originally used to pump natural resources during the Great War, the wrought-iron pipeline has since fallen into disuse and disrepair, broken into isolated sections of varying lengths.

The traces of civilization scattered throughout Thembria include numerous sprawling cities and villages, military bases, airfields, and supply reserves. The Thembrian capital (the nation's largest city) occupies several square miles of territory and serves as the headquarters of all Thembrian government activity, as well as home to the Thembrian High Marshall and his wife. Most locations in Thembria are linked by miles of snowpacked roads and a primitive railroad system based on train cars pulled by musk oxen.

Except for the areas occupied by cities and military bases, much of the bleak Thembrian landscape remains undisturbed. Plant life in Thembria is scarce aside from the farm crops grown during the warm seasons, although certain types of potatoes and wild turnips are hardy enough to survive the frigid temperatures. Native Thembrian animal life includes several species of tundra creatures, among them polar bears and arctic yaks.

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