Nearheath
| Nearheath | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Plane | Innistrad |
| Colors |
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| Part of | Gavony |
Nearheath is a region in the province of Gavony on the plane of Innistrad. It lies just south of Thraben and covers an area of fertile hills, forests, and farmland. Nearheath is made up of several parishes and towns that serve as a transitional zone between Thraben's fortified urban center and the more remote parts of Gavony. Its proximity to Thraben provides a degree of protection to its settlements, which are home to farmers, craftsmen, and tradespeople who supply goods and resources to the High City and the surrounding province.
Description
Within a few miles south of Thraben's walls, there are fertile, rolling hills featuring several medium-sized towns. This area in the province of Gavony is called the Nearheath and is inhabited mainly by artisans and farmers.[1] Being so close to Thraben affords a good deal of protection to these towns. Most have fortifications or walls in case of a ghoul attack or other threat, but there are many outlying farms as well. Nearheath is composed of three main parishes, which together account for most of Gavony's population. Several of its towns are protected by stone walls, and even the larger villages have managed to erect wooden palisades to provide some measure of security at night. Smaller hamlets and isolated farmhouses must rely on the faith and courage of their inhabitants or hope that patrolling Cathars will arrive in time if needed.[2] Trade from Nearheath's farms and workshops supports Thraben's markets, supplying food, timber, quarried stone and handmade goods.
Inhabitants
Most Nearheath residents are human farmers, vintners, stonecutters, or woodworkers. Small chapels, shrines, and roadside markers dedicated to Avacyn can be found throughout the region. Cathar patrols from Thraben often pass through the area, providing protection and collecting tithes. The region occasionally draws hunters, inquisitors, and exorcists tracking monsters fleeing Thraben's walls.
Locations of Nearheath
- Effalen Parish - This is the rockiest area of Gavony, dominated by low shrubs and jagged outcrops. A few scattered villages, mostly near large rock quarries, are the only settlements. Quarrying stone is the main local industry. A coterie of vampires vampires once preyed on the outskirts of the parish for sport but were forced into Stensia after Avacyn's return.[2]
- Videns Parish - A fertile region of vineyards, orchards, and farmland spread across rolling hills. The fruit trees and fields are nourished by the River Kirch and separated by old stone walls. The parish has many walled estates and small castles built by wealthy landowners.[2] The largest town was Hanweir, which declared independence during the Travails before merging into an eldrazi ooze. Videns once hosted Sigarda's Flight of Herons.[3] Today, Videns remains productive but lost many families when Hanweir fell.
- The River Kirch
- Runs through Videns and flows through the Lake of Herons into Thraben, where it ends in the Kirsch Falls. The river is used for irrigation and small-scale transport.
- The River Kirch
- Wittal Parish
- This is the most heavily forested area of Gavony. Although small in area, the pine forest is dense and dark, with tall ancient pines. Where trees have been felled, undergrowth quickly returns. Villages are small but fortified by palisades. Lumberjacks never venture far from the village walls and return by nightfall. Woodworkers, coopers, and furniture makers send their goods to Thraben and neighboring towns. Wittal was threatened when the werewolf Skaharra and her Leeraug pack settled there. The pack has since been destroyed. Wittal's largest town, Estwald, once the center of Gavony's woodworking, was destroyed by a Malignus and is now only ash and ruin.[2] - Torbach - A fortified town in Effalen Parish whose mayor's son was killed fleeing a werewolf. Torbach remains a small trade post for stone and quarry products. Odric met Garruk here.[4]
- Bitterheart Hill - A hill near Torbach once home to a Bitterheart Witch slain by Garruk.[4]
Beyond the Nearheath is the dangerous and sparsely populated Moorland parish, known for its barren soil and frequent haunting.
History
The Estwald Murders
One of the most notorious recent crimes in Nearheath occurred in Wittal Parish. A series of gruesome murders left body parts scattered at chapels and priests' houses. An inquisitor named Thedis was sent but was found dead in the same manner, his head mounted on a post near Thraben. The church deployed more inquisitors and a force of cathars, who identified the culprits as the Leeraug werewolf pack, marking territory with the remains. While the murders have been contained, the battalion remains stationed nearby to prevent further attacks.
The Hanweir Secession
As described in The Hanweir Chronicle, the town of Hanweir in Videns Parish declared independence from Gavony during the Travails. Shortly afterward, Hanweir was transformed into an Eldrazi Ooze after contact with Emrakul.[5] The loss of Hanweir remains one of Nearheath's worst tragedies.
In-game references
- Associated cards:
- Referred to:
References
- ↑ Magic Creative Team (September 28, 2011). "A Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad: Gavony and Humans". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-01-17.
- ↑ a b c d James Wyatt 2016, The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Innistrad.
- ↑ Magic Creative Team (April 11, 2012). "Planeswalker's Guide to Avacyn Restored: Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ a b Jenna Helland (June 27, 2012). "Odric, Master Tactician". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Alison Luhrs (May 31, 2016). "Hanweir Chronicle Recap". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-05-31.