Kildernes

Kildernes is a fictional region frequently depicted in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games. In-world etymology attributes the name to the Kilderic language, combining elements meaning 'source' and 'ness,' often interpreted as 'the springhead' or 'where springs emerge.' The region is commonly portrayed as a frontier land of highlands and river valleys.

It lies along the eastern edge of the continent of Verdara and covers roughly 25,000 square kilometers. The landscape includes pine forests, granite ridges, and fertile valleys carved by the Kilder River system. The western slopes receive heavy rainfall, while winters are cool but manageable in sheltered basins.

Human settlement began in the late Bronze Age, with city-states forming around geothermal springs. The city of Ashmere grew around a dominant spring and became a regional center. Through the medieval era, Kildernes maintained autonomy as a loose federation, until evolving into a semi-independent realm that trades with surrounding polities.

Many depictions show a High Council of twelve nobles presiding from Ashmere, with a Speaker acting as its chief. The economy emphasizes timber, mineral extraction, and crafts, supplemented by mills powered by spring waters and emerging hydro technologies in some settings.

The regional language is Kilderic, with many speakers bilingual in the common trade tongue. Cultural life centers on water lore, woodwork, and seasonal rites such as Wellspring and the Waterwrights’ Day.

Notable sites include Ashmere, Veil Falls, the Old Caverns, and the Springways, a network of shallow channels said to connect sacred springs.

Kildernes appears in several novels and role-playing campaigns as a frontier region with contested borders and abundant natural resources.