Despite being the final frontier, its inhabitants often overlooked the Canadian North. Most of the population lived near the Canadian-U.S. border, enduring harsh conditions, and few truly appreciated the vast northern wilderness, even though it contributed significantly to the idea that “Canada’s big.” The collective imagination painted the region as a land of brilliant lights, fierce winds, pristine ice, and endless horizons, often reduced to fiction. However, after the Hodgepocalypse, the Auroral Frontier transformed. Now marked by an almost perpetual glow, the skyline is illuminated by the chaotic energies of the event. While still challenging, the post-Hodgepocalypse climate has softened its once-frigid nature, transforming it into a realm of diverse dangers and awe-inspiring beauty. Here, the unexpected blends with opportunity, beckoning adventurers to explore a world redefined by wonder.
Why Did People End Up in the North?
Resource Extraction and Economic Opportunities
• Mining and Oil Exploration: Northern Canada is rich in natural resources such as precious metals, rare earth minerals, and fossil fuels. Before the Hodgepocalypse, people flocked to the region for mining, oil, and gas exploration, which fueled economic booms and created settlements, infrastructure, and supply chains that bound people to the land.
• Crystal Harvesting: With the emergence of crystal forests, new opportunities arose to harvest these crystals for use in magical and psychic technologies. As the Hodgepocalypse unfolded, these resources became even more valuable, drawing settlers, adventurers, and corporations to exploit these strange phenomena.
Military and Strategic Presence
• NORAD and Military Installations: Northern Canada has long been a strategic location for airspace and missile defense, especially during heightened global tensions. During the Hodgepocalypse, military installations expanded to combat new terrestrial and otherworldly threats, demanding a more significant military presence.
• Cold War Bunkers and Contingency Plans: Many Cold War-era bunkers and research facilities in the Arctic were repurposed for shelter, storage, and experimental purposes. As the Hodgepocalypse began, some of these installations were reactivated and became part of emergency contingency plans.
Refuge from Overpopulation and Climate Change
• Climate Refugees: As climate change intensified, Northern Canada became more habitable, attracting people fleeing floods, wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat in southern regions. These climate refugees established new towns and communities, driving a population surge in previously isolated areas.
• Urban Decay and Collapse: As infrastructure in significant cities crumbled due to economic collapse, war, or other catastrophes, people sought refuge in less populated areas. With its vast spaces, resources, and perceived safety, Northern Canada became a logical destination.
Scientific Curiosity and Research
• Study of Anomalies: Crystal forests, psychic energies, and other supernatural events drew scientists, magicians, and researchers to the North, eager to study and harness these strange phenomena. Research outposts—both public and secret—sprang up, drawing professionals from around the world.
• Experimental Facilities: Before the Hodgepocalypse, corporations, governments, and secret societies established experimental research sites in Northern Canada to study these phenomena far from public scrutiny.
Cultural and Social Factors
• Indigenous Populations and Traditions: The Canadian North has long been home to diverse Indigenous peoples with profound knowledge of the land. As the Hodgepocalypse began, many sought safety with these communities, hoping their traditional wisdom would offer protection or guidance.
• Isolationists and Survivalists: Those who preferred isolation or had prepared for doomsday scenarios saw the North as ideal for its remoteness, natural resources, and self-sufficiency. As the Hodgepocalypse unfolded, these groups fortified and expanded, creating self-reliant communities.
Access to Fresh Water and Clean Air
• Water and Air Resources: The North, particularly its boreal forests and glaciers, holds some of the world's largest freshwater reserves and cleanest air. As water scarcity and pollution worsened elsewhere, people flocked to the region for these untapped resources.
Migration During the Hodgepocalypse
• Escape from Southern Chaos: The chaos and danger of the Hodgepocalypse in more densely populated southern areas drove many northward. Northern Canada offered a haven of relative safety, shelter, and resources.
• Government Evacuation Programs: Governments may have established evacuation routes and relocation programs, using military bases and emergency camps in the North to move people away from disasters in the south.
Strategic Relocation Due to the Hodgepocalypse's Nature
• Avoiding Unnatural Disasters: The Hodgepocalypse's unique threats—psychic predators, supernatural phenomena, and unpredictable magic—made some regions far more dangerous. Northern Canada was seen as less affected or had natural barriers, such as the crystal forests, providing refuge.
History of the Canadian North
Technological Advancements and Climate Engineering
• Global Climate Initiatives: As climate change worsened, global coalitions launched ambitious technological projects to reverse environmental damage. The Hudson Bay Terraforming Initiative aimed to turn Hudson Bay into a climate-controlled, habitable zone.
• Opening of the Northwest Passage: Climate change melted Arctic ice, opening the Northwest Passage by the 2030s. This new shipping route revolutionized global trade, shortening shipping times between Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Economic and Political Tensions: The opening of the Northwest Passage intensified geopolitical tensions, with countries vying for control over resources, shipping routes, and territorial claims. The Arctic became a new frontier for both economic growth and militarization.
Expansion of the Terraformed Ecosystem
• Success of Geothermal Efforts: The Hudson Bay Terraforming Initiative succeeded, warming the region through geothermal energy and fostering a thriving new ecosystem. Researchers and settlers flocked to the area, becoming a melting pot of cultures and scientific innovation.
• Ecological Miracles and Skepticism: Rapidly growing plants and altered animal behaviors emerged in the new ecosystem. Though some suspected magic, most dismissed the phenomena as natural anomalies.
The Awakening of the Arcane
• Discovery of Exoluminal Energy: While studying geothermal transformations, researchers discovered a new energy source—exoluminal energy. It altered organic matter, creating strange natural phenomena, though most people remained skeptical.
• Controversy and Conflict: Industries pushed to exploit exoluminal energy, while environmentalists fought to protect it. Clashes between these factions escalated into conflict, particularly in resource-rich areas.
The Prelude to the Hodgepocalypse
• The Great Energy Surge: In the winter of 2095, a catastrophic failure at a geothermal facility unleashed a massive surge of endoluminal energy. This event triggered chaos across the land, with strange occurrences proliferating—singing trees, ominous storms, and bizarre crops.
• The Hodgepocalypse: By the early 22nd century, unchecked technological ambition and environmental collapse culminated in the Hodgepocalypse. Civilization grappled with survival in a world of rampant magic, redefined landscapes, and the resurgence of ancient powers.
Key Events After the Hodgepocalypse
The Great Collapse of Infrastructure
As the remnants of pre-Hodgepocalypse civilization crumbled, the infrastructure supporting the Hudson Bay Terraforming Initiative fell into disrepair. Advanced AI systems, once responsible for managing the geothermal vents, either malfunctioned or became hostile amidst the chaos. Many geothermal vents became erratic without proper maintenance, causing dangerous heat surges and sudden cooling zones. Settlements around the bay faced extreme temperature swings, prompting a mass migration as people sought safer environments.
Emergence of the Healing Springs
Amid the breakdown of technological control, the unstable geothermal activity yielded an unexpected phenomenon: hot springs with remarkable healing properties began to appear. These springs attracted nomadic tribes and settlers drawn by tales of their therapeutic waters and miraculous cures. As word spread, small communities formed around these springs, making the area a pilgrimage site for those seeking restoration. This gave rise to a burgeoning economy centered on healing and herbalism.
The Awakening of the Old AI's
As new communities flourished around Hudson Bay, sporadic reactivations of ancient AI systems began. Linked to the original geothermal network, these systems occasionally returned online, displaying fragmented memories of their past functions. One adventurous group of settlers encountered such an AI, which revealed lost operational protocols, hidden caches of technology, and forgotten knowledge. However, these AIs were unpredictable, causing tension between factions seeking to exploit or destroy these remnants of the old world.
The Riftwalker’s Catastrophe
A group of explorers investigating a particularly potent cluster of hot springs accidentally triggered a massive eruption of exoluminal energy. This eruption tore open dimensional rifts, allowing dangerous and bizarre beings from other realms to enter the world. The incident intensified conflicts between settlers, the Verdant Clans, and different factions vying for control of the area. It marked the start of a new era of cooperation and rivalry as all sought to understand the rifts and the otherworldly forces they unleashed.
Key Regions
The Athabasca Oasis:
Formed by geothermal vents, this lush zone becomes an agricultural heartland, drawing settlers and rogue factions alike due to its fertile land and freshwater resources. It connects to Uranium City, Fort Chip, and the Void Covenant.
Aurora Veil
Location: Near a large river in the boreal forest.
The Aurora Veil is a mesmerizing area known for its vivid auroras that frequently illuminate the night sky. These colorful lights dance across the landscape, energizing the crystal trees and enhancing their brilliant hues. This place is visually stunning and serves as a gathering spot for settlers and wanderers eager to tap into the potent mystical energies pulsing through the land. The lush undergrowth is rich with flora adapted to the Veil’s energy, producing rare herbs highly prized for their alchemical properties. However, the Veil's beauty conceals danger: fluctuations in magical energy can cause sudden bursts of power, resulting in unpredictable consequences for those who venture too close to the crystal trees. Aurora Veil is a land of both wonder and risk, attracting adventurers seeking to uncover its secrets while navigating the delicate balance of its magic.
Borealis Reach (Formerly Hudson Bay)
Hodgepocalypse Transformation: Once frozen, Hudson Bay has been transformed into a thriving, temperate sea by geothermal engineering.
The waters of Borealis Reach teem with new aquatic life, including mutated species adapted to the region's geothermal warmth.
Dismal Lakes
Location: Central Archipelago, marked by a ghostly beauty.
The Dismal Lakes are a haunting centerpiece of the region, their dark waters swirling with an unnatural mist. Connected to a powerful Dimensional Gauntlet, the lakes are rumored to be haunted by the spirits of lost adventurers, lending a melancholic air to the mysterious waters. Visitors to Dismal Anchorage hear tales of ancient artifacts hidden in the depths, guarded by restless souls. Settlements, perched on wooden stilts above the water, serve as waypoints for those navigating the Auroral Frontier. Adventurers and outcasts trade rare materials harvested from the lakes but must remain cautious of the dangers posed by both the Gauntlet and the spectral beings that dwell within.
Frostburn Expanse
Location: Northern edge of the boreal forest, bordering tundra.
The Frostburn Expanse is a harsh, frigid land where the tundra meets the boreal forest. Despite the extreme cold and deep permafrost, hardy crystal trees grow slowly here, producing dense and stable clusters prized by the harvesters. While the landscape’s icy beauty is breathtaking, sudden blizzards and fierce weather patterns make travel treacherous. Legends tell of ancient icy spirits emerging during storms to protect the land. The Expanse is a place of struggle and survival, with temporary settlements that come and go as the seasons shift. Adventurers are drawn by both the bitter charm and the promise of uncovering the mysteries hidden in this unforgiving realm.
Ice Labyrinth
Location: Northern Archipelago, remnants of Victoria or Banks Island.
The Ice Labyrinth is a sprawling maze of towering ice walls and frozen tunnels, constantly reshaped by fierce winds and arcane energies from the Hodgepocalypse. This treacherous region forms a natural barrier between habitable lands and the menacing Void Covenant territories. Hidden paths are rumored to provide shortcuts, but most who enter the labyrinth never return. The area is home to strange creatures like the Ungo and Beaver Folk, ancient artifacts, and untapped mineral veins. The whispers of lost spirits only add to the labyrinth’s mystery, making it a focal point for adventurers seeking danger and discovery.
Mackenzie River (Artery of the North)
Hodgepocalypse Transformation: Now a major waterway, the Mackenzie River is key to transportation in the Northern Territories. The warming climate has made the riverbanks fertile, supporting new settlements.
The Mammoth Steppe
Location: Northern edge of the continent
The Mammoth Steppe, located in northern Canada, is a vast, windswept region stretching across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern British Columbia, shaped by the post-apocalyptic Hodgepocalypse. Defined by permafrost, hardy grasses, and pockets of taiga, the steppe is home to megafauna like mammoths and sabertooth cats. Nomadic tribes, including Haraak cowboys, Ungo sasquatches, and Trollitariot, roam the plains, surviving off the land’s harsh resources. The steppe's ancient ruins and ley line crossings make it both a place of spiritual significance and a dangerous frontier, rich in unique materials and mystery.
Mirror Marsh
Location: Low-lying wetlands on the edge of the boreal forest.
The Mirror Marsh is a mystical wetland area characterized by its reflective surface that mirrors the ethereal skies above—often shrouded in a haze of mist. This enchanting landscape is dotted with clusters of crystal trees, which absorb the rich, ambient magic from the wetlands. The marsh serves as a key gathering place for settlers and creatures alike, drawn by its reputed healing properties and bountiful resources. However, the constant fog obscures the true nature of the environment, making it perilous for those who underestimate its dangers; hidden creatures and deceptive illusions lurk within the depths. The interconnected waterways of the marsh act as natural pathways, allowing for trade and movement but also offering potential ambush points for those who know the terrain.
Serpent’s Coil (Coppermine River)
Location: Flowing through the Archipelago’s rugged heart.
The Coppermine River, known as the Serpent’s Coil, has transformed into a living entity, serving as both a natural boundary and a reservoir of ancient magic. It is guarded by mystical serpents and the Garter Folk, who easily navigate its currents. The river's cold, dark waters often reflect fleeting glimpses of lost worlds, drawing settlers eager for its resources, though their expansion threatens the balance upheld by the serpents and their kin. The tension between these groups creates a complex and dynamic region, ripe for exploration.
Stormbreak Glade
Location: Edge of the boreal forest, notorious for frequent lightning storms.
The Stormbreak Glade is a striking clearing framed by densely clustered trees, where the clash of natural and supernatural forces is palpable. This region experiences unrelenting lightning strikes that animate the landscape, creating a dynamic interplay of energy that occasionally charges the crystal trees, leading to unpredictable growth patterns. The glade is filled with vibrant flora, many of which have evolved to utilize the raw energy of storms, resulting in many unique species distinct to this intense environment. Locals tell stories of the Glade being a gathering ground for powerful elemental spirits drawn to the storms' ferocity. While it is a dangerous location for adventurers, it attracts bold gatherers seeking to tap into the ambient magic for personal gain. Navigating this volatile terrain requires skill and caution, as lightning strikes can lead to miraculous discoveries and disastrous outcomes.
Wood Buffalo National Park (Void Covenant Hive Grounds):
Hodgepocalypse Transformation: The area has been partially transformed into a nightmarish insectoid landscape by the Void Covenant. The terrain is slowly changing; fungal growths overtake trees, and the air is thick with strange spores. Bioluminescent mushrooms, hive structures, and chitinous growths dot the area.
Key Locations:•
The Hive Spire: The primary seat of the Void Covenant, this massive spire, built from resin and chitin, towers over the altered landscape. It serves as a command center, nursery, and living quarters for various insectoid species. The surrounding area is filled with organic fortifications and bizarre insectoid flora.
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The Resin Flats: A sprawling, flat expanse covered in a strange, semi-transparent resin that the Covenant uses to cultivate new plant life and hybrid species. It serves as a defensive barrier, making the land difficult to traverse.
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