NORTH POLE SECTION (MIVARI)

The North Pole Section, called Mivari in Shang Telu, the language of the Native Tribes, is the northernmost region of the Habitual Belt on VOI 700 D. Unlike most other sections in the Habitual Belt, Mivari has no twin section due to its location at the pole. Although it shares several climatic and ecological similarities with the South Pole Section, it is considered a standalone section, meaning that it is both a section and a region in planetary classification.

Mivari occupies approximately 15% of the Habitual Belt, spanning 6,000 kilometers in length with a width of 50 kilometers. Due to its extreme remoteness and cold climate, it remains one of the least-explored regions of the planet.

While Exohumans conducted two major expeditions to the North Pole Section during the Beta Age, their primary focus remained on more habitable regions. Additionally, the Westward Passage Expedition crossed the entire section from its eastern to its western border, providing a rough outline of its geography. However, despite these efforts, Exohuman knowledge about Mivari remains highly limited — most of its terrain, flora, fauna, and Native cultures are only vaguely understood.

With the onset of the Gamma Age, Exohuman activity in Mivari has been further restricted by the Peace Treaty, leaving large portions of the section shrouded in mystery.

Mivari borders Nivari (South) within the Habitual Belt, Vazhak (East) on the Dark Side, and the Desert Side (West). Due to its extreme remoteness and harsh climate, it remains one of the least-explored regions of the planet.

Due to its perpetual twilight and polar position, Mivari's temperature range remains significantly more stable than Earth's Arctic regions. The lack of solar rise and fall prevents extreme temperature fluctuations, but altitude, glacial influence, and wind patterns create localized variations across different biomes.

• Lowland & Tundra Regions: -10°C to 5°C (relatively moderate for a polar region due to atmospheric heat distribution).
• Forest & Lake Areas: -15°C to 0°C (protected by vegetation and geothermal influence).
• Highland & Glacial Zones: -30°C to -10°C (colder at higher elevations, particularly in the Valari Mountains).

However, Mivari is not a uniform environment. The borderlands of the region — where Mivari meets the Desert Side (West) and the Dark Side (East) — display distinct microclimates, shaped by adjacent planetary zones:

Mivari’s western edge transitions into the Desert Side, resulting in drier, wind-swept tundra as air masses from the arid west sweep in. This creates:

• Colder, windier steppes with reduced snowfall due to limited moisture.
• Rocky tundra patches, where vegetation struggles against persistent wind erosion.
• Sand-infused ice formations, particularly in valleys where desert storms occasionally deposit fine dust, causing unique reddish glacial layers.

The eastern border of Mivari faces Vazhak, a hostile Dark Side region. Here, the absence of planetary heat circulation results in:

• Drastically lower temperatures (-40°C in exposed areas).
• Perpetual frost plains, where ice layers never fully thaw.
• Geothermal hot spots, where volcanic activity in deep fissures prevents total freezing, potentially supporting rare extremophile life forms.
• Sudden ice storms, generated by pressure differences between the twilight zone and the colder expanses of Vazhak.

Mivari supports a variety of distinct landscapes, shaped by glacial meltwater, permafrost, and deep-rooted forests:

• Ice Mountains of Valari – A vast glacial mountain range, home to perpetual snow and towering peaks like Mount Nava (5,000m).
• Forest of Silvani – A frost-resistant coniferous woodland, one of the few stable ecosystems in Mivari, sustaining both Natives and wildlife.
• Milara Tundra Steppes – Expansive grassland tundras, inhabited by large herbivores and migratory clans.
• Lake Lumiara – A 2,000 km² glacial lake, known as the “Mirror of Mivari,” reflecting the twilight sky and supporting a unique aquatic ecosystem.
• Cliffs of Dorani & Orana River Valley – Steep cliffs and valleys, shaping the natural barriers and river networks within Mivari.

Despite its cold climate, Mivari sustains a range of resilient plant species that have adapted to perpetual twilight, low temperatures, and seasonal variations in moisture:

• Frost-Resistant Forests – Hardy evergreen conifers dominate the Silvani Forest, featuring slow-growing, resin-rich trees that can withstand freezing temperatures and low light levels.
• Tundra Vegetation – Cold-resistant grasses, shrubs, and hardy herbs carpet the Milara Steppes, growing rapidly during brief seasonal thaws.
• Alpine Flowers – Found in sheltered glacial valleys, these cold-resistant blooms rely on rare insect pollinators and provide vital nutrients for tundra herbivores.
• Lichens and Mosses – These fast-spreading, moisture-retaining organisms thrive in rocky and ice-covered regions, forming the foundation of Mivari’s micro-ecosystems.
• Bioluminescent Fungi – Found in the sheltered recesses of permafrost-covered forests, these fungi emit a faint glow, possibly an adaptation to the perpetual twilight conditions.

The wildlife of Mivari is shaped by its cold climate and diverse geography, featuring species adapted to tundra, forests, mountains, and aquatic environments:

• Tundra Grazers – Large, thick-furred herbivores roam the tundra plains, feeding on cold-resistant vegetation that grows in the sheltered valleys.
• Forest Stalkers – Silent, camouflaged predators blend into the frost-covered Silvani Forest, using ambush tactics to hunt small to mid-sized mammals.
• Glacial Beasts – Elusive, ice-adapted creatures inhabit the Valari Mountains, rarely seen by Natives, with some species believed to hibernate in ice caves during colder months.
• Aquatic Hunters – Predatory fish and amphibious reptiles thrive in Lake Lumiara and its surrounding rivers, preying on smaller aquatic species and shoreline dwellers.
• Avian Scavengers – Opportunistic birds, some with impressive wingspans, patrol the tundra and forests, feeding on carrion and occasionally stealing from other predators.
• Songbirds and Cold-Resistant Birds – Small, hardy birds reside in the frost-resistant forests, feeding on seeds, insects, and berries that persist in the tundra and woodland regions. Some species have adapted to store food in tree crevices to survive the colder periods.
• Freshwater Fish – Hardy fish species inhabit Lake Lumiara and glacial rivers, thriving in the oxygen-rich, cold waters. Some are slow-moving bottom feeders, while others are agile predators feeding on smaller aquatic life.
• Cold-Adapted Insects – Though insect life is less abundant than in warmer regions, resilient species such as frost-resistant beetles, moths, and burrowing arthropods survive in tundra and forest environments. Some enter a dormant state during extreme cold, while others are active year-round, feeding on lichen and mosses.

For a more detailed breakdown of individual species, see: Wildlife of Mivari

Mivari is estimated to host 750,000 Natives, making up 10% of the total Native population.

Observations from expeditions in the North Pole Section have revealed a recurring pattern among Native Tribes:

• The tribes of Mivari share the same creation stories and core beliefs as other documented Native societies across VOI 700 D.
• They speak Shang Telu, the common indigenous language, though with distinct regional dialects.
• Despite this linguistic and cultural connection, most tribes remain unaware of others beyond their immediate surroundings.

• ILUMINARI (Sedentary):
• Population: Approximately 60.000
• Short Description: The Iluminari live in stable communities near the melting glacial lakes. They engage in fishing and grow special crops that have adapted to the permanent twilight.
• More information: The Iluminari

• THERANO (Nomads):
• Population: Approximately 35,000
• Short Description: The Therano are nomads who traverse the icy plains of the North Pole Section. They are expert survivalists, relying on a combination of hunting and foraging to sustain their communities. They domesticate a unique species of cold-resistant birds, which they use for transportation and as sentinels to detect incoming storms or predators.
• More Information: The Therano.

• DRAVANU (Sedentary):
• Population: Approximately 30.000
• Short Description: The Dravanu have established their settlements in the deeper parts of the frost-resistant forests adjacent to the melting glacial lakes. Their unique location between the forest and the lake gives them access to abundant resources. The settlements consist of semi-subterranean houses that both store heat and protect against the cold winds.

• ELOVARI (Sedentary):
• Population: Approximately 25,000
• Short Description: The Elovari dwell in isolated villages nestled in glacial valleys. They have adapted to the extreme cold by building structures carved directly into the ice, insulated with layers of natural moss. Their primary sustenance comes from cultivating frost-resistant fungi and algae, which thrive in the perpetual twilight. The Elovari are also renowned for their intricate woven garments made from fibers of tundra plants and decorated with dyes derived from bioluminescent algae.
• More Information: The Elovari

• KERANA (Nomads):
• Population: Approximately 20.000
• Short Description: The Kerana roam the tundra with their large, hairy pack animals. They are vegetarians and feed on the rich plant life of the tundra.
• More information: The Kerana

While Exohumans conducted two major expeditions into Mivari (North Pole Section) during the Beta Age, their primary focus remained on more habitable regions of the Habitual Belt. Additionally, the Westward Passage Expedition (2626–2628) crossed the entire section from its eastern to its western border, providing a rough outline of its geography. However, despite these efforts, Exohuman knowledge about Mivari remains highly limited — most of its terrain, flora, fauna, and Native cultures are only vaguely understood.

Dungeon Masters have the freedom to introduce geographical anomalies, hidden civilizations, or isolated phenomena.These variations should align with the core lore and Sci-Fi Western themes of 102 Lightyears Away from Home, emphasizing survival, harsh environments, and the struggle between explorers and the unknown.

During the Beta Age, Exohumans ventured into Mivari multiple times, but they never settled or deeply explored its vast, cold wilderness. Instead, expeditions focused on mapping key landmarks and documenting brief interactions with Native Tribes.

• “Into the Frozen Unknown” – An Exohuman expedition sets out to reach and map the northernmost point of VOI 700 D. The players take on the role of Guarding Troopers, tasked with protecting the explorers from the harsh environment, deadly creatures, and unexpected threats. As they push deeper into uncharted icy terrain, strange disappearances occur at night—equipment vanishes, rations go missing, and eerie tracks appear in the snow. Are they truly alone, or is something following them through the frozen wasteland?

With the Peace Treaty (2631-Present) in effect, Mivari remains completely off-limits to Exohumans. However, some explorers and outlaws still dare to defy these restrictions, seeking answers to the region’s mysteries.

• “The Frozen Plague” – Survivors of a pre-war North Pole expedition have suddenly fallen ill with a mysterious strain of smallpox. With no known cure, authorities fear an outbreak. The Native Supervisor authorizes a small, interdisciplinary team to travel to Mivari to uncover the origins of the disease. The group consists of two physicians, a geographer, and two deputies of the Federal Sheriff — all under the watchful eye of a Honga warrior assigned to ensure they do not overstep Native law …

• VOI 700 D
• Habitual Belt
• Dark Side
• Desert Side
• Wildlife of Mivari

Neighboring Regions (Cardinal direction from the perspective of Asari to the north):

• Nivari (Southern / Habitual Belt, East)
• Yedari (Southern Habitual Belt, West)
• Vazhak (Southern / Dark Side, East)
• Desert Side (Southern / Desert Side, West)

The (Twin) Sections of the Habitual Belt:

• North Pole Section
• North Midbelt Sections East and West
• Equator Sections East and West
• South Midbelt Sections East and West
• South Pole Section