Barbaric Archipelago (Franchise)



The Barbaric Archipelago is the setting for all the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise. As the Viking culture took place far-north of Europe, it is easy to assume that the Barbaric Archipelago takes place in Scandinavian Scotland, but more specifically between the Greenland and Norwegian Seas.

Climate and Geography
Dominated by water and littered by sea stacks, the Archipelago is a colony of 44 documented and named islands, according to Hiccup's map.

Due to it's geographical location near the North, the Archipelago is inevitably cold. Berk is described to snow for nine months and hail the other three. However, a wide array of climates and landscapes exist throughout the Archipelago, from glaciers to steep cliffs, and waterfalls to volcanoes.

Valka's Mountain, for example, is a frigid, hostile cluster of spikes on the outside, and is surrounded by landscapes equally as remote and chilly. However, the inside of the Mountain is kept warm by natural hot springs and several high-pressure air vents exist around the Mountain. Glacier Island, just south of, also has a similar chilly climate.

On the other hand, places like Dark Deep are barren, craggy and rocky, with barely any ice or plants to begin with. Melody Island, on the other hand, is one of the few other islands to have dense, lush foliage. Most islands are small and sculpted by sea waves, thus explaining its uneven cliff surfaces and numerous sea stacks. Due to the small size and thus proximity to the coastline, the formation of volcanoes and vents is rather common. Caldera Cay and Dragon Island are both active volcanic islands, and The Rookery has numerous hot springs