Hvalstad (pronounced heh-VAHL-stahd) is a city in Rothurland, currently the capital of the jarldom led by Ingvild Stjornsamr. Located on one of the largest of the Orm Islands, Hvalstad has long been an important port for Rothurlandic fishers, explorers, vikings, and other seafarers. Today many of the region's few remaining vikings are based out of the city and its surrounding communities, as their jarl is one of the few remaining Rothurlandic rulers that enthusiastically continues the practice. The city is built along one of the island's western bays, protected from the worst of the stormy waters by a natural seawall.
As the westernmost major city in Rothurland, Hvalstad was once the departure point for explorers heading into the Invelaust Ocean for parts unknown. Even as these explorers have become fewer and fewer in number, they are still remembered as great heroes by the inhabitants of Hvalstad.
Historically Hvalstad has been the port of arrival for outsiders arriving in Rothurland, especially for tengu from Meklaw. Though it has long since lost this status to Svarheim and Orthmark, the city still has a very large tengu population.