After the breaking of the Lords' Alliance by Lord Gazreth and the events of The Fall, the Lords in the North chose to withdraw to their kingdoms to form their own defense against intrusion by their enemies. This includes both the human lords who upheld the Lords' Alliance prior to its breaking, and the Tarth leadership that protects the Great Labyrinth in the city of Tarth.
Lord Varkas of Vaarta and Lord Kazalin of Tarth are two such Highgaard, though there are 10 others who represent Ilma, Amertune, and the many unnamed barbarian tribes in the outlands of Farlas. Like the Mora gypsies, the Highgaards of Farlas worship the First-Order Gods (chiefly Baetylus, Taelos, and Kistvaen) and profess a deep connection to the land.