Gundarlun
The island nation of Gundarlun is little more than a string of barren mountains rising up out of the Trackless Sea. Mighty waves crash against the shores of this weatherbeaten land, showering the fishing villages that dot its shores with a salt spray that never truly lifts. During the winter, the islands are surrounded by thick sheets of ice up to a mile across on which walruses and bears hunt.
The nation is ruled by King Olgrave Redaxe. He commands around a dozen ruthless jarls who each rule over their own settlements on the islands.
Gundbarg, the Gateway Port.
Berranzo, a failed mining colony.
The wreck of the Golden Crown.
Climate
Although classed as a subarctic climate like the nearby mainland, Gundarlun, like other islands in the area, experiences somewhat different weather, owing to the seas. Gundarlun endures winter for almost eight months of the year, and is regularly locked in sea ice that often reaches over 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) in extent by the month of Alturiak. When not packed in ice, the island is often blanketed in dense fog that rises late in the day. Summers are particularly cool. The island is lashed by heavy storms off the seas, and continual bitter northwest winter wind is called "Auril's breath" by the islanders. The white dragon Arveiaturace has been known to drink from freshwater lakes and cascades on Gundarlun, among other islands of the region.People & Culture
Gundarlun is inhabited largely by Northmen. The people of the island are known as "Gunds". They are excellent fisherfolk and merchants, and are relatively more devout when it comes to the gods than most other Northmen. Rich and poor enjoy dressing in colorful cloth made in the south. Their longships are adorned with figureheads of fish, such as marlins and swordfish, or predatory birds like ernes or sea eagles and ospreys. Gund warriors often prefer swords to axes. Gund mercenaries and adventurers can be found all down the Sword Coast. Some fight as barbarians, but only a few as berserkers.Locations
Like the other islands, most settlements on Gundarlun are built on the leeward side, away from the chill wind. The biggest settlement on the island—indeed, all the islands of the northern Trackless Sea—is the city of Gundbarg, the "Gateway Port", with a population of 12,000. The Dragon Turtle Inn in Gundbarg by the harbor is known as a place from which to hire captains with ships, as well as a hangout for adventurers.Notable locations:
Economics
Gundarlun has an economy based entirely on fishing, farming, mining, and trading. Almost every ship to cross the Trackless Sea stops at Gundbarg to take on fresh water and food, make repairs, replace crew, or exchange goods. The city provides all the services required by these seafarers, with inns, taverns, drydocks, sailmakers, and great warehouses, and maintains reasonable prices. Great quantities of dried, pickled, salted, and smoked fish are imported from Vilkstead on the Purple Rocks, and sold on to cities on the mainland.Government
Gundarlun was ruled by King Olger Redaxe by 1358 DR, and still ruled by him in 1370 DR. By 1485 DR the island was ruled by Olgrave Redaxe. The island is organized into fifteen holds ruled by jarls. It is the only island member of the Lords' Alliance. The dragon Arveiaturace claims territory across the Trackless Sea that includes Gundarlun.Military
Gundbarg keeps a standing army numbering 500 warriors. They serve as city guard and crews of the twelve raker warships commanded by the king. Each hold on the island has one to four longships of its own, each with a crew of 40 warriors. The sea-going fire giants of Tuern have occasionally raided as far as Gundarlun.History
Gundarlun was colonized by Northmen sailing from the coast of the mainland. The Gunds in turn colonized the Purple Rocks. Illuskans from Gundarlun and Tuern later invaded the Moonshae Isles. In the Year of the Thousand Snows, 256 DR, the Ffolk surrendered the northern isles to the invaders. A Calishite mining colony named Berranzo was founded on the western side circa 1330 DR. However, circa 1333 DR, the inhabitants were mysteriously driven mad and killed. Prior to 1370 DR, Luskan fought a war against Gundarlun, but was unable to defeat the islanders.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Leader
Ruling Organization
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Crowned Republic
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Traditional
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