Silvershield
The Kingdom of Silvershield lies on the eastern edge of Andaria. It runs from the river Morok, at the southern border of Yetheloth, downward the coastlines bordering the Cold Embrace leading up to the western river Frosttin. It is the tragic rest, which remains of the dwarven empire after the Sinking of Goldhaven. Goldhammor was chosen as new capital for its central position and around it rose new cities, building the new fundament of the famous dwarven industrialization.
Political System
Silvershield is a matriarchy on which pinnacle stands the Beldam. The Beldam is elected from a pool of noble dwarven families in an official election, after the passing of the previous Beldam. One of the prerequisites is the advanced age of at least 333 years. The elected Beldam takes control over the legislation and appoints various ministers, which each specializes in an explicit topic in dwarven culture over that they rule and offer advise to the Beldam. Every city is ruled by an elected female governor.Magic
With Iolatan bestowing the gift of magic unto the other humanoid races the dwarves were blessed with an unique variation of Enchantment magic, Rune Magic. It allows them through intensive magic casting, to alter and manipulate materials to an extend it changes its originally given meaning. Through long years of research and experiments the dwarves refined methods that imbued magical weapons and amors with everlasting magical properties. On first glance it resembles the infusion magic of the gnomes, but it is a much more tedious process; in return it can result in powerful permanent enchantments. One the peak of dwarven might whole armies were equipped with magical weapons and equipment. Legends remember the Axes of Arxon, an elite barbarian platoon, equipped with the Light Axes, capable of producing the fireball spell, without needing any magical skill per se. Since the Sinking of Goldhaven there has been a great increase in the worship of Iolatan and the practise of Divination magic in order to gain knowledge to reconquer Goldhaven.Structure
Beldam Ingun
The momentary head of the kingdom Silvershield is Beldam Ingun, governing Silvershield for now nearly 60 years. She is seen by many as reluctant regarding the reconquest of Goldhaven. It is true that the efforts have shortened since the beginning of her reign. Her being elected as new Beldam was rather unsurprisingly, as not many female noble dwarfes remained, which possessed an high enough age.Goron Acidfoot
Goron Acidfoot is the momentary chief tinkerer and holds the titel of an Imagin. He further refined one of the most important aspects of firearms: gunpowder. His main research revolves around underwater exploration possibilities and siege weapons.Thorand Steel
The current commander of the dwarven military: Thorand Steel. A dwarf of few words, but an highly capable strategist. The commander stands under direct control of the Beldam and swears his loyalty only to her, the kingdom and the gods.Beldam Kathrilin
Beldam Kathrilin was the first elected Beldam after the Sinking. She had a hard time organizing and restructuring the mentally broken dwarfs, who just had lost their country, families and homes. On top of that they had lost a great portion of their food production; weren't it for the imports from Rocelia, Silvershield would have been at risk of a famine. It was only a few years after the Sinking that she broadcasted to all the larger dwarven communities a flamboyant speech, in which she rekindled the dwarven spirit. She demanded strength from every dwarf to stand up again and work and fight and kill to reconquer their land, to regain their honor and free their god. The whole country rose up on this day, new purpose in their life filling their hearts with determination. Beldam Kathrilin is buried in the royal catacombs of Goldhammor.Beldam Orogina
When the Sinking shook the island of Goldhaven the momentary Beldam Orogina instantly felt the disturbance, in rock and soul. She felt that an apocalyptic catastrophe was trying to grasp her and all her kin. She immediately send warnings to all dwarven regions and to prepare for the worst. She also send messages to the dwarven allies and asked them for help. It was thanks to her quick reaction that many dwarfs could escape with their lifes. She refused to leave the capitol before everybody else was evacuated and unfortunately she was engulfed with the city and everybody who didn't make it out in time. She is revered as a role model of dwarven bravery and steadfastness.Quorin Tuhirin
Quorin Tuhirin of the gnome Hardrock clan is one of the most famous Imagin in the history of Silvershield. It was her hard work and years of hazardous trial and error, which produced the nowaday dwarven secret weapon: the firearms. For that she is held in high honors. She was buried in her hometown in the Ganwick mountains close to the city of Suruknin.The Winged Shields
Called like that for the eye-catching silver wings attached to their helmets, the Winged Shields are the special forces of Silvershield. Encladed in heavy armor, holding reinforced tower shields and heavy maces they are the slow, but unbreakable walls, that shield dwarven society. They can most often be seen, either on the dwarven borders, protecting the frontiers, or as guards for important nobility.The Berserk Clan
Situated in the eastern mountains of Andaria long before the Sinking, the Berserk Clans build many monasteries on top of the highest mountains. Highly independent they spend their time training and meditating, following the rules of Ercon. They seldomly descend from their monasteries, mostly to resupply or slay local beast, which terrorize the region. They usually have good relations with the local gnome communities. It is only in times of war, when you see large warbands swarm down the mountains, filling the frontlines of the dwarven armies. They often have problems with military ranks and organisation, but it is often overlooked, for their sheer destructive power, which nobody wants having it directed at oneself.The Forgers
Dwarfs have a strong aptitude for mining and smithing. Their anatomy seems ideal for mining ressources directly from the bones of the earth itself and every dwarf takes pride in this racial feature. Of course the gained ressources need to be further processed and over the course of millenia the dwarfs perfected their smithing expertises. In the center of dwarven smithing cultur are the Forgers. The smithing guild harboring all master smiths of the kingdom. Becoming part of the Forge is the highest honor any smith can achieve. Under the Forgers banner are united the Tinkerers Guild, the Sword and Shield Consortium and the Golden Runes.The Tinkerers Guild
The Tinkerers Guild is the only guild which is mostly composed of gnomes. Innovation being an important aspect of dwarven growth, these Tinkerers are highly respected in all society for their ingenuity. When a Tinkerer proves his skill by witty and exceedingly formidable inventions, he is given the title of an Imagin. The most famous Imagin was Quorin the inventor of firearms.The Sword and Shield Consortium
Before the Sword and Shield Consortium was formed all smiths competed and worked against each other, lessering the possible efficiency. Under Beldam Kathriln all smith-related work was unified under the Sword and Shield Consortium. A Consortium is located in every bigger city under the ruling of the local governor. They mostly produce armor and weapons for the local garrisons.The Golden Runes
With Iolatan distributing magic to the other races, effectivly starting the Age of High Magic, the dwarves gained a special sensing of the materials. With the careful and tedious studies of materials and the effects of positioning different runes on different materials runecrafting became a key point in dwarven smithing. It takes a lot of effort and practise, but rewards with incredible enchanting possibilites. The highest masters of runecrafting are distinguishable by the shine of the golden runes that cover their clothes and the magical hum these emit.The Artillerists
With the recent development of firearms the dwarven military made a drastic turn. Even though the fabrication of a well-made firearm is more expensive and takes longer than any regular weapon and armor, the training of a new recruit takes much less time to get similiar deadly results. Most of the regular army still fights with the dwarven typical hammers and axes, but there is an increase in firearm platoons, which make the dwarven army considerably more dangerous. Obviously the means to produce the dwarven firearms is a well-kept secret and even the export of any firearm is considered treason.The Brewer of Roohl
Created by the freshly crowned Beldam Ingun the Brewer of Roohl are the youngest official organisation in Silvershield. Their main occupation is as the name suggest brewing ale and liquor and refining existing methods. Officialy created as an attempt to strengthen the influence and power of the deity Roohl and to rekindle the joyful aspect of dwarven life, the real purpose was a more practical one. Brewers of Roohl are often send as ambassadors, to gain insight on new politcal and trading partners.Public Agenda
The main goal for every dwarf is to regain what was lost in the Sinking of Goldhaven: their god, knowledge, weapons, their homeland and their pride. How these are to be regained, varies from to dwarf to dwarf, but every dwarf aspires to contribute his strength and skill to the greater dwarven collective. May it be through becoming an expert runesmith, exploring the great oceans after relics of the past or simply enlisting to the army to make sure their home and country is kept safe.
History
First Age
The dwarves were created by the deities Iolatan and Arxon and are one of the first humanoid races created by the gods. They were given stout and resilient bodies and a deep connection and affiliation to the very earth itself. They quickly began digging into the earth and carving their cities on- and into mountain ranges, uncovering various metals and gems. The deity Serk Klongrun showed them how to process these metals into weapons and armor and they quickly integrated this knowlege into the heart of their culture. In these times dwarves could be found all around Andaria, albeit nearly exlusivly in rocky terrain. The nowaday regions of Lixanthia and Silvershield, are known to have been greatly populated by dwarfs since the first recordings of time, but the greatest part of the population settled over time on the now lost island of Goldhaven, which was situated to the east of Andaria.Second Age
While the smaller dwarven populations benefitted less from the gift of magic that was bestowed by Iolatan, because of the intrinsicly difficult and slow process it took to unterstand the complicated ways of using runemagic, the already densly populated kingdom of Goldhaven seeing the potential and possiblities invested all of its spare capabilities into researching it. Over the slow drift of centuries the goldhavians managed to decipher secret after secret and through their effort were able to create ever more wonderful magical items, such as the legendary Armor of Sparing, the famed Light Axes and even magical flying means of transport that allowed quick travel all around the island. In the year 390 HM the freshly founded kingdom of Rocelia contacts different clan leaders of local Stonehook clans and wary peace and trade treities are negotiated, which stabilize the dwarf-elven relations. Around the year 817 HM Goldhaven began its expansion onto the continent of Andaria by building its first military outpost on its eastern side nowadays known as the city Easterne Geat. From here they build further outpost and cities on the east coast and strengthen their ties with the local Stonehook clans and governments. The Goldhaven and Stonehook dwarfs come to mutual agreements and unite in the year 895 HM into a first mutual confederation. In the year 903 HM gnomish settlers ask for permission to settle in an empty mountain range becoming the province of Ufrix. In the year 1348 HM Rocelia asks its dwarven allies to fortify their western fortresses in exchange for generous compensation. 1790 HM in an unprecedented catastrophe Saltlake Mohrush crushed over its natural borders destroying and killing the surrounding cities and populations. 1792 HM envoys from the Deep Conglomerate come into contact with the Dwarven Confederacy. In the year 1970 HM Rocelia is attacked by multiple armies and from various directions; a dwarven fleet is dispatched from Nawerend destroying a host of mercenary besieging the elven city Gerthis. Three weeks later three dwarven armies reinforce the weakend elven host in Centrarun and aid in the following battles driving out the invading armies. In the year 1971 HM the Dwarven Confederacy and Rocelia agree on further treaties of friendship and become bound allies in times of need. 1987 HM the Dwarven Confederacy and the Deep Conglomerate agree to official trade relations. Of the last millinia of the Second Age mostly rumours and legends survived the Sinking of Goldhaven. Old stories of flying ships, giant cities carved from complete mountain ranges and countless magical items and artifacts are nearly all that is left from the Goldhaven empire.Third Age
With the Old Ones arriving onto the Material Plane the kingdom of Great Lixis expanded with an unnatural speed and intensity, forcing many smaller dwarven outposts and communities to retreat to larger kingdoms. After the eastern human kingdoms were hit by a tsunami in the year 165 TD they were taken over in large parts by Great Lixis. The Dwarven Confederacy aided the elves of Rocelia in the year 170 TD, when an alliance of Great Lixis and their allies, tried to invade Rocelia lasting in an approximately 35 years stalemate.In the year 205 TD Arxon the main dwarven deity was pierced and impaled with an ominous weapon by the deity Xeres. He plunged the weapon, with Arxon still pierced by it, deep into the island of Goldhaven cracking its fundament splitting the island and subsequently sinking it to the ground of the sea. Shortly after the eruption of the first earthquakes shaking the island, Arxons brother Ercon appeared, surprising the culprit. In a fit of rage he massacred Xeres removing all of his limbs and took him prisoner. Beldam Orogina the reigning leader of Goldhaven at the time interpreted the violent earthquakes correctly as a lethal omen and immediately took action. Through her fast reaction many dwarfs could be evacuated before the island sunk, even though many more lifes were lost, among them she herself and most of Goldhavens treasures and knowledge. The dwarves having lost their main country, many kin and their chief deity were shattered. It took many years and Beldam Kathrilins legendary speech to shake the lethargy off of them and to come back to their feet. When the dragonborns arrived in Andaria in the year 221 TD the dwarfs took up stance for making them space and giving them a place to live in. They supported them from the beginning with what ressources they had left to spare and a strong connection between both races developed, initiating cultural exchanges. In the year 248 TD they took part in the creation of the Angelic Alliance and with the other members destroyed the kingdom of Great Lixis and banished the Old One Yog Sothtoh, who was responsible for its corruption.
Fourth Age
With the Old Ones apparently defeated and vanquished, the dwarfes turned back to themself. All excessive energy was directed to reclaim their lost home Goldhaven!Timeline of Silvershield
History of SilvershieldDemography and Population
The population of Silvershield amounts to circa two and a half million humanoids. The largest group is composed of dwarfs, which populate all of Silvershield, followed by nearly half a million gnomes that mostly live in and around the northern mountain range, that was given to them in the Age of High Magic; the gnomes mostly govern themself from the local capital of Ufrix, though they follow and respect the dwarven legislature. Apart from these two main social groups there are many various humanoids from all over Andaria; most common are dragonborn and elves from the neighbouring kingdoms and humans from the Merchant Alliance. Most of the population lives rather in one of the great dwarven cities than on the countryside and more of the population lives in the warmer north than the cold and freezing south.
Territories
Arlenstan
Arlenstan is the largest mining facility in Silvershield, its mining shafts and forks reaching far to the north and south of the city, connecting the city with many smaller towns and camps all along the mountain range of Scinan Pyrel. It is the largest excavator of Platinum and Adamant, making it extremly rich, though many of the minerals and metals mined here are shipped to other dwarven city to be further refined and processed.Aexenhewn
Also being one of the larger mining facilities in Silvershield, Aexenhewn is more known for its ambitious tunnel project. A long tunnel is being dug to connect Aexenhewn with the origin of the river Inkruth, to make a direct connection to the elven capital Etholorn. The project is actively assisted by an unit of elven mages and druids.Bellting
Bellting is one of the three largest havens in Silvershield. The city is responsible for defending against any hazards that come from the west. It is famous for its large military port and high-yielding fishing output. All ships that wish to travel any further eastwards, have to dock in Bellting and explain their motives; any ship trying to pass Bellting illegaly is destroyed by one of its three submarine prototypes. A dwarven invention strongly kept secret; the ones who had the chance seeing it, died in the following moments.Easterne Geat
Easterne Geat was the first city that was built by the kingdom of Goldhaven in its expansionist beginnings around the year 817 HM. It was at first designed as a military outpost, but over the centuries was never needed to really defend itself and its population dwindled. With the Sinking of Goldhaven though its population skyrocketed and a new purpose for the city was found. Many dwarven scolars and engineers settled here and began to search, ponder and invent means of gaining information of the lost homelands, or means of transportation to travel deep beneath the sea to get to it. Sadly up to now with no success.Frostslean
This mining city is mostly famous for having produced the infamous firearms. It was here that in long years of labour Quorin Tuhirin firstly discovered gunpowder and then developed with it the first firearm. Apart from that Frostslean is known by many alchemists and wizards for excavating and refining chemicals and material components.Frustende
The northernmost city Frustende stands for many as a symbol for the dwarven-elfen bond of friendship, with its population consisting approximately 50% of dwarfs and 30% elfs. The remaining 20% are mostly Dragonborn, but humanoids from all over Andaria live here. The local garrison is also very divers and boasts of its various fighting experts from all over the world. In the local arena one has good chances to see one of these experts in live combat.Goldhammor
In the center of the Iron Peaks, where the river Elor origins, stands the capital Goldhammor. It is part of the Industrial Belt Silvershields economic centre that produces the largest part of Silvershields exports. It is also the political center of Silvershield, hometown of many of the most influential noble families and holds the royal palace, which accommodates the Beldam and her family and her elected ministers. It is also the headquarters of the Golden Runes and the Brewers of Roohl.Lufian Munt
Far to the south of Silverhsield stands solemnly a medium-sized mountain often charmingly refered to as the Lovely Mountain. It is more large than tall and has, over the years, been nearly completly hollowed out. It is the southernmost city that is mostly composed of Stonehook dwarfs. Close to the dense and game rich forest of Stagtract the city supplies most of the neighboring cities with food and wood. It is also known for harbouring a handful of elven druids, who seem to have taken interest in the cold and snowy lands around Lufian Munt and in return for shelter help the local garrison from time to time.Nawerend
The westernmost city Nawerend lies at the entry of the river Frosttin. Being a strategic border point and its proximity to Calimtra and Halbmond it is heavily fortified. In its port always lie many dwarven war and merchant ships. Together with Bellting and Strangpole it is one of the big three dwarven seaports, over which the greatest part of all the naval trades are merchandised.Quoro
The city of Quoro lies in the center of the Industrial Belt and is a smaller haven of trade and manufacturing goods. It receives materials from the surrounding cities that are not needed for the national production and processes them into export goods for trade. Many smaller, but finer goods are producued here for the elites of Andaria.Rockjaw
Rockjaw is the inofficial capital of the Stonehook dwarfs, being composed mostly of Stonehooks and a stable gnome population of circa 30%. It is famous for its vast production and export of Murky Maltroot the most famous of the dwarven ales, albeit not the most exported; it is shipped to all of Silvershield and beyond. In the vicinity of Rockjaw lie many cloisters, following various barbarian traditions. Rockjaw is responsible for keeping at bay the recurring intrusions of monsters and kobolds from the north.Sealt
The city of Sealt shapes together with the cities Goldhammor, Summorlast, Strangpole and Quoro the industrial center of the kingdom of Silvershield. While Strangpole and Quoro mostly serve as trade hubs the surrounding citites supply the cities with materials and goods to export. Sealt is one of the younger cities in the Industrial Belt and was expanded into a larger city when rich silver and cobalt deposits where found.Solemn Call
This smaller port is known to be inhabited by many artificer, runesmiths and tinkerer together devising, planing and creating various methods and plans to investigate the bottom of the ocean. Many expeditions to the lost island of Goldhaven start here. Solemn Call is also important for the provisioning of the city Easterne Geat.Strangpole
Connected via the river Elor to the capital, Strangpole is the largest exporting seaport of Silvershield. From here most of the dwarven exports and goods are shipped to Yetheloth, the Northern Alliance and Dunkrast. It is also one of the largest shipyards in Silvershield, producing and harbouring many dwarven warships.Summorlast
Summorlast is the production site, where all firearms are produced and for that it is most likely one of the best guarded cities in all of Silvershield. The city is also the main training ground for the famed Artillerists. It is also the biggest mining city in the region.Suruknin
South to Ufrix lies the city Suruknin, the second largest gnome settlement in Silvershield. It is famous for being the site, where the Imagin Goron Acidfoot further refinded gunpowder and it known as the largest producer of gunpowder in all Andaria. It is also an important farming area, that almost reaches to the eastern seashore.Ufrix
Ufrix is the largest gnome city in Silvershield and the official capital of the correspondent province Ufrix. It is most famous for its large tinker district, being the birthplace of many wondrous items. As all gnome cities Ufrix is splitted into two areas; one only for gnomes strongly guarded against any intrusion and a second area for visitors and non-gnome tinkerer. It is one of the few gnome cities were non-gnomes are allowed to live and contribute to gnome research.Religion
With the disappearance of Arxon the main dwarven deity the dwarven society was strongly shaken. Roohl the dwarven god of positivity and laughter was venered much less often and his influence heavily diminished. In contrast to Arxon brother Ercon, who stands for battle and arrogance; his influence skyrocketed and many rever him as the new dwarven chief deity. Human deities are somewhat frowned upon and the worshipping of Xeres is utterly prohibited. Due to his knowlegde domain the elven deity Iolatan saw a large increase in worship in the recent two centuries.
Foreign Relations
The society in Silvershield is not completly homogeneous; the dwarves themself are divided into more or less two different groups: the first ones never having left the continent of Andaria are called the Stonehooks. They are descendents of the first dwarfs in mind and soul often living a simpler life in smaller clans, not seldomly following the barbarian path. They can be found all over Andaria, but the largest part settled in the first two ages in the nowaday region of Silvershield. The other group are the descendents of Goldhaven, who survived the apocalypse of the Sinking. The largest part with ca. 40% of the population is composed of Goldhavens and their descendants, followed by Stonehooks with 30%. Many Stonehooks live in smaller communities and follow a more simple paths, often finding themself in some kind of soldier-like business. 20% of the population is comprised by gnomes mostly living in the province of Ufrix. They have very good connection with the old-established Stonehook clans and with the other gnome provinces of the Gnome Confraternity. The rest of the population consists mostly of dragonborns and elves and a few humans.
Reclaim what is ours!
Founding Date
205 TD
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
Kingdom of Silvershield
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Neighboring Nations
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments