The Üth Empire
An era changing power, the Üth Empire's formation is what began the Age of Steel, and their collapse ended it. This empire grew to power over 2000 years ago by discovering black steel. This alloy was a combination of iron and a mysterious, pitch black compound known as Twilium. The Üth found this compound deep within the mountains of Ardunor, and forged their weapons and armor out of its incredibly durable alloy.
Their improved weapons and armor allowed them to rise to prominence and begin their expansion across all of Ardunor. They ended up conquering nearly all of the land east of the Spineridge Mountains, all of the land surrounding the Bracciano Sea, and even portions of the Spineridges themselves, wresting control away from the Dwarves. It is said they needed access to the Spines, as their original supply of Twilium was running out.
The empire prospered for almost 1500 years. Its reign saw countless emperors take the throne, and even large periods where no emperor claimed it. In the first half of its rule the empire grew quickly, but was accepting of other cultures. It allowed the original cultures of its conquered lands to flourish while integrating Üth culture everywhere it went. 1000 years after the formation of the empire, however, the pantheon of the Üth deities was slaughtered by The Divine Light, and this new god greatly influenced the empire.
The Divine Light quickly became the only religion allowed in the empire, and the military took to executing heretics who believed elsewise. The accepting and inclusive ways of the Üth were quickly replaced by a tyrannical grip. Many citizens of the empire were taken as slaves and sent to other portions of the territory to work in brutal conditions.
It wasn't long after this that The United Dwarven Kingdoms grew tired of the abuse. With the assistance of the Ascomanni the Dwarves overthrew the Üth, cutting them off from their supply of twilium, and therefore black steel.
Without the ability to produce and repair their weapons and armor, the empire eventually lost its grasp on the furthest reaches of its territory: the land surrounding the Bracciano sea. After centuries of a slow but brutal decline, the empire was a shadow of its former self, occupying only the land south of the eastern mountains. Without the trade of the cities around the sea, and without black steel to bolster its army, and with the final blow being the assassination of the last emperor of the Üth, the once glorious empire shattered into many smaller nations.
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