The Kingdom of Bergenstaat
Size: Small
Terrain: The province of Bergenstaat is dominated by the high, ragged peaks of the Beor Mountains, a relatively small but intimidating centerpiece of the surrounding lands. A few pines and cedars survive in the harsh climate, as well as several types of shrubs and a medicinal moss known as Dunn Fingal.
Climate: Arid and somewhat cold, similar to Utah or western Colorado.
Description: Bergenstaat (meaning ‘Mountain State’ in German) is known for its rich deposits of iron ore, Dunn Fingal, and excellent ski sites. Though lakes and rivers are scarce, there are many veins of water running beneath the surface, assisting in the creation of many small oasis along the trade routes. In addition to iron ore, copper and silver are mined in abundance here—most being transported to the major city of Thiruvananpuram to be refined. Plagued by harsh winters and dusty summers, Bergenstaat has become an isolated city-state largely cut off from the rest of the world.
Peoples: Largely inhabited by dwarves and goblins, there is nevertheless an elite population of elves and a few humans of unknown heritage.
Culture: In Bergenstaat there are two main castes of people—the industrialists and the military. The industrialists far outnumber the military, claiming over 80% of the population to their banner. These two factions coexist relatively peacefully, with the industrialists mining, refining and selling the various ores extracted from the earth, while the militarists protect the kingdom from roving bands of outlaws and—perhaps more importantly—spies or sabatours that attempt to steal the economic secrets of the twin industrial cities: Thiruvananpuram and Tor Calnach.
As an autocracy, Bergenstaat is ruled by twelve elvish families that reside in the capital fortress of Tor Jakal. They make laws and policies regarding trade and diplomacy with other countries and regulate the coming and going of immigrants and caravans with the assistance of the militarist-maintained line of fortresses protecting the southern and eastern borders called the ‘Tonigam Line’. The majority of the population lives in mining towns or major cities, though a decent number of people reside in the countryside largely to farm what little land is fertile enough and harvest the copious crops of Dunn Fingal.
Political Climate: Highly nationalist, largely conservative policies, thought several of the ruling families have expressed more liberal tendencies recently, concerning the conservative side. Maintains a strong military, but is reluctant to engage in warfare. Bergenstaat has a very strict code of laws and regulations that leave little room for mercy or other leniency, but they are not inherently unjust.
Most similar culture: Bergenstaat culture and architecture is akin to ancient Germanic or Celt culture, but more industrialized and nationalized.
Prominent locations: The twin industrial centers of Thiruvananpuram and Tor Calnach where most of the ore is refined. Tor Jakal is the governmental center where the chief families reside and the center for religious study. The Tonigam Line is a belt of fortresses that protect the eastern border of Bergenstaat from brigand raids and saboteurs.
Religion: The citizens largely practice a form of worship similar to rural Catholicism, with shrines housing images of their creator god. This religion, called Cilohtac, is based around the idea of a cosmic battle between the creator god and the destroyer god, where the creator strives to create things, and the destroyer tries to—well—destroy them.
Foods: Much of the food here is imported from surrounding countries, but locally harvested foodstuffs include wild game, cattle, domesticated boar, greens, and various tubers and roots.
Music: Music in Bergenstaat is based largely around percussion and woodwind, the iconic instrument being the pan flute.
Language: Gaelic, but many people are fluent with the common tongue of Ashnuw, due to extensive trading.
Travel: There are several magnetic railroads connecting the major cities, but most traffic uses carts driven by a bulkier breed of horse.
Goods produced: Bergenstaat industry is centered around the mining and refining of various ores, particularly magnetic irons. Since other nations have also opened large-scale mining efforts, they are quickly growing the industrial and mechanical side of things. Products include weapons of war, excavation machines, steam-powered traincars, and other pieces of equipment. Excavation machines are beginning to be built en mass here, and trade routes for this product are starting to open with other nations. Glow stones have been found in some of the lower caverns, but property rights have restricted miners from exploring deeper.
A smaller product is Dunn Fingal, a medicinal moss unique to the Beor mountains.
Technology: A mixture of steam and magnetism has been utilized to make machines that can mass produce copper and iron products. There are several large research facilities in Tor Calnach where high-level research is being undergone to discover more efficient means of excavation and refining, though there are rumors of more secretive projects.
One of the major innovations to come out of Bergenstaat is the weapon gems. These gems are found in many places across Ashnuw, but no one had discovered a way to unlock their potential. Until now. Several years ago Bergenstaat released these gem-infused weapons which—through a mental connection with the gems—the wielder’s can activate an effect of some sort. These effects ranged from explosions of power to subtle disarmament tactics. This discovery is revolutionizing warfare across Ashnuw, and is quickly becoming standard practice to use these gem-infused arms.
Combat Style: As a very nationalist nation, Bergenstaat tries to center combat around the line of fortresses erected on its eastern border. Many trebuchets and ballista are used for defense, as well as a well-trained archery force. When on the offensive, they use Egyptian-style tactics, utilizing chariots and spearmen backed by strong longbow and mechanized ballistic support.
Strengths: The Bergenians can be remarkably productive when achieving a cohesive goal, particularly when national identity is threatened. They are efficiency-minded, resulting in near maximum productivity from each member and a remarkably high GDP for the population.
Weaknesses: Often reluctant to change, they are slow to adopt new technologies or cultural changes, letting faster and more adaptable rivals get the better of them.
History 1.0 (1033 - 1045) the Founding of Bergenstaat
After the ravages of the Pale War and the massive changes brought about by the shifting continents and magnetic forces, a group of dwarves fled to the mountainous region know at the time as ‘Ahk Berg’. They dreamed of founding a community set apart from the political turmoil and dangers of the rest of Ashnuw, and to be self-reliant in case of another disaster. The site of the first settlement is the modern day outskirts of Thiruvananpuram.
A major obstacle they encountered was the lack of plant life in the rough mountains, and a large portion of the population of the colony died out from dehydration and starvation before the leader of the dwarves—Nar-Gaklog—discovered that in many of the valleys rich veins of water flowed beneath the surface. Because of how rocky the area is they have little impact on habitable ground, but when they are piped can provide abundant water to farms or herds.
Soon the population had swelled enough to spilt into two sister colonies, and they began calling themselves ‘Bergenhause’. Led by the twin geniuses Belmia and Baldwin, they set up a system of reservoirs and aqueducts to transport water across long distances, and used that power to turn water wheels for various purposes.
Now interconnected with a system of aqueducts and roads, and developing into several colonies, they decided to officially announced their sovereignty as a nation. So was Bergenstaat founded.
History 2.0 (1045-1120) First Winter and the Goblin Wars
In 1045 the First Winter began. It was named so because—though they had experienced many winters since settling in Bergenstaat—it was the first of the truly Great Winters. And in typical dwarf fashion they knew that there would probably be many Great Winters and it would be better to refer to them by number so they could be easily differentiated. During this time the water in the aqueducts was frozen, resulting in Starvation across the colonies. Belmia, the inventor and manager of the water wheels, died during this time leaving her brother behind. Tales say that the snow and ice reached the rooftops of many of the low dwarf-houses that winter.
Though historians differ somewhat on this issue, most agree that the goblin migration into Bergenstaat was due to the overpopulation of their former home that was exacerbated by the First Winter. By the time they came into contact with the dwarves it was the year 1047, and they had been traveling slowly as a clan for almost a year. The First Winter had ended in 1046. A war followed between the races that resulted in much bloodshed and the institution of the Dur Grimle, an elite dwarven fighting force. After three years of violent struggle they reached an agreement that allowed the goblins a mountainous stretch of land on the northern side of Bergenstaat.
History 3.0 (1201) Elf Migration and Deification
History 3.1 (1232) Institution of Elven Oligarchical Government
At this point goblin and dwarven culture began to blend in significant ways, and some goblins begin living in Bergenstaat.
History 3.2 (1234) Building of the Tonigam Line
History 4.0 (1700) Alliance with the Order of the Martyrs, Sanctified
Characters in Location
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