Torrix, The Mountain Kingdom
With a merry shout and a hearty drink, the dwarves of Torrix have carved their stake in the world, a stake they have held onto for many years. A thousand attempts to break their spirit has only strengthened their resolve, and the fires of conflict have forged them into a proud and strong people. From the drinking halls of Garrow’s Keep to the throne of Highrock, the song of the mountain home resonates within each dwarf’s heart.
Etymology
The name Torrix finds its origin in the dwarven words “Tor” and “Rix”, meaning Stone and land respectively. Notably, “Torra” also means mother, or represents maternal love. Many contribute this to the love and national pride the dwarves have for the mountains.History
DetailsEarly Torrix and the Rise of Hjalmiir
In ancient times every mountain top of Torrix had its own king, and each king claimed every mountain top as their own. Even in these earliest days, the dwarves of Torrix were proud. Records go back as early as 4000. B.W., telling of countless wars waged by the many dwarven families, aiming to conquer their neighbors and forge their own dynasty. During these earliest eras the most prominent figures and noble lines were established, such as the Crimsonguard line of the north that protected the mountain range from constant orc attacks. The Goldburrow lineage of the western tips would lay claim to Highrock, a naturally defensible mountain the peak of which stood above all others. The Goldburrows found themselves locked in endless defensive battles, yet their natural advantage would constantly prevail. The Grimmarch lineage was led by two kings, ruling the southern mountains until they were pushed back by stronger forces into the hillsides below. These were but a meager few of the countless kings vying for power.
In 2600 B.W., a dwarf known only as Hjalmiir grew tired of the unending wars that wracked the landscape and needlessly killed thousands of his kinsmen. The dwarf came from no tribe, thought to have been banished, or from a clan that had been wiped out in one of the many conflicts. He set out across Torrix, rallying a small regimen of dwarves under his banner, and led them against an oncoming legion from the expanding Crimsonguard. His might shook the battlefield, single handedly conquering the invaders before his own men had taken up arms. Those that remained were offered freedom, or the right to fight alongside Hjalmiir’s cause. Many were hesitant at first, but slowly his words convinced them that he would lead the mountains into a golden era.
Over the next hundred years Hjalmiir marched from east to west, shattering armies and breaking blockades. His strength was heralded as the stuff of legends, that of a typhoon or earthquake. When he came to the other growing tribes, he offered conquered kings his ultimatum. Join him, or die an honorable death. Those kings that allied with him would keep their nobility as his war council, each maintaining the voice of their people and their desires. Eventually Hjalmiir would reach Highrock, the pinnacle of his campaign. What would take modern armies months, or even years to siege, was broken in three days by the Warrior King. The Goldburrow king fought valiantly, but was swiftly broken. The last mountain under his rule, Hjalmiir declared himself a king above kings, shedding his previous names and titles to become High King Hjalmiir, The Mighty. His first act was to allow any and all of his new subjects to challenge him for his crown. None would dare.
With the crusade over and the kingdom of Torrix formed, the High King now sought to consolidate his rule. He left the young nation in the capable hands of his council and set out into the world, gathering wisdom and knowledge as he traveled, and earning the blessings of all manner of higher beings, from the archdragon Senas to the goddess Gravita, he would seek out any that would hear him. He would even journey to other kingdoms, learning from their rulers to shape how he would guide his people. Upon his return he shared his newfound wisdom with his people, gaining the title of Philosopher King, respected for his wits and martial prowess in equal parts. His words would become law, engraved in stone for future generations to follow.
Early Kings
From then on only those with the blood of Hjalmiir in their veins would be allowed to ascend the throne. The High Monarch would never have their word questioned, and would be advised by a council of nobles that swore allegiance upon the exchanging of the crown. Sadly, not all of the kings would be as noble as the first. High King Garrow CrimsonGuard The Mad, who began his rule in 584 B.W., was plagued by hysteria and paranoia. Fearing for his life he attempted to move the capital to his own home city, ordering for a wall to be constructed of such great magnitude that it nearly emptied the country's vaults of gold. Even though the capital was swiftly returned to Highrock following High King Garrow’s passing, the project continued and was completed after his death. While many laughed and used the walls to criticize the mad king, when the Great War began no city was as defended as Garrow’s Keep.
The Great War
Many of Torrix’s mountain homes were placed under siege during the Great War, with not one managing to succeed thanks to dwarven ingenuity, defensive constructions, and underground mining networks which allowed them to tough out even the longest of campaigns by the most stubborn of generals. Human losses were magnitudes higher, and when they failed to capture any land they swiftly withdrew to focus their efforts elsewhere. Leading into the end of the tragic world war, the dwarven people came out relatively unscathed compared to other belligerents. While tensions were high, peace talks and trade quickly began between the empire and dwarven merchants. The Mountain Kingdom’s artisans would soon after be contracted by the empire, beginning their burgeoning friendship.
Following the war Torrix’s undamaged infrastructure and dwarven hospitality made it immediately popular and profitable for merchants around the world. Ships carrying merchants, refugees, and immigrants landed in droves on dwarven shores, swelling the country's need for food to the point of bursting, but bringing countless stores of gold in return. The economic boom swiftly found like-minded individuals joining in arms. By 123 A.W. Galanthia, who at the time was little more than an adventurer, would help push these groups into forming guilds. The many fledgling guilds would grow into worldwide powers, gaining members from far and wide over the centuries.
Modern Events
In recent history the crown was taken by the now reviled Veldren Heldric, The Schemer. His reign would be short yet cruel, lasting only a few months before the Smoking Mountain Massacre of the 13th of Fate, 1034 A.W., in which the king unleashed fireballs into a crowd in Highrock, who had gathered in opposition of his blatant misuse of his absolute power to imprison any “enemies of the state”. Over three hundred people died in the blasts before Veldrin instated a rule of martial law. It would not be long until he would be overthrown by the current ruling High Queen Charlie Hjalmiir, who to this day is working to repair the damages created by her predecessor. The people are still shaken by the tragedy, regardless of the queen's efforts, calling into question millennia old laws and traditions.
Government
DetailsTorn by Tragedy
Since its formation Torrix has been ruled by a parliamentary monarchy, where a parliament of nobles elected by citizens of Torrix, who guides and advises the monarch, who is absolute in their rule from the capital of Highrock. The kingdom is vast, and with the massive populations of multiple cities it has become commonplace for the largest of cities to be assigned governors by the council and High King. It is the governor's duty to enforce the laws of Torrix, and to keep the people safe. While the voting base has generally been unified, recent events have split them into two major parties; The Followers of Hjalmiir, and the Bronze Wolves. The Followers have complete faith in the old ways, swearing by the codes that have guided them for millennia. Born of recent tragedies, the Bronze Wolves desire to move away from the antiquated laws of the High King, reforming into a purely electoral system to reflect the people. Some members have taken this movement too far, moving into extremism and giving the movement as a whole a bad name.
Guildlords
Notably, the leaders of the three highest guilds; the Ruby Coffers, the Emerald League, and the Sapphire Circle, hold some sway in the global political sphere, particularly in Torrix’s court. Usually, however, the guild leaders are more focused on managing their guilds than actual politics.
Military
DetailsThe Shell of Stone
The defensive military of Torrix is considered one of the greatest in the world. Thousands of years of unity has allowed cities to be outfitted with walls and traps that extend deep underground. Superstructures such as Garrow’s Great Wall have been specifically designed to assist the landscape in repelling invaders. The common soldier is provided armor and mauls forged by the most esteemed dwarven blacksmiths. Even the standard guard is well equipped, given the natural dangers of the countryside. However all of these years have been focused on shaping and defending the heart of Torrix: its mountain cities and homes. This same architectural prowess has yet to be turned onto the roads and paths, in large part due to the many dangers such as trolls or cyclops roaming the mountainsides. The lack of proper infrastructure prevents any real mobilization of a larger armed force outside of a town’s borders. While Torrix is perfectly capable of raising such an army, given its supplies, loyalty, and quality of soldier, the complacency of safety within the mountain homes and lack of need has pushed aside any such concerns. Even the navy suffers, made of commissioned ships and repurposed merchant vessels.
Culture
DetailsBustling Cities, Happy Homes
The people of Torrix enjoy a comfortable life, thanks to incredible economic success. The lowest class of farmers living out in the rural hillsides manage to afford housing and feed themselves where they would be destitute elsewhere. The average citizen is able to afford ample housing and luxuries, while the elites partake in the finest wines and ales. While quality of life is high, diversity of food is low outside of the port towns, mainly consisting of potatoes, mushrooms, and whatever else can be grown in the depths of the mountains and infertile soil. Thankfully, dwarves have learned to produce the finest spirits from these plants, keeping the people rather content.
The population of Torrix has become quite diverse, with humans, elves, and even tabaxi now a common sight roaming the streets alongside dwarves. In spite of this cultural blending, dwarven culture continues to radiate strongly within the mountain homes. Dwarves are uniquely devout to all members of the Tor Asterion Pantheon, worshiping all members with the same reverence. However, the earth mother Gravita seems to hold special sway in the hearts of the people. Additionally, despite not being a god, the titan and elemental lord of earth Avani is praised and honored almost as fervently as the highest of gods. While dwarves are brotherly and accepting of newcomers, moving up in society is hard without the backing of honor or name in the eyes of the dwarves. This keeps many immigrants lower or middle class, unable to rise to knighthood or participate in the government beyond voting.
Neighboring Outsiders
Outside of the revered halls and mountain cities, many tribes have taken up roots. Notably, cliffjump goblins and kobolds inhabit abandoned mine shafts and caves when possible. Leftover technology and defensive weaponry in these mines has been adopted by keener kobolds, making kobold dens in Torrix some of the most well defended holes in the land. On the outskirts of mountain ridges, tieflings chased from far off lands have made camps in the remote landscape.Major Cities
DetailsGarrow's Keep
Garrow's Keep is cradled between two mountains, the ocean, and fifty meter high walls that are almost twenty meters thick. The presence of a booming shipyard and trade port, alongside the homebase of the three largest guilds, has forged the city into the economical capital of the world. People travel from distant lands to start new lives or begin their adventuring career in the city, swelling the population massively.Seastone
An ancient portside bastion has become this booming port town allowing trade from Torrix to the west side of Fehr’gia. Merchants from as far as Rollich circumnavigate the western shores to trade with The “Sea Goddesses Coin Purse”. Due to lackadaisical spending or just corruption, the guards have allowed a large pirate scene to grow along the docks.Ivoryhall
More of a castle than a city or town, Ivoryhall was built by a philanthropic noble to house and honor the greatest of heroes and High Kings. The resting place of Hjalmiir the Mighty, it heavily guards both history and artifacts of the past. Some pilgrims and historians have formed a small town of farmers surrounding the hall, hoping to one day enter and see the ancients in their majesty.Highrock
Capital of Torrix, Highrock is historically one of the hardest to siege locations in all of Fehr’gia. The city was built into the inside of the highest mountain, with the only entrance being at the mountain's peak. The insides are home to a bountiful mining system that continues to produce valuable metals and minerals. Highrock is also home of the greatest artisans, masons, and blacksmiths in the land, where many train their entire lives before joining the halls of legends.Economy
DetailsDwarven miners work tirelessly day and night, tapping into the wellspring of gems, ores, and rocks that lay under the mountain homes. Unlike many menial laborers, the dwarves take pride in their work in all forms. Songs of brotherhood follow rough iron and silver to the blacksmiths across Torrix. The dwarven people put their honor, their spirit into their craft, each slam against the anvil a stroke of a brush. From the smallest dagger to the grandest statuette, every piece builds the names of their creators. Even the smallest piece is important to the people of Torrix, and so the detail of finished Torrix goods each come with a tale and labor of love. However for all the artisan goods and finished products Torrix produces, the soils are infertile. The population has outgrown the country's ability to produce food, and so the goods are exchanged en masse for food imports from around the world. Cured meats and vegetables from across the planet fill the market stalls. Many of these imports come from the River Lily Empire, and in turn the empire has purchased a great deal of Torrix equipment to outfit its army. While the Mountain Kingdom has a positive image in the eyes of many countries, it shares a codependent trade with the empire to feed its people.
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