Earldom of Gungarad
Gungarad is one of two prominent states in the Lowlands, one of the last bastions of civilisation for a traveller before entering the chill moorlands of the Frosthalda. Being so far from the wealthier nations of the south, Gungarad’s trade prospects rely on their ships, and their sailors now ply the shipping routes all the way to Langharad and Guedovania. This same naval power also makes Gungarad an important ally of Somiochr to the west, guarding the shorelines of the Longwrath Coast against Frotshaldan longships for nearly 200 years. The quality of the raw materials in the region, namely stone, ore and timber, also makes them a valuable trade partner for the nations in the south.
Even though they are now outnumbered by other races, Gungarad is still regarded as a dwarven society. Culturally they cling to their heritage of Kulduun, and every Earl that has ruled the city has been from the dwarven nobility. Gungarad is not a segregated society however. The humans, halflings and other races that now call this land home are as proud and protective of their “shared” heritage, a heritage of surviving hardships and persevering together as a community.
Until recently, the citizens of Gungarad have had to fight and defend what they have built. Raiders from every direction, and dangerous beasts and monstrosities from the wilderness have hardened every citizen of Gungarad into a fiercely protective people, always ready to take up arms to defend hearth and home. The number of threats has decreased in recent decades since the cultural shift in Jormungrod, and the folk of Gungarad have been enjoying a period of relative peace and prosperity, free to trade and at last reap the rewards of their struggles.
Territories
Gungarad sits on the edge of the "civilised" world, in a small stretch of arable land in the north-eastern Caldhan Lowlands. To the north of Gungarad stretches the vast, cold wilderness of the Hoarsorrow Moorlands and the Frosthalda, inhabited by warlike and barbarous peoples.
Geographically Gungarad's holdings are small and compact. The River Sivyrne cuts through the heart of their territory which itself is sandwiched between the Nordskurl Peaks to the south, the Callair Forest to the east and the Hrodn Sea to the North. To the west, the dense and dark forest of the Blackoak Wood shelters the port of Korseal Bay and provides it with its signature dark lumber. To the south, close to Pickerton looms the sinister soldier pines and craggy foothills of the Howling Thicket, a place of dark and sinister reputation and shunned by all honest-thinking folk.
The town of Willowend provides the majority of the agricultural produce of Gungarad, a quaint and picturesque town of wheat fields, green pastures and trickling streams. At the northern border, considered the literal end-of-the-line for civilised folk, Barkham watches the vast empty moors of the Frosthalda for raiders while harvesting the rich timber of the Callair Forest. On the coast of the Hrodn Sea stands Skaterun, Gungarad's principal gateway to the outside world and chief trade hub.
These are not the ancestral lands of the dwarfs who originally settled Gungarad some 363 years ago. Rather, all dwarfs who now reside in Gungarad are descended from ancestors who migrated out of the Nordskurl Peaks after a catastrophic earthquake destroyed the ancient dwarven city of Kulduun. Travelling north into the lowlands, the dwarfs were able to found their new capital in a relatively uninhabited region of Kordania. It speaks much to the resolve and resourcefulness of the Kulduunians that they have managed to create a successful nation-state out of such trials and adversity.
Military
The military forces of Gungarad are divided into two divisions.
The Stubborn Shields form the city watch and town guard of Gungarad City and its holdings. They ensure civil order is maintained and enforce the laws of the earldom, arresting law-breakers and keeping the peace in times of strife.
The Longhorns by contrast patrol the roadways and trails that run between the towns and villages of Gungarad. They watch for bandits, accompany wealthy merchants and trade caravans and man small outposts and watchtowers around Gungarads borders.
The Svaartren Fleet forms the naval power of Gungarad, whose high-quality ships and skilled sailors have enabled Gungarad to secure the shoreline against northern raiders for close to two centuries.
Religion
An individuals faith is seen as a private matter in Gungarad, and ostensibly a person is free to worship any deity they choose. However, the worship of certain deities may provoke public disapproval and admonishment.
Most folk of Gungarad commonly worship Ouma, Ungbyr, Sharivhem and Govad. Given the trials and hardships they have both suffered through and overcome, Gungaradians look most favourably on these four deities, and often credit them with aiding their people in their survival and prosperity.
The folk of Willowend tend to favour Jarat, praying for healthy harvests and herds, while the people of Korseal Bay and Skaterun pray to Kavura for plentiful catches and safe passage upon her waters.
The only deities that are outright forbidden to worship are Boragg and Dakari. These two deities are viewed as being too diametrically opposed to what it means for Gungarad to flourish.
Foreign Relations
Somiochr
Gungarad is Somiochr's closest political ally in the land and the two states maintain a close and co-dependent relationship. As powerful and learned as Somiochr is, it's natural resources are scarcer and harder to come-by. Gungarad provides many raw materials that Somiochr needs, as well as helping guard the shorelines along Longwrath Coast. It also helps that Gungarad is too young a nation to remember the crimes of Mordred Rannasland, and is thus far more amenable to being allied to Somiochr than the other nations.Jormungrod & Erengorn
For almost three and a half centuries, Gungarad has had to defend its shores against the longships and warbands of the north, Jormungrod foremost among them. The two nations have fought for naval supremacy, and Gungarad's northern border has contended with northern raiders for generations. This has led to no small amount of bad blood and ill-feeling towards the northerners that has yet to be set aside. Despite the radical cultural shift that has occurred in Jormungrod over the past few decades, Gungaradians are not likely to forget the centuries of bloodshed they have endured quickly.Southern Nations
Gungarad is a supplier of many useful and necessary raw materials, especially ores, stone and precious metals. As such, Gungarad has trade agreements with a number of southern nations, Langharad in particular.Agriculture & Industry
Gungarad is not the most fertile of regions, though there is enough arable land to farm and graze livestock to sustain its population. The village of Willowend has proved the most plentiful, with large wheat fields, orchards and cattle farms. Barkham is the principal supplier of hops for the brewing of beers and ales, as well as wild berries and fruits from the Callair Forest. Skaterun serves as the principal fishery of Gungarad, able to sustain itself and their closest neighbours with seafood.
Industry is the chief economic resource of Gungarad, and what it uses to fuel its trade prospects with the outside world. The town of Pickerton is thus a key asset for the earlship. From the slopes of the Nordskurl Peaks, the miners of Pickerton harvest iron, steel, lead and precious metals. Its quarries supply high-quality stone that allow Gungarad to craft its more impressive architecture.
The towns of Korseal Bay and Barkham have ready access to the lumber of the Blackoak Wood and Callair Forest respectively. Both of these forests provide high-quality lumber that is popular in the south, and its exports of timber are amongst its most valuable commodities.
Trade & Transport
Most of the trade that comes in and out of Gungarad is conducted via maritime trade. Being so far-flung from the civilised nations, trade overland is simply not as reliable nor as safe. Especially in recent decades, with the raids from Jormungrod all but ceasing, sea trade for Gungarad has been more fruitful than ever. Its fat-bottomed trade hulks carry stone, ore and timber to Somiochr and beyond, and return with spices, wines, dyes, marble and salt.
When trade does take place overland, well-escorted trade caravans make the long trek along the Longhome Road between Gungarad and Somiochr, though it takes a certain hardy and perhaps desperate sort to risk such a journey.
One other method of trade exists between Gungarad and Somiochr. The River Sivyrne runs its sluggish course across the entirety of the Lowlands and connects the two cities. Though it is a long and slow voyage, there are a number of river-dwelling folk that ferry goods and passengers along the Sivyrne in pole barges and makeshift skiffs.
Proud, United, Unbroken
Symbol
A rampant mountain goat and a dwarven-style key
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Legislative Body
The Determined Council
Judicial Body
The Chief Judge
Neighboring Nations
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