Zumrud
Zumrud was founded over 550 years ago, by King Gauwis Ozalum (LN) the first. He had spent many years searching the land that was to become Ozalum searching for somewhere to settle his travelling band of settlers. Gauwis and his 80 followers began by building a hill fort near the coast which would form the basis for the grand palace that stands there now.
7 years later, the fort was complete, farms had been producing regular crops and Zumrud was growing into a bustling (as yet unnamed) town. The population had grown to 142 in that time, with new travellers arriving and settling on top of the usual reasons for a population to grow. A tavern had been opened, The Silken Sword, one that would continue to exist in some form or another until present day Ozalum. It was also around this time that the first priest of Helm arrived in the town and began his teachings.
Two years later, the first miners stumbled upon the emeralds for which Zumrud eventually earned its name. Gauwis saw the potential value and peril of this discovery, emeralds were extremely rare in the southern continent. On the one hand, this would be a great source of revenue for Ozalum and his people, but if any of the larger settlements got wind of this there would be great consequences. Gauwis, went to meet with the Paladin of Helm who had arrived two years prior, knowing Helm to be a god of protection. The paladin understood the predicament Gauwis was in and suggested that a temple to Helm should be built over the site of the initial mine and no more emeralds should be unearthed until Zumrud had a population large enough to protect itself from attack. So, began the construction of Helm’s first temple and the beginning of Ozalum’s army.
Another six years later and the population of the burgeoning city had reached 418 with over 300 of the populace having received some at least rudimentary arms training. Also during this period, a rudimentary dock had been built on the river as well as a few trading vessels and the first shipment of emeralds was due to set north along with other valuable goods that had been collected from the surrounding countryside. Before the journey set off Usk, the Paladin of Helm, approached Gauwis saying that he’d heard of a great magical power in the North that could potentially ensure Zumrud’s safety for years, nay centuries to come and wished to go and seek it out. Gauwis consented on the condition that he take his eldest son, Jerrold, with him so that he could learn more of the world before he eventually would rule over Gauwis’ domain.
A year later Usk and Jerrold returned, they brought back with them goods that could not be sourced in the lands around Zumrud, a large quantity of gold from the sale of their crops and the emeralds, and a woman. This woman was Isolde, a sorcerer from The City of Imalian far to the north, she specialised in the construction of magical artefacts. Usk and Isolde had come up with a plan to construct a set of powerful relics that could ensure the safety of the Ozalum Dynasty.
It took continuous work over a period of seven years, seven months and seven days but the artefacts were completed. A set of weapons constructed from the emeralds below the city infused with powerful magyks. The weapons were meant mostly as a show of power and were given to Ozalum’s family and two of Gauwis’ generals.
The next 25 years were peaceful in Ozalum, Zumrud had continued to grow. The population having reached approximately 1,500 with more people arriving regularly. There had been a standing army officially formed with 250 full time troops and another 500 members in reserve.
Two years later, King Gauwis the Settler, the First King of Ozalum passed away. With King Jerrold the Successor taking the Crown. After having two sons, Jerrold was the one who implemented the tradition where the eldest would rule and the youngest would command the army when they came of age.
7 years later, the fort was complete, farms had been producing regular crops and Zumrud was growing into a bustling (as yet unnamed) town. The population had grown to 142 in that time, with new travellers arriving and settling on top of the usual reasons for a population to grow. A tavern had been opened, The Silken Sword, one that would continue to exist in some form or another until present day Ozalum. It was also around this time that the first priest of Helm arrived in the town and began his teachings.
Two years later, the first miners stumbled upon the emeralds for which Zumrud eventually earned its name. Gauwis saw the potential value and peril of this discovery, emeralds were extremely rare in the southern continent. On the one hand, this would be a great source of revenue for Ozalum and his people, but if any of the larger settlements got wind of this there would be great consequences. Gauwis, went to meet with the Paladin of Helm who had arrived two years prior, knowing Helm to be a god of protection. The paladin understood the predicament Gauwis was in and suggested that a temple to Helm should be built over the site of the initial mine and no more emeralds should be unearthed until Zumrud had a population large enough to protect itself from attack. So, began the construction of Helm’s first temple and the beginning of Ozalum’s army.
Another six years later and the population of the burgeoning city had reached 418 with over 300 of the populace having received some at least rudimentary arms training. Also during this period, a rudimentary dock had been built on the river as well as a few trading vessels and the first shipment of emeralds was due to set north along with other valuable goods that had been collected from the surrounding countryside. Before the journey set off Usk, the Paladin of Helm, approached Gauwis saying that he’d heard of a great magical power in the North that could potentially ensure Zumrud’s safety for years, nay centuries to come and wished to go and seek it out. Gauwis consented on the condition that he take his eldest son, Jerrold, with him so that he could learn more of the world before he eventually would rule over Gauwis’ domain.
A year later Usk and Jerrold returned, they brought back with them goods that could not be sourced in the lands around Zumrud, a large quantity of gold from the sale of their crops and the emeralds, and a woman. This woman was Isolde, a sorcerer from The City of Imalian far to the north, she specialised in the construction of magical artefacts. Usk and Isolde had come up with a plan to construct a set of powerful relics that could ensure the safety of the Ozalum Dynasty.
It took continuous work over a period of seven years, seven months and seven days but the artefacts were completed. A set of weapons constructed from the emeralds below the city infused with powerful magyks. The weapons were meant mostly as a show of power and were given to Ozalum’s family and two of Gauwis’ generals.
The next 25 years were peaceful in Ozalum, Zumrud had continued to grow. The population having reached approximately 1,500 with more people arriving regularly. There had been a standing army officially formed with 250 full time troops and another 500 members in reserve.
Two years later, King Gauwis the Settler, the First King of Ozalum passed away. With King Jerrold the Successor taking the Crown. After having two sons, Jerrold was the one who implemented the tradition where the eldest would rule and the youngest would command the army when they came of age.
Demographics
Mostly human, but has the most varied population in the Dynasty.
Government
Overseen directly by the Council of Ozalum
Defences
Has large walls circling the city, as well as separating the districts.
A large standing City Guard as well as an outpost for the Ozalum Military.
A large standing City Guard as well as an outpost for the Ozalum Military.
Type
Capital
Population
~35,000
Location under
Characters in Location
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