Eldurgrund
From the Archives of the Eldursteries
Eldurgrund has grown into the largest named territory of the Augury due to a combination of historical significance and sly politics. Their large size and private military have made them a suffocating presence in Trinen, and they only continue to benefit thanks to their strongarm over the best Caripreet roads. Eldurgrund protects all of its central roads with occasional patrols and guard stations, forcing large Caripreet shipments bound for Saint's Maar to pay their tolls along the way. The fact that the barony even gets a private military is a stroke of luck and poor decisions from the Augury, as their allowance of a private military has been revoked twice throughout history by the Augury(once at its incarnation and later after the scourge of Arniel Kane in Mot D'nir). They currently have no restrictions on their military, as the current governor has shown complete cooperation in the face of the Augury.
In the modern era, Eldurgrund has thought less about scheming and begun to worry about trouble brewing in its lands. Several groups have banded together in the larger cities, such as unions between guilds or shops. Further, history regarding their acquisition of J'barri fire magic weapons has been questioned, leading small political groups to band together for justice. Though they were largely ignored at first, they are now gaining political backing from some of the lords in Eldurgrund, putting them on the map.
Positioning in the Augury
Eldurgrund would be a fantastic asset to the Augury if they weren't too busy trying to overthrow it now and then. They have managed to garner territory from surrounding baronies but haven't grown within the last 200 years, as most disputes have settled, and the Augurs have begun paying them extra attention in recent years. Eldurgrund has regulated taxes and tariffs as the Augury requires and must provide soldiers and protection in times of need without compensation. The barony (mockingly relegated to a "governy") must also follow Taopinism: the regulated pantheon across the empire. While any other gods are allowed to be worshipped, it is the recognition of Taopin, Bailum, and Chaimut as a central authority that the Augury requires. Further, some views regarding Anoch Athylis have been stamped out (particularly with seeing him as a martyr for humankind) due to the nation's complicated history with fire magic, and the devil's place in providing it.Demographics
60% human, 20% orc, 15% dwarvish, 5% reptilian, <1% other
Government
Eldurgrund is a feudal kingdom within the Augury. It is run by a "governor," unlike the other Augury territories which possess the highest rank of Baron. This governor delves out land within Eldurgrund, oversees the knighting of the The Eldur Knights, regulates the Monastic Order of the Eldursteries (with oversight from the Saint's Maar government), and works with the Augury regarding taxes among other high profile responsibilities.
Different families within Eldurgrund often pick fights over territory, which the governor himself disputes, though it doesn't always go over peacefully. New governors are voted for by the lords within the domain of Eldurgrund, which is the main differentiating factor from the other baronies. One could easily mistake the title of governor as hereditary, given that descendants usually acquire the throne (as marriage is considered the best way to gain power rather than disrupting the establishment with a sudden vote).
For the last 80 years, Eldurgrund has been run by the Hellstrom Governy, a family lineage native to the region. Their policies are a sharp pivot from the barony's prior position on foreign relations. The Hellstroms have made it their family's mission to improve relations with the Augury and become a well-working cog within Trinen's greater machine; as a result, most of their attention has been ensuring that the lords within Eldurgrund have satiated appetites for land, without disrupting the established order.
In prior decades, the lords have been punished with an iron fist for stepping out of line to keep them in line with the goal of the Hellstroms. The religion of the Augury was strictly enforced by Vanessa Hellstrom, bringing around rulership so brutal that the Augury had to step in and regulate the extent of the state's power over punishment.
With each generation, the rulership has become more lenient until Gunderr Hellstrom took power at 40 years of age. He brought about reformation and reparations across his barony to cleanse his family's name. This included allowing the The Orc-Urr Aegis into the city, building Vagrant's Lot, protection for those that worship the Dwarvish Pantheon, and attempting to reinvigorate Eldurgrund pride while merging with the ideals of the The Augury. For more information on the current governy and its policies, read on the Hellstrom Governy.
Defences
The large land required to cover in Eldurgrund to reach the most important locations could be considered a great defense itself, particularly in winter when the established settlements don't have to worry about the cold. Beyond that, the main roads are guarded heavily by Eldurgrund guards or soldiers, but they always stop at the edge of their territory. If any assaults are coming, the governor will know long before they are a threat. The major cities themselves tend to be near mountains, giving a defensive advantage but nowhere to fall back.
Infrastructure
The most common form of lodging is Turf housing, where the homes are built into hills with the natural terrain as a roof. Given the sheer amount of territory falling under Eldurgrund's domain, much of it consists of small villages or independent farms. Stone windmills may be found near the largest commoner communities and farms, particularly along the largest roads which are paved with stone. Villages near the northern sea in Eldurgrund tend to see more orcish aesthetics, making houses utilizing crude metal frames, stone bases, and wood.
The grand cities are what most people come to Eldurgrund for, though. The largest city, Euvurcrest, is built into the eastern mountain range. Constructed under the harsh rule of Epithet, it stands as a wonder of the world. The mountain carving resembles Muren sitting upon the stone, holding a plate out in his hand. Upon that plate sits Euvurcrest itself. It is said that citizens can go outside into the marble city and always see Muren looking upon them in protection as they go about their day.
The mountain range cross from Euvurcrest contains the Eldursteries, a monastery of monks that deal in the element of fire, always learning new techniques and application of the pseudo magic. This sacred place is where Eldur monks live and perform their duties. The finely carved stone is never cold and always accepting of outsiders willing to obey the rules.
A bit of infrastructure unique to Eldurgrund is their heating system, designed by outsourced engineers from Fjordstrond centuries ago. During the harshest winters, this underground conductive piping system is heated by Eldur monks to keep the largest villages or cities warm.
Assets
- Large collections of J'barri forged fire magic weapons. Given that almost all fire magic weapons are possessed by Eldurgrund after regular raiding of J'barri shipments in past centuries, these weapons have some of the steepest prices in all of Laminarum. They are so pricey that it is considered more viable to become knighted instead and be gifted one upon becoming an Eldur Knight.
- curios of orcish origin, usually found in the northernmost villages
- people themselves, whether slaves, guards, or soldiers.
- Markhor- a large species of mountain goat and preferred mount of dwarves
Guilds and Factions
History
Eldurgrund has both a history of wisdom and conflict. They were perhaps the first barony to try their hand at empire when they expanded possession to territories such as Jerborg and Gullivegur (modern-day Newmot and Goldwalk).
During the chaos of Ettermiddag, kicked off by the Starfall Rupture, Eldurgrund was one of the few shining examples of civilization holding itself together. Forming an alliance with Epithet, the Fleet, fighting off the various The Ettermiddag Raider Factions, smashing the worship of Verivem, and finally starting the elite order of Eldur Knights, Eldurgrund was able to grow in power (ca. 775-797 EG). During Ettermiddag, growth was nearly impossible and was only ever achieved by Shellbay, across the continent.
The grand power vacuum left during Ettermiddag allowed the Eldur Knights to spread the rule of Eldurgrund in what would be the most ambitious empire plans in history. Unfortunately for Eldurgrund, the Saltkrigere paladins of Bailum had also grown in power thanks to the chaos of Ettermiddag. They had very similar plans to Eldurgrund and wished for an empire to span all of Trinen. Ultimately, the paladins of Shellbay would win this war in the year in the year 1199 DY (and future conditions would eventually lead to Shellbay losing their empire, becoming a separatist state instead). Eldurgrund was stripped of its military after this assimilation and would lose access to both Jerborg and Gullivegur, two material and financial powerhouses in the budding future of the new empire.
Shortly after The Silence (ca. 1793 MD), Eldurgrund went on the defensive and closed themselves off from much of the Augury, protecting themselves among all else. Some time and planning led the barony to assert itself on the augury in a short-lived war and siege of Saint's Maar. Fortunately, the forces were stopped by the Saltkrigere, led by General Nostula Turases. Upon falling under the Augury once more, the territory was honorifically demoted to a "governy."
Points of interest
- The Eldursteries
- Head of Muren
- Governor's keep
- Starfall Seas
- Uni Orvac Outpost
- Orovical
Geography
The geography consists of lush planes held between the bold mountain ranges. Dense forests exist far out west, but smaller ones are otherwise scattered throughout the land. The northeast is largely inhospitable (for any that would want to go there) due to the events of the The Starfall Rupture .
Climate
Eldurgrund is typically warm aside from the more vertical cities and the Eldursteries, but with their fire magic capabilities, they rarely need to worry about the cold. The further north, the colder it gets but the region generally gets humid and warm weather aside from winter.
*All art generated by Smokingbat7906 in Midjourney*
*All maps created by Smokingbat7906 in Inkarnate*
From the Ashes of
Astania
The barony now known as Eldurgrund was once a much smaller territory known as "Astania." Founded by "savagefolk" exiled to western Trinen (known as the Westlends at the time), the name "Astania" eventually arose when the successor of Hamish Troutlung of Shellbay finally allowed them to claim territory for themselves. This can be read in the Founding of Astania article.
Astania, beautiful as it was, would eventually have many disputes regarding kinship and bloodlines. This led to the founding of Caripreet, as can be read in the following article:Astania discrimination, Many move to found Caripreet
Eventually, the malcontents of Caripreet would move back to Eldurgrund and try their hands at justice. With J'barri firemages at their side, Anivol Brandson would conquer the land before swiftly betraying his new J'barri compatriots and using their firemagic secrets for himself. The events of Eldurgrund's birth from the ashes of Astania can be read about in the following article: The Razing of Astania, Birth of Eldurgrund
Founding Date
439HI
Founders
Type
National Territory
Inhabitant Demonym
Elduri
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Comments