Gulham

Gulham is the capital of Hymbra, and, even at its height, the least populous capital of the four main nations, despite its incredible growth over the last century. Gulham is located on the Dolem River, which flows out of the Skulls' Tears - a large alpine lake located just past the foothills. Once known for its austere architecture and grim people, over the last century it has become known for its sudden rise in power and importance, and its just-as-sudden decay. Although it has fallen in power, the guns that were produced here have survived it, and some have made their way into the hands of the other nations.

Founding

Gulham was founded by exiles from Lustria during The Schism, a conflict between religious sects - the Mortalists and the Fundamentalists - which resulted in the defeat and exile of the Mortalists. The Mortalist exiles made their way through modern day Qemt'Or and far to the north where only the Elves lived.
Thanks in large part to a former Lustrian General among their ranks, the exiles waged a long but ultimately successful war against the disparate city-states of the Elves. Gulham was one of the first outposts built by the exiles, and soon came to be the most important, built on a hill by the river in a forest clearing, it was easy to supply and easy to defend. Once the Elves were defeated, it transitioned easily into a town, and ultimately a city.

The Golden Age

About a century ago, the Hymbrans discovered an incredible material called Ambrosia. This miracle substance cured all ailments, and allowed people to focus on their passions rather than survival. Arts and science prospered in Hymbra, bringing all sorts of technological marvels such as gunpowder. Gulham grew in all regards. People were living longer and the city-dwellers could afford to have more children, the arts scene exploded for the first time, and grand buildings were being built at an incredible rate, such as the Cathedral of the Guiding Light. Between a cure-all and weapons that the world had never seen, Hymbra saw their chance to push back against their neighbors, Qemt'Or and the Northern Skulls Dwarves. For a short while, Hymbra looked like they had it all, but it didn't last.

The Downfall

Even from the beginning, the signs were there. The gods no longer spoke to the Hymbrans, who turned their back on the divine in favor of Ambrosia. The Scourge was the curse of the gods, turning the heretical Hymbrans into cruel and mindless monsters. At first, the curse was kept under wraps, but it grew and grew over the decades and more and more people fell victim to the wrath of the gods. Even as the Hymbran countryside grew more and more infested with these monsters, the Hymbran army pushed toward Qemt'Or. They managed a staggering victory, pushing back the larger empire, but the monstrous Scourge were attracted to the bloodshed and carnage and pincered the Hymbran army, killing most of them. As the army fell back, Hymbra is the last bastion against the Scourged Lands, the battlefield to the south where so many died. The land there is tainted and full of Scourge, who roam north and test themselves against the walls of the Hymbran capital. With so many of their fighting men dead, it's only a matter of time before the city falls before the increasingly powerful monsters.

Type

City