Thanedom of Ashkeep
The city that would become known as Ashkeep was settled following the war against Pride by the Dwarven nation of Stormforge. The city of Grim Karag was settled deep in what was then known as the Ironpeak mountains, acting as the capital and administrative head for the area, though it was subordinate to the colonial capital of Karak Vengryn. The city prospered, its main industries being mining, archaeology from dwarven ruins found throughout the area, and oddly enough a vacation spot. The Ironpeak mountains were studded with hot springs and geysers and wealthy tourists from across the known world came to soak their bodies in the mineral rich waters and gaze at the stupendous geysers, some of which blasted water to a remarkable 300 feet! Some of the older dwarves warned that care should be taken to prevent potential eruptions in the mountain ranges but these were paid minimal heed by many of the entrepreneurs who came to Grim Karag and the surrounding cities and settlements in droves.
History
The area prospered until around 500 years ago with the fall of the gods. The continent already ravaged by the rampant magic Sartov and Karelia had unleashed bucked and groaned under the outpourings of magic released by the death of gods. The greatest effect came with the death of Moradin, lord of the dwarves and of the earth and the fall of the minor god Tavian who claimed volcanoes as his own. The mountains of the Ironpeaks erupted with explosive force. Ash and molten rock burst skyward falling as black rain while the sides of many of the mountains were engulfed in lava flows. Though the mountains quited to an acceptable level with the ascendancy of Korundar several continue to billow ash and belch out lava flows to this day.
The cataclysm, though deadly, did not break Grim Karag or the will of its people. With contact to Stormforge cut off for the time being and communication with the dwarven colonies sporadic due to the hazards of traversing the now very tectonically and volcanically active mountain range the dwarves of Grim Karag Ironpeaks, now known as the Ashmounts, set about reorganizing, rebuilding, and refortifying their home. It was decided that Grim Karag would be the seat of a new dwarven nation carved out of the volcanoes and valleys of the province it had once overseen stretching from the Southern Ashmounts to the Northern coast, the eastern cost was far too devastated to be considered a target for expansion for the time being, known as Ashkeep.
So the dwarves set about rebuilding, reconnecting and strengthening ties between the towns and cities of the province with an eye on enduring. Even when contact with Karak Vengryn was re-established both nations found it mutually agreeable to remain independent for the time being. Though, like all dwarves, they remembered the oaths of allegiance both had sworn to Stormforge that nation and its fate, remained unknown and in any case it would be impossible for the foreseeable future for Stormforge to govern either province in any case. A fact that Stormforge grudgingly accepted when contact was reestablished though the dwarven island nation maintained the oaths were still binding and that, when Stormforge reclaimed its power both Karak Vengryn and Grim Karag would be brought peaceably back into the fold of the Dwarven Empire.
This has been the status quo for the past five centuries since the cataclysm. Karak Vengryn and Ashkeep remain close allies and they maintain some contact with distant Stormforge. However much has changed since Grim Karag was first founded.
Type
Geopolitical, Vicekingdom
Demonym
Ashkeepers
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Parent Organization
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments