Isenheim, The Fortress-City (Ees-en-hai-m)
Overview
Isenheim is many things... It is a home, a fortress, a bastion of a race... A cultural center, a place of learning and research, and so much more. Above all it is the home, and perhaps the only one left, of the Frost Dwarves, native to Skalgræða. The history of this single bastion is immense, so much so that it is often wondered if the Frost Dwarves themselves are the only ones who remember the immensity of it all. Even the Valnir, in their recording of history due to their fleeting lives had forgotten... Even the Jotun, whose tradition harkens back to the old Empire before the time of man, had forgotten... Even the Dragons, whose lifespan spans millennia, have forgotten. But the Frost Dwarves, whose runic history is detailed and vast, beyond that of the Humans. Whose traidtion stretches back to the founding of their race. WHose lives, while long-lived, does come to an end... Have yet found a way for their civilization to live eternally. They do remember. Isenheim is the only known area of Skalgræða under the control of the Frost Dwarves. It is a massive, multi-tiered fortress-city with swapling arrays of walls built into the mountainside. The walls, reinforced with ancient runic magic have siege engines built into them. Despite the size of the walls comparative to such a short race, the Dwarves built arrow slits into several tiers upon the walls so that they could have an army of archers raining death upon their enemies.Government
Isenheim is ruled by a Monarch who bares the title of the Azkori Skaldri, or Ruler of the North in the tongue of Dwarves. It is this monarch who oversees a council of twenty below him. These twenty Dwarves are known as the Frosthammer Council and is comprised of the heads of the twenty strongest Frost Dwarves clans who oversee the vast majority of trade, craft, commerce, and military within Isenheim proper.The Frosthammer Council
The Frosthammer Council is a group made up of the leaders of the twenty most powerful, oldest, and most influential Frost Dwarves that exist within the Fortress City. Traditionally, there is a seat reserved for the heads of all major trade guilds and other important organizations within the city. They act as an interim government should the Azkori Skaldri fall or be deposed by unanimous vote of the Council. They are also the ones who elect the next Azkori Skaldri of Isenheim. Otherwise, during the reign of the monarch, the Frosthammer Council acts as advisors and supporters for the Azkori Skaldri. They ensure that their families and area of power is kept strong and balanced against the whims of the other Council(wo)men. Traditionally, the areas that the Frosthammer Council covers are as follows:Notable Groups & Organizations
There are a great many notable organizations and groups that call Isenheim home, the Frost Dwarves, while only present in Isenheim, are a proud and vast race. Given how long Isenheim has been around, it has a long and storied history and many legendary groups call this place home, and any remnant of the Frost Dwarves seems to be located here, if they are indeed remnants.The Reliquary
The Reliquary is one of the most prominent organizations within Isenheim, led currenly by Magus Kor'dax Volksendraug. They are a group responsible for safeguarding and protecting a significant amount of wealth within Isenheim, both in gold and other currency smelted into large bars, or in the ancient relics and items within the Fortress-City of Isenheim. Given how old the city is as well, there are so many items and relics from several races of the north such as the Valnir and Jotun. The Reliquary and likewise the Reliquarians have always held onto the deep-seated history of the Frost Dwarves and their tradition. Because of this and their sacred duty of protecting these items sacred to their race as well as the otherwise extremist views held by their leader, Kor'dax Volksendraug the Magus of the Reliquary and member of the Frosthammer Council, they have been pushing more and more for all outsiders to be barred from entering Isenheim and have worked on pushing the few permenant organizations and groups of outsiders, especially Valnir out of Isenheim with somewhat mixed success. Some of the most notable items that the Reliquary is responsible for include:The Runesmiths
The Runesmiths are a very interesting and an incredibly powerful organization within Isenheim, they are responsible for runic smithing and creating many of the most notable items throughout the history of the Frost Dwarves. They are, for instance, responsible for the creation of the Warhammer of the Azkori Skaldri. They are also responsible for creating and maintaining much of the gear utilized by many of the more specialized military units of Isenheim and the Frost Dwarves overall. For instance, they create and maintain many of the weapons utilized by the Snowtreaders of Isenheim. They also work very closely with the Forgemasters and the Metallurgist Guilds to create powerful magical alloys by using techniques carefully recorded and given to the Reliquary as well.The Runecarvers
The Runecarvers are a very magically-inclined organization within Isenheim. Perhaps their most notable work are the many glyphs of warding and protection that they maintain and carve into the walls within and around Isenheim, making regularly daily passes to ensure that each rune is still carved with the percision needed for the precise wards. Furthermore they continually siphon magic into the wards to ensure they are active and that Isenheim will remain standing against any siege from the outside. They are also the primary organization dealing with Runic Magic within Isenheim, and any instruction or creation of runes within Isenheim by Frost Dwarves or others such as the Valnir must first be approved by Runesage Benhaurl Grayfrost or the Circle of Runesages before the project may continue.The Forgemasters
The Forgemasters are in charge of the Crucible, located deep in the lowest reaches of Isenheim. The Crucible, whose flames do not hold the same power as those of Ankor Malghraz within the The Sundered Peaks, it is still a mighty forge all the same, creating large amounts of armor, weapons and tools daily for the Frost Dwarves to use as needed. It is through the power and intense heat of the Crucible that they are able to smelt their magical alloys that make up some of the rarer and more exotic equipment of their soldiers and especially those of their Snowtreaders. The Forgemasters are one of the most powerful and influential organizations within Isenheim as a whole, with Clan Winterwolf leading the group for at least the past age. Currently, the head of the Forgemasters is the Pragmatic Forgelord Kiltan Winterwolf, who has found a great investor in the Reliquary, but remains skeptical of their xenophobic views. However, his close ties with the Metallurgist Guilds keep him in a neigh untouchable position of power both within the Forgemasters but also within the Frosthammer Council.The Snowtreaders
The Snowtreaders are a very, very old group of Frost Dwarves that trace their origins back to the founding of Isenheim. They are an old group of grizzled wayfarers who have mapped neigh everything there is in Skalgræða. They are agents of the Azkori Skaldri first and foremost and act as trackers and hunters of anything their monarch commands. Their leader is the Huntmaster Guff Dragontongue who sits on the Frosthammer Council but his seat is often empty fulfilling some greater service to the Azkori Skaldri or for Isenheim as a greater whole. The Snowtreaders, despite being a very powerful and dangerous group, very little is known about them despite their involvement in many significant historical events. It is said that during The Frostfall that the Azkori Skaldri sent the Snowtreaders to break the Empire of the Jotuns. It is said that when Ragnarök nearly came prior for the Valnir, it is through the valiant efforts of the Snowtreaders that victory was won that day. Despite this, and their significant involvement in these events, their involvement has been wiped from the history books, existing only as a shadow under the great walls of Isenheim, stalking the enemies of the Frost Dwarves.The Mystics
The Mystics are the more traditional mages that exist within Isenheim. They are the practicioners of spellcasting and magic that does not relate to Runes and also the study of it, using their magic to bolster the already sizable defenses of Isenheim as a whole. Their powerful spells and pragmatic teaching being the cornerstone of all who come to learn with them. They are a patient sort and often double as strategists on the field of battle as they are taught to be mindful of their abilities and learn how to best apply them to any situation. Creativity is often key to finding a solution for the Mystics, and they ensure that, should the Runecarvers need assistance, that the wards upon the walls of Isenheim remain powered day and night. Despite their power, it is perhaps through their teachings of pragmatism and patience that they do not often interfere with the Frosthammer Council and instead tend to fulfill a pure advisatory role within it, otherwise keeping to themselves so long as their research and teaching is not interrupted. Their Archmage, Asalidor Goathun tends to not attend council meetings when he is able, instead he prefers to teach at the insitute of the Mystics, and spread the knowledge of magic to all who might listen.The Metallurgist Guilds
The Metallurgist Guilds are a very straight-forward organization, though very powerful and influential in their own right. Much alike the merchant guilds, the Metallurgists often lobby for more favorable working conditions or freer trade as the metals that they create alongside the Forgemasters put most common steel to shame easily. Despite this though, they are still very protective of their methods and occupy the Crucible alongside the Forgemasters and have a very strong working relationship with them, even if they do not always see eye-to-eye on all situations.The Merchant Guilds
The Merchant Guilds are, perhaps obviously, the most xenophilic of organizations within Isenheim. They advocate heavily for even greater access to Isenheim, especially for the Valnir traders who come and go, peddling their wares, but even moreso for those who come even further south from The River Kingdoms. They believe that without this outside commerce, with the Dwarves having been in Isenheim for as long as they have, trade would slow down immensely and grind the economy of the Fortress-City to a near complete halt. This obviously has caused a lot of problems between the Merchant Guilds and many of the artisans as a whole with the Reliquary and their xenophobic leader. The Merchant Guilds stand behind the outsiders and want to make Isenheim even more friendly and accessible, and make points often through their leader the Merchant-Lord Ellanora Goldfist that it is simply old history and needs to be overlooked, because outsiders are now integral to the Frost Dwarves' way of life.The Mountainbreaker Legion
The Mountainbreaker Legion is a storied group of soldiers from Isenheim. They are named thusly for the massive, overwhelming firepower they bring to bare on the battlefield. They are a unit of siege engineers, capable of setting up large arrays of siege weapons with surprising speed and have them bombarding an enemy within no time. They utilize large, specialized ballistae for hunting Dragons, as well as massive catapaults capable of hurling bundles of firepots at the enemy. Their reputation as merciless, and perhaps even unseen killers on the battlefield has merit, as they are one of the first Legions marching to the beat of the Frost Dwarves' wardrums.History
Isenheim is a city with a storied histoy that dates back to its founding. The Historians, even near the very beginning stages of the creation of this Fortress-City were constantly looking for notable events and happenings. Some of the first historians who were drawn to Isenheim said that it was 'as if an otherworldly compulsion told them that this city would be special, and that great things would happen here.' Which, most Frost Dwarves looking back on it now, would see that is as true a statement as any. Isenheim is a great city and great things have indeed happened here. Despite this, its founding was not exactly an easy or miraculous event. Even throughout most of its history, Isenheim has been fraught with turmoil and danger... If not from without, from within.The Founding
Legends, and perhaps even recorded history dates back to the founding of Isenheim, back in the 3rd Age. It is no coincidence that the Frost Dwarves named their leader not unlike that of their southern neighbors of the Azkor Grongi. History speaks that the Frost Dwarves originated further south, within the The Border Mountains actually, amongst the Orcs that live there. It was only through the rapid growth of the Orcs that that they were eventually pushed north, not to mention rapid human expansion made it difficult for them to rebuild. Beset by enemies on all sides, they packed up and headed north in hopes to find more mountains within the realm of the Jotun. The leader of this expedition, and also the founder of Isenheim is the legendary, and perhaps mythic individual known only as Redvar I. A Dwarf whose lineage exists even today, though by now most prominent families trace their origins back to his bloodline as a sort of 'right to rule' mentality. Redvar led his people further and further north, in what could only be described as one of the largest migrations of Dwarves to date. The entire race of Frost Dwarves banding together and heading further north. Despite their capabilities as warriors, and with a vast amount of soldiers, guards, and armed civilians, the journey was difficult, and the snowstorms were unending. Even with their natural resilience to the cold, the land of the Jotun was deathly cold, and seemed to be in a neigh perpetual snowstorm at all times, causing many to fall sick and need to be left behind. The Frost Dwarves had named this journey The March of Frozen Tears as they made their daunting journey across Skalgræða, and with so many people they could only march at a snail's pace to ensure as many people made it as possible. Despite all their precaution and desperation... they were still not spared any miracle. Not by their Gods, nor the beasts and people who inhabit Skalgræða. Despite the long march, and the heavy losses... And the constant battles just to survive amidst the harsh environment, under Redvar I they perservered, with his stalwart leadership and near saint-like patience, he lead his people carefully through the north until they eventually arrived at Dragoncrest Mountains located near the center of Skalgræða. It is here that they laid out the first bricks that formed the foundation of Isenheim. Finding rich resources within the mountains, and much peril all the same, they carefully dug into the mountainside, creating the first tunnels that would lead into the depths of the mountain to harvest the rich resources underground as they build up massive walls to protect them from the near constant raids from the Jotun and other creatures who hunt the night of the north.The Frostfall
One of the most notable events within the history of Isenheim is the Frost Dwarves participation within what is only known throughout history as The Frostfall when the Jotun empire collapsed through the collective effort of the Valnir, the Frost Dwarves, and many others who contributed to their ultimate demise. It is through the efforts of all of these people that the Jotun fell as much as they had, now only within scattered tribes and clans throughout Skalgræða. Despite their valiant efforts and the hard-faught campaigning done by all contributors... the Frostfall Confederacy still inflicted heavy losses on the Dwarves of Isenheim, and likewise the Valnir. By this time, the Jotun had spread their power and influence across most, if not all of Skalgræða. The dominion of the giants knew no end, for their race was mighty and their power was vast. Their armies capable of laying siege and crushing their opposition. During the height of the Frostfall Confederacy their military was so vast that even the Runecarvers and neigh everyone in charge of the defense of Isenheim thought, no... They knew that their defenses could not hold up to the overwhelming firepower of the Jotun. The Frostfall, despite being a landmark in history, and a very historical event that took place over the span of many, many years.... Is often reduced to a footnote within the history books. No one wants the Jotun to realize their previous Empire once more and strive to reform it. Even though Isenheim is a vastly stronger and more defendable fortress now than it ever was, the Giants are no easy fight. It was during this period that many very important groups within Isenheim were founded. It is here that the Snowtreaders first found their roots, as waystalkers and hunters who traveled all across Skalgræða in search of important strategic targets for the combined military might of the peoples of the North. They were equipped with some of the best weapons, armor, and gear that Isenehim and the reigning Azkori Skaldri could muster from the Crucible and even the allies of the Frost Dwarves. They spared no expense on this elite group, and they quickly paid their cost in the blood of Jotun. It is through their efforts and that of the also newly formed Mountainbreaker Legion that they were able to cripple the supply lines and annhilate large swathes of Giants within their camps without it ever coming to a pitched battle, which the Dwarves knew in a direct head-to-head battle... They would surely lose, and it would be a near devastating, if not crippling defeat in both losses and loss of resources. After years of rough campaigning, and the Snowtreaders carefully picking off swathes of the Frostfall Confederacy alongside their allies... It was when Valdriks Sabermane, the Huntmaster of the Snowtreaders during the time located a meeting of many of the Confederacys' military leaders that the war finally hit a turning point against the Frostfall Confederacy. When the collective armies of Isenheim and the Valnir all pushed towards the encampment at a grueling pace and laid siege to the camp, capturing at least three of the greatest strategists that the Jotun had, and killing the rest in a high-stakes battle. After this battle, and the military minds behind their opposition's campaigning otherwise defeated and the rest in captivity the remaining armies of the Frostfall Confederacy started falling into vast disarray and their supply chains became a mess quickly. Only becoming easy pickings for the armies of the peoples of the North to take out and use for their own means if needed. Supplies became quickly misplaced and many of the Jotun simply went home further north where they could, leaving the frontlines as they sat oftentimes for weeks, or even months without orders, seeming no one truly knowing where they were... After several more years of constant skirmishing and the armies playing an elaborate game of cat-and-mouse, the leaders of the Frostfall Confederacy finally sat down for peace talks. Unfortunately, this was a day which quickly gained infamy, and is remembered and taught to Giants of all clans and tribes throughout the north. How they were ruthlessly diplomatically rent asunder, and forced to sign treaties that brought their entire race to their knees and led to the ultimate eradication of most of there people when Ragnarök would eventually come.Ragnarök
One of the most important and well-recorded times within the history of Isenheim traces back to an event known simply as Ragnarök. This creates some confusion amongst even the Frost Dwarves greatest scholars and historians because there are numerous recorded instances of it within the historical documents without any distinct definition of which event is proper, or the correct telling of it. However, there is one that speaks more to the people of Isenheim than the others, and the one that rather the scholars agree or not, is accepted as the proper events of Ragnarök. It is said, years past when Ragnarök came for the Valnir and Skalgræða as a whole, the Dwarves remained resolute in their isolation, content to simply wait it out until the armies of Ragnarök came knocking at their door. As battles raged on around them and their Fortress-City, the Frost Dwarves kept their doors sealed to all outsiders, and because of their mighty infrastructure, was easily sustained despite the wars raging outside and the civilizations steadily falling to the vast armies of Ragnarök. Perhaps oddly, despite the steady marth south and the scattering of the remnants of the Jotun civilization which was left to the northern-most parts of Skalgræða, the Fortress-City of Isenheim was never attacked. But all the same the Frost Dwarves kept their defenses steady and were ready for any onslaught that might come. But armies, at least, not armies of death and destruction ever appeared... Instead, an army of the combined remnants of Jotun, Valnir, and Venithyrians lead by Cydraxxus Albethori from the The River Kingdoms appeared before the walls of Isenheim. A vast army, but filled with injured and dying as well as soldiers. Cydraxxus Albethori pleaded with the Azkori Skaldri for entry, to hold out and stand with the northmen and take on the oncoming army. The ruler of Isenheim, while none-too-sympathetic to the Valnir nor the Jotun and even less so to those from the The River Kingdoms, relented just this once. For the Snowtreaders had been tracking a large army moving towards Isenheim anyways. Though, what the Frost Dwarves failed to record within their history are the other things that Cydraxxus Albethori brought with him. Either way, Isenheim stood with the armies of Skalgræða against the forces of Ragnarök.Districts and Layout
Isenheim is largely built into the Dragoncrest Mountains in Skalgræða. While there is a sizable chunk of Isenheim that is visible from the outside and able to be spotted and even navigated from outside the mountain, the majority of the city and its numerous districts lie within the mountain itself and only go deeper into the earth. The city itself is within a massive cavern within the mountain behind layers and layers heavily warded walls.Defenses
Isenheim itself has a vast array of defenses. For anyone to enter the city proper they need to make it past the layers of walls or find a way to scale the mountainside that acts as a natural barrier to Isenheim. The walls themselves are heavily warded with ancient magic coveted by the Runecarvers and large arrays of siege weaponry rest atop and behind the walls, ready for anyone to come and attempt an invasion. From catapaults and trebuchet to ballista aimed towards the ground. However, perhaps unsurprisingly, Isenheim is not only defended from threats from the ground. They have specialized ballista aimed towards the sky armed in case Dragons attempt to purge the Dwarves from their Fortress-City. These ballistae have two different armaments loaded and prepared. One has a massive chain tied to the end of the bolt to ground or capture the Dragon, the other has a larger-than-usual bolt with various serrations to rend the wings or tear the internals of any beast of the sky that might fall upon Isenheim and attack the land of the Frost Dwarves. If the siege weapons and the walls are not enough to dissuade an invader, nor the threat of Dragons on approach, then the vast armies of well equipped defenders may. The walls themselves have tiers of arrow slits arranged so that multiple groups of archers and crossbowmen can be ready to rain death upon approaching enemies. Besides that, there are numerous chokepoints within the city itself that make it very easily defendable by the stalwart Dwarves who call Isenheim home. Isenheim is said to possess one secret weapon to ensure that no one may take their home from them, a secret passed down only from one Azkori Skaldri to another... A secret that is only able to be found by either the previous monarch of Isenheim or through some mystical guidance by previous rulers. Some speculate that this secret defense has to do with weaponizing the Crucible deep in the core of Isenheim to cause a disaster to cataclysmic that it will split the Dragoncrest Mountains asunder and destroy the entirety of Isenheim with it. No one knows how it is activated exactly, and the metallurgist guilds as well as the forgemasters both dismiss it as simple rumor and nothing more. They claim they have scoured every inch of the Crucible numerous times over and that there is no way for the Crucible to destabilize enough to cause such a disaster that might level the city, but this has of course not stopped anyone from believing this rumor.
Founding Date
Khemari 33, A3 5122
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
The City of the Frost Dwarves, The Eternal Bastion
Type
Citadel
Inhabitant Demonym
Frost Dwarves
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Ruling/Owning Rank
Comments