Fremgraviate of Impiruava
The Fremgraviate of Impiruava is one of only two dwarven constituents of the Blazennian Empire, yet is one of the most powerful imperial states. As a nation, the dwarves of Impiruava are largely focused on expanding their mines and developing the nation rather than being a player in imperial politics. Consequentially, the nation has rarely expanded its borders beyond pursuing mining concessions or condominiums in other parts of the Empire. Impiruava holds the de facto allegiance of most of the Imperial Dwarves because the majority of them hail from within its borders and trace their family lines to the state at one point or another.
History
The Fremgraviate of Impiruava was founded as the Hold of Impiruava after The Westsfall tore through the Empire of Oleandron and left the hold isolated. Originally a dwarven mining colony, the region was rather prosperous and even in those days the mines were relatively extensive. However, the fall of Oleandron would cut the dwarves off from most of their food supplies, and they endured decades of shortages and rationing, which led to a fall in population as the dwarves had fewer and fewer children, and the elderly died sooner. Although times remained hard, in the early 900s, the Dwarves would make a major breakthrough in finding a new market for their goods. The powerful new Ljubidar Domina threatened the entire region, and turned petty conflicts between dwarf, elf, and man into a unified fear of conquest. The dwarves would send a representative to the council of the Ember Springs in 922, and the dwarves would aid the Blazennian forces in turning back the Ljubidan armies.
This event would lead to the dwarves finding a new market for their goods and finally acquiring an outside source of food to help them stockpile for hard times. Their work alongside the elves also led to an exchange of embassies with the neighboring Fremgraviate of Alianem, which at the time was a loose council. This partnership led to a far closer friendship between the two peoples than had previously existed, fostering good relations which would last into the present day. However, the Ljubidar Domina remained a threat despite its armies being turned back, and the state continued to hold the sacred Blazennian springs and harass the Blazennian people as well as the Dwarves of Impirmine, which was greatly coveted for its resources. Times remained hard for decades to come, with things only improving with the dissolution of Ljubidar in 1057.
Although the Elves and Blazennians both continued to see war, especially with the advancement of Old Fraspika, Impiruava prospered in the late 11th and early 12th centuries, selling weapons to the tribes and elves and generally opposing the Fraspikans. They also profited from both sides when the elves and men went to war, netting them further income and contributing to their legendary stockpile of gold. Still, as more and more Blazennian tribes fell the the Fraspikan military or aligned with them, the market for dwarven weapons began to decline. Although the market saw a brief revival in the 1210s as Fraspikan lands were overrun by the centaurs, the victory over the Khanate of Clesentia saw demand fall again. With the accession of many of the remaining Blazennian tribes as well as their old ally Alianem to the new Blazennian Empire, Impirmine found themselves with few customers for military works, and began to pivot to luxury goods, forming a close relationship with Blazennian markets. This might have lasted for many more centuries, with Impirmine remaining a closely associated state but non-member of the Empire, but unfortunately their great mines began to finally dry up in the 1250s. In order to secure new mines as well as the improve their isolated diplomatic situation, the dwarves finally acceded to the Empire in 1285, becoming the final Fremgraviate.
Ever since the 1300s, Impiruava has largely focused on expanding their exports of finished goods as well as stonework, with dwarven architects and engineers developing many of the cities and monuments of the Empire. This has spread a dwarven diaspora across the Empire, which, though small, plays a major role in day-to-day life of the Empire. Impiruava has also emerged as the main center of imperial weapons, with the market for swords, spears, and armor only growing over time. Siege weapons from Impiruava have also been utilized to great effect in certain conflicts, though typically the Blazennian Empire only uses them in internal wars (as the vast majority of their foes have historically been tribal). With aid from Gnomish inventors, Impiruava has also begun to invest in producing bombards, cannons, and a small number of hand-cannons which may yet revolutionize warfare.
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