Ironstone

This will be a story that introduces the kingdom of Isturoth and details much of the worldbuilding found here. Isturoth borrows very heavily from the art deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s, both in terms of visual design aesthetic and political movements that occurred during those times.
Ironstone is a political fantasy story about the temptation of power and how easily people will overlook problems in society when faced with decadence and prosperity.

Themes

Borrowing from the Roaring 20s and the Dirty 30s, the dominant themes of the story will be excess and over-indulgence that ignores the rot that festers beneath the shiny, golden veneer. Luxury for the few often takes precedent over the struggles and problems of the lower classes. Only when these problems cannot be brushed aside anymore, when they are knocking down the door of the establishment and the upper classes, does anyone recognise them and try to fix them - only when it is too late.

Structure

Exposition

In the heart of the mountain kingdom of Vašira, northern nation of Isturoth, where the peaks touch the heavens and the valleys hide secrets long forgotten, a young girl named Kaska resides. Kaska, headstrong and restless, often finds herself wandering the ancient pathways of her homeland. The kingdom is renowned for its prosperity and progress, ruled by a council called the Hearthkeepers, who have maintained peace for centuries.
One day, while exploring the secluded caves near her village, Kaska stumbles upon a hidden chamber. Inside, she discovers a stone tablet that makes reference to a relic of immense power—the Anvil of Khardash, said to have the ability to shape reality itself. It is believed that anyone who possesses the Anvil can reshape the world according to their desires, and that it can transform ordinary objects into extraordinary ones, even grant immortality to those who know how to wield its power.
Unbeknownst to her, this artifact is the key to controlling the kingdom's fate.

Conflict

Word of the Anvil’s existence spreads like wildfire, reaching the ears of the kingdom's military forces. Driven by ambition and the promise of power, they plot to seize the crown, believing it will secure their dominance over the kingdom and beyond.
Kaska finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue as factions within the kingdom vie for control of the tablet she holds. The Hearthkeepers of Vašira, blinded by their optimism in the kingdom’s progress, dismisses the looming threat, believing their unity will protect them.

Rising Action

Determined to protect her homeland, Kaska embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the Anvil’s true location and purpose. Along the way, she encounters allies—a team of unlikely companions that want to help her find the Anvil of Khardash. Together, they navigate the treacherous terrain, evading military forces and uncovering ancient truths.

Climax

As tensions rise and the military closes in, Kaska and her companions arrive at the temple where the Anvil is found, only to find that it holds a much darker purpose: one of holding back an ancient evil. A fierce battle ensues as the forces of ambition clash with those of preservation, who both seek to control the Anvil.
However, the Anvil of Khardash is not easily controlled. It is said to have a will of its own and can be unpredictable in its actions. Legends tell of those who have fallen victim to the Anvil's power, becoming consumed by their own desires and losing their humanity in the process.
In a moment of desperation, the Anvil is destroyed and the evil is unleashed. Only too late does everyone realise there was an evil lying in wait, festering beneath the surface all this time. After a devastating attack, the evil is subdued with a melody, the Lullaby of the Deep. This is not enough to destroy it, merely put it to sleep.

Resolution

With newfound insight, Kaska uses the crown to broker peace between the warring factions, leaning on the threat of the evil re-emerging as a major point of cooperation. Her act of selflessness inspires the council to abandon their blind optimism and address the kingdom's underlying tensions. Isturoth emerges from the conflict stronger, united in purpose and embracing a new era of progress. Kaska, hailed as a hero, returns to her village, her heart filled with hope for the future.

Plot type

Story Overview

Related Locations

• Isturoth