Kargardia
It's my island, I discovered it, and I'll bloody well call it whatever I want!Hundreds of miles south of Farveld, the largest settled realm in the Voldrelm, lies a large island, situated off the east coast of the Heimfolk homelands. About 10 years ago, unknown to the Empire, Duke Harald Kargard of Harrbyorg began making regular expeditions down this way. After about three months' exploration of the deserted Heimfolk homelands, Duke Harald discovered this island and claimed it for his own, establishing settlements and stationing a flotilla of his formidable navy here. The Imperial Proctor Althidor Lusan has since learnt of Duke Kargard's actions and is displeased to say the least, but is not moving against the Duke as yet. But Duke Harald has kept one important fact hidden from the Empire: there is an indigenous population of subterranean humanoids on the island, who dwell underground. The two populations, human and Iorthan, have largely stayed out of each other's way. So far. The humanoids who live beneath the mountain range that runs up the centre of Kargardia are said to be reclusive and highly magical. Within their subterranean realm they closely guard many secrets of powerful, ancient magic, said to predate even Callenthi civilization. They have no name for themselves but the settlers have named them Iorthans (the buried ones). No one who has visited the Iorthans has ever returned. In reality, the underground settlement of the Iorthans is a self-contained microcosm, containing cities where the very air is breathable only by Iorthans. They believe themselves to be an advance party of settlers from another world, even though they have inhabited this island for thousands of years. Their underground realm is huge, descending far into the below the surface, and densely populated. The Imperial Council learned of the Duke's discovery after the colony was settled, and was not entirely happy. However, council members advised Proctor Lusan to belay his judgment until the efficacy of the colony was established. Proctor Lusan was against this as it set a dangerous precedent, but other council members argued that it actually aligned with their recent policy of increased openness amongst the different nations of Farveld, humans included. Perhaps it was time for the imperial government in Cylestol to stop attempting to control every corner of the realm, and to give certain peoples the autonomy to govern themselves, if they proved equal to the task. Duke Harald established a city at the northern tip of the island which he named "Landsfall," as this was the first point sighted by the lead ship, which he was captaining. There he established rule over the island, berthing a large naval force in the harbour. Settlers quickly established farmland to keep the citizens of Landsfall fed. Using the island's plentiful timber resources, building and shipbuilding began immediately, and many Harrbyorgian settlers were transported there, mostly soldiers with their families. Later, two more outposts were established: one on the eastern side of the island, Tarletta, which he named after his daughter, and on the western side Haraldhaven. The Duke certainly not a modest man, although he is loved by the Harrbyorgians, who are fiercely loyal to him and trust him with their lives.
Demographics
Mainly human, with a smattering of Heimfolk (dwarf) and Callenthi, as well as the native Iorthan population.
Government
Duke Kargard has appointed a governer, Fastus Grimwald, to oversee Kargardia in his absence. But lately, the Duke has been spending more and more time here, leaving the management of his native Harrbyorg to his son Kaspar Kargard.
Defences
A flotilla of the Harrbyorgian navy.
Industry & Trade
Through shipbuilding, farming and forestry, the Harrbyorgians have carved out a niche for themselves on this far-flung southern island.
Infrastructure
Small outpost towns, outlying farms.
Assets
In addition to the resources on the surface such as timber and stone, which the Harrbyorgians have quickly set about turning into ships and buildings, there is also an as-yet-untapped resource of Ether crystals, which are the lifeblood of the Iorthian people. Found deep under the mountains of this ancient island, they have a multitude of purposes, and could be considered a kind of natural planesphere, with which planar tears could potentially be repaired - and there is no shortage of those in this world, especially since the Grim Epoch when giant Riffthera ripped the sky asunder.
However, the Iorthans will fight savagely if this resource is threatened. Thankfully, it remains undisturbed... for now.
History
The nation of Harrbyorg, off the eastern coast of Farveld, has grown in power over the years, increasing its wealth and resources, and building a powerful navy. Duke Harald Kargard, appointed many years ago by the now deceased Emperor Soliestas, has now seized his chance to expand his island nation beyond the its small borders. Leading his navy, Kargard has explored south and found large tracts of uninhabited land, all without the blessing of the government in Cylestol. But finally, Duke Kargard's sights settled on a large island, almost the size of Harrbyorg itself. Never one to be modest, the Duke wasted no time in giving it his own family name: Kargardia.
The history of the island goes back much further than that. Several millenia ago, the people known as the Iorthans arrived through a dimensional rift, scouting out this location as a possible destination for the settlement of their race, which exists on a dying planet in another universe. They are transdimensional travellers, and have cultivated a mineral known as Ether crystal deep beneath the mountains of this island, which allows them to jump between planes. Since their arrival, they have constructed vast underground cities and elaborate networks of tunnels.
Natural Resources
Forests, grown food, cattle, minerals.
Alternative Name(s)
Karkadia (as some misinformed mainlanders have called it)
Type
National Territory
Population
Approx 5,000 Settlers, several hundred thousand Iorthans (underground dwellers, only sparsely encountered by the Harrbyorgians so far)
Inhabitant Demonym
Iorthan / Harrbyorgian / Kargardian
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
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