🧙‍♂️(Georic Gazetteer) Dwarven Kingdom of Skyforge

Dwarven Kingdom of Skyforge

Pantheon: Dwarven Mythos, focusing on Moradin

Ruled By: The Council of Clans, Ueli Mauerer. President of Council
Capital:  Adbar (60,000)

Other Cities: Hrusk-Hur, Fort Denwarf, Bouldercloak, Steelhammer, Ruuna, Lakehold

Language: Dwarven, Gnomish, Trade Prythax 

Flag/Emblem:  A golden hammer adorned with wings on a field of crimson

Coinage: Skyforge    
Important Personas:  King Boffin, deposed King,  Runewarden Thalgrum Embervein, Keeper of the Celestial Forge,  Captain Hralda Stormbraid, Underrealm Commander, Lady Berynna, Baroness of Vestal. 

Alliances: Mercadia

Hostilities: Unsteady border posturing with Ras-Prythax around Ruuna. Cold diplomacy with Crosedes and Masgoth.

Open Warfare/Skirmishing:  Drow elves in charge of Agenmoor, normal elves hiding in the mountains outside of Agenmoor

Intrigues: Humanoid tribes are massing along the border with Ras-Prythax, making both sides worry.

Demi-Humans: Dwarf (75%) , Gnomes (12%), Humans (10%) 

Magickal Devices: Morgenstern the Bonebreaker, Thunderhammer of Krazak

Thumbnail Sketch:  

Dwarves have called the Skyforge Mountains home since before the written word, so there is a line where myth and history is often blurred.  Fantastic miners and artisans, they have been a steadfast neutral force in the region for centuries.  

The dwarves remain largely under the surface, with their mines and forges.  The majority of the non-dwarf population lives above ground, as herders and peasants, providing some limited agriculture beyond that of the dwarven-bred livestock.

In recent years, the stalwart stability of the kingdom has been called into question, with the installation of Denagog, a Dwarf Iron Golem as king, multiple infiltrations by the "Mad Dwarf King" Norm I of Mercadia, who has personally installed two short-reigned kings. Currently a Council of Clans, representing almost two dozen of the largest clans has appointed a President to oversee day to day operations.  Everyone knows a King will eventually be installed, but the last 15 years have been terribly volatile politically. 

Around 1134, Skyforge acted out in the first sign of aggression in nearly 300 years, swooping down from the mountains and seizing the Duchy of Ruuna from Ras-Prythax.  Within the last few years, the region has been stabilized, and any of the baronies within its borders: Flocton, Abalone, Vestal, and Diemiellen are welcoming trade destinations under dwarven control

Skyforge is also known to have the largest documented stretch of the NetherDeep on the continent, and the largest contingent of troops defending it from Drow and even worse threats. 

But actions within the last twenty years, involving a coup, an invasion, and a Dwarven Golem assuming the throne has throne this great Kingdom into turnover.  The Council of Clans is doing a fine job stabilizing the chaos in the region, but I would advise travelers to stick with well-established sections of larger settlements. 

Geography of Note: 

The Aether Spire:  A soaring tower of rune-bound stone, where airships rule the skies. A recent construction standing atop one of the highest peaks of Skyforge, the Aether Spire serves as both an airship dock for domestic and military forces Its floating platforms and suspended bridges give breathtaking views of the world below. The spire also houses the Skywarden’s Guild, where elite dwarven aerial warriors train.

The Celestial Forge:  Centerpiece of the city, burns with an eternal flame said to have been gifted by Moradin himself, where master smiths forge weapons and artifacts of unparalleled quality.

Fargrass River: A swift and meandering river that ends up in the Principalities of Emron.  

Lakehold:  The largest human settlement within the traditional borders of Skyforge.  Perched upon Lake Argenta, one of the headwaters of the Fargrass, Lakehold is known for brewing, a seasonal floating market, and The Watchtower 

The Watchtower of Lakehold

Mentions of the Country in the Blog: 

Ballad of the Pigeon God #6: The Story of the Dwarves of Skyforge gifting "My Lady's Heart" to Princess Argenta of Haven. Date of story unknown.
Ballad of the Pigeon God #7:  Close proximity Skyforge is to Lansluck in Crosedes.  My cartographic triangulation, Haven must appear somewhere on the surface territory of Skyforge.

Ballad of the Pigeon God #39:  Racial struggles between humans and dwarves in Ruuna, prior to the invasion of 1071.

Ballad of the Pigeon God #40-44:  The sudden invasion of Ruuna by Skyforge.  Overland travel is at most quarter speed compared to the underground highways.

Ballad of the Pigeon God #49  The heroes visit Nouvelle Avennio in Emron, whose majestic mountains share a border with Skyforge, hence the familiarity. 

Burning Trogs Rule! #2 :   Mutumbo traveled overland in Skyforge to arrive in Alois. 

Burning Trogs Rule! #33:  Civil War in 1135 mentioned.  The "Mad Dwarf" slaying Denagog, the Golem King.