Riven

Riven is a kingdom located in the southern part of the continent of Arathia. It was founded by Rykard Vermillion, a renowned blacksmith, and his associates, who built the kingdom as a testament to their skill and artistry in crafting. Though Rykard never got the chance to rule the kingdom, his legacy lives on in Riven's dedication to the pursuit of technological evolution through a new craft that he invented, Mechanical Engineering.

### History

Certainly. Riven was founded by the exiled Dwarf Rykard Vermillion and his close associates and friends. After being exiled from his homeland for speaking out against the corruption and tyranny of the Dwarf King, Rykard led his people in the construction of their own kingdom beneath the great mountain Uldyr.

The construction of Riven was a monumental task, and Rykard enlisted the help of many skilled artisans, architects, and engineers from various races. Together, they created a magnificent kingdom that sprawled the entirety of the mountain, inside and out. The kingdom was a monument to their skill and artistry in crafting, with towering skyscrapers and innovative architecture, and even waterways that became the envy of neighboring kingdoms. But their construction was quickly halted by an impending war.

#### Dwarven War

Rykard Vermillion's war against the old tyrant king was a tumultuous time for the exiled dwarf and his followers. The king of dwarves was a ruthless ruler who valued power and wealth above all else. He viewed Rykard's defiance and establishment of a new kingdom as a threat to his authority, and he was determined to crush the upstart rebellion.

The king's forces were powerful and well-equipped, and they besieged Rykard and his people relentlessly. Rykard and his allies were outnumbered, but they refused to give up. They used their skills in architecture and engineering to create traps and fortifications, which allowed them to hold out against the king's army.

Rykard was a fierce warrior and a master craftsman, and he led his people with courage and determination. He rallied his followers to his cause and convinced many other races under the rule of the 4 great heroes to join his fight. Together, they battled their way through the enemy's ranks and eventually reached the king's front door.

The king, desperate to save his own life, tried to bribe Rykard's allies into turning against him. He promised them wealth and power beyond their wildest dreams, but they refused to betray their friend and ally. In the end, Rykard himself struck the final blow, slaying the tyrant king and ending his reign of terror.

Despite the victory, the war had taken a heavy toll on Rykard and his people. They had suffered many losses and had been forced to endure great hardships. But they had also proven that they were a force to be reckoned with, and they had earned the respect and admiration of many other races.

With the old tyrant king defeated, Rykard and his followers returned to Uldyr and began working on their kingdom once more. This time, they enlisted the help of the giants, who were also renowned for their architecture skills. Together, they created a magnificent kingdom that sprawled the entirety of the mountain, inside and out, and became a home to all who sought to hone their craft and create, experiment, and design to their hearts' contents. However a dark deception lay on the horizon.

#### War on Terror

Rykard's sudden death was a devastating blow to the kingdom of Riven. The people were thrown into a state of confusion and grief as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of their beloved king. The circumstances surrounding his death only added to the chaos.

When Rykard's body was discovered, a knife wound was found in his back, leading many to believe that he had been assassinated. The killer was never found, and rumors began to circulate about who could have been responsible. Some believed it was an act of betrayal by someone close to Rykard, while others suspected outside forces seeking to destabilize the kingdom.

The uncertainty surrounding Rykard's death fueled a wave of paranoia and mistrust among the people. Many began to fear for their safety and turned to radical measures to protect themselves. Others sought to take advantage of the situation to further their own agendas.

Into this chaotic environment stepped Emyra Rovern, a powerful and ambitious figure in Riven's political scene. Emyra had long harbored ambitions of gaining power and influence, and she saw Rykard's death as an opportunity to advance her own interests.

Emyra was known for her cunning and ruthlessness, and she quickly set about consolidating power in Riven. She appealed to the fears and anxieties of the people, promising to restore order and stability to the kingdom. Under the guise of protecting Riven from outside threats, she began to implement policies that were designed to consolidate her own power.

Many of Rykard's loyal followers saw through Emyra's manipulations and recognized the danger that she posed to the kingdom. They attempted to resist her, but their efforts were met with violence and intimidation. Emyra proved to be a master of manipulation and propaganda, and she was able to turn many of Rykard's supporters against each other.

In the end, Emyra emerged victorious, having established herself as the new ruler of Riven. However, her reign was marked by corruption, oppression, and tyranny. The ideals of freedom, innovation, and progress that had once defined Riven were cast aside in favor of greed, paranoia, and selfishness.

### Geography

Riven is located in the southern part of Arathia, bordered by Avalon to the east and Kaltauga to the north. The kingdom itself is divided into several regions, including the bustling capital city of Vermillion, the mining town of Ashfield, and the scenic countryside of Greenfield.

### Culture

Riven's culture is one that prioritizes progress, innovation, and scientific knowledge above all else. The people of Riven are driven by the pursuit of technological advancements and the development of new inventions that can make life easier and more efficient. This obsession with progress has led to a culture of exploitation, where the kingdom has become dependent on the labor of indentured servants, including child labor and harsh working conditions for miners.

Despite this dark underbelly, the people of Riven justify their practices as necessary for the greater good, and many of them truly believe that their work is making the world a better place. However, there are also those who see the exploitation for what it is and are willing to fight against it. These rebels, although few in number, seek to create a more just society, where progress can be achieved without the exploitation of others.

### Notable Locations

* Vermillion - The capital city of Riven, named after the kingdom's founder. It is home to the headquarters of the Mechanical Engineering Guild and the Royal Academy of Sciences.
* Ashfield - A mining town where many of the kingdom's resources are extracted. The working conditions for miners are notoriously harsh, but the resources are vital to Riven's continued progress.
* Greenfield - A scenic countryside where many of Riven's citizens go to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy nature.

### Notable Figures

* Rykard Vermillion - Founder of Riven and a renowned blacksmith and craftsman. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of innovation and technological progress.
* Emyra Rovern - Current Ruler of Riven and a Tyrant. She is known to have a hot temper and be bad at most artisan crafts.

### Conclusion

Riven is a kingdom that values progress and innovation above all else, driven by the pursuit of scientific knowledge and the development of new technologies. Its founder, Rykard Vermillion, was a renowned blacksmith and craftsman who left a lasting legacy on the kingdom. While Riven's progress has come at a cost, the kingdom remains a beacon of innovation and technological advancement, drawing the brightest scientific minds from all over Arathia.