Lower Nexus

Obsidian Keep X737.

**Lower Nexus**, is a sizeable country that reaches into South Vayeron. It is currently govern by the Obsidian King, Thaddeus of Dinexus.

In it's current form, it holds the title of **Lower Kingdom of Nexus**.

## History

The land originally existed as the Kingdom of Nexus in X052, ruled by the House Nexus royal bloodline. Over the years, the Kingdom rapidly grew and expanded to form the Nexus Empire with the region of **Ebonhart** as it's capital. At the height of it's rule, the Nexus Empire conquered 70% of Vayeron.

Throughout the centuries, the Nexus Empire slowly reduced in size, gradually losing large chunks of their empire. Some of these lost regions includes the sizeable land that later formed into Astrune and the Fey Crescent which was lost when the Gate of Strays opened.

By X587 the Nexus Empire still covered almost half of Vayeron. Upon his death bed Emperor Wilhelm of Nexus decided to split the empire between his three children. His first born, Claus of Nexus, received the land referred to as High Nexus, forming the High Kingdom of Nexus in X587. His second born, Rolfe I of Dinexus, inherited the land known as **Lower Nexus**, also creating the Lower Kingdom of Nexus in X587. Lastly, his youngest child and bastard daughter, Sylra of Valentia, was given a large region of East Nexus, which she named Valentia after her mother, Raella of Valentia. This resulted in tensions flaring between Sylra of Valentia and her half brother Rolfe I of Dinexus, who argued the land was connected to **Lower Nexus** and therefore belonged to him. He also argued that as a legitimate heir to Wilhelm of Nexus, the land was rightfully his as a bastard should have no claim to it.

In X588, as tensions reached a boiling point, Sylra of Valentia decided to mould the region into the Kingdom of Valentia. Rolfe I of Dinexus believed this was a decision to directly spite him, however, the real reason was because she wished to create a safe haven for outsiders. Something she had always felt like due to being the result of a love affair.

During the Kingdom's initial conception, the first Lower King, Rolfe I of Dinexus, found himself in a difficult position. Much of the land he inherited was filled with large rock formations making tilling the lands for farming arduous. The lack of forests in the region made animal husbandry and obtaining lumber for development difficult too. Paired together, the Kingdom initially struggled to develop, having no income or materials. At a loss, Rolfe I of Dinexus looked to the ancient dwarven Kingdom of Nordith in far East Vayeron, deciding to try to mine into the Draken Crag as they had done with the Bleakcap Mountains. The mines turned out to be bountiful with large veins of precious metal, beautiful gemstones and essential materials for building the premature Kingdom. Thanks to these revelations, over the past 150 years Lower Nexus has developed into a country which prides itself on mining, blacksmithing and masonry.

## Geography

#### Band of Steel Headquarters

An impressive mercenary group comprised of seven exceptional fighters with an equally exceptional hire fee.

#### Coppervale Mines

A collection of old mine shafts farming the Lower Kingdom’s greatest income - ores, minerals and precious gemstones. It is run by the Terra Firma Mining Group under the patronage of King Thaddeus of Dinexus. Many of the workers of the mining group are from the once great **Kingdom of Northdith**, who migrated to the Lower Kingdom at the behest of the first Low King, Rolfe I of Dinexus, who fed them false promises of fortune and riches. Many of the Dwarves of Lower Nexus feel undervalued and overworked by the company and by extension, the Obsidian King.

#### Draken Crag

A large mountain range spanning the northern border of the Lower Kingdom, it houses the Coppervale Mines and is monopolised by the Terra Firma Mining Group.

#### Granforge

A city built around one of the continent's most prestigious forges, only second to the Dreadforge in the Void Dominion. The forge supports 95% of the Lower Kingdom’s military power, crafting weapons, armour and the esteemed Warforged soldiers. They also forge Autognomes to assist in the Coppervale Mines.

#### Iron Gorge

A fort separating Astrune and the Lower Kingdom, it is manned by members of the Obsidian Conclave, strictly monitoring trade and passage between the two regions.

#### Keldor

A large farming city, it is the regions sole producer of non-imported food being the only area in Lower Nexus that has fertile, tillable land.

#### Moradin Monastery

The main place of worship in Lower Nexus and home to the Moradin Monks, a group of strict, highly religious recluses. It was named after the Dwarven god, Moradin.

#### Obsidian Keep

An intimidating fortress made from granite and polished obsidian. It’s made up of the Low King’s castle and the barracks for the Obsidian Conclave, an army filled with prestigious and resilient soldiers, most notably Warforged.

#### Port Greymouth

The only port town in Lower Nexus. Its primary use is to transport larger shipments to High Nexus that would otherwise struggle to make the cart journey through the area’s rugged terrain.

#### Ragnas

A primarily Human city made up of those that aren’t involved in blacksmithing, mining or masonry. It contains the region’s largest shopping district.

#### Rustfell

A quiet, Human town in the East of Lower Nexus.

#### Thessaheim

A large Dwarven style city and home to many workers of the Terra Firma Mining Group. There are whispers of distaste for the Royal family who enticed their ancestors to the region with promises of riches, only to be met with hard labour and little reward. The city boasts an impressive stone works.