KARGRIM

Kargrim is a dwarven kingdom sitting inside the Pale Peaks and the North of the continent.

## KARGRIM

### Demography

* 90% Dwarves
* 4% Humans
* 2% Halflings
* 1% Gnomes
* 0.5% Ratfolks
* 2,5% Others

## History

The Kargrim kingdom is an old and mighty empire. Its history is heavily debated amongst scholars, but while the kingdom seems to date back a little after the formation of the Baolei nation, its origins may stem from far earlier. A mysterious period the dwarves call the "Dark Age", obscures the true inception of the dwarven nation.

There are no recollection of the Dark Age period, not even when it began or started. The oldest archives of the kingdom go back to about a thousand years ago when the nation was in great expansion. They were gloriously conquering back their territory which had fallen into decay and was overtaken by Goblins and kobolds. They were and still are numerous in the mountain, regularly attacking their underground holds to steal their resources.

This is the time when Khorgrum, the god of stone, elected the king who would drive the nation forward, fending off their enemies and building a growing economic empire. But covetousness kept bringing more and more adversity to them: humans, elves, orcs and even dragons. Eventually, the dwarves bunkered themselves inside the Pale Peaks. Giving up most of their old territory to fortify their positions in the North of the Mountains and underground.

For centuries, they kept to themselves, growing not wide, but deep as they kept digging the mountains, building more tunnels and passages to further their autarkic nation. With little communication outside of their own territory, the dwarves were mostly at peace despite regular conflicts and skirmishes with underground dwelling races. This respite allowed them to develop a strong position and great artisan traditions.

Many centuries later, as the magic went dormant during the Age of Scarcity, the impact upon Kargrim got catastrophic. Deprived of magic, many magical creatures fled to the underground and caves to find shelter and stay dormant. Many went to the Dwarven territory, and various altercations occurred with the dwarves both unprepared and depleted of their own magic. This event disrupted the dwarven nation greatly, and during one of the battles, the old king got killed. It would be shortly after be replaced by a king named Borgris Ironbeard, one of the nephews of the old leader who managed to reorganize and lead precise assault to protect the nation from total chaos.

Once the dust settled, the Kingdom of Kargrim felt it was time to connect to the outside again. Sending explorers and missionaries, they found a changed world where diplomacy could be achieved and trade had replaced banditry. While still in reparation, the kingdom of Kargrim made treaties and business with other nations of the world, with the notable exception of Mahakal. Many northern houses of he Federation of Cielargent have a cordial and lucrative relationship, exchanging food and textile for crafted goods and precious stones.

During this time, certain families of dwarves also started developing technology and artifices to compensate for the lack of magic. This will eventually bring birth to the goddess Grunlekha. However, a large portion of dwarves do no see these new tools with a good eye. Nonetheless, this perspective attracted a lot of people which led to the creation of Grunlekha's Academy within the capital city.

## Culture

In Kargrim, the vast majority of the people are dwarves and outsiders are generally seen with suspicion. While it is now opened to the world, the kingdom suffered from centuries of isolation, and kept marks of this, even to this day. The dwarves pay well and in solid gold, which attracted a lot of workers from the outside. But even someone born generations after their ancestors came here are still not valued as a member of society. This can go from harmless mockery to outright disdain, especially toward the more monstrous races.

Nonetheless, the world welcomed with open arms the return of the dwarves of the mountains. Their formidable tools and engineering skills being extremely appreciated. Many citizens of Kargrim actually travelled to other nations to put their talent to good use. The dwarves take pride in their ingenuity, but they are also renowned for their excellent craftsmanship, their sturdiness and their legendarily good living.

Kargrim also trades with most of the other nations. They occupy all of the Northern commerce. Their ice-piercing ships being the only ones solid enough to withstand the harsh conditions of the battering Sea. They export a lot of their crafted wonders in exchange for spices and luxurious food and clothes.

While skill takes a big part of Kargrim's pride, their soldiers are some of the best in the world. Not wanting to repeat the mistakes of the past, king Borgris Ironbeard reinforced the kingdom's military. All dwarves are taught the rudiments of fighting and protecting their nation. This training compensates for their fractioned numbers compared to the other nations.

## Relations

Kargrim shares a decent relation with Cielargent and has opened its roads to it. Many dwarven craftsmen, clerics and promising arcane students choose to travel there.

Relations with Baolei and Charon are cordial and based on trading. Charon particularly appreciates the technology they provide, which pairs well with what its own engineers create. They do not however tolerate well Mahakal and Caister. While never in open conflict, they still keep their distance from any of their actions.

The dwarves of Kargrim have an inhate hatred of goblins and kobolds which they see as their ancestral foes.

## Landscape

The kingdom of Kargrim is essentially situated in the Pale Peaks and the Northern shores. It occupies most of the peaks, only the South-eastern part being under the control of Cielargent. Many paths have been built and carved around the mountains by the dwarves, enough to allow small caravans going in and out.

While the Dwarven territory extends from the top of the Verdant Jungle to the Icy river, inhabitants are very few on the surface. They usually are concentrated around the river and shores, as well as inside the Lodeth Plateau, a cold high altitude valley where they do the major part of their agriculture.

The main part of the kingdom is mostly set under the mountain. The dwarves have dug and shaped the inside of the earth to expend their territory where they would not be disturbed. From gigantic caves and underground cities carved in the stone itself to small tunnels barely 5ft tall, thousands of miles of tunnels have been crafted. These never-ending tunnels are called the "Peak's Bowels" and it is unwise for an outsider to venture in there alone.

## Locations

* The city of Kungron
* The Pale Peaks
* Lodeth Plateau
* Nodaline Delta
* Fjordja river
* Icy river