House of Zuriss

## The House of Zuriss

Flag of the House of Zuriss

The House of Zuriss, once the core of the Elruth Empire, is a Dwarven nation in West-Ciradon, bordering Umridel and the Tassendrel Empire. Zurris is a proud, but diminished nation, its Elruth borders having been ravaged during the War of the Dawn and the subsequent human uprisings following the example of Voskgardia.

In order to protect their core provinces and holds as the war drew close, the Dwarves of Zuriss were forced to use an ancient and highly controversial form of magic; manipulating the Fieldic energies within their fallen allies, twisting their very souls. This new magic, known as Soul-Fusing, managed to force their enemies back, and it has remained their strongest weapon throughout the conflict of the Third Age.

## Geography

### Interior

The House of Zuriss lies within a high mountain range in West-Ciradon, though it sits mostly as the last remnant of its former glory as the Elruth Empire. The few cities and great holds remaining are filled with refugees, as the former Elruthians adjust to their new lives.

#### Notable Cities

* Mount Zuriss
* Nis Gaszauss
* Vinruhnur
* Vaxxuk
* Kulrudrad
* Khochur

### Environment and Climate

The House of Zuriss sits in a highland climate, due to the elevation of its mountains. Though the temperatures at the base of the range can grow quite temperate, even being forested due to the strong Leylines beneath, the peaks are topped with snow year-round.

## Culture

### Magic

The Runesmiths of Zuriss employ a unique form of Fieldic Art known as Soul-Fusing. This method involves removing the condensed Fielded energy, their very soul or life essence, from recently deceased Dwarves and placing it within a machine known as a Soul Construct. Whether the soul itself remains within this Fielded energy or passes on to the afterlife is a matter of scholarly debate.

These Constructs can also be made using pieces of souls from Dwarves long dead, resulting in a chimeric, twisted blend of energy trapped within a metal frame. While less intelligent or capable then a complete soul, they can prove devastating in the right conflict.

Unsurprisingly, use of this magic is highly controversial within Elderkin society, with many refusing to trade or interact with the Zurin people since the practice began.

## History

### Beginning of the War of the Dawn

When the War of the Dawn began, the Elruthians were hesitant to join after hearing rumours of the Battle of Tirgaard Crossing. However, they were eventually persuaded after lengthy talks with Tassendrel diplomats to join the war effort and push back these irresponsible humans.

Initially, they saw success, contending the front lines and supplying their allies with much needed supplies. However, Voskgardia did not sit idlily by. Knowing how much the Elruth Empire relied upon their human serfs, Voskgardian spies began shipping in supplies and weaponry to the enslaved peoples of the Elruth.

### Fragmentation and Soul-Fusing

The resulting human uprising split the Elruthian territories into a two front war which ultimately crushed it. In the shadows of their falling empire, the remaining Dwarven clans and houses clung to whatever holds they could, desperately fighting back against their former slaves.

One of the clans, the House of Zuriss, began experimenting with dark secrets not seen since the time of the Ninth Gate. Eventually, they uncovered the runes and methods of Soul-Fusing and began producing new machines powered by the dead. Though these machines proved effective, their use was shunned by the remaining Elruthian clans.

That was until the fall of Zarith, Mount Zuriss’s ancient dragon guardian, the pride of the Elruthians. Felled by human firepower, both the dragon and the accompanying airship fleets crashed upon the mountain side, leaving the Dwarves in their darkest moment.

With the fall of their legacy looming, the desperate clans allowed the Zuriss Runesmith's to imbue the dying Zarith's soul into one of the few remaining skyships. The act managed to save the remaining Elderkin, as the skyship turned the tide of battle. With this proven victory, the remaining clans aligned under the House of Zuriss and began perfect the art of Soul-Fusing, pushing the humans from the mountain range of the Empire's core.