Gwarrnil
“If the greatest of Empires can be reduced to nothingness in an instant—then what of us lesser beings?”
Overview
Gwarrnil (officially the Kingdom of Gwarrnil) is an highly advanced subterranean nation founded in 1479 AT following a successful exodus from the Jörmunheimr Empire, led by three exalted Dwarves: Gwydion, Arianrhod, and Gilfaethwy. Only Caer Arianrhod, a Demi-Goddess, remains revered as the sole Iron Lord in modern day.
The current monarch, King Dharrgoe Gao, is a pureblooded Dwarf who typically refrains from direct governance. However, he holds the authority to overrule the entire government when necessary. The only authority greater than the King is the Iron Lord. Besides the monarch and the Iron Lord, governance is primarily handled by the Royal Syndicate, established in 1737 AT, which comprises 11 seats with each of them assigned a different responsibility.
The Royal Syndicate
The Royal Syndicate is a governing body that serves directly under the King, as well as the Iron Lord. Its members are usually appointed by the current monarch. However, on occasion, the Iron Lord may also personally assign someone to the Royal Syndicate. Besides direct appointment, there are two other ways to be officially considered for a position: the current seat holder can nominate a successor, or a large institution closely related to the seat can organize an election to nominate a successor, or even a replacement. These methods are generally respected and rarely overruled by the monarch or the Iron Lord.
The Selchramet, Heritor of the Iron Lord’s Chosen
The first seat of the Royal Syndicate. A seat reserved for the next in line to the throne. The role of this seat is unspecified and is up to the discretion of the holder. This seat is currently held by the a pureblooded Dwarf named Haarlok Gao, the Crown Prince. This seat cannot be nominated by anyone except the current monarch, or the Iron Lord.
Dreyrophir, the Voice of the Iron Lord
The second seat of the Royal Syndicate. This seat's purpose is reserved for the head of the religious institutes of Gwarrnil that oversees everything under the direct and indirect command of the Iron Lord. This seat is currently held by Ghraul Amrolch.
Krayfhorcer, the Iron Fist of Gwarrnil
The sixth seat of the Royal Syndicate. This seat's purpose is to oversee the military force of Gwarrnil. This seat is currently held by Ghraul Amrolch, the Brutish Sage.
Yhtra, the Emissary
The eighth seat of the Royal Syndicate. This seat's purpose is to oversee foreign affairs. This seat is currently held by Thallark Grathaas.
Religion
Modern-day Gwarrnil is not a very religious nation. While some still worship their sole remaining Deity, most people view her primarily as the highest governing authority rather than a sacred figure.
The Iron Lord
The name Iron Lord refers to the last remaining Caer of Gwarrnil–Arianrhod. She is a Demi-Goddess who indirectly influences the nation through her chosen's descendants, as well as through whoever currently holds the second seat of the Royal Syndicate. Nowadays, her public appearances are far and few between.
History
Pre-Exodus (Before 1478 AT)
Before 1478 AT the Dwarves were a heavily enslaved species under the subjugation of the Bryiënjarunn and the Wendigos of the Jörmunheimr Empire who saw them akin to a mere ‘worker ants’. In an attempt to seek salvation in the form of freedom the oppressed dwarfs began putting their faiths into 3 different charismatic Dwarves who took leadership of underground efforts to revolt against the Empire. Their names were as follows: Gwydion, Arianrhod and Gilfaethwy. Eventually the 3 were exalted from the Dwarves’ faith in them, however the faith being split between three caused them to be exalted as Demi-Deities instead of full-fledged Deities.
Arianrhod and Gwydion were Arcane Trickers who were known for their extensive magical knowledge by standards of this time in history where magic only recently became more refined. Gilfaethwy on the other hand was a Barbarian with a Wild Heart. With his exceptional physique that was innately empowered further by his Mana, as well as an extensive martial training that he taught himself. All their prowess was furthered by their partial ascension to divinity.
The Great Exodus (1478 AT – 1479 AT)
In the year 1478 AT, the exodus began with the Dwarves breaking out and then breaking out of their holds thanks to the confidence in their now divine leaders’ newfound power. Gwydion and Arianrhod spearheaded their exodus towards the great mountains’ caves up north of the Empire’s territory.
Whilst Gwydion and Arianrhod were busy leading the people forward to the mountains, Gilfaethwy chose to stay behind to delay the Empire with his newfound confidence in his divine strength. He managed to defeat nearly 50 Bryiënjarunn before the Wendigos came after him. His hubris however led him to be defeated by a dozen Wendigos whose individual strength he had sorely underestimated. Historians note that at this point in history, magic was not refined enough to even challenge an multiple unexceptional Wendigo, not even as a Demi-Deity. Gilfaethwy was strategically spared to reveal where the Dwarves had gone–but he proved useless as Gilfaethwy descended into madness.
In the year 1479 AT was finally established within the mountains known as ‘the Highlands’ under the rule of Gwydion and Arianrhod. The Dwarvenkind titled the two Demi-Deities, ‘Caer’. Alternatively, a second name began to gain traction amongst some of the Dwarves. Some began to refer to Caer Gwydion and Caer Arianrhod as ‘the Iron Lords’. The Caers took a liking to the alternative name alongside the first.
For the following years the Dwarves did their best to survive underground where the Giants and Wendigos could not reach them, but many including the Caers could not help but wonder what became of their lost Demi-Deity Gilfaethwy.
Regardless of whatever had happened, the Dwarvenkind continued, unwavering in their efforts, they called their new home, Gwarrnil–a name whose meaning is lost to time. Not even Caer Arianrhod could recall the name’s meaning to this day.
The military and various technological and magical advances were achieved in the following 150 years out of necessity and fear of being discovered by their once oppressors.
The Fall of Jörmunheimr and the Divine Battle of Gwarrnil (1626 AT – 1627 AT)
In 1626 AT, following the fall of Jörmunheimr Empire’s fall had been confirmed, the Caers began considering widening the cave’s entrances to not only welcome visitors in this new age, but also expand their influence further and offer aid to their neighboring regions.
In 1627 AT the Dwarvenkind would learn of how the demise of the Jörmunheimr Empire came about from an old familiar face. Gilfaethwy would appear before the Caers, with madness in his eyes he spoke of the current Warlord of Jörmunheimr, Ymir Bláinn, and the Dragon of Jörmunheimr, Jörmungandr destroying the entire Empire together.
Gilfaethwy lost his mind. Witnessing their once oppressors to be destroyed in an instant instilled him with despairing nihilism of the future to come for the whole realm. For his lost mind he named ‘Gilfaethwy the Mad’.
What followed was a battle between the Demi-Deities of the Dwarves that left Gilfaethwy and Gwydion dead, and Arianrhod gravely injured. The devastation left by this would directly play a significant role in the Divine Pact of 2015 AT. Caer Arianrhod feared how much more powerful Deities would become in the future if 150 years of magical advance was enough to make them strong enough to cause such devastation.
What had brought this madness to Gilfaethwy would become a closely kept secret within Gwarrnil. The continued existence of Ymir Bláinn and Jörmungandr would be kept a secret and expeditions towards the ruins of Jörmunheimr were declared forbidden.
Transfer of Duty (1630-1737 AT)
In 1630 AT Caer Arianrhod would appoint a Dwarf she saw exceptional and thus saw fit to fulfil the gap of power left by the death of Gwydion. This appointed King’s name was Uthar Gao–and the nation would be officially called the Kingdom of Gwarrnil. Following this, Caer Arianrhod would slowly begin playing a less direct role in the nation's future governance as the centuries went by.
In 1737 AT, a new form of government would slowly take shape to take on the responsibilities that the Caers once fulfilled. A Royal Syndicate was established with 11 seats, each with different roles.
Divine Pact (2015 AT)
In 2015 AT, the Divine Pact would be created and signed by all Deities and Dragons except Ymir Bláinn and Jörmungandr whose existence was not known by the others. The purpose of this pact was to limit direct divine intervention in mortal affairs to prevent catastrophic divine wars in fear of what the Deities would be capable of in the far future.
In 3126 AT, following the appearance of Syllyvan d’Vhladnyr, the first known Sage to the world, reforms to the Divine Pact were proposed by the Iron Lord to include Sages as well. Something that was suggested upon realizing that the Vampiric Sage was stronger than most Demi-Deities. But these changes never came through. However, independently amongst the Sages this has become an unspoken rule as a result of a mutual acknowledgement of their fragile bodies–thought their power rivaled Deities, their undivine bodies were fragile in comparison to Deities and Dragons.
The Brutish Sage (3963 AT)
In 3963 AT, an unusual visitor from the region of modern day Orrnielthnil came to Gwarrnil forcefully–yet mercifully. This visitor was a part-Bryiënjarunn, part-Wendigo Orc named Haurlth Ghawno. His strength proved immeasurable to those that met him. He made a name for himself by mere appearance alone by wearing armor clad in Wendigo bones. His appearance caused such a stir that he was greeted personally by the last remaining Iron Lord, Caer Arianrhod. The Iron Lord recognized the Orc’s strength to be that of a Sage as it not the result of faith.
In spite of the Demi-Deities and Deities both having immeasurable growth in power since the early days, the Iron Lord recognized that this Champion Fighter Sage was far stronger than most Deities. As a result of this she convinced the current King to allow this Orc into the Royal Syndicate in spite of the Orc's heritage. To this day, Haurlth Ghawno, the Brutish Sage (or the Orcish Sage) still holds the seat in charge of the Military–’Krayfhorcer’.
Orrnielth's Establishment (4394 AT)
In 4394 AT, the region that Haurlth came from would officially be considered its own nation, a safe-haven to the Orcs that are commonly discriminated against throughout the continent. This nation would simply be called Orrnielthnil, named after the region’s name Orrnielth. This nation would be created with the help of Gwarrnil’s aid under Haurlth’s influence. A long coming conclusion to his long term plan he had since his arrival to Gwarrnil to fight against the discrimination against Orcs.
This nation would also play a big role in exporting many goods from the surface to the Dwarves. Many resources that they once stopped relying on during the old days were finally brought back into circulation.
Aviora's Establishment (4501 AT)
In 4501 AT, following the surge of trade between Gwarrnil and Orrnielthnil, the Dwarves began looking for more resources from the surface. This time they ventured west of their mountains to the Ancient Forest–particularly that of the Southern territory occupied by a large population Strix-Folk who lived in many different tribes. As a result of the Strix-Folk welcoming the Dwarves peacefully, the officials of Gwarrnil began facilitating the different tribes of Strix-Folk transition into a proper nation with law and order as a way of enabling favourable trade peacefully.