Kulgarum
Kulgarum is the capital city of the dwarven clans, founded at the beginning of the Second Age, following the destruction of the northern lands and the century of ash. A walled and heavily fortified settlement, it is said that the dwarf stronghold can not be successfully assaulted by a force of any size or composition.
Kulgarum's location at the foot of the Grimleche Peaks provides a strategic advantage for the dwarves as they have easy access to the mountains and their rich mineral deposits. The city's architecture is impressive, with many of its buildings carved directly from the mountain rock of the numerous spent mines. Many of the streets are narrow and winding, and the buildings are adorned with intricate carvings and ornate metalwork. The tunnels and mines beneath the mountains can only be described as a labyrinth, stretching on sometimes for miles in all directions. Some of them may even lead to the lands beneath the northern wastes.
The dwarves of Kulgarum are fiercely independent and pride themselves on their self-sufficiency. They have a strong military tradition, and dwarven warriors are respected throughout Aeberus for their skill and discipline. The city is home to several prestigious military academies that offer specialized training for those seeking to join the ranks of the dwarven armies.
Kulgarum's economy is built around mining, metalworking, and craftsmanship. The city's forges and workshops produce some of the finest weapons, armor, and magical items in all of Aeberus. The city's jewelers are particularly renowned for their skill in working with precious stones and metals.
Despite their reputation for being insular and distrustful of outsiders, the dwarves of Kulgarum are generous hosts to those who earn their trust. Visitors who show respect for the city's customs and traditions are treated with hospitality and respect, and many have been known to return home with one of the city's famous crafted items as a souvenir. In fact, the city owe's it's early survival to assistance reluctantly accepted from the High Elves of Maena Thalor and the wood elves of Dellorwall Forest, which would prove to be the foundation of a long-lasting, if not always totally amicable, peace between the societies.
History
Kulgarum's history is a long and storied one, dating back to the earliest days of the Second Age. The city was founded by a group of dwarven clans who had been forced to flee their homeland due to a devastating volcanic eruption. Seeking refuge in the Grimleche Peaks, they discovered a series of interconnected caverns that seemed custom-made for their needs. The dwarves quickly set to work creating a new home for themselves, carving out homes and workshops from the mountain rock.
As time went on, Kulgarum grew and prospered. The dwarves' skills in mining, metalworking, and craftsmanship helped to establish the city as one of the most prosperous in all of Aeberus. The city's proximity to the mountains allowed the dwarves to extract rich deposits of precious metals, which they used to create beautiful jewelry and intricate metalwork.
Over the centuries, the city spread out from the foot of the mountain peaks and established a walled and protected above-ground portion to their settlement.
Kulgarum's military tradition also played a large role in its history. The city was frequently raided by orcs and other hostile forces, but the dwarven warriors were always ready to defend their home. Over time, the city became known for the strength and skill of its soldiers, and many young dwarves from other cities would come to Kulgarum to receive military training.
Despite its many successes, Kulgarum has also known its share of hardships. In the early days, the dwarves struggled to establish themselves in the harsh mountain environment, and many died from exposure or starvation. Over the centuries, the city has weathered attacks from goblin hordes and rampaging beasts, but has never been successfully taken.
Today, Kulgarum is a thriving city, its streets filled with the hustle and bustle of dwarves going about their daily business. Its forges and workshops continue to produce some of the finest weapons, armor, and magical items in all of Aeberus, and its jewelers remain unrivaled in their craft. And though the city remains deeply rooted in its traditions and fiercely proud of its independence, it also welcomes those who come with respect and a willingness to learn.
Drow Invasion
During the Century of Ash, the Drow rose up from beneath the shadow of the Northern Wastes. Venturing south beyond the Grimleche Peaks, they sought to make their new home in the Langlin Heights. It was during this time that the High Elves and Wood Elves would join forces to extinguish their darker bretherin. The war dragged on for decades as the Elven Alliance beat the Drow back towards the Northern Wastes.
Battle of the Bloody Pass
Finally admitting defeat, the Drow retreated towards the Grimleche Peaks. Unfortunately for the Drow forces, the Dwarf King of Kulgarum had been warned of their coming. The Dwarven forces were able to approach using naturally occuring caves that interconnected with their own mines, allowing them to simply wait for the Drow to walk into their trap.
It was determined that the Drow would need to cross the Grimleche Peaks through the Hidden Pass, a narrow valley that spits the Grimleche Peaks from west to east and mark the divide to the Langlin Heights. The extreme terrain provided natural shade and cover for the drow, allowing them to move during the day.
Finally, after weeks of preparation, the Drow finally arrived. The two armies clashed in what would come to be known as the Battle of the Bloody Pass, a savage conflict that lasted days. The Drow fought valiantly, inflicting significant damage to the Dwarves.
On the final day of the Battle, the Dwarven King Korrigarn Firehall was felled by a stray arrow. Taking up his father's Greataxe, "Ironflame", Prince Kordan rallied his forces and made one last brutal charge at the enemy. Enraged over the death of their king, the Dwarven armies broke the drow lines. The prince himself cutting down their leader, High Lord Uldor Aleantyl.
What followed can only be described as a slaughter. The surviving drow were forced to flee into the mountains, those that chose to fight on were shown no mercy. The newly crowned King Kordan led his forces back to their homes and began to rule over a period of peace that would come to an end all to quickly.
The Goblin Wars
After almost 3 decades of peaceful rule, King Kordan was met with a new challenge. Word reached the Dwarven King that the newly founded human settlements on the eastern coast had been suffering from deadly and devestating warband raids. These warbands, made up mainly of Orcs and Goblins thieved and slaughtered whatever and whoever they found and would then vanish back into the mountains and forests.
King Kordan pledged his support to the fledgling villages and, what's more, managed to secure the armies of the High Elves of Maena Thalor and the rangers of the Wood Elves of Dellorwall Forest. As the raids continued it led to the disrution of trade and a corresponding economic disaster for the entire continent. Having begun to affect so many over the years, eventually it would lead to all of Aeberus banding together in an unprecidented and never repeated sense of solidarity against a common foe.
Officially, the Goblin Wars would end 117 years after they first began with King Kordan's pledge with the death of Murag the Monstrous, leader of the orc warbands. Without a distict leader, the orcs and goblins began fighting amomgst themselves for superiority and were beaten back into the mountains or slaughtered wherever they were found. Although the war was officially over, the presence of dark creatures remained a concern for many. The sightings of goblins, orcs, and giants would keep the people of Aeberus on their toes, still having to remain vigilant against the possibility of an attack.
Fall of Ametheria
Following the fall of the great eastern empire of Ametheria, many of the displaced refugees sought shelter in Aeberus. A small few even made their way as far west as Kulgarum. The arrival of these foreign wizards brought with them ancient knowledge of arcane magic, which had been largely unknown to the Dwarves besides a very small few. This knowledge further developed the skills of certain dwarven craftsman that were willing to experiment with this strange new power.
Rise of Hasbryn
As the kingdom of Hasbryn grew in power and influence, the demand for the treasures of the Dwarves began to fade. The exports of Kulgarum were once famous throughout the known world and, despite maintaining their popularity and prestige throughout Aeberus, traders from across the sea no longer ventured to the city with an alternative so close at hand.
Settlement Details
Settlement Size: Capital City
Population: Approx. 86,000
Common Races: Dwarf
Uncommon Races: Human, Gnome, Elf, Halfling
Rare Races: All Other Races
Race Relations: Harmony
Notable Traits: Most of the settlement is located in mines and caves
Known for: Military skill and Crafting
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