---

Eight hundred years ago they came to this land aboard their might ships. Little did we of this land know what they would bring. As the peoples fought a wretched victory one after another they were forced to live as rulers under the yoke of their power and we submitted before them. They, the men of Gaüllo. Tall and skin as pale and blue as a early spring's clear sky as the snow began to melt, their dark eyes staring out from their heavenly towers. Their long ears hearing ever murmur of descent from our chief's mouths and their unrelenting exercise of their power and might upon their shoulders until they broke bone and flesh. Only then did they secure their rule and we came to learn of the home of the Gaülletics across a great dark sea, and whose people, the Gaüllo received our wealth.

But in the long years, as things often do, as the leaves change on the tree over the seasons their rule changed over the many peoples of the land. Even at the beginning they elevated many to become allies. And because the country was vast and the peoples many they required the loyal services of many a high king and so they became nobles to the great foreign court. And even more things evolved. The heartland of Gaüllo came to poor fortunes, struck down by their own poison in success and as they too came here on their boats to conquer, so did the poison and now they are confused.

This territory never had for itself a ruler of local birth. One had always sailed from abroad here to rule on the distant will of the Emperor as emperor in his own right. But something changed and soon we spoke not of the Mormêr as a foreign sovereign come to reign, but as the highest of kings born to this land. Because the Emperor gave him permission to do such, wanting the best of his men close perhaps. And the Mormêr became our friend or rival, in the same way as the old ones did. But the alliances began to shift depending on whose son ruled when as opposed to some distant imperial will. And some attempted to rebel, only to fall under his alliances. And new peoples rose to prominence and old ones fell from his blessing.

But now the poison has taken the Mormêr. His throne is empty, and the court calls to convene a council of nobles to pick a new one, or to steer the fate of this imperial outpost.

And this is the Üe.

---

This is a attempted reboot to Milkman's old Vassals To An Empty Throne, which I've taken to rebooting with some changes.

As with this RP, we all play as vassal lords to a broader empire. Eight centuries ago, the race known as the Gaülletics invaded the land now known as the Province of Mycoria. Mycoria is a low-fantasy realm, filled with a diverse number of races and monsters. As such the imperial realm is diverse, ranging from the Gaülletics and humans to any number of others. Its reaches span from the warm waters of its south to the frigid arctic fjords and mountains of its far north. All are subjugated before the Empire, and all have long been obliged to serve the realm with its riches and men as tribute.

As is the nature of Empire, none of the vassals of Mycoria are permitted to trade intentionally, and can only trade within the province. All tribute bound for foreign markets, or the Empire broadly and the imperial capital specifically go through the Imperial Merchant Monopoly, with its seat at Garnalaña. It is also at Garnalaña that the conduct of the Provincial Council is exercised.

As of late however, trouble has struck Mycoria. As unrest in the broader Empire spreads the nobles in the dual capital seats of Garnalaña and Móirens have begun scheming. As well, a strange new plague has reached the capital, affecting so far only the Gaülletics. This strange illness has struck several high ranking officers into a coma, or killed them outright; survival seems low. To make matters worse, the former provincial despot – the Mormêr – has passed away, albeit from complications due to age. But he never sired a suitable son to replace him and the throne lies officially empty. As per law an emergency Council of State has been called and all nobles – Gaülletic and otherwise – has been summoned for a special session to decide the future.




Of things to know:
Gaülletics – The Gaülletics are a race of elven humanoids, with a pale to mid-shade blue skin. Theirs eyes are typically described as “dark” and ovular. Their hair is ginger, light brown, or blonde. On average they are over six feet tall. They comprise the ruling class of Mycoria, the ruling class of the ruling class even. But they are foreigners and are largely concentrated in two provinces: Móirens and Garnalaña. In their conquests of the region they were known for their tight disciplined organization and adaptability through the recruiting of local allies to supplement their forces. The alliances they made haven't always been equal, and often they were written with the interest of weakening two rival native powers to near decimation.

Móirens – This is considered the Capital of the Mormêr, the place where he, his family, and closest lieutenants have their palaces. The city was established initially as a military post to guard the portage between the two lakes and to help in projecting power further northwards and west towards the coast along the river. As time went on it became more prized for its scenic isolation rather than its defense as internal military politics changed. When the office of the Mormêr became hereditary it became the primary residence of the ruling family as a retreat into isolation. Because of this it also became the military capital as a number of provincial commanders have moved in followed by the civilian officials who are required to work closest with the Mormêr.

Garnalaña – Garnalaña is technically the second capital and functionally where the duties of the head of government operates. It is here legally where products bound for the Imperial Capital are sent for packaging and delivery over seas and up river to Móirens as the local cut. The city has also become the cultural center of the Gaülletic people on the continent, being a home to their major temples to their primary cults. As well as the Imperial Council of the Province, the Merchant's Monopoly is housed here.

Castle Arllánco – This large fortress stands guard over the similar named canal dug into the peninsula dug by the Empire a hundred and twenty years ago as an effort to streamline the movement of tribute around the coast.

The Mormêr – The rank of Mormêr used to be an appointed position from the Imperial Coast across the seat. The one who was appointed to the title would serve for life in the overseas province and serve the imperial interest by ensuring as much tribute went home as possible. However, as instability mounted in an over-stretched empire the title was changed to a hereditary one either because of no good men left in court, or the court needing as many good men as possible. As a result the title of Mormêr became a bloated and self indulgent one as the ruling family no longer found it necessary to send all the tribute back home and has long modified the amount of home-bound tribute to satisfy the balance between personal self-indulgence and career safety; as though the Empire could have afforded to re-invade to reinstall order in a rebellious province. The Mormêr's authority also underwent a change, as the managerial relationship between the numerous vassal states of the region and the Empire was no longer guided as a matter of official court policy but local real-politik and personal policy of the Mormêr and their family and closest confidants. As such, imperial relations within the province became unstable as alliances were often modified on the fly to exert dominance and control over the broad region. The dynasty which has just passed was the déUticea family.

Provincial Council – While the Mormêr is the head of state in Mycoria, the Council is the head of government and there is no head in the head more headier than the Prime Minister. Responsible for daily civilian affairs the Provincial Council is regularly gathered to legislate on matters of minor importance or in emergency situations where the entirety of government is required. When there is a Mormêr they dictate the legal parameters in which he can operate freely. When there is none they become the government. And in this crisis, they must elect a new Mormêr for the Empire, or watch the province unravel around them. The council also serves as a judicial bench, interpreting the existing law in criminal and matters of state misconduct. The council is made up largely of Gaülletic nobles from the military and merchants monopoly, as well as the many ethnic and vassal states that make up the provincial government making the council a large two-hundred strong parliament; even if on the regular only ten to twenty make decisions on particular issues and the Prime Minister is the only constant presence.

The Merchants Monopoly – In essence, this is a small guild of Gaülletic merchants and allies who dictate and control the trade between the province and the Empire at large in a mercantile fashion. Their services do not end simply at the managed trade of goods, but the managing of economic records of the realm to determine the value of goods and products. As well they serve as a bank for the province at large, offering loans of silver and gold taels and writing credit. They are often the finance behind large private or public projects in the province. In partnership with the Imperial Council they are responsible for chartering any new local banks.

WhAt'S ThE TecH LiKe? - 15th-16th century equivelant.

---

So applying for this? Fill out this simple application and mark your approximate desired location on the map. Here is the application:

Name and Title of Vassal State:
Ruler:
Race: (Gaülletic, human, or some custome unique race, be sure to add a WRITTEN description of them if not human or Gaülletic)
Location:
History:

Special Note
If you add you capital, I will include that on the map. I may try to do other things. Sea lanes to the provincial capital will also be added on my own discretion. Don't dog me down with statistical details either, give it to me clean; you'll know what I mean when I accept you.

by the way



land claim before i go to bed. app to follow

Bit of a stupid question, but can humans and Gaulletics interbreed?

Bit of a stupid question, but can humans and Gaulletics interbreed?

No.

Bit of a stupid question, but can humans and Gaulletics interbreed?

Question of the century gentlemen. lmao

<Snipped quote by BingTheWing>

Question of the century gentlemen. lmao

I do imagine there'd be some weird shit happening. But like, no children from it.

I do imagine there'd be some weird shit happening. But like, no children from it.

You can probably describe Gaülletic colonial policy as, "any hole's a goal"

So anyways. Since I promised to do it:

---

Kingdom of Cor


King William Snowspreader In Midspring house of Coarsecrane


Avan – a race of humanoid bird people. Their heads being like that of a bird, and where ever they would have hair on their bodies they have instead downy feathers.





the Kingdom of Cor is a creation of the province of Mycoria and imperial administration three-hundred forty nine years ago. Originally comprising parts of older vassal territories and a number of smaller states the region was reshaped after the provincial authorities migrated from their old capital of Saña Lodiám to their new capital of Garnalaña four-hundred fifty years ago. The freshly abandoned city became the target of intrigues by the numerous local petty nobles who sought to take it for themselves, in part because of it's well developed tributary port and harbor, and because the immediate watchful gaze of their masters had largely left. A long period of civil unrest bloomed in western Mycoria until the Empire stepped in.

The Gaülletic's pacification campaign was decisive and helped to wipe the slate clean. In return for their alliance with the Empire, the local Avan warlords were given full control of the territory as the vassal polity in the area now known as Cor. This also brought to the fore the rise of the Coarsecrane family, who had before been mere midling nobles and chieftains in the region. But their displays of absolute loyalty and honorable service to the cause captured the attention of the Gaülletic regime who returned the favor, and in turn purchased their favor.

However their title would not protect them and through out the existence of Cor they had to defend themselves from rivals. Routinely the kingdom broiled over in a succession of violent miniature civil wars that would last a season, and then fall quiet for years or a generation at a time. In at least several instances the Coarsecranes would be deposed, only for a cadet branch to re-emerge and reassert their historical claim to the territory.

At present, the Avan kingdom of Cor has evolved to become an example of imperial assimilation, though their status as non-Gaülletic has stopped them from being fully being recognized. All the same, the Corvan Avans have taken well to assimilating Gaülletic culture in a syncretic fashion, adopting the Gaülletic cults into their own cult practices, adopting the language among the upper echelons while even among the lower classes a new hybrid language has emerged bridging the gap between Gaülletic and Corvan-Avan. The Coarsecranes consider themselves even close friends to the déUticea family. Though the death of the family, in Mycoria at least has thrown onto Cor doubt and trepidation for the future, and what sort of loyalty the kingdom should hold to the Empire.

---

Avan society is still today largely tribal, even with their recent feudalization or bureaucratic promotion in Mycorian politics and society per imperial wishes. The reason for which being that developments aside, the bulk of the population is considerably agrarian and outside of the passed century, developments from the city have been slow to reach inland. This is due in large part to the imperial interests in collecting tribute in sheer volume and the tributary economy of Cor had only developed along the coasts; surplus was directed entirely to the provincial capital. But with the administrative reforms of the region, a certain degree of autonomy could be reached allowing the Cor Avans to begin a series of planned developments. This has had the effect of alienating some tribal chiefs who sought to resist the measures by arms, they failed spectacularly. But those who did not found themselves invited into the new society that was just slowly beginning to emerge from the thick ice of colonial administration, though said ice is still thick and the image is murky, but is emerging.

As per the old tribal traditions, councils of headmen and nobles were an important aspect in royal administration who judged and legislated on the king's decisions. While it existed in a very primitive form, and was more reflective of alliances between the warlords of old Cor there was very much a consistent tendency to discuss things in council, or in parlance with one another before reaching a collective decision. Since the creation of Cor this has been a historical tendency that has waxed and waned depending on the strength or the ambition of the sovereign at the time who occasionally dissolved the court council or enlarged it depending on the fashions in Garnalaña.

Cor's urban development has also given inspiration to a number of leading non-noble figures to someday participate, who have campaigned even among the nobles classes otherwise locked out of the Cor All Council for being too small an aristocrat. But as long as the old order held sway, they were limited in their extent and influence and efforts to expand on the body simply and physically limited. Time and opportunity will too decide this.

IMPERIAL CENSUS
When I ask people to not go into stats, this is what I mean when I said:

Don't dog me down with statistical details either, give it to me clean; you'll know what I mean when I accept you

This is what I'll be writing up when I accept you, I may do other things. This is to give you an unknown factor to play with and consider. And it let's me stop people from doing weird-ass shenanigans. So now, the Imperial Census of the Kingdom of Cor:

Population:
15,000,000 inhabitants of mixed race

• 10% Gaülletic
• 15% Human
• 15% Other (tbd when other races are introduced)
• 60% Avan (Corvan, other)

Average Subject Life Expectancy:
36 years

Causes of Death

• Pneumonia of the lungs
• Typhoid
• Influenza
• Dysentery
• Malarial infection
• Fever

Economic production

• rye
• wheat
• fish (salmon, halibut, cod)
• barley
• hops
• apples
• plums
• handicrafts
• domesticated animals
• peat
• iron
• copper

Tributary Production

• linens, cloth
• alcohol
• glass
• horses

Kingdom of Cor has the rank of Prime Minister, a resident of the kingdom, whether Gaülletic or otherwise serves as Prime Minister in the Provincial Council

Yeah that sounds right.

@Andreyich

I'm going to assume there might be more work you want to do on this. So before I do any official acceptanc'ing I'mma wait until you say otherwise or something.

So I told Aaron elsewhere the only real thing I'd note is how they relate to other realms but otherwise I'm done. Any people interested in the RP feel free to hit me up to talk about potential relations between our realms; stuff like potential participation in punitive expeditions, potential of agreeing to recognize the Egyszers as electors for the crown, etc.

@Andreyich

In that case:



Imperial Intelligence on the Egyszer

Population
12-13 million including local peasants or minor nobles

Economic production

• Wheat
• Domesticated animals (horse, primarily)
• Barley
• Fish (anchovies, hake, eel, shrimp, crab)
• Hardwoods
• Grapes
• Iron
• Nut trees
• Copper
• Silver

The Egyszer have the status of a foreign envoy in Garnalaña

Name and Title of Vassal State: The Duchy of Lyndenstrath, the Lyndenstrath (colloquial, dwarven), the Jaw (colloquial, men)

Ruler: Duke Brannar Brittletooth

Race:
-Dwarves: Your garden-variety fantasy dwarves. Comprise ~70% of the population, particularly inland in the mountains.

-Men. Comprise ~25%, concentrated in the more cosmopolitan ports of Troutglen and Gullstone. Small settlements and homesteads of men are scattered through the realm.

-Gaulletic: Less than 5%, more than 1%. Nearly all are merchants, skilled tradesmen, or imperial officials in the ports. Being accustomed to the more temperate latitudes, the climate is extremely disagreeable. And, of course, the local dwarves despise the few elves that do live in the Lyndenstrath.

-Morsen: A race of sentient walrusmen that hail from the northernmost reaches of the world. On stubby fin-like legs they can walk about on land, though quite slowly. Though cumbersome on land, they are agile swimmers and able to traverse long distances across frigid seas without boat or sail. Civilization is an alien thing to them, and most prefer to live nomadic lives in close-knit communities numbering 10-30 individuals. They spend their lives diving far below the waves in search of clams and abalone, migrating along the northern coasts in search of more fruitful shoals. At the southernmost ends of their range, they come into contact with the dwarves of the Lyndenstrath. There they have learned to trade pearls, nacre, and ambergris in exchange for foodstuffs, nets, iron tools, grog, and ale. Beyond trade, most Morsen have little interest in the goings-on of their Dwarf neighbors or the wider Mycorian Empire. A handful of Morsen, however, do seek adventure and find employment with the Lyndenstrath dwarves. A small, transient population of Morsen settle the unoccupied beaches of the Lyndenstrath, most arriving in autumn and departing for more northerly waters as the seas warm.

Location: Along the jagged northwestern coast of the mainland. Southern border marked by the ridgeline of the mountains. Eastern border marked about halfway along the strait. (Will draw this out later).

History: The Lyndenstrath is a cold and mountainous land of dark evergreen forests. Cold, fast streams course through turbulent runs down from the mountains into fjords. Winters are long and growing seasons short. It is a region ill suited to the civilizations of man, but ideal for their dwarven kin.

In ages past, in the time before written word, dwarves made their home in the northern coast. Their stonecutters carved homes into the sheer rock faces of the mountains and fjords: the first of the great halls of the Lyndenstrath. A collection of petty dwarven kings ruled the region, fighting against one another, or infrequently against nearby kingdoms of Men. Over time, the dwarves of Mithirhall came to dominate their neighbors and united the region into a single Kingdom known as the Lyndenstrath, named for the ancient linden trees that grew there.

During the Gaulletic Conquests, the dwarves of Lyndenstrath offered stiff resistance against the elves. Sealed away in their underground halls, the dwarves hunkered down for sieges that lasted many years. With vast food stores and the ability to supplement those with small quantities of subterranean-grown mushrooms, the besieged dwarves could hold out nigh-indefinitely. Dwarven raiding parties would sortie out under cover of night, harassing Gaulletic supply lines and patrols in small skirmishes before retreating into the dense forest. The dwarves were prepared to fight bitterly against the elves for decades, waging a war of attrition that even the mighty Gaulletic Empire could not sustain.

The elven invaders of the Lyndenstrath faced a tremendous challenge in pacifying the dwarves. But they were able to recognize perhaps the greatest weakness of the dwarves and capitalize upon it.

Greed.

The weakest link of the Lyndenstrath dwarves was to be found in Belgath Brittletooth of the Kelnhall. The elven attackers were astounded when the dwarven lord emerged from the gates of his subterranean fortress and offered to surrender. A deal was struck between Brittletooth and the Gaulletic Empire that has since been recorded in many dwarven sagas as a tremendous betrayal. The dwarves of the Kelnhall would support the elves in their conquest of the Lyndenstrath, leading the elves to hidden doorways and passages into many of the other dwarven holds. In exchange, Belgath and his heirs would rule the Lyndenstrath as a vassal lord to the Gaulletic Empire.

After the alliance between the Empire and Clan Brittletooth was struck, the elven conquest of the Lyndenstrath proceded swiftly thereafter. The Jaw fell into the imperial fold, and the Brittletooth dwarves governed it with little interference from Garnalaña. Those that fell in line with the Brittletooth Duke were rewarded for their compliance; their ancient holds converted into imperial baronies. Those who had fought the turncoat Brittletooth and the elves had their property and holds confiscated and banished from the realm. Such was the fate of Clan Grizzlebeard, the former kings of the Lyndenstrath.

The Grizzlebeards persist, however. Even now, as turbulence embroils the wider Gaulletic Empire, word has it that one Marko Grizzlebeard has returned, agitating the lower orders and fomenting revolt against Clan Brittletooth and the Empire. Duke Brannar has responded by issuing a bounty against any Grizzlebeard found in the Lyndenstrath: 20 coins of gold to whomever brings their head to the Mithirhall.

So far, however, the bounty has not been enough. Having led a mercenary company on the fringes of the Empire, Marko is reported to be a seasoned warrior. Brannar has therefore dispatched a troop of his own dwarves to Kazan's Cove - Marko's supposed whereabouts - to bring the rabblerouser to justice.

@KitsuneWarrior

Going to wait to see what you want as territory. Otherwise you be good fam

@KitsuneWarrior

So since we talked off site I updated the map and it's in the OP so I owe you this now:

Imperial Census on the Duchy of Lyndenstrath

Population
4,000,000

• Dwarven 70%
• Human 25%
• Gaülletic 2%
• Other races 3%
• - The Imperial Census would also like to report that in addition, nomadic groups of Morsen regularly frequent the coasts of the territory ranging in estimations of roughly 100,000 to a 1,000,000 or more

Average life expectancy
27 years

Causes of death

• Pneumonia
• Hypothermia
• Influenza
• Dysentery
• Leprosy

Economic Production

• iron
• copper
• tin
• lead
• rye
• goat and goat product
• fish (cod, hake, haddie, cusk, halibut, sea bass, and crab, lobster, and other shellfish)

Tribute production

• gold
• silver
• dyes (mushroom, shell fish purple)
• precious stones
• shells
• obsidian
• iron

The Duchy of Lyndenstrath also has a dwarven Commander in the official service of the Empire, in Móirens.

@KitsuneWarrior

So since we talked off site I updated the map and it's in the OP so I owe you this now:

Imperial Census on the Duchy of Lyndenstrath

Population
4,000,000

• Dwarven 70%
• Human 25%
• Gaülletic 2%
• Other races 3%
• - The Imperial Census would also like to report that in addition, nomadic groups of Morsen regularly frequent the coasts of the territory ranging in estimations of roughly 100,000 to a 1,000,000 or more

Average life expectancy
27 years

Causes of death

• Pneumonia
• Hypothermia
• Influenza
• Dysentery
• Leprosy

Economic Production

• iron
• copper
• tin
• lead
• rye
• goat and goat product
• fish (cod, hake, haddie, cusk, halibut, sea bass, and crab, lobster, and other shellfish)

Tribute production

• gold
• silver
• dyes (mushroom, shell fish purple)
• precious stones
• shells
• obsidian
• iron

The Duchy of Lyndenstrath also has a dwarven Commander in the official service of the Empire, in Móirens.

thank u lub u

Name and Title of Vassal State: Kal-Ishtulshak
Ruler: Shugil-Gandas

Race:

- Dwarves: Physically indistinct from their Lyndenstrathian cousins. Short and stocky, hardy, as one would expect.

- Gnomes: The gnomes of Kal-Ishtulshak are the last of their kind. They are frail, ugly creatures about size of a dwarf, but typically hunched, with longer, bony limbs. Most gnomes are old and wrinkled. Their kind is afflicted with a disease that affects their bones, forming calcified lumps that give them a deformed look. The severity ranges from small lumps to hideous deformations. In extreme cases, these rock-like growths spread throughout the entirety of the body. Most gnomes are sterile and almost entirely male, leading to a dangerously low population and a public absence of females.

Location: The area to the left of the other dwarves

History:

Kal-Ishtulshak was, in ancient times, one of the many dwarven kingdoms that vied for control of the mountains in the north. Where others excelled at trade and the arts, Kal-Ishtulshak distinguished itself militarily, exerting its will on weaker neighbors through force of arms and lending its steel in countless wars between the dwarven polities that existed then. When foreign incursions marched into the valleys it was Kal-Ishtulshak that led the defense, clashing against human spears. In those times, the deep roads - massive underground highways connecting cities and forts - were an important, or perhaps the most important factor in dwarven power, facilitating trade and movement throughout the region. Kal-Ishtulshak dominated the eastern roads, enriching itself in gold with tribute, tolls and passing trade from those it protected using steel.

The decline of Kal-Ishtulshak came before the arrival of the Gaülletics. In a span of a decade, what was quickly becoming a mighty dwarven empire headed by the Lyndenstrathian kings crumpled, and shriveled into a collection of struggling city-states. The flow of trade slowed and in times the deep roads fell into disrepair. The statues and carvings of kings and heroes adorning the walls of these cavernous highways weathered away as the remaining powers sealed their cities, isolating themselves from one another - disease had caved dwarven hegemony. Kal-Istulshak fought a hopeless war against the earth until it could no longer. The deep roads to Kal-Ishtulshak were deliberately collapsed. Sappers punched holes into the rocks where great aquifers were held and rivers flowed, bringing forth a great flood that swept away much of what remained. Kal-Ishtulshak sealed its doors with what little wealth it still possessed and with its fighting steel broken.

Kal-Ishtulshak held on to its surface dwellings for a time, as they had not yet been tainted and provided a boon of needed resources. When the Gaülletics arrived, Kal-Ishtulshak resisted, first alongside their Lyndenstrathian cousins, and then alone when they submitted to elven rule. The betrayal shifted the balance of power, and in the span of several years the kingdom's holdings on the surface had been lost. Lyndenstrathians guided the elves through the valleys like only dwarves could, helping them navigate the treacherous terrain with expert ease, and revealed ancient passageways hidden from outsiders since time immemorial. When the surface was lost, it fell into the possession of the Lyndenstrathians, as did some of the underground fortresses and outposts the elves found and plundered with their aid. Kal-Ishtulshak was spared only by the belief that it had been swept away under rock by the waves in a desperate act of self-annihilation. In reality, it had comepletly sealed itself off from the outside world.

With access to the deep roads and the surface prohibited by royal decree, Kal-Ishtulshak faced starvation. A once shining city blackened. The Gandashkishar - then little more than a band of cutthroats - came to prominence during this time. Crime had been dealt with harshly in times past, with known criminals subjected to all manner of grotesque punishment, and Agum-Gandas, the then king, attempted to follow in the steps of his predecessors by exacting brutal measures on criminals, but this did not last. Food shortages turned the people against their king - with the rumored backing of Gandashkishar agitators -, and with his own head at risk of separation the king turned a blind eye to the guild's activities. This passive acceptance became a mutually beneficial arrangement when the Gandashkishar grew in power. With the king's blessing and support the Gandashkishar expanded and some semblance of order was reestablished. The Gandashkishar transformed into a complex and highly organized crime ring with political leverage at the royal level. The city survived on what the Gandashkishar smuggled. In time, the Gandashkishar passed from a band of thugs hiding in back alleys to a political force with representation on the assembly - a legislative body created by the king, at their insistence, that stripped the city's monarchs of their absolute power.

At present, Kal-Ishtulshak remains partly sealed from the outside world. For a time, and after the arrival of the elves, the dwarves of Kal-Isthulshak were naught but ghostly apparitions in the valleys. The Black Ones, as they came to be called, were thought dead by many, but have recently resurfaced and established contact with the Gaülletic hegemon. Its newest king, Shugil-Gandas, is an opponent of the Gandashkishar and uncertainty has gripped the population following his decision - some say in opposition to the Gandashkishar and their representatives on the assembly - to reopen the city. It is believed to have been a decision taken in a bid to break Gandashkishar power, and to turn the people - many of whom are restless to leave the depths - to his side. As one of the newest admissions to the Gaülletic realm, it has not benefitted tremendously from imperial aid, in part also due to Shugil-Gandas' opposition to Gaülletic presence in Kal-Ishtulshak in the interest of not upsetting the balance within, as there are those who liken him to a traitor in the same vain as Belgath Brittletooth of old.

@Pepperm1nts

I feel like you're missing half a history here. Where's the terrestrial stuff? You got subterranian here and then it just sorta busts to the surface like it was the entire kingdom m'boye.