Jostingaard

Nation	Jostingaard
Planet	Earth
Government	Monarchy
Motto	"Above all else, strength."
National color(s)	Burnt sienna/Yellow ochre
Population	3 million
Demographics	99.5% Dwarves, .5% Human and Elves
Location	Central Tellus Nova
Primary Languages	Dwarven
Founded
Capital	Fyrekragg
Owner	Aaron

Overview

Jostingaard (YOAS-tin-gard) is the home of the Dwarves, and it's one of the oldest nations of Earth. The population, while almost entirely Dwarven, does contain a handful of Humans and Elves. The mountainous regions also contain unknown quantities of Dragons.

The country is divided into several territories, primarily defined by climate. Jostingaard's climate is varied year-round, ranging from tropical in the south to temperate in the central regions and arid in the west to cold in the north. The northernmost reaches of the country separate it from Druzhiyova by way of a massive mountain range that curves around its northern border into its eastern border with Teratonia where it meets the sea.

The economy of Jostingaard is driven mainly by mining, though various forms of agriculture support local economies. Dwarves are known for two main exports: ale and steel. Legend has it the Dwarves invented both steel and ale—perhaps rightly so, given their talents in making both.

Regions

The northernmost region of Jostingaard, Frost Peaks, is mountainous and covered with snow-capped mountains. Home of the Jostingaard capital Fyrekragg, it's here that much of Dwarven mining takes place. Various ores are plentiful here, and the Mountain Dwarves have turned this region into one of the most prosperous in the country, despite its typically frigid climate.

The central regions of Jostingaard, Emerald Hills, are primarily comprised of grassy highlands, dotted with lush forests and bisected by Windefall Canyon. Agriculture is most prominent here. The Hill Dwarves of the Emerald Hills have become synonymous with Dwarven architecture, famously making their architecture suit the environment and shaping aspects of the environment to suit their homes. The most famous example of this is Windefall, a city built into the canyon for which it's named.

By far the least habitable region of Jostingaard, the western Badlands are home to the lowest population but also the highest concentration of ores and minerals. As a result, the metropolis of Blackforge sprung up to serve as a harvesting and transportation hub for raw materials. The Badlands are primarily desert, but the northern reaches are home to a wealth of volcanic activity. It's in this most harsh area that the city of Blackforge is located.

The Eastcrags are an offshoot of Frost Peaks, reaching southward, almost to the southern shore. This rocky terrain is the site of Steelgrand Keep, the highest free-standing structure on Earth. The lower tiers of the tower and the surrounding land contain a merchant town. The Eastcrags, as well as the Badlands, were the sites of major battles fought between the Dwarves and Dragons three generations ago. Now, the Eastcrags are inhabited primarily by dragons, with a small Dwarf presence.

The southern coast of Jostingaard, the Goldsea Coast, borders the Gold Sea. Goldsea Port, the major shipping hub of Jostingaard is located on the coast. It's one of the largest cities in Jostingaard and it's here that dwarven steamships are built.

The furthest reaches of southern Jostingaard are covered in dense jungles and uneven terrain. Only about a dozen accounted-for Dwarves live here, all considered incredibly daring or insane. It's widely believed that the Southern Wilds are cursed, and they've achieved some notoriety for being uncharted and untamed. Hundreds of rumors surround the place, ranging from being inhabited by undead or devils to mysterious disappearances and strange lights and sounds at night. Legend has it that a spider god lives deep within the Southern Wilds.

Government

Jostingaard's government is a monarchy, with some degree of autonomy given to citizens. Though the same royal family (whether by king or queen) has consistently ruled the nation for as long as the Dwarves have kept records, the political landscape has changed significantly since the earliest days of Jostingaard.

In its earliest days, the Dwarven monarchy had no advisors and wielded absolute power. It was effective, but relations with the citizens were tense at best, until they finally exploded in the Liberation War. The end result was the establishment of a system that allowed for lords and governors. Jostingaard was divided into five territories, each with a lord who reported to the king. In turn, governors elected by the citizens of each territory's sub-regions reported to those lords. Additionally, the formerly heavy taxes were relaxed, and the fabulously wealthy royalty lost a considerable amount of economic clout, despite still being the richest family in the nation.

Until three generations ago, the Dwarven government enjoyed relative success, a few inevitable disagreements aside. It was then, though, that the Dwarven king of the time, at the end of a long political dispute with the Dragons, led his people to war, against the advice of a nearly unanimous coalition of his lords and their governors. The resulting war was long and bloody, reducing the Dwarven population by almost half. The war was eventually settled with a treaty that resulted in an uneasy peace with the Dragons.

His people demanded a change, lords, governors and citizenry alike. The king had no choice but to oblige, allowing his lords to establish a council of advisors. The secondary ruling body offers advice to the king or queen and, sometimes, can even overturn or reverse decisions made by the ruler.

Military

The Dwarves have no national military, but each territory has its own. In total, Jostingaard has five militaries, all devoted to their specific regions. If the nation were ever to go to war, however, they would be united as one force under the best military leader in the land.

Local militias, branches of the territorial armies, keep watch over their respective towns and cities. Some citizens have to move to other areas of their territories in order to keep the militias in each region stable and equally spread. The Eastcrags, Goldsea Coast, Badlands and Frost Peaks all have strong military presences, while the central Emerald Hills, landlocked by the other militaries, go comparatively untouched.

Foreign Relations

Jostingaard has a fairly open foreign policy; they'll trade with anyone, and they have allies of convenience in order to avoid war. Until the Dragon War, Jostingaard was a confident nation with few allies besides those economic in nature. They traded with anyone but had no obligations to aid or defend other nations if asked. After the war with the Dragons, however, the Dwarven government found itself in an unexpected position. The nation was weak and desperately needed allies. They reached out to the bordering nations of Alfheim and Teratonia, forging uneasy alliances, despite their previous rivalries with their neighbors. These alliances have improved over the years, but the rivalries are still evident across each nation.

Dwarven exports wind up in virtually every nation on Earth. Their most important exports are steel and beer, while they import large quantities of wood, cloth and crops from any nation willing to trade.

Noteworthy

Locations

Fyrekragg: City in a dormant volcano, conical in shape, with many tiers, each devoted to a specific group or class. Kept warm by enchanted fires that never burn out. Known for stone excellent in polishing weapons. Also the city of Gregar Greyforge's birth.

Windefall: City in canyon walls, built into the walls and made a part of the walls with Earth enchantments to increase structural integrity. Reinforced with a large amount of blacksteel. A series of bridges and walkways connect the many levels of the canyon city, and stairways and lifts provide access to the many tiers.

Steelgrand Keep: 500-foot steel tower built with the help of dragons. Serves as a watchpost for dwarves and roost for dragons. There's also a town/market built into the lower tiers. Built in the years following the war with dragons as a symbol of peace.

Blackforge: Multi-tiered city near an active volcano, built on a series of blacksteel platforms over a river of lava. Protected by thousands of enchantments to regulate heat and maintain the metal that makes up the platforms. The city is surrounded by a "bubble" enchantment that prevents entry of hazards from eruptions. The entire region's ground is stabilized as well by powerful Earth enchantments.

Flowstone Dam: Massive stone dam built into a cliff face to back up the flow of water and create a lake. Had no name until it was finished and the stony riverbed below was revealed, the river by then only a tenth of its original size, the rest having been stopped up or diverted into canals.

Goldsea Port: Port city from which Dwarven steamships sail out and in to export and import goods. Built along the Golden Sea to establish and facilitate trade between nations.

People

Fargrim Steelhand (Level 26): King of the dwarves and all around badass guy. Once punched out a Teraton in single combat and destroyed his right hand in the process; had a steel one forged to replace it.

Forgefist Blackthrone (Level 18): Captain of the Royal Guard; Sergeant in the military despite being nearly 100. Blackthrone is also a highly accomplished blacksmith, known for forging King Steelhand's fists, as well as much of the Royal Guard's armor and weapons.

Gregar Greyforge (Level 34): Famous for beheading three rogue dragons in combat when they attacked his hometown, Fyrekragg. Beheading them with a hammer, that is.

Nordraf Axebeard (Level 24):