Arnad-Ang

"The heart of the Ironwood, the connection between elves and Eldath. They feel incomplete without it, a nagging feeling of something missing. That's what Arnad-Ang meant to the Eldar Folk". - Fergus Trank, Retired Astoran Veteran
Arnad-Ang, or "City of Iron" in common, was the capital of the Ironwood Kingdom and the center of all elven activity upon Naneth. It was founded during the Age of Mists and stood steadfast within the Ironwood Forest until it's eventual destruction in AoR 448.

History

Arnad-Ang was built by the elves in the Ironwood Forest, during the time in which Eldath had created for them a sanctuary within the vast trees in an attempt to keep the toxic mists of Orphans Peak at bay. Though it is unclear when Arnad-Ang was truly founded, the city was complete upon the end of the mists, already the main hub of elven activity on Naneth by the beginning of the Age of Renewal.
From inside the towering spires of Arnad-Ang was the Ironwood Kingdom established, a mighty elven nation that commanded all inside the Ironwood Forest, a stretch of land that encompassed all land between the mountains of The Wilderlands and the deserts of Meridian. In AoR 14, Heras of the Ironwood ascended to Arnad-Ang's High Citadel, becoming the city's first Iron King.

The Hidden City

Arnad-Ang reigned over the Ironwood as it's hidden capital, a place where only elves and Eldath's most favored creations would thrive. Outsiders and other nations were not permitted to know the location of Arnad-Ang. This extended even to Marklund and Astora, two of the Ironwood Kingdoms closest neighbors. Though the general direction of the city was known by humans and dwarves alike, the exact location was a closely guarded secret.
Arnad-Ang would not be intruded upon by humans or dwarves until the final days of The Ironwood War, when Operation Torchwood brought Astora's armies directly to the hidden city's front gates.

Destruction and Disappearance

The Ironwood War began in AoR 398, when a force of elves from Arnad-Ang struck a preempted attack on the Astoran city of Vinheim. This ignited a war which would eventually see to the destruction of Arnad-Ang and the entire Ironwood Kingdom. By AoR 436, Astora has mostly decimated the Ironwood's forces, leading Iron King Galvaden to recall all remaining warriors to Arnad-Ang. The population of the city swelled, with citizens also retreating to Arnad-Ang in hopes of avoiding Astora's increased forays into the forest.
In AoR 448, Operation Torchwood was launched from the gates of Vinguard. This questionable military operation led to the discovery of Arnad-Ang by Astoran forces, and despite a last stand by Galvaden and his most trusted warriors, Arnad-Ang collapsed and fell into ruin. The city burned alongside it's Iron King in his High Citadel. The remaining elves surrendered the city, though it was already too late. Arnad-Ang was now a ruin, it's people led from the forest, now under the Astoran banner.
The ruins of Arnad-Ang were used for several years by members of The Remnants, most notably Sundumar Araleth, the group's leader. But they would abandon the ruins by AoR 460. The city quickly fell out of memory, with the elves of Astora losing much of their spiritual connection to Eldath in the process. Recent attempt to find the ancient city have failed, the final location of the ruins now lost to the vastness of the forest.

Layout

Arnad-Ang lacked conventional defenses, relaying in it's status as a hidden city to protect it. Most of the city's districts were built into the massive trees themselves, the vast flora providing Arnad -Ang with a spectacular aspect of verticality. The city was steeped in Eldath and Silvanus' natural magic, leading to miraculous sights of shifting waterfalls and floating groves of dirt and tree. At it's height, Arnad-Ang may have rivaled Veth Monra in terms of fantastical sights and capabilities. 
The High Citadel of the Iron King stood high above the rest of the city, built directly into one of the Ironwood's oldest trees. From the ground it reached several hundred feet into the air, it's spire touching the boundless canopy of leaves that shrouded the entire city from view.

General Information

Type: Ancient City/Ruin
Other Names: City of Iron, Hidden City
Location: Ironwood Forest, Astora, (Currently Unknown)

Society

Inhabitants: Elves, Halfling
Languages: Elvish, Sylvan

History

Founded: Unknown (During the Age of Mists)
Lifespan: Unknown - AoR 448