Ironwood Kingdom

"Singing rivers, dancing trees, spires of living wood. Well I doubt we'll ever see anything like it again, no, not after what happened to the Ironwood Kingdom." - Artemis Filgast, Elven Historian at Vinguard College
The Ironwood Kingdom was a nation primarily made up of the Eldar-Folk, established in the vast Ironwood Forest in the region that is now known as Astora. The region was set on the western landmass of Naneth's continent, between the waters of Naneth's Deep and Royal's Bay.
The Ironwood Kingdom's capital was named Arnad-Ang, and was known as the absolute centre of elfdom upon Naneth before its destruction in AoR 448. At its peak, Arnad-Ang and its surrounding area would've been home to over two million elves.

History

During the Age of Fire, many races looked to flee the eastern region of Naneth, for it was under threat of constant war. Many elves would flee across the bay, led by the words and whispers of Eldath, to a safe haven within a vast forest. The forests were named Polodren Nimloth, or The Ironwood, by the first settling elves. Inside the forest, they found many of the Guardians' other beloved creations, including Eladrin. It was discovered that elves had already made their home here, though the migration from the east swelled the number of Eldar Folk.

Age of Mists

The Ironwood Forest became a haven for elves and all forest creatures, as the toxic mists of Orphans Peak rolled across the face of Naneth. In one last bid to protect her beloved creations, Eldath poured all her power remaining in the Mortal Plane, into creating a magical barrier around the Ironwood, successfully shielding all within from the horrors of the mists.
Very little is known about what occurred within Eldath's Sanctuary. It is said that all of Naneth's Eladrin joined Eldath in The Feywild, while the Eldar Folk remained. During this time, the elves mobilized themselves into a faction known as The Ironwood Kingdom, awaiting the hour that the mists would lift and they could be free to wander the full vastness of the forest once again.

The Centre of Elfdom

The Ironwood Kingdom emerged for the Age of Mists and encompassed the entirety of The Ironwood Forest. At the time, it's likely that The Ironwood Kingdom would have been the largest and most powerful kingdom in the world. It was in these early years of The Age of Renewal that Arnad-Ang was established, deep inside the heart of the forest. The first Iron King was named in AoR 14; King Heras of The Ironwood.
The Ironwood Kingdom's domain stretched from coast to coast under the rule of Iron King Heras, encompassing all landmass between the mountains in the north and the deserts to the south, all this region falling within the trees of the Ironwood. Millions of elves and other forest creatures, including Halflings thrived inside the confines of the forest.
In AoR 98, Iron King Heras relieved himself of leadership, passing the crown to The Second Iron King; Aywin Qiro. Heras had heard the call of Eldath and Silvanus, and wandered into the forest, offering his physical body as a bounty to the Ironwood, an elven tradition of passing. So it was that King Heras passed to the Feywild, joining his creators.
It would be Iron King Aywin Qiro that would lead the Ironwood Kingdom in negotiations with the newly met civilization of Dwarves, a city-state known as Marklund. King Aywin would establish contact and trade with Marklund, leading the Ironwood Kingdom to even greater heights economically. Smaller cities such as Guardian's Rest and Eldath's Embrace were founded under the rule of King Aywin. Though trade with Marklund solidified the power of The Ironwood Kingdom even further, the elves still remained somewhat withdrawn from the world outside the forest.

The Founding of Astora

Settlers from Atmora arrived in the 268th year of the Fourth Age, fleeing the country due to political differences over the constant war in that region. These settlers landed on the eastern shore and quickly founded the city of Vinheim and with it, a new country named Astora. Though Vinheim was not within the confines of the Ironwood Forest, this event startled the elves of the Ironwood, as they'd heard rumours of the natural human inclination towards expanding and warfare.
Astora's founding coincided with yet another change of the Iron King, with Aywin ready to follow his predecessor into the arms of the Guardians. The Third Iron King was named in AoR 272; Iron King Galvaden of Feyhest. Galvaden was a Diviner of Silvanus, one of the highest of the Order within Feyhest, before ascending to the throne in Arnad-Ang. It would be Galvaden's responsibility to navigate this new chapter in the Ironwood Kingdom's history, as the elves prepared to live alongside humanity for the first time.
Early relations with the humans of Astora prove stable, though just as with the dwarves, the Ironwood Kingdom remains hesitant to truly engage with their neighbour. The humans, though approved to trade for specific goods, are not permitted within the forest. The elves of the Ironwood are not eager to share their sanctuary or any of its natural bounties with Astora. This causes issues for Astora, as the Ironwood is the largest source of resources available to a small and thriving country. Building materials are needed, and the Ironwood sits upon Astora's doorstep. Unable to secure proper lines of communication with the ever-tentative Kingdom and its Iron King, Astora begins to harvest what they need, though attempts to remain respectful in doing so.

The Ironwood War

Main Article: The Ironwood War
By AoR 350, Astora has expanded greatly across the region, claiming almost the entirety of the landmass, save for the Ironwood Forest. Marklund has joined Astora proper, and the dwarves serve the young country by building its great cities and fortresses. During this time The Ironwood Kingdom has withdrawn inside the forest, with Iron King Galvaden unwilling to hear the appeals of his surrounding neighbours. The elven kingdom had become cut off from the rest of the region, and in secret, had been preparing for a war that now appeared unavoidable to the entirety of the area.
In AoR 398, tensions had grown to the boiling point, and the Iron King approved a preemptive strike on Vinheim. It failed, in large part to the solid dwarven-built defences of Astora's Capital. The garrison was able to fend off the massive onslaught of elves, holding out for reinforcement from Vinguard. This initial failure to break Astora failed and would lead directly to fifty years of bloody combat between the Ironwood Kingdom and Astora.

The Fall of The Ironwood Kingdom

In the Autumn of AoR 448, The Ironwood Kingdom would face its final days. After a series of punishing defeats, Galvaden and his armies were pushed back to Arnad-Ang. Here they stood for a final defence of their city, the Iron King unwilling to surrender despite Astoran and elven pressure to do so. Without an Ironwood surrender, and in response to the assassination of one of their highest military officials, Astora launched Operation Torchwood. Astoran military forces marched from Vinguard straight into the Ironwood with a massive force, burning and cutting all within the path. In doing so, they forced a retreat from elven civilians and warriors alike, a retreat that would lead Astora directly to the Ironwood's hidden Capital.
On the 15th of Redfall, AoR 448, Astoran forces arrived at Arnad-Ang. Galvaden once again refused to surrender and ordered his elite forces to hold the city. But it was too much, and the city would quickly fall under Astoran might. Arnad-Ang was reduced to ruin, and Galvaden would burn alive in his High Citadel. With the Third Iron King's death, the remaining forces of the Ironwood Kingdom quickly surrendered. Within a year, Astora would officially decide to annex the forest nation, dissolving what was left of the Ironwood Kingdom and bringing it under Astoran rule. Most of the Ironwood's residents accepted this outcome, in part to Astora's aggressive campaign to sew peace between elf and human.
However, many could not live with the prospect of seeing the Ironwood Forest under human control. Thousands of refugees would flee Astora, heading south into Meridian, where their Sun Elf counterparts welcomed them with open arms. Much of Meridian's rise to becoming a paradise-like nation can be attributed to this event, as the influx of new inhabitants revitalized the desert country's economy and workforce. Unfortunately, many elves could not bring themselves to leave the Ironwood, nor face Astoran rule. These elves became known as The Remnants, a group of freedom fighters that would work to restore the Ironwood Kingdom. However, to Astora, they are little more than terrorists.

Birth of Eri-Anew

In AoR 602, the forest town of Eri-Anew is unofficially established by Astoran elves. Though the land belongs to Astora, The Council of Nine has yet to rule on the legitimacy of the village and for six years now, has left the primarily elven settlement as-is. Many believe Eri-Anew to be a renewed effort by Remnant forces to reestablish aspects of the old Ironwood Kingdom.

General Information

Type: Nation
Other Names: Domain of the Guardians, Mír - O'Glad, Arad Nimloth
Region: West Naneth (Present Day Astora)
Capital: Arnad-Ang

Society

Inhabitants: Elves, Eladrin, Halfling, Many of Eldath's and Silvanus' creations
Langauges: Elvish, Sylvan
Religion: Worship of The Guardian Siblings

History

Founded: Unknown, likely during the Age of Mists
Lifespan: Unknown - AoR 449