The Cloud Peaks

A small kingdom of men and dwarves high in the Surboi Rise , The Cloud Peaks operated as an independent territory until its annexation into The Republic of Aldmoor of which the inhabitants were sure to show their disdain through numerous rebellions and uprising. The Cloud Peaks remained under Aldmoor control until The Great Flood after which they begrudgenly entered an alliance with New Aldmoor.

Demographics

20% Human
60% Dwarves
20% Other

Government

Barony under The Republic of Aldmoor 
Unofficial Monarchy

Defences

The mountains offered a natural defense of would-be invaders, and the baron's citadel gave the royal family more protection still.

Industry & Trade

The Cloud Peaks uses the gold standard market economy. Many of its inhabitants farm the foothills to the south, and the resident Dwarven clans mine the mountains for iron, gold, and other precious metals and gems.

Infrastructure

Other than the citadel in the Surboi Rise, the Cloud Peaks' infrastructure is comprised of rough mountain roads zigzagging to the Cloud Foothills, and connecting to the Aldmoor road system.

Assets

Royal Treasury

Guilds and Factions

The Cloud Peaks has been a home to rebels since its annexation by the Republic of Aldmoor's government. These rebels exert pressure on the baron to defy this occupation. A baron who yields to Ahtor's control would be seen as weak and may incite the ire of the people.

History

It is unknown when the Cloud Peaks was founded as the first inhabitants did not keep a written record, however, the first mention of the settlement was around 365 IE in letters from the Dwarven king of Azgulrennkazad to his lords discussing the growing pressure of the The Assembly of Arcane Advisement to accept a foreign advisor into his courts. In the letters, the king expresses his concern for the growing human presence in the Surboi Rise, and pressures the lord of the region to drive them away.

The First Era

During the first era, the Cloud Peaks saw little limelight on the world stage. Not important enough to influence political proceedings in the region, the small nation spent many of its early years growing its local influence. By 1000 IE the Cloud Peaks was an established independent nation with its claims encompassing the Surboi Rise and the Cloud Foothills to the south, a claim contested with Walemond. The Cloud Peaks had an isolationist political culture until 3376 IE when outside influence from the neighboring Republic of Aldmoor filled the power vacuum left by a failed coup orchestrated by a young green dragon that left the region leaderless. Many of the inhabitants resisted Aldmiri control and the region soon entered a state of permanent semi-rebellion.

The Rune Wars

After the defeat of Emperor Icarum Primus rebel sympathizing baron of the Cloud Peaks, Balremm Swiftbreaker, planned an attack on Aldmiri forts in Fool's Canyon in 6035 IE declaring the Cloud Peaks independent yet again while also claiming his new territory. The leadership of Aldmoor met this rebellion with swift retribution using their army of warforged. The resulting massacre known as the Battle of Fool's Canyon sent few survivors home to the Cloud Peaks which would not openly rebel again until the second era. 

The Second Era

After The Great Flood, animosity seemed to be a thing of the past as survivors flooded from all over the region to the Surboi Rise to escape the rising tides and were taken in by the people of the Cloud Peaks. The baron offered food and shelter to any and all who arrived at his door and when Haven was founded, the two cities were almost friends.

This allyship would not last long, however. Once the waters had receded and the government of New Aldmoor established in the ruins of Ahtor, old claims were remembered bringing old blood with them. The baron of the Cloud Peaks, Ismad Crimscar, petitioned New Aldmoor for independence in payment for their generosity during the floods, however, this petition fell on deaf ears. Finally, in 425 IIE the Cloud Peaks rebelled openly yet again. This time however the loyalty of the Cloud Foothills was split and some of the Dwarf Clans in the area sided with New Aldmoor resulting in a civil war among the Dwarves. After a few skirmishes in Cloud Foothills and the lands surrounding the Surboi Rise, the rebellion was stamped out by a decisive victory of the Cloud Peaks citadel lead by Sir Isaac Dodds who brilliantly held the siege of the citadel while a strike team infiltrated the secret tunnels beneath the citadel and assassinated the baron and ended the war in 430 IIE.

Geography

The Surboi Rise offers tall snowy peaks and deep canyons. The Cloud Peaks citadel is perched on the side a mountain with secret tunnels dug deep into its rock.

Natural Resources

raw metals, gems, stone.

Founding Date

unknown

Type

State

Population

20,000

Location under

Southern Lorlithar

Owning Organization

New Aldmoor