Rustpeak
Rustpeak began as a modest settlement, constructed in the shadow of the Rustpeak Mountains, which were rich in iron deposits. The Kingdom’s earliest settlers were a coalition of miners, blacksmiths, and traders, all drawn to the promise of wealth that the iron mines offered. The land around the mines was harsh and unforgiving, with jagged cliffs and frequent rockslides, but the people of Rustpeak thrived through sheer grit. They developed a reputation as hardy folk, willing to endure great physical hardship to extract the valuable ore from the earth.
Over Time, Rustpeak grew into a small but prosperous kingdom. The iron extracted from its mines became crucial to the development of weapons, tools, and infrastructure in the surrounding regions. Its capital city, Dunrust, was built directly into the side of a mountain, with homes and workshops carved into the rocky landscape. A colossal iron statue of an ancient miner, holding a hammer aloft, stood at the city’s entrance, symbolizing the people's unwavering dedication to their craft.
The kingdom’s economy revolved around the mining and smithing industries. Though Rustpeak was small compared to neighboring Mosshall, it played an essential role in the trade networks of the region, supplying high-quality iron and steel. The people of Rustpeak, known as "Rustfolk," were famed for their intricate craftsmanship, especially in forging weapons and armor. They had developed unique smelting techniques using the naturally occurring red clay found in the Rustpeak Mountains, which gave their iron a distinct, reddish hue. Rustpeak steel was highly sought after, especially by warriors and mercenaries from distant lands.
By 1113 PE, Rustpeak’s growth had started to stagnate. The iron mines, once the heart of the kingdom, had begun to yield less with each passing year. Rustfolk had to dig deeper, and the labor became more dangerous, with frequent cave-ins and collapses. Many feared that their once-proud kingdom would fall into decline. The annexation by Icaghor, the Lugal of Tatharia Regnum, was seen as a blessing by the people of Rustpeak.
When Icaghor annexed Rustpeak, he not only brought the Tradition of Health but also revitalized the kingdom's faltering industry. The Tradition of Health, which promoted public wellness, clean living, and structured community care, significantly improved the lives of the Rustfolk, who had long suffered from the physical toll of mining life. Icaghor’s healers set up clinics in Dunrust and other towns, offering advanced medical treatments that had been unheard of in the kingdom before. Accidents in the mines became less frequent, and the general quality of life improved, earning Icaghor deep respect.
Icaghor’s annexation also brought Rustpeak into Tatharia’s vast trade network, allowing the kingdom to export its iron to distant markets. Though the mines were less bountiful than before, Icaghor’s engineers introduced new mining techniques and tools that allowed Rustpeak to access previously unreachable veins of ore deep within the mountains.
Under Icaghor’s rule, Rustpeak retained a degree of autonomy, and the people gladly named him Lord of Rustpeak. He ensured that the kingdom’s ancient traditions were preserved, even as it was integrated into the larger Tatharian Regnum. Rustpeak’s smiths continued to produce their distinctive steel, which became a symbol of both the kingdom’s proud history and its new era of prosperity under Tatharian protection.
Industry & Trade
Under the rule of Empress Naram-Sin, Rustpeak has emerged as a strategic asset of immense value for the Tatharian Empire. With the discovery of previously hidden veins of Adamantine and Aetherite deep within the Rustpeak Mountains, the kingdom’s significance has been rekindled. These rare and potent materials are not only valuable for their physical properties but also for their role in advancing the magical and technological capabilities of the Tatharian Regnum.
Adamantine, a near-impervious metal, has long been sought after for crafting invincible armor and weapons, and its scarcity has made it a material of legends. The newly discovered Adamantine deposits in Rustpeak have transformed the kingdom into one of the Empire’s most vital military assets. The Tatharian Legions have already commissioned master smiths from Rustpeak to begin forging weapons and armor from this precious metal, which is expected to enhance the capabilities of the Empire’s elite forces.
Even more intriguing is the presence of Aetherite, a crystalline substance with powerful magical properties. Aetherite is known to amplify arcane energy, making it invaluable for magical research, enchantment, and the development of advanced magical devices. Empress Naram-Sin, who seeks to consolidate her power and extend the Empire's influence through both religious unification and technological supremacy, views Aetherite as a key resource in her long-term strategy. The Empire’s scholars and artificers have already established outposts in Rustpeak, working closely with local miners and enchanters to harvest and study the properties of this enigmatic crystal.
This renewed focus on Rustpeak has elevated its status as a hub of commerce and military production. Trade caravans loaded with Adamantine ingots and Aetherite crystals now regularly travel from Rustpeak to Tatharia Capitolina and beyond. As the only known source of both materials within the Empire, Rustpeak’s mines are carefully guarded by Imperial forces, ensuring that no outside powers can exploit these resources.
In addition to the military applications, Rustpeak’s Aetherite deposits have also attracted powerful wizards, sorcerers, and alchemists from across the continent, all eager to harness its potential. This has led to the establishment of a new trade network, centered around the exchange of arcane knowledge and enchanted goods. Rustpeak is no longer merely a mining kingdom; it has become a vital center for innovation, where Magic and metalwork intertwine in ways that promise to reshape the future of the Empire.
The increased wealth flowing into Rustpeak has allowed the kingdom to thrive under Imperial rule. Empress Naram-Sin’s government has invested heavily in infrastructure, building new roads, magical transport systems, and fortifications to protect the mining operations. The kingdom’s capital, Dunrust, has expanded rapidly, now hosting merchants, artisans, and scholars from across the Empire. Rustpeak steel, enhanced with Aetherite infusions, is now a prized commodity in Tatharia’s markets, while Adamantine weaponry is slowly finding its way into the hands of the Empire’s most elite soldiers.
As an industrial and arcane powerhouse, Rustpeak stands as a testament to the strength of the Tatharian Empire. Its resources are crucial not only for the day-to-day functioning of the Empire’s military and magical endeavors but also for the long-term vision of Empress Naram-Sin, whose ambition to establish a divine order depends on controlling both the mundane and arcane forces that shape the world. Rustpeak’s iron legacy has been reborn, and with Adamantine and Aetherite fueling the Empire’s expansion, it will remain at the heart of Tatharia’s power for generations to come.
Founding Date
874
Type
Citadel
Inhabitant Demonym
Rustfolk
Location under
Owning Organization
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