Realm of Ashalom

The Realm of Ashalom, officially the Kritarchy of Ashalom, or Mamlech'd Ashalom in the Shalammic language, is a nation located in the south-east of the continent. Inhabited by the Phaguran dwarves, the nation stands as the southernmost point of dwarven dominance on the continent. Situated on the grassy fields of the Ebuch Basin, they border the Federation of Arter beyond the Tišʿharym Qdowšym (lit. Mountains of the Nine) on the north, the Oduroz Orcs on the south and east, with the subarctic tundras of the various Giantkin peoples of the region to the west.

History

The history of Ashalom starts when at the start of the 11th century AOC, the Dwarves were first created. While in the north, the Abrazká were made, which before the end of the age would also bore the Urungká, in the south the Phagurká were made. Originally awoken beneath the Yshem glacier, the realms of the Phagurans would confine itself hundreds of years to the direct region surrounding their frozen river high up the mountain, surviving off the rich supply of fish and the underground dwelling Hej-kin.

When the Abyssal Flu washed over the continent and the elves were destroyed, the Phagurans had never made contact with them. Yet it would still have great consequences for the people. When King Alessor VIII of the neighbouring Arterian Kingdom led his great exodus northward to claim the fertile lands of the now eliminated elves, forming the Melisternian Empire in its wake, he left large swathes of his kingdom empty. Over the years, it was the Phagurans that would end up becoming the new powerhouse in the region, as by the 2nd century of the First Era of Man, the Kingdom of Phaguzâr had formed.

The next millenia would be marked by strife, as the dwarves would frequently fight with their neighbours, especially when after the fall of the Melisternians and the start of the Second Era of Man the Oduroz orcs were pushed westward into Phaguzâr by the now newly formed Sultanate of Ashar. Phaguran lands would fluctuate over the years, sometimes reaching all the way to the sea, while at other times be no larger than 20 miles across.

In the year 737 of the Second Era, a calamity would strike the kingdom as Ra'il the Eternal, regent of a dying king would magically keep him alive in agony while summoning the dead to enforce tyrannical rule over the kingdom. For twenty years he would rule, before a group of Phaguran deserters would, with the aid of volunteers from neighbouring nations, liberate the nation from the regent's grasp. It would be the catalyst for a new age for the region.

As a reward, the tribes that aided the liberation were allowed to settle in the lands of the kingdom, which would never get another king. Instead, the region, which was geographically already known as Ashalom, was now to also be officially called as such. It's current system of government was put in order in 758 AZ, making the Realm of Ashalom, in it's current form, 382 years old by 61 PB.

Culture

Over time, many of the non-dwarves, mostly those of the two giant peoples, have integrated as much into the dwarven culture as the dwarves have into theirs, moulding the Shalammic culture into a true hybrid of customs and religion.

Ne'Emanut Olam, Tsad'Kaniy Olam:

"Ever Loyal, Ever Pious"

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Phaguria

Demonym

Shalammic

Government System

Kritarchy

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Traditional

Official Languages

• Shalammic

Neighboring Nations

• Federation of Arter

Related Species

• Dwarves

Demography

Ashalom, the southern pearl of Dwarvendom, has always had to deal with large numbers of non-dwarves both in and around its borders. Overall, in the year 61 PB, the population had roughly the following makeup:

• 70% Phaguran Dwarves
• 12% Gøxer Giants
• 8% Oduroz Orcs
• 5% Old Arterian Humans
• 4% Maron Giants
• 1% Others