The Forge

The Ages Past

For ages, a clear distinction existed between the Old Clans dwelling in the underground halls and the newer clans who prospered in the surface regions of the Forge. In earlier times, none dared challenge the supremacy of the underground nobles, who boasted both ancestral prestige and vast wealth.

The Fall and Its Aftermath

The Fall marked the beginning of a shift in this established order. As dwarven refugees from the east settled on the Forge's surface, they brought with them ancient lineages and ancestral skills, despite their lack of material wealth. This influx raised questions about the supposed inferiority of the surface clans, creating the first cracks in the old hierarchy.

Despite growing tensions, the physical separation between surface and underground communities initially prevented major conflicts. However, this fragile balance was shattered by the catastrophic event known as the Flame's Wake.

The Flame's Wake and Its Consequences

When lava erupted and devastated the Forge's underground sectors, the subterranean dwellers were forced to evacuate to the surface. Although many retained significant wealth and influence, they now found themselves sharing a single city with the surface clans they had long looked down upon.

As the immediate crisis subsided, new conflicts arose. The underground clans sought to assert dominance in their new environment, while the surface clans bristled at aiding those who had previously dismissed them. Civil war loomed on the horizon.

The Royal Academia's Intervention

Disaster was averted through the timely intervention of the Royal Academia of Llewynfrid. With their support, a new governmental structure emerged: a High King, elected from among the clans, requiring majority backing from both surface and underground factions.

A Century of Uneasy Peace

For the next hundred years, three High Kings successively held the throne. While none were particularly strong rulers, each proved acceptable to both sides, maintaining a precarious but enduring peace between the factions.

The Looming Fourth Election

As the third High King enters his twilight years, the Forge braces for a new election. Initially, an elderly and respected underground clan leader seemed poised for certain victory. However, his assassination—orchestrated by his power-hungry eldest son and a surface clan with an undisclosed grievance—has dramatically altered the political landscape.

In the wake of this tragedy, the murdered leader's younger son has emerged as a frontrunner. Riding a wave of sympathy and championing a message of unity, he advocates for closer ties between surface and underground dwellers. His platform includes ambitious plans to reclaim the ancestral underground halls, envisioning a joint effort between surfacers and undergrounders.

Yet, this vision faces opposition. A conservative faction, led by another venerable family head, views these proposals as costly vanity projects. This leader has rallied like-minded clans to resist what they perceive as a radical shift in policy.

Adding to the uncertainty, the current High King maintains a conspicuous silence, offering no endorsement despite his waning days. As the election approaches, the future of the Forge hangs in the balance, with its citizens anxiously awaiting the outcome that will shape their realm for generations to come.