Rykeroian Lore: (WIP)

[Redleafe]

Below is revised work and lore I have been working on with spare time. I have to admit it is incomplete but is a work in progress, several pieces missing that I need to catch up on, revise further or otherwise create all together. I hope that this lore indeed helps those who are interested in the Rykeroian Dwarves, and the Redleafe clan in particular. Although some dates may not correlate 100% I have tried to match it up with the current campaign timeline as much as possible.

Stay tuned for updates when the time permits. Thank you.

-Eric

[Redleafe]

The Dwarves of Rykero’s Hammer




The beginning…



Long ago, during the reign of Emperor Calencoire Tulon of Varana there stood a young prosperous dwarven empire within the great mountains of Eukdor, perhaps the highest peaks in all of Dasaria.

The dwarven stronghold of Rykero’s Hammer was a bastion of dwarven ingenuity and unity for the gathered clans that called it home. Nearly two centuries the Rykeroians lived peacefully within the mountains of Eukdor, prospering as a proud nation of peoples.

The Kingdom of Rykero’s Hammer had come a long way from the time of their ancestors. Settled by nomadic dwarves hundreds of years before hand, only in the last century had the Rykeroians made great strides to ensure the grandeur ideals they had sought.

The Holy Champion of Anu, Ruonedir Chronosforge had been Thane to the people of Rykero’s Hammer for half a century. He had lead the armies of his people for decades as the High-General before being anointed Thane to the Rykeroians. The first King, Rykero Dynever passed away without an heir, thus the people called upon their High-General to lead them.

Thane Ruonedir was beloved by his people, respected for his wisdom and his connection to their chief deity Anu. He earned the respect of those who fought at his side through the “Titan Wars” and Ruonedir was responsible for the construction of many of the great structures that became a part of the every day life of the common Rykeroian, this in hand earned him the respect of the commoner. The construction of the Temple of Anu and the Rykeroian Battle Academy we’re among his finest work.

The stability of the Rykeroian society thrived on crafting, engineering and of course construction. This would include mining specifically. The growth of the dwarven empire weighed heavily on the ability of the Rykeroians Tunnelrats, a slang term referring to the miners of the low-folk.

Ruonedir issued a mandate for the Rykeroian Tunnelrats early in his reign, he wanted a well-organized division of tunnels burrowed throughout the mountains of Eukdor. This would make the travel for his kin safer and access to other parts of the outer-world much more assessable when and if the time was called upon.

-----------------------------------------------------

(To be continued...)

[Redleafe]

Rykeroian Ingenuity...



The region of Eukdor was a blasted-landscape, snow-covered most of the year round and bitter winds that could take the breath of a man without warning. The Rykeroians we’re a rugged people, even more so in dwarven standards. A foreigner to these mountains would almost certainly die without that of ample supply and expert guidance.

Rykero’s Hammer was a peaceful seclusion from most civilization; the real danger was the elements of nature and the few inhabitants that shared the area with the dwarves and gnomes of Eukdor.

The Rykeroians thrived in all they focused upon; the rich earth provided them with all that they needed. Thick veins of mithril, gold, silver, copper and mundane stone such as limestone we’re mined for the ongoing building that took place within Rykero’s Hammer.

Several years after the final construction of the Underground Tunnel System Thane Ruonedir issued garrison patrol daily throughout the tunnels, ensuring his miner’s safety and also as a precaution in case intruders found use of the tunnels as well.


Once the tunnels we’re constructed the ample amount of ore mined was stored safely within the massive foundry hall. Thane Ruonedir would devise a great plan for a large statue that would serve as the symbol of the Rykeroian people, faith above all.

The finest craftsmen were called upon, entrusted to shape the vision of their king. They would begin and finish their craft in five years time.

A thirty foot tall Dragon made of the purist silver held an ivory mace with a ruby head, the symbol of triumph in Rykeroian legend in reference to that of the destruction of Tiamat, and the freedom of Dragons within the creation myth. The Rykeroian dwarves believed that the Silver Dragon represented Balance in the image of Anu, the wisest and gentlest of his beloved Dragon kind. The mace’s hilt and handle embodied in ivory represented law and the ruby stood for strength. Carved at the base of the great statue was the Rykeroian prayer of Anu.

“In the midst of the darkest hour let wisdom enter my heart, guide my judgment and reinforce my will. I stand for the balance of you’re word; the law of you’re will and the strength of your greatness. I forever serve the father of Dragons. Praise Anu.”

--------------------------------

(To be continued...)

[Redleafe]

Rykeroian Tunnelrat: (Rogue Class)

The Tunnelrats as they we're referred to we're those who worked within the winding tunnels beneath Rykero's Hammer. These men and women we're engineers and technicians, excavators and dare devils who scoffed at the dangers that they we're faced with on constant basis. Those who worked the underground passages we're brave and undeniably committed to their jobs, otherwise the lives of not only themselves but others we're in dire risk.

Although predominantly dwarven, it was not uncommon to find a gnome to be among the ranks of the Tunnelrats, mainly among the technicians that we're proficient in using explosives.

Called upon by their Thane to commit to the challenge of building a elaborate network of tunnels below Rykero's Hammer, the Tunnelrats did just that. The tunnels beneath the dwarven hall we're complex and extremely useful in entering and departing the bitterly cold region of Eukdor.

[Redleafe]

The Rykeroian Battle Academy:


Thane Ruonedir believed in the Rykeroian philosophies of embracing the balance, law, and strength of Anu. In order for his people to maintain the understanding of the teachings of Anu he established what would become the center-piece of the Rykeroian military, and the universal education of the common folk within Rykero's Hammer, The Rykeroian Battle Academy. Each person that lived within Rykero's Hammer was required to serve within the RBA for at least a decade's time. Ruonedir believed that if his people were to thrive as citizens and accomplish greatness that they would begin their journey by serving the nation that served them. Once a youth reached his twenty-first season they would enter into one of the three schools offered to them, The School of Balance, The School of Law, and the School of Strength. Each of the respected schools provided an assortment of educations that would inspire the student to best serve Anu and the Rykeroian People. Once the great university was built and functional he named the head instructor of each school. He entrusted Bannon Redleafe to head the School of Balance, Malthok Quakebeard the School of Law, and last but not least Aegis Lightforge the School of Strength. Each of the men he chose had served their people with honor and bravery and we're among the most respected dwarves in all of Rykero's Hammer. The three Head Instructors, The High Priest, and the High General we're among the five men who advised the Thane throughout his reign, they all aided in the structure of the minds of the Rykeroian people.


------------------------------------------------

The School of Balance:(Cleric and Paladin Class:)

Bannon Redleafe served under Ruonedir Chronosforge as a commander and battlepriest during the "Titan Wars". During the ongoing battles that resulted in more casualties then any dwarf would had like to remembered. Bannon was a constant reminder of Rykeroian resiliency, his prayers had inspired hundreds of comrades into battle and his healing abilities saved thousands more. Although he had lost his vigor he once possessed in his youth his wisdom was respected and revered by all Rykeroians, especially his King. Thane Ruonedir entrusted Master Redleafe to teach the basics of clerical study to students. Once the progression was measured appropriately he would devise higher courses of study for his pupils, one such example is a young human Varanite named Honuas Walker, a man who would have a crucial hand in shaping the Rykeroian history books.


The School of Law:(Bard, Druid, and Ranger Class:)

Malthok Quakebeard was similar to Bannon Redleafe in regards to his divine gifts granted upon him through his devout belief in the teaching of Anu. The dwarves in general are people of the earth, but Malthok seemed to be intertwined with it far moreso then the common low-folk. He to also served under Ruonedir during the "Titan Wars" as a commander and battlepriest. His ability to shift and form the earth to his will was awing, his incredible power to bend nature to serve his people was more then enough of a reason for the Thane to entrust the grizzly veteran to lead the School of Law. Although not entirely different from the School of Balance, Master Quakebeard chose to teach his pupils offensive magik first and healing magiks secondary whereas it was the opposite within the School of Balance under Master Redleafe.


The School of Strength:(Fighter and Rogue Class:)

Aegis Lightforge had not a rival in melee combat in all of Rykero's Hammer, not even Thane Ruonedir could boast such a deed. Master Lighrforge once served as High-General of the Rykeroian Army during the "Titan Wars" but eventually stepped down shortly after losing his wife and eldest son in a horrible tragedy. Ruonedir Chronosforge, his closest friend and equal in most regards took over where his old friend had left off. Shortly after Thane Rykero Dynever passed Master Lightforge re-enlisted into his military duties and began instructing young men and women in the arts of combat, agressive and passive alike. Ruonedir believed his new spark of energy was accompanied by the promotion of his second eldest son Dragos to General in the Rykeroian Army once the new Hierarchy fell into place. Thane Ruonedir understanding Aegis's aptitude for combat tactics called upon him to head up the School of Strength, the third and final school within the Rykeroian Battle Academy. Master Lightforge is unsympathetic to lazy efforts, his ability to teach survival was imperative even more so then his ability to teach the art of the kill.

-------------------------------------------------------



The entirety of the Academy was required to take the basic lessons in all schools for at least two years, after that the path chosen was the individual's decision alone. Thane Ruonedir wanted each student to learn the different disciplines and what they stood for in regards to their patron god. Multiple Rykeroians excelled in the arts of many professions and served in multiple schools, this only spoke volumes of the effectiveness of the Academy and it's sincere purpose.

[Redleafe]

The birth of a New Kingdom...



The Rykeroian dwarves had once been a collaboration of dozens of dwarven clans who lived nomadic for centuries, wondering the peaks of Eukdor. Most would believe that all dwarves reside within mountains and great halls but rest assured this was undoubtedly not the case with these dwarves. A strong and charismatic warrior named Rykero Dynever had gathered the clans in unity, getting the clans to cooperate with one another. The notion of building a nation of strong, independent dwarves had appealed to him since he could first muster the strength to carry a warhammer. The clans had survived by avoiding the multitude of dangers that had plagued them early in their history.

Early in the years of the new kinsfolk the Eukdor was swarming with large parties of frost giants, frost trolls and a rare breed of wyvern. Rykero believed that to survive was merely just good enough, his visions we're much more grandeur in theory. His belief was to grow as a nation, prosper. This was only attainable if the low-folk could settle in once place, make a home for all. The task at hand was surely a dangerous venture but one that the clans felt they had to make if they would see their King's vision together.


Groundbreaking...

The spring of the year 24:(Coinciding with the Varanite timeline)


Rykero had lead his people to a remote side of a mighty peak in the Eukdor. The king of dwarves laid down his hammer and raised a well-crafted pickaxe into the air and declared the spot he stood upon would someday be the entrance of a great dwarven hall, a home for all dwarves that shared his visions. With a ruthless cleave he brought the pickaxe down upon the earth with a solid clang, earth spit downward the mountain. In that moment Rykero's Hammer was born.


The winter of 39:

The Rykeroians had formed a make shift home just outside the great entrance of Rykero's Hammer, there they resided for nearly two decades. The dwarves worked with an undying fervor as they tunneled deep into the earth. The isolation of the mountainside was imperative to their survival.

The basis of what the clans needed we're within now. The new nation of low-folk would spend their first winter sheltered from the elements that the Eukdor had to offer. Although the caverns excavated we're large they needed further construction and the process was ever going. As the years passed the dwarves of Rykero's Hammer grew stronger and healthier, providing more offspring. The ideals of their king was slowly but surely becoming a reality and the promise for further prosperity was a powerful motivator.

The spring of 84:

The nation of dwarves had come along way since their first days of their new hall. The dwarven home had tripled in size and accommodated the growth of the Rykeroians, homes and shops we're beginning to spring up with pride. The work of the common dwarf had meant something, it had meant unity and self-preservation. The Rykeroians opened their hearts and home to gnomish merchants, eventually some of them giving the option to make home within beside their earth cousins. Rykero's Hammer had begun to take the shape of a small city within the rich mountains of Eukdor.

The autumn of 88:

The Rykeroian people had begun to to adventure further outside of their home, seeking to secure the the region for future generations. The threat of giants had increased over a few decades of their seclusion within the earth. As the Rykeroians had foreseen, war with the giant kind was inevitable, King Dynever had declared war upon the giant folk soon after a scouting party was massacred near a region called Wyvern Hallows, a treacherous blasted landscape renown for rare ore that the Rykeroians had begun to collect for weaponry purposes. The giant tribes felt that the dwarf had no place on the surface and made examples of the scouting party by tearing them limb from limb. This incident would set in motion an era known in the Rykeroian history books as "The Titan Wars".

[Peregrinus]

I have a very simple inquiry for you RL:

Why isn't this on the wiki?

[Redleafe]

Fair enough.

[Roser]

It's a work in progress.....

Good work Leafer.

[Goet]

Yes, excellent work!

Ok... then what happens?

... oh and who is our current Thane?

I rarely have time to delve into server history. This week is one of those rare times.

Cheers!
Gromm

[Alterity]

I'd guess that since Rykero has fallen, we have no current thane.

[Redleafe]

I'd guess that since Rykero has fallen, we have no current thane.

Correct.

[Hermur]

havent been in the forum forum for some time and havent seen this.

Wonderfull work Readleafe

[Redleafe]

Thank you Hermur, I too have been absent for about four months, business is business though.

Time to add to it wouldn't ya say?