6.2 KiB
The Second Age of Baltun’ia, also known as the Age of Iron and Chains, was marked by dwarven supremacy, harsh rule over the other races, and increasing unrest that ultimately led to rebellion. What began as a period of innovation, order, and expansion under King Rangrim the Unyielding soon descended into oppression, forced labor, and a struggle for freedom that would define the era.
The Foundation of the Dwarven Empire (2700 - 2800 S.A.)
With Rangrim’s conquest complete, the dwarves solidified their rule, transforming Baltun’ia into a vast dwarven-controlled empire. The seat of power remained in Kordrumm, but outposts, fortresses, and newly constructed cities spread across the land to maintain dominance.
Key Aspects of Dwarven Rule
- The High Thane of Baltun’ia – The ruler of the empire, a title held first by King Rangrim, and later by his successors.
- The Iron Laws – A rigid set of dwarven-enforced laws that dictated taxation, trade, and control over magic and resources.
- The Chains of Labor – Forced servitude and tribute were imposed upon conquered races, with many Elves, Halflings, Gnomes, and Feykin consigned to mining, crafting, and construction efforts.
- The Automatons Enforcers – An expanding army of dwarven-crafted golems and war machines, ensuring compliance across the empire.
The Expansion of Infrastructure and Technology
While brutal, dwarven rule also led to advancements in engineering, trade, and industry:
- The Deep Roads Extended – Underground highways linked dwarven cities to every major settlement, making travel and resource transport efficient—but also easy to control.
- War Machines Perfected – With the rediscovery of lost automaton technology, dwarves created self-operating war machines, siege engines, and mechanized constructs to enforce their rule.
- The Golden Vaults Established – Dwarven banks were built, solidifying economic control over trade and taxation across the empire.
However, while dwarves prospered, the conquered peoples suffered, their cultures stifled under dwarven rule.
The Period of Dismay (2800 - 3100 S.A.)
As decades passed, resentment grew among the subjugated races. While some dwarven rulers sought to govern fairly, many treated non-dwarves as second-class citizens, leading to worsening conditions.
Oppression and Resistance
- The Banishment of the Elven Mystics (2835 S.A.) – Elven spellcasters, seen as a threat to dwarven control, were exiled or executed. Many fled into the deepest forests to preserve their traditions.
- The Collapse of Free Trade (2900 S.A.) – The dwarves imposed harsh taxes and tariffs, choking halfling and gnome commerce, leading to economic decline for non-dwarven traders.
- The Sealing of the Deep Roads (2970 S.A.) – In response to growing unrest, the dwarves restricted travel, forcing controlled checkpoints and denying non-dwarves access to certain trade routes.
The Spark of Rebellion
Despite dwarven dominance, small pockets of resistance began to form:
- The Silent Assemblies (c. 3000 S.A.) – Underground meetings where leaders of non-dwarven communities plotted rebellion.
- The Shadowforged Dwarves (c. 3050 S.A.) – A secret faction of dwarves who opposed the empire, providing weapons and intelligence to the oppressed peoples.
- The Feykin Rebellion of the Verdant Isle (3072 S.A.) – The first major act of defiance, where feykin druids shattered dwarven outposts, marking the beginning of open resistance.
By 3100 S.A., Baltun’ia was on the brink of collapse, with rebellion stirring in every region.
The Revolt of the Free Peoples (3100 - 3199 S.A.)
The Revolt of the Free Peoples was a century-long struggle that saw the collapse of dwarven dominance and the return of independent rule to Baltun’ia.
Key Events of the Rebellion
- The Uprising of Stoffen (3105 S.A.) – A mass worker rebellion in the south, where halflings and gnomes seized key supply chains, depriving the dwarves of critical resources.
- The Battle of the Weald (3120 S.A.) – Elven warbands emerged from exile, using guerilla warfare and nature magic to reclaim lost lands.
- The Fall of the Deep Roads (3150 S.A.) – Shadowforged dwarves led coordinated attacks, sabotaging dwarven infrastructure and collapsing key tunnels, crippling the empire’s logistics.
- The Siege of Kordrumm (3199 S.A.) – The final battle, where an allied force of elves, halflings, gnomes, and rebel dwarves besieged the capital. After months of fighting, the High Thane surrendered, officially ending dwarven rule.
The Conference of Peace (3200 S.A.)
After the fall of the dwarven empire, the surviving leaders of all races gathered in a historic meeting known as the Conference of Peace.
Agreements Made at the Conference
- The Dissolution of the Dwarven Empire – Dwarves would no longer rule as absolute monarchs over the continent.
- The Division of the Land – Former dwarven-controlled regions were split into new independent territories, forming the early foundations of future kingdoms.
- The Outlawing of Forced Labor – A declaration was made that no race should be subjugated again, though its enforcement varied in later ages.
While the Conference brought temporary peace, the wounds of dwarven rule ran deep, and some factions refused to forget or forgive.
The Legacy of the Second Age
Though the Dwarven Empire fell, its impact on Baltun’ia remains significant.
What Endured:
- The Deep Roads – While partially collapsed, many tunnels still remain, used by smugglers, refugees, and lost travelers.
- Dwarven Engineering and Banking – The economic systems and city-building techniques established by the dwarves continue to influence modern civilizations.
- Lingering Prejudice – While not all dwarves supported the empire, some still struggle with mistrust from other races, and tensions occasionally flare even in later ages.
The Second Age ended in 3499 S.A., giving way to a new era of recovery, rebuilding, and political restructuring as Baltun’ia entered the Third Age.