Gaard Goraag

Category	Cities
Continent	Brucrumus
Region	Aerie of Dragons
Alias	Lava Bastion
Owner	Ag Envok
Population	170,000+
Founded	17 Saunas 115 LE
Map	Hiznaar Goz

Founded by settlers from Diiv Revakaad, the hold of Gaard Goraag is situated on an escarpment overlooking the infernal wastes of Kii Paagol. Their choice of location was a defensive one. Over the past three centuries since their departure from Diiv Revakaad, half of their settlements have been seized by the denizens of the Aerie, sometimes reduced to rubble and ash by dragons or sacked by giants. The remaining settlements have eked out an existence with the ever-present threat of being overrun. A chain of villages, forts, and fortified caves dot the landscape, spaced every twenty to thirty miles. Mulcantan, the First High Marshall of Diiv Revakaad, conceived of this plan to settle areas along a line from Diiv Revakaad to the Laag Grimolii mountains. His strategic vision unfolded over nearly three centuries. By the time Gaard Goraag was founded, the region north of these holdings to the Sands of Hell had become known as the Kriistvrii homeland.

The magic that had prolonged his life many times over could no longer save him. It is said he pleaded for an extension, hinting at the possibility of embracing the state of lichdom. Mulcantan's constitution had been nearly depleted from the repeated use of longevity magic, the leader of Diiv Revakaad for the past three centuries. His advisors, most eager to see him depart, voted against his desire for immortality through means considered wicked.

from the tome "The First High Marshall"

Gaard Goraag was constructed in a region where the winds blow with immense force, rendering dragon raids a more perilous endeavor. The location is accessible by foot, necessitating traversal through defiles and along narrow, cliff-side pathways. The giants attempted their pillage on numerous occasions, yet their losses proved too substantial, bringing an end to their days of effortless plunder at the expense of the Kriistvrii.

The establishment of the Zeymah'kein Empire ( 600 HE ) led to Gaard Goraag becoming its capital. Those who had long harassed the "Brothers of War", such as the hill giants of Gorahrigir, the hobgoblins from Hells Womb, and others, soon faced retribution from the region's newfound power.

With the security afforded by the Zeymah'kein, Gaard Goraag flourished rapidly. The people could cultivate the region's rich black soil without fear of dragon attacks or marauders destroying their arduous labor. It was an era of profound tranquility, where strolls through the sprawling, terraced vineyard slopes could be undertaken without the threat of beasts or brigands. For five centuries, until the Zeymah'kein's downfall, Gaard Goraag served as Bal-Kriav's pre-eminent Church of Bahamut.

In the Last Burn ( 1577 HE - 1600 HE ) , Zeymah'kein engaged in combat with Mir'piamauza and her allies. Gaard Goraag was captured in 1600 HE, culminating the lengthy and illustrious reign of the Zeymah'kein. The conquered city became a stronghold of Mir'piamauza. Many of its Kriistvrii were forced out, while others, too proud to serve under any authority other than a Kriistvrii, relocated elsewhere. Some became insurgents, contributing their efforts to overthrowing their former adversaries in the Mir'piamauza Civil War ( 1608 HE - 1612 HE ) . Following this civil war, Gaard Goraag was abandoned, and for an extended period thereafter, it served as the abode of bandits, beasts, and monsters.

In 880, the ruin was reoccupied by the Ag Envok.

Gaard Goraag rests at the southern extremity of the ashen expanse known as Kii Paagol. The city's northern rampart, confronting this capricious realm, is constructed of volcanic stone and engineered to divert lava streams beneath and around the settlement.