| Category | Fallen Empires | ||||||||
| World | Bal-Kriav | ||||||||
| Region | Ice Cap, Troll Bogs | ||||||||
| Government | Confederation | ||||||||
| Capital | Miradalêth | ||||||||
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| Deities | Abbathor, Baalzebul | ||||||||
| Enemies | Gadstill Dynasty, Lúthil | ||||||||
| Reign | 1592 LE - 1535 HE | ||||||||
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Founded in the Lith-Crillion Era, Saer Erkjorg was an empire ruled by the Eldritch. These proud giants were members of the Thraedli, their lineage tracing back to the Dawn Era. The Thraedli of Ice Cap had mastered arcane arts under the tutelage of the Lith-Crillion at Miradalêth. After centuries of peaceful coexistence, the Eldritch arcanists convinced their military to seize the remainder of the Lith-Crillion's domain. In 1590 LE, an Eldritch army from Frosvirk captured Miradalêth, which two years later became the capital of the newly formed empire of Saer Erkjorg.
During the empire's lengthy rule, it was governed by a council of advisors and a general staff. The advisors were typically eldritch giants, while the general staff comprised elite soldiers of the Khaa'khas. The two entities generally collaborated when confronting a shared foe; otherwise, they conspired and schemed to augment their positions within the government, resulting in purges and numerous civil wars across the empire's three-millennium reign.
When the empire's westward expansion encroached upon another Titan Empire, conflict inevitably arose. The empire soon engaged in war with the Gadstill Dynasty over the coveted resources of the Vale of Khalas and the frigid crags of Iberak. The populations inhabiting these regions, primarily Goliaths and dwarves, were viewed as valuable assets - sought after as workers, soldiers, and subordinates by both warring factions.
The shamans and mages of Saer Erkjorg boast an extensive legacy of arcane and necromantic practices. Their study of the dark art stands as perhaps the oldest in the realm. This school of necromantic practice is known as Maen Saetild, notably distinct from the Horgon school of necromancy prevalent across most regions. Furthermore, the eldritch giants of Frosvirk crafted some of the most formidable and soul-devouring magical items. The necromancers of this city were responsible for the creation of the realm's first shadow giant.
The eldritch giants advanced their arcane magic with the assistance of the Lith-Crillion. Initially, the collaboration involved gold or services, but later the giants turned against the Lith-Crillion at Miradalêth. Subsequently, expeditions were dispatched to locate other Lith-Crillion holdings. The eldritch giants would journey extensively to find the Lith-Crillion, not to murder them or seize trinkets, but in search of magical items and ancient lore. One of the farthest destinations they reached was Arcana. They employed massive galleys to sail eastward and then southward across Nielalroch. On the island of Arcana, they assaulted places like Felth and Aggda. The formidable defenses and weaponry of Aggda were a consequence of the giant raids.
The Gadstill Dynasty's demise was closely followed by Saer Erkjorg's fall two years later. Without an external adversary to focus on, the empire soon found itself beset by internal enemies. Distant holdings broke free, and civil conflicts tore cities asunder. Among the most troublesome factions of this unrest were the Azwyr Amoruk. As with many non-Thraedli peoples, they had long been relegated to second-class status, with many serving as slaves. When the confederacy began fragmenting, the Azwyr Amoruk could no longer be contained, hastening the empire's downfall through their malevolence and unruly disposition.
The Ice Cap region still shelters the enigmatic giants. They are a dispersed populace with modest domains, remnants of a once-formidable empire boasting expansive mineral deposits and potent sorcery. Occasionally, one of these modest strongholds amasses sufficient power to field an army menacing its neighbors. Auspiciously for the denizens of Ice Cap and adjacent territories, these armies commonly disintegrate after several months or a few years.