Hinnbjalf

Category	Marvels
Continent	Brucrumus
Region	Northern Hordelands
Owner	independent city-state
Population	15,000+
Races	Firenewt 50% Azer 20% Salamander 15% Fire Giant 10% Fyrreid 5%
Deities	Primus, Surtur
Built	6 War March 115 GE
Map	Zyrath

Built during the Demon Spawn War (89 GE - 269 GE), Hinnbjalf was constructed as a countermeasure to Demogorgon's invasion of the Hells Womb region. Overseeing the project was Surtur, a reluctant Covenant ally. He and his engineers "accidentally" built Hinnbjalf to be significantly more grandiose than originally specified. When summoned before a military tribunal, Surtur claimed the head of engineering had miscalculated, resulting in a structure 325% larger than planned. While Surtur's predominantly fire giant workforce thrived in these cavernous halls, others found the echoing spaces less agreeable.

As the war-weary population shifted with the advancing fronts, Surtur and his command felt the strain on their coffers. One of Surtur's courtesans, free to enter and plunder his treasury, proposed the idea of transforming Hinnbjalf into an entertainment hub. Surtur initially scoffed at the notion, yet allowed his mistress to pursue her plan. Magnificent gambling halls and other venues were constructed for those on military leave, with the aim of lightening their sacks and pockets heavy with demonic loot. Rapidly becoming a highly profitable enterprise, teleportation chambers were built to ferry those from distant fronts to Hinnbjalf's market of relaxation, competition, vice, and gambling. This gave rise to vivid tales of individuals striking it rich, with a private soldier even winning the material wealth of a prince during a two-week leave, and significantly improved the morale of all who visited. The Covenant, however, maintained a vigilant watch over these proceedings. Figures such as Athena denounced it as a den of corruption and decadence, arguing that its virtuous merits scarcely outweighed the vices on display.

Hinnbjalf boasts six magnificent chariot courses. These courses carve through a city that once housed nearly four hundred thousand inhabitants. The tracks pass through sunken areas where onlookers can observe the charioteers from the vantage of homes and streets above the track. In the God Era, the city was perpetually alive, rumbling like a volcano during the rare occasions when all six tracks were in use. However, during the Angelic Departure (270 GE - 274 GE), the city's teleportation chambers were destroyed, leading to an economic and population decline from which it has yet to recover.

In 1481, the group Squad X7E discovered monkey-like minotaurs dwelling in the Manduggiss Trench. These Sig-Lorm were assisted in relocating from the place they had called home since the Lith-Crillion Era. Thousands were resettled at Hinnbjalf, where they would revive the city, fostering civilization, security, and prosperity for the ensuing two centuries. At Hinnbjalf, the Sig-Lorm prioritized cultural and social advancements over warfare. They reinstated Hinnbjalf's renowned status, hosting esteemed events such as the annual Sig-Lorm Chariot Race, which featured up to thirty competing chariots.

In 1642, the volcano Traeulf became active, erupting with devastating consequences. The pyroclastic flow leveled the city, claiming the lives of most inhabitants. When it was governed by the Sig-Lorm, Hinnbjalf reached a population peak of 40,000 citizens. It was ruled by a pedocracy and had temples dedicated to Surtur, Lukoon and Ptah. Following the eruption, Hinnbjalf became a haven for those with an affinity for fire. The only remaining churches are those honoring Surtur and Primus. Due to the noxious and sometimes lethal gases, non-fiery individuals generally avoid visiting this city. Some speculate that the eruption was a divine scheme, with Surtur jealous of Lukoon's growing influence and the Sig-Lorm's reverence for Ptah, which he could never alter. If true, this plan successfully rid the city of those championing the beliefs of Lukoon and Ptah.