Known as the Summit City, Örndalur is built into the summit of the Gorranthi mountain range. The city is built upon the ruins of their forebears; there are distinct shifts in architecture as the streets tunnel deeper into the core of the mountain. The oldest ruins within the city are theorized to have been built whilst the Ancient Batra within the Gurui Plateau still stood, as there are some glyphs etched into the foundations that match those recorded on expeditions to the plateau. At that point the summit city was merely a single mighty fortress. Around this fortress are some younger ruins, which appeared to be a small city state that starved themselves out during the great ice age. It wasn't until a few millennia ago that the ruins were rediscovered by gnomish explorers, led by Ingvar Dahlström. Over time they built Örndalur upon these foundations, naming these ruins after their discoverer. Following the harrowing War of the Surface in Volandra, some Dwarvish refugees journeyed to the Gorranthi Summit, they'd abandoned their old homes as the mountain became tainted with vile touch of the underdark and they faced backlash due to their close ancestry with the Duergar. The ingenuity and stubbornness of these gnomes and dwarves working in tandem is what allowed Örndalur to flourish into the marvelous city it is today.
A Treasure Trove Discovery
A few centuries ago, while digging below the depths of Örndalur a crew of workers uncovered a massive vein of Vahenite ores running throughout the mountains. These particular crystals are best known for their capabilities in the storage of graviturgy magic, a critical mechanism in the advancement of airships. This massive source of raw Vahenite crystals led to advancements in the innovation and production of airships. The Kraus Initiative currently has a firm hold on the mining operations of these crystals beneath Örndalur, allowing them to grow into one of the most powerful companies in the city. The influence of the Kraus Initiative hasn't gone unnoticed, recently a former executive had been elected chairman of the guild council and has enacted policies that further exploit the laborers of the city.
The influence of airship production has encouraged an economic boom in Örndalur, the city has expanded itself deep throughout the Gorranthi Summit. Pushed onwards and downwards by monetary gain the city has carved its way into the hearts of the surrounding mountains. In recent years, those who still recall the lesson of their ancestors in Blythemack Heights have voiced concerns that Örndalur has begun to dig too deep and risk the patience of the mountains' depths.
Rumors have been circulating amongst the laborers working the mine about strange crystalline creatures lurking deep in the tunnels. Those who claim to witness these forms describe them vaguely as twice the height of the average man with glowing eyes. While there has been little to no evidence backing these sightings, the rumors have done nothing to halt the mining operations.
Travelling across the spine of Aeora the first signs that you are reaching Örndalur is when you glimpse a mighty eagle sweep across the sky. The people of the summit city have intertwined themselves with the noble giant eagles native to Gorranthi and work with them to transport themselves across the mountain range. Once you've reached the summit you'll find yourself before a colossal city carved into the mountains, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. The majority of the city is built deep into the core of the mountain, where the streets are lit by the glow of crystals and the sound of tinkering echoes throughout. The folks of Örndalur are innovative, creative, and most of all, filled with stubborn determination. Örndalur is primarily known for their astounding inventions, clockwork contraptions that combine the ingenuity of science and the marvels of magic. The society has formed itself around the pursuit of these ideas: innovation, utility, and craftsmanship. The consequences of this, while the city only thrives due to the hard work of laborers whose blood and sweat is what allows the city to continue to thrive, but these folks have less power and respect.
Due to their proximity to the Gurui Plateau, Örndalur has become a focal point in archeological explorations of the desolate plateau. A grand college of has been formed within Örndalur over the centuries. The college is a sector of the Marquez foundation, a result of the alliance between Örndalur and Gravitas. Between the two of them, they represent the greatest body of archeologists in Embris and their colleges are world renowned. The Luxhold College has since expanded its renown and become one of the main campuses of the Calytrix University.
It is said that hidden deeper within the mountains is Kujall, the mighty city of giants. The exact location of the city itself is kept secret, but the council of Örndalur has formed a treaty with these giantfolk and the Chairman has has visited their legendary home. Occasionally a mighty Roc is glimpsed in the distant sky, perhaps a hint of where the giant city lies. Örndalur being built into the depths of the Gorranthi Summit made its people particularly vulnerable to the disastrous earthquakes of the Primordial Coalescence fifty years ago. As the disaster continued, their hidden neighbors within the mountain, Kujall, offered their assistance in the efforts of rebuilding the caverns and further fortification of the city against earthquakes. In thanks for their efforts, the Chairman of City Council invited emissaries from the giant city Kujall to Örndalur for an event known as the Ambachtien Festival. In this celebration a grand tournament was held featuring the greatest artisans of Örndalur and visiting artisans from Kujall where the quality of their craftsmanship was tested. This festival is held every year in Iondios, the first month of the summer.
The primary languages of Örndalur are Common, Dwarvish, and Gnomish, with the other major language being Giant.
Örndalur is governed by a council of guild leaders. Each of the guilds within Örndalur has appointed a representative from amongst themselves. The council is led by a Chairman that is voted on by the council. Each and every recognized guild within the Örndalur gets a seat at the council. As innovations give birth to progress, new guilds are formed over time and must formally request to be recognized by the council before they are included. There is only one position representing the laborers within Örndalur, despite those folks making up the majority of the population.
Gurui Plateau (Are explored a bit by Örndalur's explorers)
Gravitas (City-state that shares a branch of the Marquez Foundation)
Cinder Confederation (Country from which the dwarves came after the War of the Surface)
Primordial Coalescence (Event that caused the giants to reach out)
Calytrix University (The university that the Luxhold College, is a member of)