Baltur

This dwarven Magocracy was the preeminent realm before the Collapse (which they caused) destroyed it. It spanned all lands from the Kasar Mountains in the west to the Mator's Spikes Mountains in the east and ran north to Fir Lanear. Nowadays we find the Haklur Desert, the Godfall, and a few other countries there.

The mages of Baltur raised magic to a level never seen before or since, powerful enough to make buildings fly. Its capital of Banad-Gathol was a sight to behold.

They also became marvels of architecture and construction. Magic allowed the dwarves to locate rare materials; then using alchemical processes to create unique building materials. The formulas to create these was jealously guarded and many have been lost since the Collapse.

Shathûr Magic

The Magus (arch-wizards) developed a magic stronger than anything seen these days, powerful enough to destroy mountains and transport entire armies. After the cataclysm of their own making it turned out to be impossible to use these types of magic anymore. However, many spells still in effect continued working when magic returned, though often erratically. The few artifacts created through this magic reportedly still function as well. These days an organization called Tipatshimun is trying to return to magic of this power and greater.

Zahar-Bund

These stone statues were carved from something called Kurhiz-stone, all remaining records have no information on where this material was found or possibly created. The statues were imbued with some kind of limited intelligence, though, again, the records are more than vague on the how. They were used as a sort of guardians and placed outside of all cities. They could cast powerful combat spells and were also able to send messages. One source claims all Zahar-Bunds were connected in some way and could share anything they saw and heard, though this seems fanciful.

Exploration

In their quest for rare materials the dwarves of Baltur traveled the entire world and mapped it extensively, most maps these days are still based on theirs. When a rare metal or mineral was found, the dwarves often built a redoubt called a Gardyl. From here they then mined the resource and magically transported it back to their cities.

Notable People

Kalervo Ubran

Preeminent magus, creator of many spells, and one of the few detractors of the ritual that caused the Collapse. As he was in Banad-Gathol on that fateful day, he none-the-less died as all the others.

Pinja Galgruc

Magus, put her servant Aatu Kasgret into a soul coin. The coin was later found by Izzy in/under the Haklur Desert.