The Province of the Kirlundin Isles, commonly called the Kirlundin Isles or the Kirlundin Islands,[2][3] is a region of Sommerlund, located off the mainland of Northern Magnamund, in the Kaltersee. Its location, closest to Kalte, has meant it is susceptible to being invaded when the Kaltersee freezes over, frequently through magical means. It is one of the least-prosperous regions of Sommerlund, with the Kirlundins leading frugal lifestyles and the weather being much rougher than the rest of Sommerlund.
History[]
The Kirlundin Isles were first settled in MS 3437, three years after the Sommlending landed on Northern Magnamund for the first time. The early settlers were as competitive and aggressive as those of Tay Solobo, and rebellions were forced to be quashed by the Kings of Sommerlund during MS 3441–3470.
During the latter half of the Age of the Black Moon (MS 3550–3800), the climate cooled dramatically, and the Kirlundins were forced to migrate to the mainland, as the Kirlundin Isles froze over. The Kaltersee too froze over, and creatures from Kalte such as Baknar and Ice Barbarians began to cross over to the Kirlundin Isles. The Royal Fleets of Sommerlund repelled these creatures, not wanting to relinquish the mineral wealth of the Kirlundin Isles. In MS 3614, a party of Ice Barbarians explored the dungeons of the Ice Fortress of Ikaya, and unwittingly freed three Greater Ice Demons. The Greater Ice Demons possessed three of the Ice Barbarians in response, and began to roam Kalte freely. Later, in MS 3616, they invaded the Kirlundin Isles with other forces, fighting the bloodiest battle during this period against the forces of King Rednor I. Two of these Ice Demons were slain, but one remained alive, keeping the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star wary.
The Sommlending resettled the Kirlundin Isles between MS 3800–4100, beginning with the reign of King Bern I,[4] and have remained in Sommlending hands till this day. The Kirlundin Fleet was established, alongside the Holmgulf Fleet and Northern Fleets.
In MS 4219, Zakhan Shelta II of Vassagonia invaded the Gulf of Durenor, to cut off Sommerlund from Durenor by sea, at the urging of Archlord Zagarna. Shelta's forces managed to seize Silvershore, and the Kirlundins retaliated with hit-and-run tactics. Vassagonia's invasion coincided with Zagarna's own invasion of Sommerlund. The Vassagonians retreated when Zagarna's forces themselves were forced to retreat, due to the heroic efforts of Kai Grand Master Iron Pearl. Iron Pearl, however, drowned at sea off Wreck Point as he returned from Port Bax in MS 4235.
In MS 4232, King Frey II established a penal colony on Kirlu. This prison was secure and used to imprison some of Sommerlund's most serious of criminals (although less so than those banished through the Shadow Gate of Toran). During MS 5000, there were about 700 such prisoners, about a tenth of the island's total population.
In MS 4745, the Kirlundin Isles were hit by a particularly bitter kaltangor, and led to the demise of most of the ancient noble houses, including the House of Egen and House of Hemd, who were massacred by Ice Barbarian raiders. Since then only two noble households have been appointed on the Kirlundin Isles: The senior house as Baron of the Kirlundin Isles, and the lesser the House of Rustor (as of MS 5000) who owns the isle of Thet.[5]
During MS 4891, Aieta Nematah operated south of Silvershore, seeking Shianti Pariah artifacts in Sommerlund for Shasarak. That year, she convinced Captain Jhenga and his fellow buccaneers to settle on the isle of Broka. Jhenga and his men raided many ships sailing between Sommerlund and Durenor, until Baron Rosk Kalen of Tyso took personal command of an operation to flush them out. Kalen was successful, and offered Jhenga and his men the chance to relinquish their evil ways, and join the Sommlending admiralty as privateers under his command. Jhenga, while having little choice, was impressed by the level of respect, and willingly accepted. Jhenga and his men were later allowed to fly the Sommlending ensign at sea, and eventually settle in Tyso.[6] Nematah, however, continued her search, until she was hunted by Kai Grand Master Stone Blade, and captured in the Shianti ruins of the Sunken Forest. For her crimes, she was banished through the Shadow Gate of Toran.
In MS 4981, Greff Lindstar, an ex-Admiral of the Northern Fleet, destroyed a Vassagonian fleet in the Gulf of Durenor during the Second Vassa-Sommlending War. As a reward, he was made Baron of the Kirlundin Isles.
In MS 4997, 75 pirates under Captain Khadus of the Lakuri Isles were incarcerated in the Kirlu penal colony, although Khadus evaded capture. Khadus later met with agents of Archlord Zagarna, promising his allegiance in exchange for freeing his men. The operation was set to take place in MS 4999, with Khadus' men recruiting other criminals in Kirlu, although the fate of the operation is unknown.
In MS 4998, a network of frozen caves was discovered on Thet. These caves were inhabited by dangerous predators, originally from Kalte, and preseved using strong elemental magic. The following year, Magicians of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star discovered a large block of ice containing the preserved body of an Ice Barbarian, and feared this was the last of the Ice Demons that had originally invaded the Kirlundin Isles in MS 3616. Agents of Archlord Zagarna discovered this lair as well, and Zagarna dispatched a Nadziran and Helghast to Thet to retrieve the Ice Demon and transport it by sea to Aarnak. It is unknown what became of this operation.
In MS 5050, during the events of Fire on the Water, Lone Wolf, the last of the Order of the Kai, returned to Sommerlund from Durenor by sea, with the Sommerswerd at hand. The forces of Vonotar and Zagarna attacked as the Durenor approached Mannon.[7]
In MS 5069, during the Darklands War, the Kirlundin Isles were invaded by Darklord Kraagenskûl, and laid waste to, using a fleet constructed from Argazad. Kraagenskûl was confronted by Banedon at Silvershore, but the Darklord proved to be far too powerful, and shattered his Guildstaff, forcing Banedon to flee.[8][9] During the invasion, Baron Baleon Medar sacrificed his life defending the islands, and was later succeeded by Roberic Medar, his son.[1]
Geography[]
The Kirlundin Isles are an archipelago located to the east of mainland Sommerlund. They bisect multiple seas, with the Gulf of Durenor to the south and east, the Kaltersee to the north, and the Kirlundin Straits to the west. The Isles are made up of six major islands (from north to south):
- Broka
- Egen
- Thet
- Hemd
- Kirlu
- Mannon
There are also two minor islands, Taug and Vor, located west and east of Broka respectively.
Kirlu is the main island of the Kirlundin Isles, and houses the capital, Silvershore, as well as the Whitestone Quarry and Kirlu penal colony.
The isles are rich in natural resources. However, the kaltangor season can be extremely harsh, and the northern isles in particular are unable to sustain farming or animal domestication. Historically, the Kaltersee occasionally freezes over, often with magical aid, leading to attacks from Kalte.
White Kirlundin stone is prized throughout Sommerlund, and is used to construct some of the finest buildings throughout the country and beyond. It is mined at Whitestone Quarry, on Kirlu.
Known flora and fauna[]
Politics[]
Nobility[]
The Kirlundin Isles are ruled by the Baron of the Kirlundin Isles. Unlike other Baronial titles in Sommerlund, this title is not hereditary, and is appointed by the Monarch of Sommerlund; this is a legacy of the feuding that occurred during the earliest days of settlement in MS 3441–3469.
After the harsh kaltangor of MS 4745, most of the noble houses of the Kirlundin Isles died out. As of MS 5000, only two remain: The appointed Baron of the Kirlundin Isles, and the House of Rustor that rules Thet.
Known rulers of the Kirlundin Isles[]
- Baron Greff Lindstar (MS 4981–during MS 5000)
- Baron Baleon Medar (unknown–during the Darklands War)[1]
- Baron Roderic Medar (unknown–during MS 5078)[1]
Other known nobles of the Kirlundin Isles[]
- Fryearl Evion Rustor (during MS 5000)
Government and law[]
The administration of the Kirlundin Isles is given to the Deneschal of Silvershore, traditionally bestowed by the Baron on a native Kirlundin of exceptional ability. The Deneschal also presides over the judiciary, which is led by a High Judge.
The Kirlu penal colony is used as a punishment for some of Sommerlund's most serious of crimes, at least those that do not merit banishment through the Shadow Gate of Toran.
The Kirlundin Fleet operates out of the Kirlundin Isles.
Known officials of the Kirlundin Isles[]
- Feklar Dinsan, Deneschal of Silvershore (during MS 5000)
- Mayor Longor Traedlon of Gelaeon, Mannon (during MS 5000)
- Lucan Grensar, quarry master of the Whitestone Quarry (during MS 5000)
- Mayor Kar Fenistar of Lennis, Hemd (during MS 5000)
- Knight Kelger Osinkar of Talla, Egen (during MS 5000)
- Mayor Laef Fenor of Skorn, Broka (during MS 5000)
In the gamebooks[]
The Kirlundin Isles, specifically the isle of Kirlu, is the setting of The Pit of Darkness. The player, as Autumn Snow, discovers a Nadziranim plot involving the Book of Vashna.
Sources[]
- Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, pp. 157–161.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Wildlands Hunt: The Story So Far...
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, p. 16.
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, p. 158.
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, p. 191.
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, p. 159.
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, p. 106.
- ↑ Fire on the Water: §224
- ↑ The Masters of Darkness: §115
- ↑ Stark, Jonathan; Hahn, August. Episode 14: The Darklands War (Part 2 of 2). Journeys Through Magnamund. Holmgard Press (2024-01-04). Timestamp: 35:13
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. Magnamund Menagerie. Cubicle 7, p. 62.
- ↑ Dever, Joe [2017]. Magnamund Menagerie. Cubicle 7, p. 64.