Sommerlund

Kingdom of Sommerlund
Capital	Holmgard
Demonym	Sommlending
Government	Kingdom
Ruler	King Haigh V
Population	500,000+ (MS 5000)
Currency	Gold Crown
Relations	Freelands Alliance (part of) The Darklands (enemy) Free Alliance of Southern Magnamund (ally)
Chronology
Predecessor	Dejadar

Banner of Sommerlund

The Kingdom of Sommerlund, commonly known as Sommerlund (English: Kingdom of the Sun), is a a country in Northern Magnamund. It is one of the strongest nations in all of Magnamund, whose people, the Sommlending, are blessed by the god Kai. It is home to the the Order of the Kai, a powerful order of warrior-monks, as well as the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, one of the most potent practitioners of Left-Handed Magic in all of Magnamund. As such, it is the leader of the Freelands Alliance — a military alliance of countries, mostly in Northern Magnamund, who fight against the forces of Darkness, and is one of the most hated enemies of them in return, particularly the Darklands.

Present-day Sommerlund was founded by the Sommlending, who arrived from Tay Solobo during the Great Voyage of MS 3434. They landed in what is now known as Anskaven, inflicting the first defeat upon the rampant Darklords, eventually pushing them back beyond the Durncrag Mountains, starting a rivalry that would last millennia. Sommerlund defended resolutely against the Darklands, defeating and slaying Archlord Vashna, the strongest Darklord, in the Battle of Maakengorge in MS 3799, and developing the Order of the Kai, an order of powerful warrior-monks with latent blessings from the god Kai, who helped repel Vashna's successor, Archlord Zagarna, and his Darklands forces. During this time, the Freelands Alliance was established, a military alliance to defend against the forces of Darkness, with Sommerlund and its longest ally, Durenor, as its first members. Sommerlund also developed a second rivalry, this time with Vassagonia, fighting multiple wars against them between MS 4432 and MS 4977.

Sommerlund was dealt a massive blow in MS 5050, when the Massacre of the Kai led to all but one of the Order of the Kai being slain, followed by an invasion of Sommerlund that it was not prepared for. That surviving Kai Lord, Silent Wolf, managed to retrieve the Sommerswerd from Durenor, despite the efforts of Zagarna and Vonotar, who had betrayed Sommerlund to the Darklords, leading to the invasion. With the Sommerswerd, Silent Wolf — now named "Lone Wolf" after his fate — destroyed Zagarna in one supercharged beam of light from the Sommerswerd. This opened up a new dimension in the conflict between the forces of Light and Darkness in Northern Magnamund, with Lone Wolf quickly becoming the bane of the Darklands. During the Darklands War, Archlord Gnaag managed to banish Lone Wolf to the Daziarn, a place where few had known to have come back from, and with the Tanoz-tukor, he and his fellow Darklords quickly began to overrun Northern Magnamund. Against all odds, however, Lone Wolf did manage to return. Having retrieved all the Lorestones, he then infiltrated the Darklands, slaying Archlord Gnaag, quickly ushering the demise of the Darklords.

Sommerlund remained relatively safe after the defeat of the Darklords, and rebuilt itself, although it still faced occasional threats, such as a Dragon attack from the Plane of Darkness via a Shadow Gate. Conflict with the Darklands returned in MS 5102, when Archlord Vashna was reborn in Zekgazad, and attacked Sommerlund once again.

History

Early history

Before the Sommlending, the land of Sommerlund was populated by a sparse population of tribesmen. They were defeated by the Cener Druids, and unleashed the Great Plague, destroying the Elder Magi that had also settled there, as well as the Drodarin in Northern Magnamund. The forests of Sommerlund became a refuge for the Herbwardens of Bautar, and at Raumas, they plotted a response. In the Druid War of 1968 MS, the two races fought, but the conflict was halted in 990 MS with the arrival of the Shianti.

These Shianti were an offshoot of their brethren from Southern Magnamund, but also a more malicious kind who considered humans as slaves. Over two millennia, they enslaved all the humans in the area, and became increasingly evil, pledging allegiance to Naar. The land became a playground for their necromantic experiments, and their victims' souls were used to power their magical devices. The Shianti's hold on the area was broken in the War of the Ancients, where the North was defeated by the South, and forced to renounce their ways or face exile.

After the Shianti left in MS 3004, the Dwarves of Bor and the Nebora began settling in the Durncrag Range and began expanding west into Sommerlund.

First Sommlending-Drakkarim conflict

See also: Tay Solobo

The Sommlending were a race found in Tay Solobo, far away from Northern and Southern Magnamund. They were favoured by Kai and Ishir, but also not a united people. In MS 3281, the Sommlending tribes were united under Hetman Skarn, who became the first King of the Sommlending. Kai then appeared to Skarn, blessing him with wisdom and charisma, and asked him to unite the people and prepare them for a voyage to fight against evil.

In what would eventually become Sommerlund today, the Darklands had invaded from across the Durncrag Mountains. The Darklands had become the most powerful force in Northern Magnamund after their arrival in MS 3072, and nothing could stand in their way, not even the Dwarven races of the Durncrag Mountains, nor the Nebora who lived beyond it. Around MS 3433, the fortress of Dejgazad was built near the intersection of the rivers Daune and Eledil, and became the main settlement of Dejadar, the new province of Vashna's growing empire. With the greatest swarm of Crypt Spawn ever summoned, and the Darklords' Drakkarim allies, the Darklands continued their rampage, threatening to corrupt the fertile lands and eradicate all traces of life. Archlord Vashna himself readied a ritual, to tear open the land with massive earthquakes, allowing the Nengud-kor-Adez to flow within, expanding the desolate wastelands of the Darklands even further.

In MS 3433, King Kian, the fourth king of Tay Solobo, departed the isles with his people in the Great Voyage, a long ship journey towards Northern Magnamund. Kai and Ishir bestowed further gifts on the Sommlending: Ishir granted them knowledge, wisdom and mastery of Left-Handed Magic; and Kai granted them the Sommerswerd, a mighty sword capable of slaying the most evil of creatures, including a Darklord. Kai also blessed several warriors with gifts of mind and body, which would form the basis of the Order of the Kai. In MS 3434, after a difficult voyage, the Sommlending landed in modern-day Anskaven and immediately ran into conflict with the Giaks and Doomwolves there, also inflicting the first defeat on the Darklands forces in 400 years. The Drakkar commander of Dejadar, Warlord Zangar, sent his strongest troops to Anskaven, only to find them rebuffed as well, in another first defeat, this time for the Drakkarim. Vashna attempted to cover their retreat with Crypt Spawn, only for the Sommlending to adapt, using their mastery of Left-Handed Magic to conjure up electrical storms, burning the Crypt Spawn to cinders.

The Darklands forces were pursued all the way to Dejgazad, where the Drakkarim and the Nadziranim defended against the Sommlending. The Nadziranim were defeated by the Left-Handed Magicians, and Warlord Zangar was defeated in single combat by King Kian, with the Sommerswerd easily outmatching Zangar. This led the Drakkarim into a rout, as they fled beyond the Durncrag Mountains, and the Sommlending destroyed Dejgazad.

Foundation of Sommerlund

With the Darklands driven away, the Sommlending began to settle the land. The realm of Sommerlund (English: Kingdom of the Sun), was born, a fertile, verdant land. Infrequent, crude attacks by Giaks did little to stop Sommerlund's development, with Kian's successor, King Braern I, establishing four great cities of Sommerlund: Holmgard (later the capital), Toran, Tyso, and Anskaven. A political structure was put into place that remains today, with each city ruled by a Baron who would also watch over the surrounding lands. The first Barons were warriors who served with honour and distinction, and ruled over the Sommlending of their domains. The Barons were also bound to provide manpower to the armies of Sommerlund. The exceptions were rich merchants and wealthy farmers, who were exempt from miltiary service, and were given the title Fryemen of the Realm, freeing them from Baronial control. In rare circumstances, the King would also grant the title of Fryearl of Sommerlund, raising a deserving person to the same level of a Baron in wealth and standing.

Many skilled craftsmen and people in Sommerlund banded together, forming guilds. Examples were the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, which inducted children who showed magical aptitude into its order, or the Guild of Blacksmiths. Forty-nine guilds were established as of MS 5000, with most guilds having offices in multiple cities throughout Sommerlund. Every child was trained in weapon use from a young age, to protect the country against any conflict against the Darklands, with the most promising placed under the household of a Knight of the Realm, and groomed into future service of the Sommlending army.

Despite the Sommlending's aptitude for combat, they also befriended the peoples of the Lastlands, particularly Durenor and Cloeasia. Sommerlund and Durenor forged the Sommlending-Durenese Alliance during this time, an alliance that endures until present-day, and formalised through multiple royal marriages between the two royal families.

Helghast Wars

Archlord Vashna vowed to destroy Sommerlund once and for all. Using his powers, he created the Helghast, undead shape-shifters that were impervious to all normal weapons of wood and steel. He unleashed the Helghast during the rule of Queen Maura I, the daughter of King Braern I, in MS 3520. Over a thirty-year period known as the Helghast Wars, the Helghast inflicted devastation on Sommerlund, with their goal being to locate and destroy the Sommerswerd. The Helghast discovered that only certain gifted Sommlending — eventually the ancestors of the Kai Lords — could wield the Sommerswerd, and the Helghast thus began to target them. The Helghast also infiltrated Sommlending society, plunging it into civil war. Marshal of the Plain and commander of the Army of the South, Tor Valkaven, was assassinated, and a Helghast took his place, claiming Maura I was secretly a follower of Naar and was trying to deliver the Sommerswerd to the Darklords. The Guildmasters of Toran, unaware of his identity, helped the Helghast, sending their forces to isolate Holmgard from Tyso and Anskaven.

Maura I's political skill allowed Sommerlund to not fall into complete chaos. Furthermore, the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star invented a spell that could sense evil, with a brave young magician, Jorivar, revealing "Tor Valkaven"'s identity. The Helghast slew Jorivar and fled to Holmgard, where he was confronted at Searsheld by Crown Prince Haigh, wielding the Sommerswerd, and the Helghast was destroyed by its power.

This Helghast was by no means the only successful one, however. The Helghast continued to undermind everyday life in all aspects of Sommerlund, leading to a breakdown in trust in society in general. Some Helghast impersonated judges, and convicted innocent people. Queen Maura I, blessed by latent Kai power, worked tirelessly to right these wrongs, with the Sommlending eventually realising that Vashna was behind this all along. In response, Vashna sent more powerful Helghasts into Sommerlund, this time imbued with the power of necromancy. The victims of these Helghasts formed an undead army, which clashed with the Army of the North, led by Crown Prince Haigh, eventually crowned king himself as Haigh I.

The undead nearly overwhelmed the Sommlending army. Some Knights who were infected by the Helghast, but did not die, dedicated their lives to hunting down the Helghast using magical weapons, noting that they could not be cursed twice. With the help of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, these Knights, under a special command of Haigh I, managed to end the Helghast Wars by hunting down every single one. However, they knew that the curse would inevitably turn them undead, they requested of Haigh I that they be buried alive, in the Graveyard of the Ancients, which, due to the power of the Shianti, was able to contain the curse. Reluctantly, King Braern I granted their request, and the Knights, led by their leader Ensakeran, were buried alive there, and died of suffocation.

First Black Muster and first Vassagonian conflict

Vashna was enraged, and in response, began to create the greatest army Magnamund had ever seen. For over two hundred years, he began building his forces in a period known as the Black Muster, and during this time, Sommerlund experienced relative peace from the Darklands. However, Sommerlund's alliance with Durenor opened up a new avenue for conflict. In MS 3579, Vassagonia waged an unprovoked war on Durenor, sieging the cities of Bolde and Ryme. Sommerlund kept their word, and King Ruanon I travelled to Durenor with his Royal Guard. However, Ruanon I was killed in the Siege of Bolde in MS 3581, sparking a long period of animosity between Sommerlund and Vassagonia.

In MS 3782, House Kian's rule over the monarchy of Sommerlund was broken when King Ulnar I, a son of an Ulnarian Clan Leader of Durenor and a great-granddaughter of King Venn I of Sommerlund, inherited the throne, as well as his latent Kai abilities. He was appointed as successor by King Haigh III. The House of Ulnar has ruled Sommerlund until present day.

Ulnar I faced his greatest test barely three years into his reign. In MS 3785, Vashna finally unleashed his gathered army, in a brutal fourteen-year long war known as the War of the Black Muster. Holmgard and Toran endured long sieges, finally broken by Baron Shaen Ruanor of Toran, who possessed exceptional latent Kai abilities. Vashna's main army was finally broken in the Battle of Moytura Pass, with Sommerlund aided by Durenor and Cloeasia. Vashna's forces were pursued to the Maakengorge, where in the Battle of Maakengorge, the two armies fought once again, and Ulnar I and Vashna duelled each other in single combat. Wielding the Sommerswerd, Vashna was defeated, albeit at the cost of Ulnar I's own life. Vashna's body was then cast into the Maakengorge, alongside the vast majority of his army. However, his spirit was not broken, and remained imprisoned within the Maakengorge, awaiting revival.

Rise of the Order of the Kai

After the defeat of Archlord Vashna, Baron Shaen Ruanor, who had distinguished himself in battle, received a vision from the god Kai. Inspired by this vision, and aided by the Elder Magi, he set off on a quest to recover the lost Lorestones of Nyxator, which held the secrets of the Magnakai Disciplines. In MS 3810, he returned, and adopted the name Sun Eagle, becoming the first Kai Lord. He then built the now-famous Kai Monastery and recorded everything he had learnt into the Book of the Magnakai. This led to the creation of the Order of the Kai, an organisation of warrior-monks, who trained their latent gifts while using the Book of the Magnakai to enhance their wisdom.

Crown Prince Bern, son of King Ulnar I, had also distinguished himself in battle, and inherited the throne in MS 3800. He was warned that the enchantment placed on the Sommerswerd during the Battle of Moytura Pass would not last indefinitely. Bern I also realised that the Sommerswerd would not be useful alone, unless the Darklands armies were defeated as well. As such, Bern I decided to send the Sommerswerd far away to ally Durenor, out of the reach of the Nadziranim. In exchange for the Sommerswerd, King Alin I of Durenor gave Bern I the Seal of Hammerdal, which embodied the power and authority of the Durenese royal family, and Durenor's most valuable treasure. This helped strengthen the alliance between Sommerlund and Durenor.

Bern I took advantage of the peace by expanding Sommerlund south into Moytura Pass, founding the new mining province of Ruanon. This led to further trade with the Stornlands, eventually laying the foundations of the Freelands Alliance, a military alliance pledged to resist against the forces of Darkness. However, in MS 3959, the Maakengorge expanded, destroying the city of Maaken and the corresponding trade road to the Stornlands. A new trade road was built via Casiorn. Maaken became a ghost city, fraught with sinister characters who worshiped the spirit of Archlord Vashna.

In the Darklands, a civil war erupted for the title of Archlord. This civil war was won by Darklord Zagarna, who recovered the seven Doomstones of Agarash, used this power to subjugate the other Darklords, and seized the throne for himself. In MS 4219, to exert his power, he ordered a bold strike in Sommerlund in MS 4219, in conjunction with ally Vassagonia, who attacked the Kirlundin Isles by sea. However, both were decisively defeated, thanks to the Order of the Kai and the determination of the army of King Frey II, particularly the archers, who proved to be effective against the Giaks.

This defeat left Zagarna brooding and furious, as well as several of his fellow Darklords dissenting. Zagarna suppressed their complains, and took his anger out on the other nations in Northern Magnamund. Agents were planted throughout the Stornlands, causing constant conflict, culminating in the War of the Lorestone between MS 4401–4418. He also initiated the First Vassa-Sommlending War between MS 4432–4434, with Zakhan Halarsa eager to please Zagarna, and Zagarna promising the power of the Nadziranim. The Vassagonian army invaded Casiorn and Ruanon, outnumbering the southern defenders considerably, until Sommerlund and Durenor turned the tide in the Battle of Wheaton.

Towards the end of the war, amidst the chaos, the Book of the Magnakai was stolen; legend has it that the thieves were destroyed before they reached the Darklands, but the Book remained lost. This had the effect of slowing the progress of the Order of the Kai considerably.

Sommerlund and Vassagonia continued to fight towards the end of the millennium, in the Lastlands War and Second Vassa-Sommlending War, which Sommerlund won but at a high price. This was counteracted by the discovery of rich mineral deposits in the Maaken Range, providing a key source of revenue for over eight hundred years. However, during this time, Zagarna began slowly turning his eyes back to Sommerlund, with increasing numbers of skirmishes at the border, and the construction of the fortresses of V'taag, Anakgogak and Kurzanaar in the Durncrag Mountains.

Massacre of the Kai and rise of Lone Wolf

Main article: Massacre of the Kai

While the Darklands had not directly attacked Sommerlund in significant numbers, Zagarna had slowly built up his forces, called the Second Black Muster. Zagarna was driven by a prophecy given on the eve of the Battle of Maakengorge, seemingly detailing the downfall of the Darklords at the hands of the Kai. This prophecy, although suppressed, was known to a select few Darklords, particularly Zagarna.

Around MS 5050, Vonotar defected from the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. Vonotar, an ambitious magician, wished to combine the Left-Handed Magic of the Brotherhood with the Right-Handed Magic of the Nadziranim to create a Centre Path of Magic, but had found little favour within the Brotherhood, particularly with incidents such as Balnor Marghan in the past. In exchange for knowledge of Right-Handed Magic, Vonotar described the Feast of Fehmarn to Zagarna, a period in which the Kai were all gathered in one place, and not battle ready. Zagarna and Vonotar put together a plan to eliminate all traces of the Kai in one fell swoop. During the Feast of Fehmarn, Zagarna's armies struck the Kai Monastery in an event known as the Massacre of the Kai with overwhelming force. Vonotar also ordered the Order of the Serpent to track down any survivors, as well as killing the Kai Virin. The massacres were thorough, but not thorough enough: One Kai Lord, Silent Wolf, survived the attack, during the events of Flight from the Dark, managed to make his way to Holmgard to warn King Ulnar V.

Ulnar V ordered Silent Wolf, now named "Lone Wolf" in response to his status, to take the Seal of Hammerdal to Durenor, and retrieve the Sommerswerd. During the events of Fire on the Water, despite attempts by Vonotar and the Order of the Serpent to halt him, Lone Wolf was successful in retrieving the Sommerswerd. Lone Wolf returned to find Holmgard being besieged. With one supercharged bolt of energy, Lone Wolf destroyed Zagarna with the Sommerswerd, leading his army to scatter, and lifting the siege. Lone Wolf then pursued Vonotar, who had fled to Kalte, during the events of The Caverns of Kalte. Vonotar was brought back to Sommerlund, where he was cast through the Shadow Gate of Toran to the Daziarn, believed to be a one-way trip, for his crimes.

In MS 5054, the renegade Vassagonian noble Barraka invaded Ruanon and kidnapped Baroness Madelon Vanalund. Barraka intended to sacrifice Madelon, a distant descendent of King Ulnar I at Maakengorge, using the Dagger of Vashna, in a ritual to reawaken Archlord Vashna. During the events of The Chasm of Doom, Lone Wolf managed to thwart Barraka's plans and rescued Madelon, also taking the Dagger of Vashna into personal custody: It was said that for as long as Lone Wolf possessed the Dagger, Vashna could not be revived.

The following year, in Shadow on the Sand, Zakhan Moudalla of Vassagonia sent an emissary to Sommerlund to apologise for Barraka's actions, and sign a peace treaty. However, King Ulnar V was distrustful, and requested that Lone Wolf himself travel to Vassagonia to sign the treaty. This was indeed the case, as Darklord Haakon, who had recently become Archlord, had signed a pact with Emir Kimah, who would become the next Zakhan. The elderly Moudalla passed away at some point during Lone Wolf's journey, and Lone Wolf was trapped by now-Zakhan Kimah. In exchange for Lone Wolf and the Book of the Magnakai, recently discovered in the Tomb of the Mahjan in the deserts of Vassagonia, Haakon would give Kimah the Orb of Death. Lone Wolf, however, managed to escape, and pursued Zagarna to the Tomb of the Majkan. There, they fought a fierce battle, where Haakon was slain, and Lone Wolf was able to recover the Book of the Magnakai.

Darklands War

Main article: Darklands War

In MS 5060, Darklord Gnaag became Archlord of the Darklands, and the Darklands began to focus their attention outwards, beginning a period known as the Darklands War. Sommerlund was not spared from these attacks. During the events of The Jungle of Horrors, Lone Wolf heard of the attack and wished to return, but King Ulnar V urged him to continue his quest as this was more important. During the events of The Dungeons of Torgar, however, Lone Wolf was cast into a Shadow Gate to the Daziarn by Archlord Gnaag, where was believed to be a one-way exile. Furthermore, Gnaag revealed the Tanoz-tukor, which allowed the Darklords to operate outside of the Darklands, allowing them to lead their armies personally, dramatically escalating the war in their favour.

Sommerlund aided its allies during the Darklands War, but were limited by Darklord Xog's invasion of Casiorn in MS 5064, cutting Sommerlund and Durenor off from the other countries. Around MS 5065, Gnaag ordered Darklord Slûtar into Moytura Pass, which Sommerlund responded to by blockading it. However, this was intentional, as it occupied the armies of Sommerlund even further. Without Sommerlund's aid, Darklords Tomogh and Khatellu were free to invade Dessi. In MS 5066, Darklord Xog invaded the Wildlands, cutting Sommerlund off from Durenor by land, isolating both even further.

As the year progressed, Slûtar continued to amass his forces beyond Moytura Pass, forming an army of similar size to Archlord Zagarna's in MS 5050. Like Zagarna's predecessor, Vashna, he then fought the forces of Sommerlund in Moytura Pass, but this time, Sommerlund was isolated from its allies. With defeat looking certain, the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star were forced into a desperate move: Retrieve Loi-Kymar's Guildstaff to teleport their allies to Moytura Pass. The Guildmaster of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, his most promising student Banedon, and Paido (unexpectedly reappearing as an agent of the Elder Magi) set off on this mission. They faced dangers throughout, as if someone knew all their moves; the Guildmaster was slain, and Paido vanished fighting agents of Slûtar. Banedon, however, managed to prevail, retrieving the Guildstaff, and summoned reinforcements from Varetta, Durenor and others to Moytura Pass. This was enough to defeat Slûtar and his army. For his achievements, Banedon was made the next Guildmaster.

Between MS 5067 and MS 5069, Darklord Kraagenskûl launched a fleet from the newly-built port of Argazad, to attack Sommerlund by sea. This fleet was powered by technology stolen by Jen and Leandra Redalion. Sommerlund's northern fleet was destroyed, and the Kirlundin Isles were invaded. Banedon fought Kraagenskûl at Silvershore, but Kraagenskûl shattered Banedon's Guildstaff, forcing him to flee.

By the Fehmarn of MS 5070, the war had all been lost, and the defeat of the Freelands was but days away. However, Lord Rimoah had a premonition of Lone Wolf's return from the Daziarn. He and Banedon travelled to Toran to prepare, knowing this was their only hope. Lone Wolf indeed returned, appearing in the Externment Chamber of Toran. Rimoah and Banedon then gave Lone Wolf his most important — and dangerous — quest yet: Travel to Helgedad, slay Archlord Gnaag, and destroy the Transfusor powering the Tanoz-tukor, to destroy the remaining Darklords. During the events of The Masters of Darkness, Lone Wolf was successful in his quest, destroying the Darklords and causing their forces to fall into rapid defeat.

Rebuilding after the Darklords

After the demise of the Darklords, Sommerlund began to rebuild. The Kai Monastery was rebuilt in full, and a Second Order of the Kai was being trained. Lone Wolf also discovered further Grand Master Disciplines beyond the Magnakai Disciplines, undiscovered until this point, and vowed to become the first Kai Supreme Master. The Darklands, without a strong leader to command them, quickly fell into infighting amongst themselves. Some parts of the Darklands did fall under organised control: Around MS 5075, Archdruid Cadak seized control of Kaag, and his agents were able to capture Banedon, who was helping cleanse the corruption near the Maakengorge, caused by the Nengud-kor-Adez. During the events of The Captives of Kaag, Lone Wolf rescued Banedon from Kaag.

In MS 5077, during the events of Dawn of the Dragons, Naar used the Moonstone to open a Shadow Gate in Sommerlund, and sent Lavas through it to attack the Kai Monastery. Lone Wolf, who was in Lencia having completed his quest to destroy Deathlord Ixiataaga, was forced to rush home, across the entire length of the continent, to help relieve the siege. Banedon and Lord Rimoah, together with several senior magicians of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, arrived at the Kai Monastery during the start of the siege, despite their skyship crash-landing en route. The Sommlending Army attempted multiple times to break the siege, but had failed, and was unable to attempt another attack. When Lone Wolf returned to Sommerlund, he attended a War Council and resolved to break through the siege, and King Ulnar V assigned Captain Remir D'Val to help. Lone Wolf eventually made it to a clearing leading to a secret entrance into the the Vault of the Sun and a path into the Kai Monastery. Lone Wolf attempted to use a Sun-crystal to seal the Shadow Gate, but was unwittingly sucked inside it instead, where Lone Wolf discovered that Naar was preparing to send Dragons through the Shadow Gate. Lone Wolf managed to slay Vaxagore, their leader, and fled back through the Shadow Gate, retrieving the Sun-crystal and hurling it through the Shadow Gate, sealing it and destroying the horde.

In MS 5080, prior to the events of Wolf's Bane, Lone Wolf was away on a mission to Dessi. In his absence, Naar sent a Jahksa of Lone Wolf, called Wolf's Bane, to Anskaven. Wolf's Bane, impersonating Lone Wolf, murdered the men of Baron Avan Caldar who greeted his arrival. Wolf's Bane then travelled to Toran and attempted to assassinate Banedon, although he was only successful in destroying the Guildemaster's Hall. Wolf's Bane then travelled to Tyso, murdered the Fryearl of Durnfallow, and burnt his house to the ground. While some believed this was the work of a Helghast, Banedon was instead convinced that Lone Wolf was possessed by Naar. In Lone Wolf's absence, Firestone, the most senior of the New Order of the Kai, dispatched Kai Masters Black Hawk, Star Lynx, Blazer and Steel Hand to hunt "Lone Wolf" in Tyso. The real Lone Wolf returned eighteen days later and was promptly arrested by Anskaven's guard. His true identity was confirmed by Banedon using a Platinum Amulet, which no agent of Naar would be able to tolerate. Lone Wolf joined his Kai Masters in tracking down Wolf's Bane, but was forced to enter a Shadow Gate to the planet of Avaros, to hunt him down. After a long journey and final duel, Lone Wolf eventually slew Wolf's Bane with Alyss' help, but discovered that Naar had managed to steal the Moonstone. Alyss shielded the Moonstone, trapping herself in Naar's inner sanctum, as Lone Wolf was forced to flee through a Shadow Gate back to Magnamund. In MS 5081, during the events of The Curse of Naar, Lone Wolf resolved to retrieve the Moonstone, and travelled back to the Plane of Darkness. He was successful in his quest, saving the Moonstone and Alyss, who passed the Moonstone into his possession, and attained the rank of Kai Supreme Master.

With the Moonstone in Magnamund, Lone Wolf set about protecting it from agents of Naar. The Moonstone was highly-beneficial to Sommerlund, providing a blessing dubbed the "Blessing of the Moonstone", with bountiful harvests, disease became rare, and all newborns were healthy, even amongst the impoverished. However, this began to disrupt the natural order on Magnamund, with the seasons becoming merged into one long spring, and death itself became rarity. Lone Wolf realised that the Moonstone had to be taken off Magnamund, and resolved to deliver it to the Shianti on the Isle of Lorn. Publicly, the plan was for Lone Wolf to do this himself, but in secret, he entrusted this quest to his protégé, Grand Master, while Lone Wolf acted as a decoy. In MS 5083, during the events of Voyage of the Moonstone, Grand Master and Lone Wolf left Sommerlund on their journeys, with Grand Master reaching the Isle of Lorn during the events of The Buccaneers of Shadaki.

Later that year, during the events of Rune War, the Kai participated in a crusade against Lord Vandyan of Eldenora, who had discovered the Runes of Agarash and was waging war across the Stornlands using summoned Vorka, an ancient breed of Agarashi that had been long-extinct. After Grand Master destroyed the Runes, however, this trapped Zorkaan on Magnamund, and Lone Wolf was abducted by him. During the events of Trail of the Wolf, Grand Master infiltrated Gazad Helkona and managed to rescue Lone Wolf.

Return of the Darklands

Between MS 5085 and 5102, a slow rise in evil grew all over parts of Magnamund, including Sommerlund.

In MS 5091, King Ulnar V and his two daughters, Crown Princess Imelda and Princess Madelon, together with Kai Grand Master Firestone, who was protecting them, were killed by the Heldajdok-taagim. Ulnar V was succeeded by King Tor IV, son of Imelda.

Not all news was bad, however. Sommerlund reported a record harvest in MS 5095, and in MS 5098, new rich gold seams were found in the Maaken Mines, allowing Sommerlund to double the size of the Army of the South, and increase the size of its fleets.

Around this time, a new Kai Monastery was being constructed on the Isle of Lorn, and Lone Wolf travelled there to inaugurate it. In MS 5100, he returned to Sommerlund to prepare the Order of the Kai against a new dawn of darkness. Sommerlund did not have to wait long, when the Ice Barbarians of Kalte severed trading links with Sommerlund and Durenor, and a warlord, Tvor'tana, united all the disparate tribes for the first time, and was proclaimed "Grand Brumalmarc of the Icelands". Tvor'tana was aided by the Nadziranim, and with their help, he opened the Vagadyn Gate in Ikaya, releasing the Ice Demons that were trapped between dimensions millennia ago. This brought an early and unnatural winter to Sommerlund and Durenor, with the Kaltersee freezing over. Kalte then invaded Sommerlund and Durenor in MS 5101, but was defeated with the self-sacrifice of King Tor IV. The unnatural winter ended soon after, causing three months of flooding before the climate resumed as normal. King Haigh V succeeded Tor IV, and married Princess Emyla of Talestria.

In MS 5102, during the events of Dead in the Deep, Archlord Vashna was resurrected, after the Dagger of Vashna unwittingly fell into the Maakengorge, where the Nengud-kor-Adez had migrated to. The Dagger contained a portion of Vashna's spirit, and the Nengud-kor-Adez was the very essence where the Darklords were born, so the combination of the two was enough to resummon him, but also merged him with the Nengud-kor-Adez. Lone Wolf urged King Haigh V to reinforce Sommerlund's defences against a possible attack by the Darklands. In the autumn, however, Haigh V chose to send forces to Talestria to defend against a horde of Agarashi, with Talestria's ally Palmyrion occupied with its own issues with the Cener Druids. The Darklands took advantage of this in the winter, sending new, enhanced Helghasts that were much harder to detect into the Lastlands. Aided by the Heldajdok-taagim, they were able to manipulate Sommerlund's military into fighting each other. Haigh V, to atone for his mistakes, appointed Lone Wolf as Marshal of the Realm, whose first decision was to reposition the Army of the South away from Moytura to the Maakengorge. Two-thirds of the Kai in Sommerlund were sent to reinforce them, while the remainder hunted down the Helghast.

In MS 5103, the Nengud-kor-Adez spread to the Maaken Mines, flooding it and cutting Sommerlund off from its wealth. Then, from the Maakengorge, the Legion of the Restless Dead — the resurrected dead who had been cast into the Maakengorge millennia ago in the Battle of the Maakengorge — marched on Ruanon Town. During the Battle of the Ruanon Homelands, Archlord Vashna extended the Nengud-kor-Adez to the battlefield itself, and erupted from it himself. Vashna was driven away by Lone Wolf and the Sommerswerd, but not before Vashna threatened to extend the Nengud-kor-Adez deep into Sommerlund itself, unless he was fought at Zekgazad — deep underground where the Sommerswerd was ineffective. However, the Kai had no choice but to walk into this trap, as they had no way of countering the threat of the Nengud-kor-Adez.

"A New Age of War has begun."
This section contains spoilers for Light of the Kai.

In c. MS 5105, during the events of Light of the Kai, Sommerlund marched alongside the armies of Anari, Cloeasia, Durenor, Kakush, Firalond, Dessi, and, surprisingly, Vassagonia.

Geography

Location

Sommerlund is located in the east of Northern Magnamund, on the northern coast of the Kaltersee. It is broadly made up of two parts: The mainland, and the Kirlundin Isles, an archipelago located towards its eastern border. It is bordered by the Durncrag Mountains to the west, leading towards the Darklands, Casiorn to the south. To the east, the Wildlands Range demarcates its border with the Wildlands. The Wildlands extends south-west into Sommerlund, creating a small funnel south of Moytura Pass to the province of Ruanon. Sommerlund's land then forks around the Maakenmire to the east, with the north part bordered to the south by the Maaken Range and a path towards Cloeasia. The southern path is also bordered by the Maaken Range, but also the Maakengorge to the south-west, with a road leading towards Casiorn. The Kirlundin Isles splits the Kaltersee and the Gulf of Durenor, and the sea towards its west is called the Kirlundin Straits.

Physical geography

Four major rivers run through Sommerlund: The River Eledil, the River Unoram, the River Tor and the River Xane. Broadly, Sommerlund is a fertile land, particularly between the River Unoram and Moytura Pass, with this region being dubbed "The Bread Basket of Sommerlund". The northern coast is rocky and serves as a natural deterrence from sea-based attacks. The coastline has sparse beaches and bays, particularly in the east and north-east. North of Toran, the coastline also contains many caves.

Mountains

The Durncrag Mountains serve as Sommerlund's western border. This is the longest mountain range in Northern Magnamund, and also contains some of the highest mountains on the continent, such as Mount Durn (14,182 ft) and Mount Gloom (14,069 ft). The Northern Durncrags run north-to-south, serving as the border with the Darklands, extending all the way north to Point Vashna on the coast. The extension to the south leads to the Southern Durncrags, which bends and extends west from Moytura Pass. This border is a formidable natural barrier between the two countries, making it difficult for either country to invade the other. Nevertheless, Giak and Doomwolf scouts regularly patrol the area. Much mineral wealth exists in the Durncrag Mountains, particularly the deepest caves and highest peaks. Tributaries of the Nengud-kor-Adez can also be found deep underground in the Durncrag Mountains.

The Wildlands Range serves as Sommerlund's north-eastern border with the Wildlands. These mountains are less elevated than the Durncrags, and are mostly composed of limestone, although mineral resources were discovered in MS 5000. Several narrow passes traverse the Wildlands Range, which, unfortunately for Sommerlund, are typically used by bandits raiding from the Wildlands.

The Maaken Range serves as Sommerlund's south-eastern border with the Maakenmire. The Maaken Range surrounds the Maakenmire, dividing southern Sommerlund into two forks: The north bordering the Wildlands, and the south bordering the Maakengorge. The Maaken Range provides much of Sommerlund's gold and iron ore, although mining operations are dangerous, with Stormworm infestations and Calacena mushrooms, whose spores are hallucinogenic.

The Maakengorge

Main article: Maakengorge

Main article: Maaken

The Maakengorge is an immense gorge that serves as Sommerlund's south-western border. This supernatural chasm was where the spirits of Archlord Vashna and his forces, cast there during the Battle of Maakengorge in MS 3799. It was once home to a beautiful city, Maaken, but in MS 3959, the Maakengorge extended two hundred miles east of Doom Falls, destroying the southern part of Maaken and severing the trade road with the Stornlands. Till this day, Maaken remains a haunted, abandoned city, where the Acolytes of Vashna occasionally meet.

Rivers

The River Eledil is the longest river in Sommerlund. It originates from the Kurzanaar Pass in the Durncrag Mountains, and runs through the middle of Sommerlund from west to east. It passes through Holmgard, and flows into the Holmgulf, leading to the Kirlundin Strait. One small tributary, the River Daune, splits off near Holmgard, heading north through the Graveyard of the Ancients and through the Holmgard Plain.

The River Unoram originates from Thundras Pass, in the middle of the Northern Durncrags. This too flows east-west, flowing near Malis Mound, through Alema Mitre, crossing the north-south road from Holmgard to Toran at the famous Alema Bridge. It then turns south towards Holmgard, joining the Eledil near the coast. One tributary, the River Pewas, forks north at Alema Mitre, flowing through Raumas, into Lake Pewas, and ending near Yrsonor. The Unoram floods from time to time, although it is navigable from the north. The Unoram is also famous for the size and quality of its salmon.

The River Tor originates from the north of the Northern Durncrags, near Shadow Pass. It flows east towards Hitchford and near Dage, into an area known as the Tor River Valley. From here, it turns north and exits into the Toran Sound leading to the Kaltersee. It is a beautiful river, with glimmering, azure waters, that turn darker blue further upstream. In the kaltangor (winter), the river becomes opaque and swells.

The River Xane is the southernmost major river in Sommerlund. It originates in the Southern Durncrags, flowing into the Ruanon Forest. During the Golden Age of the Shianti, it flowed south into the River Ko in Casiorn, but following the extension of the Maakengorge in MS 3959, it sank underground and became an underground river that flows through the Maaken Mines, before flowing over a series of several large waterfalls, and emerges in the Maakenmire.

Climate

Sommerlund has a varied climate. The northern part of Sommerlund is generally harsher than the south, with rockier, less arable lands, and very cold winters, which become nearly polar in the Wild Plains, Anskaven and the northernmost Kirlundin Isles. The Tor River Vale is a notable exception, whose fertile lands are used to feed Toran. The southern part is more moderate, with warm, dry summers, and cooler winters, making agriculture more viable. This division is roughly north and south of the River Eledil.

Natural resources

Sommerlund has a large variety of resources.

Animal products

Many types of animals are reared and hunted all over Sommerlund.

• Fishing (mostly sea carp and cod) is an intensive activity that takes place in the Kaltersee and Gulf of Durenor.
• Sheep are reared in the mountains and hills, and a large amount, to excess, of wool is produced in the Southlund hills.
• Cattle and oxen are reared on the Holmgard Plain, the Anskaven Plain, and the Ruanon Homelands.
• Pigs are reared on the Anskaven Plain.
• Chickens are reared in the River Tor Vale and on the Holmgard Plain.
• Horses are reared on the Anskaven Plain.

More luxurious forms of seafood are hunted in the Lagan Marshes of Tyso.

Plant products

The Southlund Plain is responsible for over 75% of all the wheat and barley grown and consumed within Sommerlund, giving it the nickname "the Breadbasket of Sommerlund". Additionally, virtually all production of wine, jute, flax oil, tomatoes, and tobacco is also produced here.

Jute, flax and hemp is used to produce rope, canvas, and salt water-proof naval uniforms are cultivated in the plains south of the Holmgulf. Flax and hemp are also produced, in lower quantities, in the Anskaven Plains.

Rye, oats and potatoes are farmed in the plains south of the River Eledil.

In smaller quantities, Sommerlund also produces vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes and tubers. Fruit and vines are also produced.

Mining

Sommerlund has some of the most productive gold mines in all of Northern Magnamund. The Maaken Range provides much of this gold, as well as yielding copper and iron ore. Smaller amounts of limestone and other mineral ores can also be found in the Wildlands Range. Bronin is farmed in the Northern Durncrags, north of Rockstarn.

Sommerlund has two major quarries: Whitestone Quarry on Kirlu Island, where Kirlundin stone is mined; and Mateston, where Toranese granite is mined.

Tertiary products

Holmgard, Toran, Tyso and Anskaven have stable local tertiary industries of their own.

Politics

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Divisions

Sommerlund is divided into various lands ruled by nobles, with the Royal Estates reserved for the monarch, and the Kai Protectorate as a separate land, governed by the Order of the Kai, but ultimately belonging to the monarch. The top-level divisions are as follows:

Division	Capital/major settlement	Noble title	Population (MS 5000)
Royal Estates	Holmgard	Monarch of Sommerlund	>120,000
Baronial Province of Anskaven	Anskaven	Baron of Anskaven	>70,000
County of Tyso	Tyso	Fryearl of Tyso	>50,000
Southlund Marches	Moytura	Baron of the Southlund Marches	45,000–50,000
Baronial Province of Ruanon	Ruanon Town	Baron of Ruanon	26,000
Province of the Kirlundin Isles	Silvershore	Baron of the Kirlundin Isles	15,000
Baronial Confederation of Toran	Toran	Baron of Toran	>80,000
Kai Protectorate	Kai Monastery	Monarch of Sommerlund	>1,273

Political hierarchy

This section is broadly based on The Realm of Sommerlund, pages 21–24.

Sommerlund is a feudal society and monarchy, with a clear noble hierarchy. Citizens are expected to serve a noble, who in turn provides a proportion of their income and military forces to the Crown. The head of state is the Monarch of Sommerlund.

Noble hierarchy

The nobility of Sommerlund has the following hierarchy:

King/Queen
Prince/Princess
Fryearl/Fryearless	Marquess/Marchioness Defunct as of MS 5000	Baron/Baroness
Count/Countess
Basanet/Basanetess
Knight/Lady of the Realm

Sommerlund's royal court system was influenced by Durenor. Within Sommerlund's noble system, each rank is a social rank that is binding, and nobles are expected to work for the prosperity of their people. Mutual respect is expected between nobles and those they rule; although it is not uncommon for villagers to be on first-name and friendly terms with their lords.

Not all nobles were benevolent, however, and breaches of this contract often called for the intervention of the Order of the Kai.

Certain people were exempted from noble service. Fryemen of the Realm are commoners who were exempted from service to a Baron, and a Fryearl/Fryearless was similar but raised to the level of a Baron in wealth and standing. Historically, Fryemen were rich farmers or wealthy farmers, whilst Fryearls were awarded for acts of great honour or bravery.

Barons/Baronesses have a degree of autonomy within their lands. They are charged with implementing the law of the land within their realms, although the actual implementation, such as the punishment, may vary between baronies. There are also differences in how each barony is run.

Most Baronial titles are inherited. However, the Baron of the Southlund Marches and the Baron of the Kirlundin Isles are appointed by the monarch directly. The Baron of the Southlund Marches is an honorary title, as the Southlund Marches are mostly populated by fryemen. The Baron of the Kirlundin Isles is appointed due to historic feuds during MS 3441–3469.

Royal Court of Sommerlund

Executive power also has a structure within Sommerlund, with high offices of state and a Privy Council advising the monarch. This structure sits underneath princes and princesses within the royal court.

King/Queen
Prince/Princess
Privy Council
Royal Household	Keeper of the Privy Seal	Steward of the Royal Court	Admiralty	Army	Chancelor of the Realm/Chancelary	Barons

Royal Household

The Royal Household represents members of the royal family and their entourages that reside and serve in the King's Citadel at Holmgard.

Privy Council

The Privy Council is a council made up of nobles, Knights, senior civil servants and army officers, and are the monarch's closest and most trusted advisors. The Keeper of the Privy Seal and the Steward of the Royal Court are the most senior members of the Privy Council.

Chancelor of the Realm

The Chancelor of the Realm is the highest civil office in Sommerlund, and they control the Royal Chancellary, the civil servants who assist them. The Chancelor has responsibilities in justice, laws and wealth.

Barons rule over smaller baronies within Sommerlund, and they too have a hierarchical governmental structure of their own:

Barons
Basanet Constables	Reeve-Lieutenants	Lord Mayors Lord Constables Deneschals
Sheriffs	High Constables	High Judges Lord-Justice
Sheriffs' Reeves	Reeves	Majors Judges
Coronors

Reeves are the Sommlending equivalent of policement. Sheriffs are royal officials, working on behalf of the king, responsible for keeping the peace in rural areas. Sheriffs can be encountered in each Sommlending village.

Foreign relations

Sommerlund is aligned with the forces of Good, and is one of the leaders against Darkness. It is part of the Freelands Alliance, a military alliance of nations resisting evil, as well as the larger Freelands, which includes nations not contributing militarily. Within the Freelands Alliance, it is one of the strongest nations, militarily, and a role that has advanced over time with the creation of the Order of the Kai. It is also grouped as part of the Lastlands, which includes Durenor, Sommerlund's longest-standing ally from shortly after when the Sommlending arrived on Magnamund.

Its primary enemy is the Darklands, as the nation that gave the Darklords their first defeat in battle, and has stubbornly resisted them for millennia. The Darklands delivered a critical blow to Sommerlund in MS 5050, with the Massacre of the Kai, sparking a conflict with Lone Wolf, the last of the Kai, who eventually destroyed the Darklords in MS 5070 at the close of the Darklands War. Sommerlund also fights against nations such as Ruel and the Drakkarim nations, and provides assistance to friendly nations who require their aid.

Sommerlund's relationship with Vassagonia is complex. Sommerlund and Vassagonia first encountered each other in battle after Vassagonia invaded Durenor without warning in MS 3579, and Sommerlund came to Durenor's aid. In the Siege of Bolde, King Ruanon I of Sommerlund was killed in battle, sparking the animosity between the two nations for centuries to come. Furthermore, Vassagonia occasionally allied itself with the Darklands, forcing Sommerlund to confront both empires at the same time. Subsequent wars in MS 4219 (in conjunction with the Darklands), the First Vassa-Sommlending War of MS 4432, and the Second Vassa-Sommlending War of MS 4975, saw Sommerlund emerge victorious, but at great cost. After the ascension of Zakhan Shoualli of Vassagonia, relations with Sommerlund slowly began to heal. Under Shoualli's successor, Jaraza, a peace treaty was signed with the Lastlands.

Law and criminal justice

The laws of Sommerlund are set by the monarch and their Privy Council, and supervised by the Chanellor of the Realm. These laws are enforced by the City Guard (also known as the Reeves), which are present all across Sommerlund. City Guards are led by a Captain of the Guard, or Reeve-Lieutenant in Sommerlund's largest cities. Sheriffs are a unique Sommlending rank that works for the Crown, and is responsible for keeping the peace in rural areas; one can be found in each Sommlending village.

Treachery is considered to be the most serious of all crimes in Sommerlund, followed by murder, followed by crimes involving deliberate deception. Traitors to the realm, as well as multiple murderers, are banished through the Shadow Gate of Toran to the Daziarn.

The following are some of the crimes in Sommerlund, and their corresponding punishments (when known):

Crime	Punishment
Theft	Royal Estates From fines, night-time curfew orders, branding, imprisonment, to exile to the Holmgard Pale County of Tyso Imprisonment. When the theft involves crown property, the right hand is amputated. Southlund Marches Fine or inprisonment. When the theft involves crown property, the criminal is branded on the backs of both hands.
Rape	Baronial Confederation of Toran Imprisonment to the penal colony of the Kirlundin Isles
Arson	Baronial Confederation of Toran Imprisonment to the penal colony of the Kirlundin Isles
Fraud	Royal Estates Fine, night-time curfew orders, branding, penal colony, imprisonment, exile to the Holmgard Pale, and/or execution, depending on severity Baronial Confederation of Toran Imprisonment to the penal colony of the Kirlundin Isles
Deception	Royal Estates Hefty fine, jail, or execution (extreme cases), possibly public County of Tyso Imprisonment to the penal colony of the Kirlundin Isles Southlund Marches Imprisonment to the penal colony of the Kirlundin Isles Baronial Province of Ruanon Hard labour in the Maaken Mines
Murder	Royal Estates Death by hanging (possibly public) County of Tyso Death by hanging, may be commuted to imprisonment with mitigating circumstances Southlund Marches Death by hanging, although often commuted to imprisonment in Holmgard
Piracy	County of Tyso Death by hanging
Treachery	Baronial Confederation of Toran Exile to the Daziarn County of Tyso Death by drowning Southlund Marches Death by firing squad

Prisoners are jailed in dungeons, located in the major cities of Sommerlund.

Region	Location
Royal Estates	Royal Keep
Baronial Confederation of Toran	Watch House
County of Tyso	Hobar House
Baronial Province of Anskaven	Block House Baron's Citadel Reeves House
Southlund Marches	Town Guard Barracks
Province of the Kirlundin Isles	Town Guard House
Baronial Province of Ruanon	Town Watch House

Military

Sommerlund possesses one of the strongest militaries in Northern Magnamund. Its forces are one of the strongest in the Freelands Alliance, alongside Durenor. A significant part of this is due to their history of war and struggle, with skill with a weapon and willingness to defend one's home seen as an integral part of being a citizen of Sommerlund, and something that other nations take into consideration during times of war. Its ability to shield against the Darklords has given Sommerlund a commanding level of respect from allies and enemies alike.

Army

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Sommerlund's army has a hierarchy, with the monarch as the commander in chief. When the Crown Prince or Princess turns eighteen, they become the Marshal or Marshaless of the Realm, the second-in-command of the Sommerlund Army. They are followed by two army marshals: Marshal of the Muster, who commands the Army of the North, and Marshal of the Plain, who commands the Army of the South.

The barons of Sommerlund have vassals who act as Knights of the Realm, as part of the royal forces. These have the following ranks:

• Knights of the Realm
• Knight Captains
• Knight Retainers
• Knight Squires
• Men-at-arms
• Retainers

During war, each Knight is expected to supply a troop of 60 Retainers, known as a Charge, and they fall under the command of the Marshals of the Sommlending Army. Multiple Charges then form a Cassel.

The other group of forces, normal soldiers, fall under a different hierarchy:

• Lord-Lieutenants
• Colonels
• Majors
• Captains
• Senior Sergeants
• Sergeants
• Soldiers

Economy

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Demographics

Ancestry

Sommerlund's population was 500,000+ in MS 5000, mostly of Sommlending ancestry from Tay Solobo, although a growing percentage are of mixed Durenese/Sommlending descent due to historic relations between the two nations. Sommerlund also contains a notable Vassa minority on the fringes of the borders with the Wildlands, Cloeasia, and Casiorn, as well as Tyso following the integration of Shadakine Buccaneers in MS 4891.

Religion

Most citizens of Sommerlund worship Kai and Ishir, with many churches and altars devoted to them within Sommerlund. The patron god of the Order of the Kai is their namesake, Kai.

The Knights and Ladies of Sommerlund also worship Salor.

Some of the gods, goddesses, demigods, and demigoddesses that serve Kai and Ishir are also worshipped: For example, House Corvan worshiped Kyrja, handmaiden of Ishir.

Languages

The primary language of Sommerlund today is Sommlending, which is based on Old Sommlending, spoken by the first Sommlending when they arrived on Magnamund.

Culture

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Sommlending is their native language. Known as the Sommlending, the native peoples of Sommerlund were created by the God Kai and the Supreme Goddess Ishir. They are said to have come from the Northern Void in MS 3434 led by King Kian. They were created in response to the continuous conquests of Magnamund by the Darklords of Helgedad. They were created to have talents beyond that of other peoples, and were gifted to grow even beyond their fortunate births into Kai Lords. They were also gifted with the Sommerswerd, a magical artifact of huge power that can only be wielded by a Sommlending.

National anthem

Sommerlund's national anthem is named Sommersang.

Lyrics

Sommlending	English translation
Tay Solobo ton hem nyrast Tay gul ek bor os poylund Sollendin sol os välsinga bäld Sollendin sol vor Kung endigäld Os Sken un Laug An kraft ensäker An loften fordra Tay Mörker utöver t'bergin Akon un Ek Os kraftevolk Os sönnerin un döttrerin av tay sol Tay blödet av tay Herra Os an ürin gjör kjör (Chorus/Refrain) Sollendin sol os välsinga bäld Sollendin sol vor Kung endigäld	The Sommer Isles are home no more The yellow oak bore us ashore Sommlending sun we blessed be Sommlending sun for King and thee By Light and Law Our strength secure Our vows endure The Dark beyond the mountains Acorn and Oak We strong folk We sons and daughters of the sun The blood of the Lord In our veins doth run (Chorus/Refrain) Sommlending sun we blessed be Sommlending sun for King and thee

In the gamebooks

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Sommerlund is visited, mentioned, or the setting of many of the adventures in the Lone Wolf series. It has been invaded several times:

• The Helghast Wars, in which Darklord Vashna invaded Sommerlund with his newly-created Helghast spawn. Lasting some three decades, the Sommlending eventually prevailed, and Vashna was slain by Sommlending king Ulnar I.
• Darklord Zagarna invaded in MS 4219. Initially successful, the invasion was defeated when the Sommlending realized Zagarna's Giak infantry would rout if their leaders were killed. The Sommlending army, led by the Kai lords, exploited this weakness to turn back the invasion.
• Darklord Zagarna invaded again in MS 5050, timing his attack to coincide with the Feast of Fehmarn on the advice of Vonotar. The attack killed all the Kai lords except Lone Wolf, laid waste to the country, and besieged the capital Holmgard. However, not killing Lone Wolf proved to be the invasion's undoing, as Lone Wolf traveled to Durenor, retrieved the Sommerswerd, and returned at the head of the Durenese fleet. Zagarna was slain and the siege lifted. This invasion is featured in the first two books of the series, Flight from the Dark and Fire on the Water.
• Bandit lord Barraka invaded and overran Sommerlund's southernmost province of Ruanon in The Chasm of Doom. Barraka planned to resurrect Darklord Vashna and his defeated army, but his plans were foiled by Lone Wolf, and the Sommlending army arrived to reclaim the province afterwards.
• In the latter stages of Lone Wolf's Magnakai quest, Darklord Gnaag invaded. The invasion succeeded in seizing Ruanon. After Lone Wolf disappeared into the Daziarn, Gnaag built a massive blockade of ironclad warships about the Sommerlund coast. Cut off from its ally Durenor, it was only a matter of time before Sommerlund would be conquered. This invasion was finally defeated when Lone Wolf returned from the Daziarn, ventured into Helgedad, and killed Gnaag.
• In Dawn of the Dragons, while Lone Wolf was on a quest in western Magnamund against Deathlord Ixiataaga, Naar sent a host of Lavas to destroy the New Order of the Kai. Aided by Banedon and Rimoah, the New Order was able to hold out until Lone Wolf returned and destroyed the Shadow Gate by which Naar was sending his forces.

Sources

• Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7.