Zietal Mar

Summary

A small Outpost, established on a strange island many weeks travel from Bormar. Financed by Lord Voman Stoutheart, the objective of the Outpost was to, first and foremost, seek any clues as to the whereabouts of the All-Gem, which was supposedly hidden on the archipelago.

Location

Zietal Mar was established within the rough middle of the forest area of the island, in the shadow of Greencrown Peak; the tallest mountain on the island.

Appearance

In its earliest iteration, Zietal Mar was little more than a handful of tents with some camp fires dotted around. As more Dwarves arrived, it quickly turned into a well-built and relatively organised settlement. Wood from the nearby forest and stone from the Greencrown Peak were the predominant building materials of the workshops and houses.

Later on, the Outpost would come to be surrounded by a large wall and the so-called 'Upper Holding' would be established - houses dug into the mountainside, with stairs and walkways dotting the face of the Peak.

Government and Politics

Early Days

In the first few weeks of the Outpost's existence, where most living spaces were still tents, Zietal Mar lacked any government, leader figure or law enforcement. Over time it was deemed that a leader should be elected, with Zietal Mar’s “Lone Priest” Sigmarr Thoruva initiating the proceedings. The election resulted in the declaration of Kadol Ubbul, to the position of Overseer.

The Overseer would be supported by a Lower Chamber made up of a leader of the Outpost’s industrial matters, religious pursuits, and a third position by the election’s runner-up to act as a check on the Overseer’s power.

Kadol Ubbul's Overseership

Having taken leadership at the very beginning of the Outpost's founding, there was not much Kadol was able to concretely establish in law or deed. He aided the local smiths in setting up a Guild and began discussions with Khestor Thirdulin to form an Outpost molir for protection and law enforcement. With the Outpost developing quickly, Kadol stepped down from his position, no longer believing that he was the right dwarf to lead.

The Lower Chamber under Overseer Ubbul

Industrial Matters - Lokro Surjah

Religious Pursuits - Sigmarr Thoruva

Runner-Up - Ogrona Frontik

Ogrona Frontik's Overseership

Overseer Frontik took the reins of outpost leadership straight after Kadol’s resignation, having put herself forward for the purpose in an Outpost meeting. From the beginning, it was agreed that this was only a temporary government in place only until an election could be organized. While there was some debate over Ogrona’s intentions, a new election was indeed held several weeks later, with the only candidates being Ogrona Frontik and Khestor Thirdulin. The election closed with Khestor securing a landslide majority.

Khestor Thirdulin’s Governorship

The Banner of Zietal Mar's Marshal of the molir which later became synonymous with Khestor as Governor.

Khestor's reign was kicked off with a slew of changes as promised by his campaign of "Strength, Stability and Security." First, he abolished the Lower Chamber and changed the name of his position from Overseer to Governor.

Second, he created several new positions known as Consuls who would manage a particular aspect of Outpost life on behalf of the Governor. Three Consul officers were established: the Tributary Office managing the Outpost’s economy, the Office of Public Affairs for general management, and the Molir’s Office for military and law enforcement matters.

The Consuls under Governor Khestor

Consul of the Public Affairs Office - Ogrona Frontik, later Gib Andosk

Consul of the Tributary Office - Ilzar Goldspit

Consul of the Molir - Gramsik Lerch

Notable Policies

The Public Contributions Act - Introducing a form of taxation into the Outpost, planned to be used to pay for the Outpost's Molir, as well as public infrastructure projects and festivals.

Freedom of Information Act - Allowing citizens to gain access to any non-classified government document by requesting it from the Public Affairs Office.

The Official Guilds Act - Incentivising guilds to work together and with government through a number of means.

Economy

The first bank of Zietal Mar, built and run by Moddoh Surjah, utilised a simple currency of stamped gold nuggets, laconically labelled 'Banker Coins'.

Despite its simplicity, the coinage quickly gained a small hold, with traders and shopkeepers using it as their go-to currency. Unfortunately, with not too many services available and a glut of gold ore within the mines, the currency had few uses.

Plans to re-make the currency were made, with some agreements about the new names of the coins. A new bank was made within Fort Thidir, but unfortunately the new currency never got past the planning stages.

Religion

The Outpost itself did not hold any specific beliefs, other than maintaining its own Deeptunnel.

Strangely, Zietal Mar was home to a single 'priest' who devoted himself primarily to the Loving God. This priest, Sigmarr Thoruva, was usually around for ceremonial events and other gatherings, but more often than not kept to himself in a large statue of the Loving God, that he had carved himself.

Timeline

The first settlers arrive.
A perimeter is established, along with a mine.
The Grol are discovered living in the Red Hills.
The Outpost is ravaged by two thieves, who are immediately executed.
The dangers of Forest Trolls are discovered, with the death of Urrin.
The Outpost upgrades from tents to proper houses.
The Public Servant, the first Outpost publication, is printed.
Moddoh Surjah establishes the first Bank, with its coinage starting to be established.
The Public Servant focuses on Ilzar Goldspit and alludes to shady dealings.
Ortho Berukahs is driven from Zietal Mar and flees back to Bormar.
Kadol Ubbul is elected as the first Overseer.
The Outpost is officially named; Zietal Mar.
Zietal Mar's Molir is established, with Marshal Khestor at its head.
A mighty storm rolls in, signalling bad weather for weeks.
A plague of Swamphoppers descends on the island.
The Dwarves trek to the swamp, to put an end to the Bog-Kings and the plague of frogs.
Lokro and Bram contract the Black Quiver disease.
The disease spreads to a handful of other Dwarves.
Librarian Ogrona scours the island and unearths musty journals containing a cure.
The coded cure is deciphered.
The Dwarves delve into a magma spout to obtain an ingredient for the cure.
The Battle Of The Magma Cave.
The Black Quiver disease is eradicated within Zietal Mar.
Khestor is voted in as Overseer.
Fort Thidir begins construction.
The Umbral Hand Guild begins to gain more power to itself.
An Amanita Colossi is discovered and swiftly dispatched.
Ogrona Frontik and Ilzar Goldspit marry.
The various ruined journals and tattered pages found around the island are now finally pieced together.
The dark history of the island is discovered.
Lord Voman Stoutheart is declared an enemy of the Outpost, by Khestor.
Zietal Mar begins its fortifications.
The chamber containing the All-Gem is found.
The chamber is opened, after an encounter with the Grol and the All-Gem is recovered.
A lengthy vote on what to do with the All-Gem begins.
The Dwarves vote to destroy the All-Gem and flee the island on The Cuckoo.
A fleet of ships is spotted approaching from the east.
The Dwarves board The Cuckoo and abandon Zietal Mar.
Alekan Indrothath elects to stay behind, joining Kogan Gemesh.
The Fate Of Zietal Mar.