[center][h1][b]Myrstrost, the Forgotten Kingdom[/b][/h1][/center]



[b][h2]Location/Geography[/h2][/b]

[hider=Claims]
[img]http://i64.tinypic.com/2znmjqb.png[/img]
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Myrstrost is built on the island of Slivyst, far north of the main continent, separated by the Csarik Strait or the "Strait of Monsters" as great sea-born beasts of unnatural origins that prowl under the waves, killing any who dare cross. The island itself has many rolling hills and expansive Arlimir Forest. Towards the north-east, the woods begin to thin out and reveal a chain of mountains called Frostfallen Peaks where tribes of giants can be found. The two smaller islands to the north-ish are Krosc (smaller) and Himlar (larger). Across all of Myrstrost can be found ruins of villiages, towns, and temples, all seemingly lost during the Thousand Year Fog, however much of the population lives in cities and settlements that have not been lost as all those places lost have now taken up new, more sinister residents.

Climate wise, the island is fairly chilly but there are times where it warms just enough for crops to grow but famine still plagued the land at one point until the genius inventor Pharros had come up with a network of magical fires called Ember Cradles which had warmed the earth up enough to allow for more stable farming. More recently now that the Thousand Year Fog has ended, the Starlit Strait will occasionally freeze over, allowing easy access to the island from the mainland and trapping the beasts under the ice, but some still find a way above.


[b][h2]General Introduction[/h2][/b]Myrstrost is known as "the Forgotten Kingdom" as it had once been lost to the world for centuries. Now, reawaken from its hundreds year sleep, Myrestrost tries to not only reestablish itself globally, but also try to re-tame it now hostile land besieged by beasts and monsters while also digging ever deeper into itself and its shadows to uncover what exactly happened before and during the Thousand Year Fog.


[b][h2]History[/h2][/b]
Myrestrost can trace its roots back to the old Empire Of Aciret which had spread its wings the northern edge of Matria hundreds of years ago, encompassing many races under its banner. However, the Empire was fractured from its start with local rulers having too much power compared to its central leaders and under the weight of unruly vassals and the Orc hordes that were making routine incursions into the weakened Aciret lands, the Empire fell apart.

Those who were lucky enough to run faster than the mounts of the Orcs could go hopped on to boats and made way for what was then known as Silvyst Island. The Orcs had tried to follow but the valiant warriors who were left protected the beaches with great vigor day and night to ensure that their new home would be well protected. As the raids became less and less frequent, the island slowly became its own kingdom under Queen Gywendelin Myrstrost the Stoneweaver. A talented mage in the Earthen Arts, Queen Gywendelin personally oversaw much of the creation of the new Myrstrost Kingdom, explaining its fantastical style.

Things went smoothly for a few generations where the Kingdom became an important stop along many northern trade routes and sea lanes. The ports were busy, people filled the streets, things where made and researched, but then, silence. The villages were silent as no ships came in and an erie, thick, hazy fog set in.

No one could get in or out it seemed, any ships that tried to enter or leave the fog found themselves turned right back around by some force of magic. Strangely enough though, Hallows were able to pass through the mist and reach the Kingdom but never come out.

For centuries the silver mist isolated Myrstrost with no one able to get in or out. As such, the land had faded away into legend, an eternal abandoned land beyond the smoky mist with only the words of a kingdom so grand and epic that the gods themselves were jealous of the Queen's abilities. And thus, curse her entire kingdom into fog to be forgotten.

But then, almost 50 years ago, the fog dissipated and the ancient kingdom rose from that of legends into that of reality. However, now there are new monsters and beasts that roam the old, once forgotten cities and the island of Silvyst has been tainted and marred with countless new ruins. But no one remembers how all of this came to be, nor the events that lead up to the Thousand Year Fog or what exactly transpired in it. Now as Myrstrost, the Forgotten Kingdom, tries to find its spot in the world that it had been so long forgetful of while also trying to discover what happened within it.

[center][h2][b]Government & Society[/b][/h2]
[img]http://free.wallpaperbackgrounds.com/fantasy/castle/light-fantasy-27322.jpg[/img]
[sub[Castle Myrstrost, the massive home of the Royal Family and capital building of the Kingdom[/sub][/center]
The rule of Myrstrost is a simple monarchy with heirs chosen from the oldest of the Royal Blood, assisted by a Royal Court. The first known ruler of Myrstrost is its namesake founder, Queen Gwyndelin Myrstrost the Stoneweaver, although legends speak of someone even older and stronger the the fair Queen. As of now, the current ruler is King Dromovalt of the same line as the old Queen Gwyndelin.

The rulers of the Forgotten Kingdom reside in the epic Castle Mystrost that had been made by Gwyndelin herself. Some describe it as mountain of a cathedral-castle, others an extraordinary city-of a castle, all can be said as true. Perhaps a monument to Gwyndelin's power, its built atop a massive outcrop of stone making it as defendable as it is beautiful.

Karginoth, Gallogath, Nostradamus, Yorelan 

[hider=Humans]
About the same as any other humans within the lands; Myrstrost's are known for much heartier constitutions given how far north the are, acute eyesight due to the Great Mist that once surrounded their home and the greater resistance to fear especially of the undead given how often and close they are with Hallows.
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[hider=Hallows]
Hallows are a special off shot of the undead which can afflict any species. They are those who have had their intact souls returned to their bodies in such a way that they do not become mindless, obedient slaves and behave the same way which they did whence they where still truly alive. But no matter how alive they act, they are not considered anything more than glorified undead in most places and do not look quite like normal beings. Their bodies riddled with scars and marks, their eyes that glow like embers in the darkest shadows and the pale blood which ominously gleams.

Such beings are immortal and very difficult to kill, usually only through complete destruction of the body. However, immortality is no blessing, but a curse as all Hollows know; death is replaced by insanity as anything which would normally kill a man will cause them to be resurrected once more, each time the subject loosing their will to be living and eventually descending into madness and turning feral.

Hallows feel no pain nor pleasure, they are not alive nor undead, but yet they walk the earth as if they do. It is only through the constant pursuit of a purpose which they may retain their sanity. Sad, pitiful beings indeed.[/hider]
[hider=Giants]
What could be seen as the natives of the Slivyst Island which Myrstrost is built upon, these giants were once considered hostiles of the highest danger. But through the use of magic and guile, some have learned how to control these towering men to serve as labor and even soldiers. Its said that the reason why Myrstrost's architecture is so grand is because it was also built to accommodate for Giants.

Alas, those days are long gone and one will never see a friendly giant anymore. Now, many of them guard old ruins and castles dutifully and attack all who dare enter. Some have managed to form their own tribes in the high mountains, but they are just as hostile as their "tamed" brethren.
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[h2][b]Economy & Industry[/b][/h2](What are your primary exports and imports? How much you trade? How are your craftsmen organized?  How developed is your technology? What kind of unique creations you have? etc. If you haven't described your involvement with magic in the society/government section, you can do it here.)

Mystrost's main exports are that of a magical nature, of note is Mythst. Mythst is a strange, mysterious element, only appearing in the Forgotten Kingdom as a result of the Thousand Year Mist which it had isolated the nation. It takes on a state between liquid and gas in an almost plasma-like nature although it can be hardened into a solid form. Colored like a moonlit silver, Mythst's magical properties are great, able to enhance the effects of any other type of magic as well as reinforce physical materials. When "retuned", Mythst's properties change so slightly to create Salus, a pale blue liquid not unlike the blood which flows through the veins of Hallows. 

Salus is a form of healing and the Art of Retuning which refines Salus from Mythst is considered the highest form of Alchemy normally used to create healing solves and such. However, the process making pure Salus is long and difficult, leading people to create slightly cheaper Salus Flasks; flasks with some bit of Salus mixed into the glass of the flask which provides a diluted healing effect of that of Salus. These flasks themselves are incredibly durable as the Salus which they are bolstered by still retains the reinforcing properties of Mythst. Such Salus Flasks are common amongst adventures and explorers to venture deep into Myrstrost's unknown past.

[b][h2]Military Overview[/h2][/b](Yeah, of course you also need to tell us some about your military. Try to avoid number games and unhealthy arms races. We play this game for fun and that needs balance and sensible approach. One of the main guidelines is that your nation's military shouldn't be much better than a historical 15th century medieval army. Don't worry, I don't ask you historical accuracy. So-called "super units" can be okay if they are rare enough for their worth and don't make your army unbeatable. The point is to let you do cool things and explore your creativity but at the same time don't do it at the expense of.