Swurn Isles

Swurn Isles is the nation encompassing the entirety of the continent of Swurnia. The isles are known for their mountains and vast stretches of taiga forests, however are also home to a significant amount of geological variety. The Swurn Isles are generally thought to be the most powerful nation in all of Helias, primarily due to it's vast trade network, as it's various ports and developed economy allow it to be the centre of trade for most of the known world.

Ancient Era
It is believed that the historical civilization known as The Ancients was heavily present on Swurnia. Is is theorized that although the centre of their power was in Mea, Swurnia served as a strategic outpost for the civilization. Swurn Isles are the site of some of the only in-tact ruins of the civilization of The Ancients, so it is possible that this area was a militarily fortified area that was tougher to destroy than other areas. Despite the existence of physical structures, with the fall of the Ancients also came the fall of all advanced civilization on Swurnia

Dark Era
After the fall of the Ancients civilization, the remaining residents of Swurnia stagnated due to a struggle for resources and lack of organized protection from the roaming monsters. At this point most of the society was organized under various small tribes. It was during this era that the settlements of Barrowton, Ridgeview and Nightbrook were formed, however they were little more than small villages struggling to hold off the attacks of the monsters of the night. In the later years of this era, monsters of Gloomwood overwhelmed the forces of Nightbrook in what is known as the Nightbrook Masacre. This led the town to be completely deserted for a time.

The Rebirth and Transition to Kingdom
Shortly after the event known as 'The Rebirth', where a small number of adventurers of great skill started roaming the lands of Helias, one group of adventurers settled on Swurnia and immediately befriended the local villages. One of these adventurers brokered a truce between the long-time rivals Ridgeview and Barrowton, and also aided in the defense and fortification of both villages from attacks from the monsters of the night and roaming pillagers. Eventually it was decided to unify all the settlements of Swurnia under the banner of this adventurer, and the Swurn Isles kingdom was officially formed and the famed adventurer was named king. Shortly after this, construction on Castle Muchos began to serve as the seat of all future kings of Swurn Isles.

Existing lords of the cities retained their titles and became the high lords of their respective province. Additionally, a different adventurer who arrived with the King of Swurn settled on Swaffle Hills and was granted lordship over those lands in exchange for his efforts in assisting development of the kingdom.

Modern History
Yadda

Geography
Stuff

Culture
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Gladiatorial Combat
Throughout the vast majority of the history of the peoples of Swurnia, the world was a dangerous place and fighting for survival was the norm. As a result of this, combat was ingrained in the culture of all the peoples of the lands. As the nation became a much safer place with peace treaties between the various settlements and fortifications preventing invasions from hostile forces in the cities, the natural affinity to combat needed to be satisfied in other means. As a result of this, residents started taking up recreational combat activities and shortly after, gladiatorial combat was born and had spread among the isles. Residents of every settlement enjoy this sport across the nation, and each settlement has some form of arena to host it, whether it be Barrowton's Grand Colosseum or small backyard pits on individual homesteads. Gladiators frequent the circuit and a tiered system has developed with only the best being able to compete in the grander stages.

Provinces
The Swurn Isles are home to 7 distinct provinces. All of the provinces with the exception of King's Plains are primarily governed by their local capital, however all report to the King of Swurn as the highest authority.


 * 1) Barrowlands
 * 2) Ridge Heights
 * 3) Swaffle Hills
 * 4) Gloomwood
 * 5) King's Plains
 * 6) Golden Coast

Notable Settlements

 * Barrowton
 * Castle Muchos
 * Ridgeview
 * Nightbrook
 * Westmont
 * Bloodstone Bay
 * Swaffield