Overview

Eir Andusk is a remote volcanic island in southeastern Kildar, home almost exclusively to Dragonborn. The island is rugged, with cliffs, rocky shores, and a central volcano dominating its landscape. It is home to the fortress of Eir Andusk. Its isolation has shaped the culture and society of its inhabitants, fostering a close-knit, self-reliant community.

The island(state) is named after Eir Andusk Fortress build on the slopes of the volcano known as Armathar's strife, as it is the most prominet and wel known location on the islands. Eir Andusk means "southern fortress", the fortress has long been seen as the southern most fortress in all of Kildar.

History

Originally known as the Home of the Dragon, before adopting the name of Eir Andusk, the island has long been a sanctuary for Dragonborn seeking community and guidance from their elders.

After the Crimson Dusk volcanic events (524), the original Dragonborn settlement was destroyed and the silver dragon Armathar guided the reconstruction as a fortress, taming the volcano with his icy breath and shaping the walls from molten rock. Eventually, as more and more dragonborn and kobolds flocked to Eir Andusk, the city of Naal Ok Zin was also founded.

After Armathar's death in 605 at the hands of Umbraxis in the Shadowfell, the fortress became the center of the newly formed Gateway Custodians, who continue to garrison the stronghold and defend the portal network.

Culture

Eir Andusk is home to a population of dragonborn, but has seen an influx of other races, cultures and creeds in the past decade since it became a refuge for exiled members of the Eldritch Inquisition (and other peoples presecuted by the Lord's Alliance).
Among these, humans and dwarves are most prominent.

Since the Arrival of the Eldritch Inquisition, they have become the largest faction and the defacto rulers of Eir Andusk, a change that most dragonborn (reluctantly) accepted. The fact that Eir Andusk was already home tot the Gateway Custodians (a dragonborn orginisation accepted into the ranks of the Eldricht Inquisition) helped the Inquisition to gain the trust of the other inhabitants of Eir Andusk.

Economy:

With Eir Andusk being an island with limited resources, most inhabitants live of the seas, trade and what lies in between, which is piracy. While trade with Eir Andusk is prohibited by the Lord's Alliance, some people, ports and trading companies ignore these orders. Travelling salesmen still visit the island regulary and the port town of Teristraz still welcomes sailors and ships from Eir Andusk.
A more lucrative source of supplies proves to be Lord's Alliance warships and convoys that dare enter the waters surrounding Eir Andusk. While a side effect of the security measures taken by the Eldritch Inquisition remnants the capure of vessels and cargo has proven a valuable source of income and supplies. The Inquisition Remnant fleet is considerd to be one of the most well equiped navies in Kildar and have proven to be a succesful security measure against the Lord's Alliance.

Dovah

The largest of the two island that makes up the island state of Eir Andusk. Running across the island are the jagged peaks of the "dragon's spine", a mountain range that spans the entire lenght of the island (reffered to as the "tail of the mistborn mountains" by some). While the southern part of the island is inhabited, the northern part is left uncolonized. Dotted with ruins of an ancient dragonborn civilization, this barren wastland in considered a no man's land where none dare thread. According to dragonborn legends, no creature that ventures north returns. From observations it appears that the area is indeed arid and void of any life.

Legends say that the five colossal statues (the lady, the hunter, the fisherman, the farmer and the priest) found along the coastline are the cause of the north of Dovah being a barren wasteland.

The Dragonborn of Eir Andusk will not venture beyond the invisible border drawn between these statues and will discourage any and all travellers from doing so as well. Allthough unknown why, these statues are indeed linked to the barren and inhospitable state. Attempts to destroy these statues have proved unsuccesful in the past. Many dragonborn see it as a affront to their ancestors to venture into these lands and believe there is a reasone why noone should tread there once more.

The southern part of Dovah knows several settlements:

Mahfaeraak
The largest settlement on Dovah and the newest in the entire Island state. Mahfaeraak was founded by members of the Ironhold Chapter and other dwarven immigrants that reached Eir Andusk after being exiled form Kildar. It expands ever farther underground, growing with more halls and deeper mines. Recently mining activitity has laid bare ancient Dragonborn ruins deep beneath the surface. Home to the smithies that produce arms and armours for the Eldritch Inquisition Remnants.

Ahr Fin
A fishing village hugging the coast opposite the ever growing city of Naal Ok Zin. Recently the harbours of the latter have expanded to Ahr Fin and it finds more an more ships docking at its port.

Ahst Vaal Lighthouse
The largest lighthouse in Eir Andusk. The keeper boasts that its light can be seen from as far as the Kildarian mainland.

Wah Dein
Norhtern most settlement of Eir Andusk. A tiny village in a swampy area. Its inhabitants have decided to live a life more in line with the traditional values of dragonborn culture. The dragonborn living there reluctantly accept the encroachment of civilization upon their lands.
The residents of Wah Dein do not consider themselves part of the island state of Eir Andusk, but keep lines of communication open and are treated as unofficial members by the other inhabitants out of (a barely reciprocated) respect.

Kiin

The social and economic centre of the island state, Kiin is a volcanic island that has been home to a population of dragonborn since time immemorial.
Most striking feature of Kiin is the volcano that one birthed the island, a mountain now known as Armathar's Strife. While still active, it is kept in check by the Gateway Custodians in a yearly ceremony they preform to "appease" the mountain. There is an arid wasteland surrounding the volcano, but fertile farm and woodlands closer to the islands edge, especially the southern slopes.

Kiin holds several of the most important settlements and locations in Eir Andusk:

Eir Andusk Fortress
Namesake of the island state and considered to be the most important location on Kiin. Previously home to the gateway Custodians, it is now the base of opperations of the Eldritch Inquisition remnants.
Home to leader of the remnants, Tristam Greystone and the political heart of Eir Andusk.
Its obsidian walls once held the most important hub of the portal network, which now lies dormant.

Naal Ok Zin
The largest settlement in Eir Andusk, it is considered to be its defacto capital. Consisting of ancient dragonborn structures and recently constructed urban areas. In the last decade it has grown into a melting pot of Kildarian cultures after taking in many exciles. It has grown considerably in size and hugs the straight inbetween it and Ahr Fin on the coast of Dovah.
Many sailors call its port home and it is a somewhat vibrant trade hub to inhabitants of Eir Andusk and those who skirt the law and ignore the Lord's Alliance restricions.
It is the home base of the Eldritch Inquisition Remnants navy and is the port of call for the McTennite Family and (what is left of) the Order of the Black Shield.

Isolde's Rest
A temple complex that holds the tomb of Isolde Greystone, former leader of the Eldritch Inquisition. It faces south west, away from the continent that (in the eyes of her son Tristam Greystone) betrayed her. It is a pilgrimage site to members of the Eldritch Inquisition and in recent years has become a training grounds for newer members.
Many older veterans of the Eldritch Inquisition reside here, teaching the next generation of inquisitors.

Vokul
Build along the slopes of a died out volcano and its caldera, Vokul is the centre of dragonborn culture on Eir Andusk. Ever since the portal network became dormant, the Gateway Custodians have moved their opperations to this city. Since they are not maintaining the portal network, they have dedicated themselves to the protection of the island state of Eir Andusk, next to their duties of watching over Armathar's Strife. Making Vokul, in essence, the military capital of the island state.
The dwarves of Mahfaeraak have recently begun mining the mountain beneath Vokul for precious materials.

Los Vahriin
The agricultural centre of Eir Andusk. This village is situated on the southeren edge of the "fertile slopes", after years of volcanic activity, this area has settled and has become stable enough to inhabit. The volcanic soil proves to be a very fertile ground for farming. Most of the domestically produced foods come from this area. With the arrival of members from the Ironhold Chapter a decade ago, this village has seen the construction of mineshafts.
Los Vahriin is surrounded by farms and ranches, the biggest of which is the Graan Fod farmstead that lies just north of mt. Umbraxis. A moutain named after the hero the slew the silver dragon Armathar, the lower slopes of Mt. Umbraxis are covered with terrassed farmlands.