Excavations of Brothar

The Excavations of Brothar (1785 A.S.C.) were a series of short excavations carried out by Dalek of Labesh into the history of the area broadly known as Brothar, within the Irastli Rei de Reikarii, in north-west Nieden. Joined by local politician Lhewi Bohémský z Bohémy, who assisted Dalek in his research into the local area after being notified of the new discoveries. The excavations of Brothar were a culmination of preceding discussions between the pair about the areas history, and independent research carried out solely by Dalek.

The Brothar Site
"Brothar" is a broad term used to describe a series of ruins and complexes that lay just south of the town of Falkeame, within the Irastli Rei de Reikarii. Although the term "Brothar" is used to describe the whole area, its original name comes from a now destroyed squatter town, the faint remnants of which can still be found in the unsettled terrain.

Discoveries from the Town of Brothar
It had been long suspected that discoveries lay just under the surface that might contribute to assembling the history of the lost town of Brothar. The 1785 excavations were pivotal in gaining an introductory understanding in the events that led up to Brothar's destruction. Some key discoveries include:


 * The discovery of multiple paths carved into the ground, suggesting that the town was more developed than first perceived.
 * Flattened areas, possibly signifying that structures once occupied their spaces.
 * Remnants of farmland, and the conformation of the existence of trowels filled with water that are still visible today and found with patchy beds of moss.
 * The remains (head) of a body, which is believed to be a citizen of Brothar. Research suggests this person may have been known as FireLightZGEXA. However, due to the fact that this persons name does not appear in many public records, it is unknown at which time he would have lived. Nonetheless, this proves they lived here many years ago, possibly when the city still existed or even long before its founding. The corpse was found in the immediate area around the farm beds, his cause of death is still unknown.

Uncovering of the Brothar Bunker
One of the most surprising aspects of the excavations were the discoveries of a complex of rooms found below the ruins of Brothar. Found remarkably intact (suggesting that the ruins were far newer than Brothar, so therefore may have came at some point after its destruction), the complex consisted of three apartments, all empty, one of them being a suite. Across from these rooms were the remains of multiple furnaces, signalling that most of the manufacturing done in the bunker area remained underground. This theory was heavily backed up by the discovery of an indoor farm shortly afterwards, where tests commenced on the soil show wheat was previously grown there. A trapdoor on the first floor lead down to a second level that contained two rooms, also used for smelting. Past this lay the most intriguing part of the bunker's architecture: a waterfall which must be passed through to reach what appeared to be a meeting room, with seats facing a centre set of chairs. It is speculated this room is where members of the bunker complex would meet to discuss plans, and/or where court trials were held.

Upon Dalek's discovery of the bunker entrance, he noticed that the entrance had likely been purposefully covered up, except for poorly patched holes drilled down from the surface; suggesting others had previously tried to gain entrance to the bunker. During additional excavation works immediately after the bunker's discovery, the remains (heads) of two corpses were found. Latter research revealed these two corpse belonged to Unsaidchester and Trojan Luvire (ELTrojan5116) respectively. They were tracked down by Lhewi Bohémský z Bohémy using public records, which listed them both as having disappeared in the area around the time the bunker was dated back to. However, other records contest that Trojan Luvire actually died later, in Iabet; leaving the identity of the corpse contested. Yet by dating of the corpses, this showed the bunker was a recent development compared to the rest of Brothar, most likely forming with a populous of at least three people.

The reason why the group chose to settle under the ruins of Brothar instead on on it is not known, however it is likely to relate to the extensive smelting facilities found on sight, suggesting the group were miners throughout their stay.

Survey of the Gottrick Ruins
Directly to the west of the main Brothar area lay the Gottrick Ruins. This collection of scattered and mostly destroyed buildings had been known in the public conscious for generations beforehand, yet its true origins were unknown. What was known at the time was that an unknown group, perhaps an early group of Reikarii or even Thadii Niedene, first built the initial stone structure, which is still visible today. This initial stone structure is what makes up most of the modern day ruins, and is estimated to have been built sometime between the destruction of Brothar and before the bunker area was first constructed. However, it is known that at some point in more recent history, a near mythic group known as the Order of Gottrick (where the ruin gets its name) built wooden and brick structures within the centre of the ruins, which housed free, charitable resources to those in need. Because of the nature of the materials used, most of the structures built by the Order of Gottrick have long since decayed away.

The main building itself was built more in the manner of a shop, as there are isles that are labelled with the names of goods; with the auxiliary buildings being utilized as small industrial buildings for smelting or crafting. The outside area of the building is now reclaimed by nature, and its original purpose is unknown but was probably a courtyard. One particular area of interest are the ruins of what appears to be a house, named Mulwany's Demise, which implies the building belonged to a person named Mulwany, whose existence and fate is unknown.

This preliminary survey of the Gottrick Ruins was the first time the area was properly recorded, despite it being a permanent landmark of the landscape for many years prior.

Conclusions Made from Excavations:
The 1785 excavations at Brothar are notable for two main reasons. Firstly, the discoveries made by Dalek of Labesh shed more light than previously known about the area, without whom the existance of the bunker and multiple corpses would have remained unknown. The 1785 excavations also made strides in helping piece together a timeline of events too, with research suggesting:


 * Brothar town was the first major set of structures to be founded; and was subsequently demolished by its leader, Bertilowitz, following pressure by the now defunct Imperial Watch to do so.
 * Some time later, the stone structure of the Gottrick Ruins were constructed.
 * The Order of Gottrick then came along (possibly at the same time the bunker was built) and added the wooden structures to the Gottrick Ruins, leaving shortly after.
 * The bunker was abandoned, with a probable attempt to regain entrance by unknown persons later on.

Impact of the Excavations
The excavations of Brothar generated a serious amount of interest in Escharian history, and prompted much of the public to become involved in its research. This prompted Dalek to found the Etscharien Research Society, with its headquarters based in the recently abandoned building that was the Reykarii School of Language and History in Solitude, a town that Dalek had just assumed the role of Akesor (mayor) of. With the building converted, it became a hub for Escharian thinkers to come together and research, with Dalek regularly reaching out to the public to join in on the discussions.

Additionally, with the Gottrick Ruins now properly surveyed, it was given a protected heritage status under the town of Falkeame in order to prevent further natural decay or vandalism.