Manandorff

Manandorff is a state within Southern Redoriv. The state itself is named after a small village called Manandorff, itself located within a mountain range called the Nakraal Mountains.

Description
Manandorff is mainly a small alpine tundra state in western Eldham. It has a very cold, snowy climate and a massive coal reserve, which it trades for other goods with other states of Redoriv. It is ruled by an elder called Jakob Vyndrar Kole since its ascension as a state within Redoriv.

Manandorff's Founding
 Exodus to the Nakraal Mountains 

Manandorff was once barren, it’s mountain tops carpeted with pure white snow.

Then, a few nomads traveled, braving the cold, high peaks of the Nakraal mountains. These nomadic dwarves knew spells of ancient druids that could numb the cold, make one breathe underwater and even spells that could make it’s caster achieve immortality. These nomads traversed up the unforgiving peaks, intending to pass them, and enter the Valley of Seclusion, their destination.

 Tale of Brwin 

A young child named Wilder grew sick during the final part of the journey. As is the custom of the nomads, the tribe would stay behind in a bid to cure the sickened child. The nomads mentioned were made of two tribes, the Valgrons and the Antrites. Wilder was part of the Valgrons and so, his tribe of about 60 people stayed behind in the mountains. They offered all the remedies they knew, cures for many diseases now known to be extinct as well, but Wilder’s condition only worsened as time went by. Finally, in a bid of desperation, Wilder’s father opened the book of knowledge, a rare artifact known only to their tribe whose services could only be summoned during dire straits.

On his knees, his hands shaking from anxiety, Wilder's Father, Brwin, held the book in his arms, uttering the words “Oh great book of knowledge, I beg of you to show me the cure to my son’s sickness." Then, he flung the book over his shoulder as it was customary to, so the book would hit the ground - open to the page that would answer his plea. The book landed several feet behind him, the pages showed a peculiar looking flower, labeled “Aura Mulderis”, along with the caption below which said “the only known cure for Mountain sickness. The mere scent of this semi-magical flower can elevate all the symptoms and effects of the disease. Only found in the Valley of Seclusion.” Brwin, once realising that the cure was only 10 kilometres away, called the members of the tribe and told them to pack up, for they were leaving for the Valley of Seclusion.

Finally, after traversing the final mountain, they came into sight of the Valley of Seclusion, a green area full with colourful flowers and trees, some endemic to the valley. The other tribe, the Antrites had already set up their home, which could be seen near the horizon, on the far edge of the valley.

The edge of the valley was a mere 100 meters away. Dropping all his bags and sprinting towards the valley, Brwin hit hard against an invisible barrier that seemed to divide the mountains and the valley. Stumbling back, he tried again, this time putting his hand in front of him to feel for any barrier. His hands touched a transparent field of energy, gently pushing his hands away from it while emitting a sound of vibration similar to a tuning fork. Brwin, now quite stunned, put his hands on the barrier and walked around, unsuccessfully trying to find an opening in the barrier. Finally, realising that the tribe could not pass, he pulled out the book of knowledge, and yet again proceeded to ask “oh book of knowledge, explain to me why we may not cross to the Valley of Seclusion?” He then threw the book across his shoulder and ran to pick it up.

He saw the opened pages without pictures. He read: “The barrier, this mystical force field, created by the ancient sages was meant to protect Eldham from the curses of the Nakraal mountains. It only activates if a person or a group has lived in the mountains for more than 20 days, and will proceed to bar any escape from the mountains until the person or the group is deceased. The only way a person or a group can leave the barrier is only if they have in possession the Aura Mulderis, the symbol of purity that, when held by the person or member of the group, can cleanse their curses and allow them to pass the barrier. It is worth noting that anyone who has not lived for 20 days inside the Nakraal mountains can enter and leave at will.” It was the 21st day the tribe had camped in the mountains.

Most Dwarves, especially the Valgrons were known for their courage and solidarity during times of trouble. But that fact did not stop Brwin from collapsing on the ground while realising they were trapped in his cursed land till their death, that his son would never get better.  Permanent Settlement of Manandorff 

Time passed on, the tribe decided to build a permanent home in the peaks, while still frantically signaling to the Antrites - whose settlements they could see on the far horizon of the valley of seclusion, trying to get their help in bringing a single flower to the mountains. Whether the Antrites could not hear or ignored them, help never came, and years went by without aid.

Wilder grew up to be known as the “cursed child” and he could never mingle with the children his age. They stayed away from him as if the mountain disease was contagious. Wilder got used to the altitude and found he was able to limp with a little effort, though his jaw was paralysed so he could only mumble a few words at once without tiring himself. He spent most of his time stumbling up the mountains - and could frequently be seen sitting on a ledge and staring into the sky, contemplating his life.

 Manandorff's Ascension to Statehood 

Manandorff was given statehood on June 10th, 2021 by the Redorivan Senate with Jakob Vyndrar Kole as its Archon. It is subsequently given a territory encompassing most of Nakraal mountains and a spruce forest.

Government
Manandorff is a monarchy in which the Village Elder has a final say on how the state is run. Nevertheless, the Elder himself has to consult their citizens before making new legislations and decisions.

The state itself is ruled by a village elder named Jakob Vyndrar Kole since its ascension to statehood.