Gaard Goraag Lava Bastion

Gaard Goraag was founded by the Strunmah Dein; colonists sent out from the Kriistvrii city Diiv Revakaad. They founded this settlement on an escarpment overlooking the volcanic wasteland Kii Paagol. Their choice of location was a defensive one. Over the past three centuries since they had left Diiv Revakaad, half of their settlements were taken out by the denizens of the Aerie, sometimes reduced to rubble and ash by dragons, or sacked by giants. Those that remained eked out an existence with the threat of being overrun ever present. There was a chain of settlements spread across the landscape. Every twenty to thirty miles, a village, a fort, or perhaps a fortified cave. Mulcantan, First High Marshall of Diiv Revakaad, had conceived of this plan to settle areas along a line from Diiv Revakaad to the Laag Grimolii mountains. His strategic vision took place over a long period of time - nearly three centuries. By the time Gaard Goraag was founded, everything north of these holdings to the Sands of Hell was becoming known as the Kriistvrii homeland.

His life prolonged many times over, the magic could no longer save him. It is said he asked for continuance, hinting at the possibility of embracing lichdom. Mulcantan's constitution was nearly gone from repeated use of longevity magic, Diiv Revakaad's leader for the past three centuries. His advisors, most happy to see him go, voted against his desire for immortality through means deemed evil.

- from the tome "The First High Marshall"

Gaard Goraag was built in an area where the winds are strong, making dragon plundering more risky, and in an area reachable by foot traffic that requires traveling through defiles and along narrow cliff tracks. The giants tried many times, but their losses were too great, their days of easy plunder at the expense of the Kriistvrii had come to an end.

Upon the formation of the Zeymah'kein Empire (600 HE), Gaard Goraag was made its capital. Those that had long harried the "Brothers of War", like Gorahrigir's hill giants, hobgoblins out of Hells Womb, and others, soon felt retribution from the region's new power.

With the security brought on by the Zeymah'kein, Gaard Goraag grew rapidly. They were able to farm the region's rich black soil without fear of dragon attacks or marauders bringing ruin upon their hard work. It was a time of great peace, where walks through the vast vineyard terraced slopes, could be made without being attacked by beasts or waylaid by robbers. For five centuries, up until Zeymah'kein's fall, Gaard Goraag served as Bal-Kriav's highest Church of Bahamut.

In the Last Burn (1577 HE - 1600 HE), Zeymah'kein battled Mir'piamauza and her allies. Gaard Goraag was captured in 1600 HE, ending the long and glorious reign of the Zeymah'kein. The conquered city became a hold of Mir'piamauza. Many of its Kriistvrii were forced out, others too proud to serve under anyone other than a Kriistvrii, moved elsewhere. Some became insurgents, doing their part in bringing down their old enemies in the Mir'piamauza Civil War (1608 HE - 1612 HE). After this civil war, Gaard Goraag was abandoned, and for a long time after it served as the abode of bandits, beasts, and monsters.

In 880, the ruin was reoccupied by the Ag Envok.

Gaard Goraag is at the southern tip of the ashen wasteland Kii Paagol. The city's northern wall, facing this volatile area, is crafted of lava stone and built to deflect lava flows under and around the city.