Clirev

The Sovereign Militaristic State of Clirev is a Meritocracy based upon one's martial prowess and skill with minerals or gems. It is situated in a barren and volcanic region of Mundus by the same name, located directly north of Astyria. Those who call Clirev home are a stubborn and daring folk, their behavior causing many outsiders to claim that they are closer to dwarves than humans. They are led by a Forgeking. To attain the position, a claimant must be nominated by the Knights of the Mountain, a collection of strongest warriors in the land, and be affirmed by the Elder Smiths of Deepmount. Once they have been confirmed, they are King for the rest of their life, unless they step down or a challenger manages to best them. To become a challenger for the throne, one must undertake the same steps that the King took to attain their position.

History
The lands of Clirev have been a wasteland for as long as anyone can remember. Most human tribes who tried settling the area either died out or moved before long, except for the clan that would go on to be known as the Clirites. They found value in the region's abundant mineral deposits, and so they made it their purpose to focus on excavating, and they take to hunting the various dangerous beasts that tread the land to feed themselves.

It was not until the coming of Astyr that their history progressed. Clirev was suffering from a famine at the time, as many of the beasts that they had lived off of had been twisted by the wake of the Great Corruptor. Astyr's bargain was simple; Clirev would march under his banner and make weapons for his soldiers, and in return, he would offer food grown in Verdan to them. The stubborn smiths held out for a long time, but eventually, they conceded.

Unfortunately, the conclusion of the Vengeance Crusade brought ruin to the people of Clirev. The shadows swept through the peoples of the kingdom, and while their warriors were powerful, most of them had followed Astyr to the Black Forest. The great clan was laid to ruin, destroyed before aid could be sent. The survivors fled south, but very few of them managed to make it to humanity's last bastion, Heartwynn.

While Clirev was resettled, it was largely organized in the same way as the rest of the Astyrian Kingdom, and it was not until the aftermath of Holy War of 168 MC that the old ways were revived. Korrick Belestan rose to the position of Forgemaster, his peerless combat prowess and skill with weaponcrafting laying the groundwork for the Clirev that is known today. After his conflict with Adreas Frostclaw, Clirev was established as a full nation in its own right, and it stands strong to this day, as resilient and hard to please as ever.