Overview
Skarnheim is a nation in Valrindor with Rimvold as its capital. Its history includes runic magic, the Order of Thalion Zenith, the Skarnheim Alliance, and the long political aftermath of the fall of Malverand. Sigurd later leads Skarnheim from Rimvold; after the Shaper Attack on Rimvold and the Siege of Rimvold, Thorik occupies the capital, and Lythariel rejoins him there during Skarnheim's restoration.
Geography
Skarnheim lies around the mountain city of Rimvold, near Vintergard, Varnhallow, Bjarnholt, and routes toward Thundermarch and Linsothar. A fjord marks the border between Vintergard and Skarnheim, and travel across the region includes snowy villages, rivers descending from mountains, pine forests, hills, plains, coastline, and boat routes. Rimvold stands at the foot of mountains near the Varnhallow border, with southern plains and forests visible from the city.
Rule and Culture
Skarnheim uses runes on weapons, armor, boats, shields, civic defenses, and city surfaces, and Rimvold's smiths export weapons across Valrindor. The capital also keeps hidden vaults and a mountain gate beneath the Great Hall of Rimvold, including a copy of The Eleven Stories of Old with names and spellwork involving Horol’Khai.
The nation's public leadership changes over time. Thalion Zenith installs Sylvia as Queen Sylvia the First of Skarnheim for public purposes. Benedict oversees governance from Rimvold when Thalion leaves. Sigurd later leads Skarnheim. Leaders and forces from Vintergard, Bjarnholt, Kaldaryn, Morozkaya, Haverloch, Calthorpe, and Strothgard gather in Rimvold to answer Varnhallow's timerifts, the spreading darkness, and the renewed shaper march.
History
In 2085 AX, Thalion Zenith's displaced forces arrive at the empty city Astralem, the new capital of Varnhallow. Astralem later becomes Rimvold, Skarnheim's capital. Thalion uses the city as the basis for a new polity, declares independence from the Malverand Empire, and names Rimvold as Skarnheim's capital. The declaration makes Skarnheim a base for the Order's campaign against Malverand's surviving guardians.
The overlap between Skarnheim and Varnhallow comes from this layered history. Astralem belongs to Sigvariel's old Varnhallow domain before becoming Rimvold. Later Varnhallow references usually concern the temporal anomaly or the neighboring lands affected by it.
By 2103 AX, the independence struggle has moved beyond the founding period. Sylvia is formally installed as Skarnheim's first public queen, Benedict remains behind to govern, and Haverloch sends food supplies to Skarnheim. Rimvold grows into a guarded capital with hidden skyship facilities, vaults, and diplomatic relationships with neighboring powers. Skarnheim later maintains good relations with Vintergard and Kaldspire. Relations with Calthorpe develop more slowly.
Under Sigurd, flying machines and constructs emerge from Varnhallow's timerifts and attack Skarnheim. Attempts to enter Varnhallow fail or erase memory. Leaders responding to Varnhallow's anomalies, the spreading darkness, danger from Bjarnholt, and the renewed shaper march gather in Rimvold.
Skarnheim survives the Shaper Attack on Rimvold and the Siege of Rimvold. Jin, Silas, Lythariel, Sigurd, Thorik, Kaldaryn, Morozkaya, Haverloch forces under Virel, and Bjarnholt fighters break the threat near Skarnheim. After Ulzathir abandons Rimvold during the Siege of Rimvold, Thorik occupies the capital. Lythariel rejoins him during Skarnheim's restoration.