Ulmarkan Mountains

Ulmarkan Mountains
Emperor ███████ Ulmarkan on the palace terrace, c. 2065.
████	2017, Anselmar
Died	2075 (aged 58)
Cause of death	Natural causes
Resting place	Anselmar Necropolis
Nationality	Ulmarkan
Allegiance	Ulmarka
Rank	Emperor
Tenure	2047–2075
Predecessor	Julian Vane
Successor	None (abolished monarchy)
Spouse	Elena Rossi (m. 2048)
Issue	Dasha Novak, Zora Kowalski, Pavel Ivanov
Religion	Church of Mark

Ulmarkan Mountains, also known locally as simply "the mountains" or to distinguish them geographically as the southern mountains, form a volcanic range in eastern Ulmarka that constitutes a significant portion of the larger Isla de Luz.^[1] These peaks were forged through intense volcanic activity during the early Era del Origen and serve as a natural barrier separating the inland highlands from the coastal regions.^[2] While the more northerly Lurkian Mountains are generally lower in elevation, the Ulmarkan range is renowned for its rugged terrain and strategic importance throughout the region's history.^[3]

The area surrounding these mountains has long been a focal point of conflict and settlement, particularly during the Protectorate Wars (2035–2041) when the Ulmarkan Empire sought to secure grain lands and shipyards in the Salt Coast.^[4] Following the collapse of the Empire, the region became part of the four Ulmarkan Protectorates, settling about four million people including a quarter who were Veyari civilians displaced during the clearances.^[5] Today, settlements like the Ratfaced city-state lie near the foothills, while the mountains themselves remain sparsely populated except for mining operations and military installations such as those managed by the Ring Guard.^[6]

The Ulmarkan Mountains are defined by their dramatic topography, rising sharply from the plains of eastern Ulmarka to form a formidable defensive line.^[7] Geologically distinct from the lower northern ranges, these peaks contain significant deposits of ore and timber resources that have historically driven local economies.^[8] The range is often referred to in official documents as the southern mountains to avoid confusion with the Lurkian chain.^[9]

Volcanic vents still occasionally vent steam in the higher elevations, a remnant of the planet's formative Era del Origen.^[10] Local inhabitants have traditionally avoided naming specific peaks beyond general descriptors like "the high places," though modern cartography assigns names based on strategic outposts.^[11] The eastern slopes border the City-State of Thymara, which lies along the Rio Aureo and benefits from the runoff that feeds into the region's agriculture.^[12]

The political landscape of the mountainous region has shifted dramatically over the centuries. Originally part of the Tariff Union, a coalition of six city-states in southern Ulmarka, the area was dissolved in 1885 following internal political turmoil and the disintegration of the union.^[13] The Church of Mark established its first organized religious entity under the auspices of the Tariff Union, laying the groundwork for future sectarian control.^[14]

During the reign of Emperor ███████, who ruled from 2047 until his death in 2075, the Ulmarkan Empire expanded its influence over these territories before eventually collapsing.^[15] The collapse led to the formation of independent city-states and the creation of the Ring Guard under decree by the first ████████████████████████ to protect the Holy City.^[16] This military unit operates independently with no clearly-defined chain of command, reflecting the fragmented nature of power in the post-Empire era.^[17]

The modern administration of the region is complex, involving various Protectorates that settled Ulmarkan homesteaders in Oil Homesteads after the conflicts of the 2030s.^[18] The ██████████████████████████ played a significant role in reorganizing these territories following the war, publishing plans for further settlements on other coasts.^[19] Despite this administrative restructuring, the mountains remain a contested area where military doctrine, such as the Lightning Doctrine employed by General Logan Huss, has shaped recent conflicts.^[20]

The economy of the Ulmarkan Mountains relies heavily on the extraction of timber and minerals found in the volcanic soil.^[21] Historical records indicate that grain lands were a primary objective for occupying forces during the Protectorate Wars, leading to widespread clearance operations that devastated local populations.^[22] Today, the region supports mining enterprises and limited agriculture, though much of the land remains difficult to cultivate due to the terrain.^[23]

The Cohesive Global Concord, formed in 2027 by governments of Ulmarka and New Anselmar, oversees significant portions of resource management across six continents.^[24] This multinational alliance helps regulate the export of goods from the mountainous regions, ensuring that the flow of timber and ore does not destabilize global markets.^[25] However, disputes over resource rights occasionally bring the ███████████████████████ into play, though no ███████ may serve as a party in such legal proceedings.^[26]

Local culture in the Ulmarkan Mountains is deeply intertwined with the history of resistance and survival against imperial expansion.^[27] The nickname "Ratfaced," applied to the city-state of Anselmar, reflects the unique aerial appearance of the densely populated settlement nestled against the mountain slopes.^[28] This moniker has persisted through centuries, becoming a symbol of the region's identity rather than a derogatory term.^[29]

The Church of Mark maintains a significant presence in the area, teaching that beings without souls cannot refuse service, a doctrine that has influenced labor practices in the region.^[30] Critics refer to the ruling entity in nearby Santa Berllium as the Markian Empire, highlighting the imperialist tendencies that have long characterized the relationship between the Church and local populations.^[31] Despite this, the mountains remain a place of refuge for those seeking to escape the harsh realities of urban life and industrial exploitation.^[32]

• ███████ Ulmarkan
• Church of Mark
• Banner Brigades
• Protectorate Wars