Lilhadorei

The Kingdom of the Lower Dorei (High Dwarven: Realme de Lilhadorey) is a kingdom in western Ovaicaea, dominated Hill Dwarves but containing significant minorities of moon elves, gnomes, and human tribes. Its extensive lands run from river valleys with extensive pasture and farmland in the north, to vast forests in the south, and large fens and moorland near the western lake country.

Like its northern neighbor, Eldorei, much of the Lilhadorish population is concentrated along the Dorei River, which has been the main artery for international trade and local irrigation. The majority of its diverse population is engaged in agriculture and pastoralism.

The kingdom emerged after the fall of the Old Empire in the early 400s, from a coalition of dwarven dukedoms that came to gather around fortified settlements to fend off Orc raids. The feodal model developed in neighboring Lithuar was adopted, as a flexible way to maintain defence, though it also led to similar issues of warfare between rival lords, and gradually diminished loyalty to the king.

Lilhadorei was slow to join the alliance against the orcs in the Second Orc War, as its monarchy was at a nadir in its power, and many Dukes were unwilling to rise against the orcs until the situation became unsustainable. Lilhadorei joined the war in 826, when Duke Kildrak of Ferrana seized the throne and abruptly changed course. He earned the moniker Orcfury due to his brutality in battle against the orcs. He led the country through its hardest times, became an icon of dwarven resistance, and shepherded the kingdom into the New Empire in 843. He has ruled the kingdom since, though a council of princes wield most of the royal power.