The Dragùlyr Bridge of Oð

High along the Old Taládan Road which once connected Taldàna and Oð, stands an old stone bridge. A rutted stone arch spanning a deep rocky chasm, the Oð Bàr-Dragul Bridge is both a historic landmark and a boundary marker.

History

The Dragul-bridge was built by Dwürden stonemasons in the late 12th century HK to replace an older stone bridge that had stood on the spot for hundreds of years. The Old Taldàni Road itself is an artifact of a much earlier time, constructed by Dwürden craftsmen to permit Yrūn passage from Oð to the lowlands of Ezmir, without needlessly wandering the mountains. The Dwürden are believed to have built the road as a measure of good will toward the powerful Dekàli Empire in the twilight of their own influence and strength.

In exchange for the road, the Oðàri High Lord of the time extended great privileges to the Dwürden including low-tariff trading and access to the forges of the Iron City.

The Oð Bàr-Dragul Bridge marks the southern border of the Oðàri city-state and the now abandoned Dwürden kingdom of Glor Dün. Traditionally, crossing the bridge symbolized a passing from the protection and rule of the High Lord of Oð to the King of the Mountain, but the border was not always so peaceful. Between 411 and 415 HK the Dekàlyr and the Dwürden were at war along the length of what would become the Old Taládan Road. The final battle of this conflict took place below where the Oð Bàr-Dragul now stands. According to records of the battle, the Dwürden had suffered greatly at the hands of the Dekàli invaders despite the Dwürden advantage of steel. At the chasm, the Yrūn army (within scouting range of Oð) were met by two armies of Dwürden infantry. The Yrūni armies were pinned in the valley for several days without relent before the valley was filled with a terrible fire. As the Dwürden armies fled the battlefield the terrible fire rained down upon them again and again.

Historians who have studied the reports (both Dwürden and Yrūn alike) do not agree on the source of the “terrible fire”. Some claim the battle to be the first record of a Dekùlðari Dragul used in battle, while others (mainly those who dispute all such claims) suggest that it was an early Dekályr use of wizards on a battlefield. Whatever the cause, the Dwürden were routed and the Dekàli army was able to continue its march into the lands beyond the Tor’n Evalshat and into the Oðàri basin beyond.