Gulthurub
Gulthurub (also known as the City of the West) is a brutal, heavily fortified Remnant outpost and the primary stronghold for the People located on the surface of Earth (Mar). Situated in the forests a few miles from the ruins of Old San Francisco, it serves as the central staging ground for the human uprising against the Eldrim village of Sylrantheas.
Geography and Environment
Gulthurub is a sprawling, squalid encampment defined by concrete, rusted metal, and constant preparation for war. To defend against elven incursions, the city is surrounded by a steep earthen berm topped with a dozen-foot-tall gray barricade of curling barbed wire. Every two hundred feet, cinder-block guard towers rise into the air, manned by sentinels wielding massive, pre-Sundering Gatling guns.
The interior of the city is loud and chaotic, filled with the smell of burning meat and the clinking of tools. Key locations include:
- Center Square: A large, open gathering area featuring a raised metal dais where leaders address the population.
- Jenfeb Road: A primary thoroughfare lined with crumbling cement buildings, twisted steel rebar, and fading graffiti.
- Martial District: The military command center housing the Warlord's tents, war maps, and the armory.
- Jalnab's House: Located on the less-guarded outer edge of the city, this leaning, mold-covered structure features a rusting gas stove and a broken-down truck in the yard.
Culture and Language
Life in Gulthurub is harsh, and its citizens reflect their environment. The Remnant are muscular, deeply tanned, and covered in dirt. They view long, unwashed dreadlocks—known as jata hair—as a major status symbol. Until the return of their "god," Magona (who is secretly the darkmage Segena / Cariel), the humans of Gulthurub lived as violent scavengers, unable to mend clothes, construct stable buildings, or farm. They eagerly worship Magona, viewing the elves as "devil tricksters" who destroyed the world.
Unbeknownst to the general population, much of the Remnant culture—including their harsh, guttural language—was entirely fabricated by Jalnab (who is secretly the immortal human John Ronald Reuel Tolkien). John invented the "Low Remnant" language to obfuscate human intelligence, ensuring the Eldrim would view them as harmless, uneducated savages.
Key Events
The Arrival of the Underkids
When the underkids Phoenix and Beam fall from the sky city of New San Francisco, they are captured by Zel and brought to Gulthurub. There, they are given golden translator pins (invented by Jalnab) that allow them to understand the Remnant tongue. Segena attempts to recruit the two women to help the Remnant fight the impending war against the Eldrim.
The Elven Preemptive Strike
Having discovered the Remnant's military buildup, the Eldrim Hunters—led by Kharis, Lhoris, and the young archer Arra—launch a sudden nighttime attack on Gulthurub's walls. Though the elves initially inflict heavy casualties with their bladedancing-guided arrows, Zel turns the tide by manning one of the wall's massive Gatling guns, forcing the Eldrim to retreat into the forest.
The Ascension of Zel
Following the attack, Segena publicly manipulates the political landscape of Gulthurub. Bypassing the brutal favorite, Relzeb, she officially declares his son, Zel, to be the new Warlord of Gulthurub. Under Zel's command, the city is nearly emptied as thousands of warriors march south to the outpost of Presenub to rendezvous with the Destroyers brought by the Lusvunub Company for a massive pincer attack.
Relzeb's Coup
After the disastrous battle at Presenub—which results in Zel's death at the hands of Segena—the shattered Remnant forces return to Gulthurub. Jalnab attempts to eulogize Zel's realization that the elves are not true enemies, but Relzeb seizes the moment. Whipping the crowd into a frenzy, Relzeb proclaims himself the new Warlord, declaring that outsiders can never be trusted. He orders all golden language talismans to be destroyed and melted down into bullets.
The Banishment
Sometime later, the young elf Elanil uses her leafrunning magic to sneak over Gulthurub's searchlight-swept walls to visit Martan. When Jalnab catches them, the incident exposes them to Relzeb's wrath. Relzeb banishes both Jalnab and Martan from Gulthurub. The two exiles subsequently flee into the forest, eventually founding the peaceful human sanctuary known as the Splinter.
A New Era of Peace
Following the deactivation of all Prime magic and the defeat of the Twins, the era of violence finally ends. A muscular but kind man named Fandab rises to become the final Warlord of Gulthurub. With help from the True People, the citizens of Gulthurub abandon their hatred of the elves and begin repairing their broken infrastructure, planting gardens, and finally establishing a lasting peace between humanity and the Eldrim.