Misthalin

The Kingdom of Misthalin is a major kingdom within the world of RuneScape, and is ruled by King Roald III and Queen Ellamaria. Misthalin is the most powerful human nation and by far the oldest, having existed since the late Fourth age, and its capital, Varrock, having existed in some form since soon after the end of the God Wars. Misthalin's primary economic activities are Smithing, Mining, and trading. It is divided in half by the River Lum, and its eastern border with Morytania is the River Salve. Most of its territory exists as F2P areas. Contrary to popular belief, both Edgeville and Draynor are towns within Misthalin (rather than Asgarnia).

Communities
In order of size:
 * Varrock (capital)
 * Lumbridge
 * Edgeville
 * Draynor Village

First Age
It was during the First Age that Gielinor was created by Guthix. Nothing is known of the role of Misthalin during this time. It is often accepted that Misthalin never even existed at that point of time.

Second Age
Little is known of the early Second Age. By the end of this age, Misthalin was divided into two - northern areas were part of Zaros' kingdom, including two of the larger cities, Senntisten and Padewwa. Southern areas of Misthalin were part of The Myriad civilization. The Myriad was also favored by Guthix, although during the Second Age, Guthix was in deep slumber.

Third Age: God Wars
Misthalin suffered heavily during the Third Age, as this was the era of the God Wars. However, Misthalin did not suffer as badly as the Wilderness, as the Myriad civilization was utterly destroyed. Their remnants can be seen as Light Creatures within the Lumbridge Swamp Caves. Zaros' kingdom was destroyed, and Senntisten was overtaken by Zamorak, a general who overthrew Zaros' rule. However, Saradominists destroyed Senntisten, and rebuilt a city of their own onto its ruins, naming it Saranthium.

Fourth Age
During the Fourth Age, Saranthium rapidly fell into ruin within the first hundred years. The area now known as Misthalin was densely forested in the north, and was inhabited only by nomads, barbaric Humans, and Goblins. In the year 700, travelers found a baby alone near an area where Varrock is currently located. They took it as a good omen and set up a permanent village there, known as Avarocka. What follows is the Legend of Arrav (For a full account of the city's founding, see the History of Varrock). After the initial troubles with Goblins, a peace treaty was agreed upon, and Avarocka prospered thereafter. Other permanent settlements eventually began to appear. Avarocka was originally ruled by a council known as the Elders of Avarrocka, but this eventually changed to a monarchy, ruled by a king. By around the year 1000, the surrounding tribes all paid homage to Avarocka, and this was the start of Misthalin.

Over time, Misthalin became stronger and better organized. In the year 1100, however, Lord Lowerniel Vergidiyad Drakan declared war on Misthalin. His hordes pored over the River Salve, and had soon conquered the lands east of Avarocka. Drakan's forces were stopped, but the captured territories were not reclaimed. Over the next 100 years, Drakan gradually advanced, until he almost had Avvarocka under siege. However, he was defeated by the army lead by the Seven Priestly Warriors. After the war was over, they blessed the river Salve, so that supporters of Zamorak could never again cross-over.

Throughout the middle of the Fourth Age, humans in general became more civilized. This was beneficial to Misthalin, as they soon established trade links with Asgarnia and other fiefs on Crandor and Entrana. Eventually, Asgarnia fell into ruin, and petty individual kingdoms arose in its place. Misthalin became increasingly strong despite this.

In the year 1777, many settlers from Misthalin crossed the river Salve, into Morytania. They were all either: wiped out, or enslaved by Drakan, although records do not show exactly when, or how. Many more settlements became established in Misthalin over the next two centuries. It was in the year 1937, during the reign of King Claudius, that Polonius was granted the land north of the swamps by the mouth of the River Lum, and became the first Duke of Lumbridge.

Fifth Age
During the Fifth Age, after the discovery of runestones, humans rapidly became dominant. Misthalin became ever more powerful, and Asgarnia was soon reestablished. Now that humans were not continually worrying about war and conflict, they began to develop their culture and living standards. One of the greatest works in Varrock were the sewers. They were completed in the reign of King Botolph, in the year 20. It was also in this year that the demon Delrith attacked Varrock, but was defeated by Wally.

The greatest catastrophe of the Fifth Age was when the Fremennik tribes launched the Runecrafting Crusades, on and off between the years 42 and 70. The Imcando dwarfs were wiped out almost entirely. The barbarians gave up, and settled down after their chieftain was killed. When the Wizard's Tower was burnt down by angry Zamorakian mages, many secrets of the Magic were lost, and the runestones fell into short supply.

In the year 139, the city state of Crandor was destroyed by the dragon Elvarg. This "scared" the government of Misthalin, and affected the economy negatively, as much of the trade had been conducted with Crandor. In the year 143, the Shield of Arrav was stolen from the Varrock Museum by an organized crime syndicate known as the Phoenix Gang. They fought over it, each rival faction in the gang taking half after it was broken. The break away group called themselves the Black Arm Gang. Though King Roald II issued a proclamation promising 1,200 coins to whoever returned it, it was only recently recovered.

In the year 154, Varrock was attacked by an undead army commanded by the Mahjarrat Lucien but was immediately defeated. In the year 169, the government renovated the ruins of Paddewwa, naming the town Edgeville.

Villages

 * Barbarian Village

Free

 * Champions' Guild
 * Cooks' Guild
 * Draynor Manor
 * Lumbridge Swamp
 * Wizards' Tower
 * Gnomecopter Tours

Members

 * Dig Site
 * Exam Centre
 * Lumber Yard
 * Paterdomus

Free

 * Cook's Assistant
 * Demon Slayer
 * Dragon Slayer
 * Ernest the Chicken
 * Imp Catcher
 * The Restless Ghost
 * Romeo & Juliet
 * Rune Mysteries
 * Sheep Shearer
 * Shield of Arrav
 * Vampire Slayer

Members

 * Defender of Varrock
 * Digsite Quest
 * Family Crest
 * Gertrude's Cat
 * Lost City
 * The Lost Tribe
 * Priest in Peril
 * Rag and Bone Man
 * A Soul's Bane
 * What Lies Below

Trivia

 * The name of the kingdom was suggested by the player "Caramon". He had posted a suggestion on an unofficial forum that the kingdom should be called "Misthalin." Developer Paul Gower was reading the forums and agreed that it would be a good name.
 * Not everyone can agree as to whether Al-Kharid is actually part of Misthalin, however, the RuneScape Game Guide shows Al Kharid to be part of The Kharidian Desert, rather than Misthalin.