The ruins of Bal'dawir in the mountains of northeastern Sascrian represent one of the signs of what was before the Collapse. Bal'dawir was buitl on a moutain peak to visually watch over Tesaya and Marve. Magic enhanced the visual sighting methods available, and the position of the fortress enabled magic limited to lines of sight to reach great distances. In addition to being a watchpost, the fortress also served as a stopping point for raiders and others working for the Sascrian magocracy to deliver their acquisitions.

After the Collapse, the fortress was assaulted by a pride of griffons looking for food. The lack of magical defenses and an ability to control the griffons lead to a grizzly slaughter of the inhabitants. When a group of Sascrian privateers returned to Bal'dawir hoping to find out what had happened to their magical possessions, they decided that they were effectively cut off from the Sascrian government and took what remained Bal'dawir as their new headquarters.