Farrohol
Farrohol? Why would you visit for fun? You can smell the coal in the air, all times of the day, the residents are surly, and worst of all? The bars are always full of adventurers.Farrohol is a major industrial site in the Imperium, collectively responsible for producing most of the steel used for official purposes. Situated in the lower reaches of the Varol Mountains, terrain is very friendly for defense due to a lack of easy access. Over the generations, the Imperium has solidified this into a single broad ascent called 'the Forge Road' running from the lowlands up to the gates of the city. There is one other access point, though this is underground and used to bring in raw material from the iron mines through the mountains. Adventurers are often found arriving here to acquire equipment, or to hire out as guards to the mines, while merchant caravans steadily come and go throughout the year.
Government
Farrohol is governed by a mayor appointed by the provincial governor, who in turn appoints people to a council. The council is divided into specific responsibilities, such as roads, buildings, forges, and trade. Every few years, a councilor will step down voluntarily - usually due to a scandal, or becoming tired of the job. Beyond these figures, the guilds all have leaders who meet with the council to discuss matters important to them, usually with some sort of arrangements being made to keep any issues from growing out of hand. The Steel Guardians advise them of matters with regards to city defense, but take no direct orders or instructions from the council or mayor.
Defences
Various checkpoints and gates along the Forge Road exist to make it harder for an invasion force to reach the heavily-fortified city, and the walls themselves are steel-reinforced stone. As a major city, the Imperial Guard here are quite well-funded by the Farro Guild and others. In addition, the Steel Guardians are a private force developed over several centuries as defenders loyal to the city as opposed to any single person of importance within it. Beyond these forces, there are also almost always a number of adventuring groups present in the city who will lend aid if required (and if suitably reimbursed for their efforts). Overall, there are easily several hundred defenders which can be mobilized within half an hour to defend the city against an attack.
The exterior walls are equipped with heavy bow emplacements, which can throw large steel-tipped bolts at targets on the Forge Road or in the air. A few towers located throughout the city also have these mechanisms, specifically adapted to be more maneuverable to track flying targets. Their effectiveness has been proven against the occasional wyvern trying to raid the edges of the city, though this is close to the extent of their range. A number of smaller gates used to exist in the wall, but they have since been sealed and access is directed either through the Forge Road or the Underground approach. For all the above-ground defenses, the Underground approach is not poorly defended. By comparison, it is almost as hard to breach than above. The defenses start with 'the Deep Lock', a trio of gates which can be shut within minutes and range from a steel portcullis at the outer gate to adamantine-reinforced steel at the innermost gate. Above the second gate the defenses have the capacity to flood heated oil onto invaders, sifted out through grated floors. Should the second gate fall, the approach to the third gate can be rigged to collapse inwards while defenders make arrangements to stop any who can make it through the final gate with as much force as they can.
The exterior walls are equipped with heavy bow emplacements, which can throw large steel-tipped bolts at targets on the Forge Road or in the air. A few towers located throughout the city also have these mechanisms, specifically adapted to be more maneuverable to track flying targets. Their effectiveness has been proven against the occasional wyvern trying to raid the edges of the city, though this is close to the extent of their range. A number of smaller gates used to exist in the wall, but they have since been sealed and access is directed either through the Forge Road or the Underground approach. For all the above-ground defenses, the Underground approach is not poorly defended. By comparison, it is almost as hard to breach than above. The defenses start with 'the Deep Lock', a trio of gates which can be shut within minutes and range from a steel portcullis at the outer gate to adamantine-reinforced steel at the innermost gate. Above the second gate the defenses have the capacity to flood heated oil onto invaders, sifted out through grated floors. Should the second gate fall, the approach to the third gate can be rigged to collapse inwards while defenders make arrangements to stop any who can make it through the final gate with as much force as they can.
Industry & Trade
The primary industry of Farrohol is making steel and other metallic materials for the Rhyliss Imperium. The Farro Guild runs a majority of the foundries and forges in the city, from the Imperial Foundry to various small blacksmiths making knives or hatchets. Between this and other guilds trying to keep competitive, it's possible to find many good deals during certain times of the year. Aside from this there are numerous other trades in the city; stonecutters, jewelers, alchemists, tanners, and various other professions find a home here with the easy access to quality steel and those who know how to work it.
Adventurers will be able to find almost any basic piece of equipment here, and even more exotic forms of arms and armor can be created for a modest markup. There are very few arcanists in the city to serve magical needs, since the overwhelming presence of smoke in the air bothers them, but looking hard enough through the city may turn up assistance.
Adventurers will be able to find almost any basic piece of equipment here, and even more exotic forms of arms and armor can be created for a modest markup. There are very few arcanists in the city to serve magical needs, since the overwhelming presence of smoke in the air bothers them, but looking hard enough through the city may turn up assistance.
Guilds and Factions
As noted, the Farro Guild (known as 'the Farro' to locals) exists as the primary authority over those working with metal in the city. Backed by money from the Imperium, and several notable figures in the area. Their whole purpose is to keep the patronage of the Imperium for their members, though this has taken many forms of action over the years. Competition is usually left alone unless they are able to be anywhere near the same quality of work, at which point they're approached with an offer to join the guild. Those who do not start to have business steered away from them until they leave Farrowdel, or join the guild. Because of these details, the Farro doesn't have a great reputation inside the city, but they are grudgingly respected for their skill in the trade.
Other major guilds of notes not directly related to the Farro, are the Mason's Guild and the Onyx Mortar. The Mason's Guild does most of the work constructing new buildings, often allowing patrons to hire crews for larger tasks. The Onyx Mortar are responsible for all sorts of alchemical tasks done for people in the city, with the largest amount of these tasks being for the Farro. Oils, acids, and various other components are necessary for ensuring Imperial Steel is kept to the highest standard possible. Aside from this, the Mortar does significant business selling goods to adventurers who are in the area buying steel goods from the Farro.
Other major guilds of notes not directly related to the Farro, are the Mason's Guild and the Onyx Mortar. The Mason's Guild does most of the work constructing new buildings, often allowing patrons to hire crews for larger tasks. The Onyx Mortar are responsible for all sorts of alchemical tasks done for people in the city, with the largest amount of these tasks being for the Farro. Oils, acids, and various other components are necessary for ensuring Imperial Steel is kept to the highest standard possible. Aside from this, the Mortar does significant business selling goods to adventurers who are in the area buying steel goods from the Farro.
History
When iron was found in plentiful amounts under the Varol Mountains, Duke Efrain Farrow built his home nearby and began selling portions of land to those willing to develop mines. This money was in turn invested for a settlement around a large foundry, and to hire skilled metalworkers to make steel for him. As the settlement grew and smaller foundries were built, it attracted the attention of orc raiders for having stuff worth taking. Several bloody battles happened and forced Duke Farrow to commission a stone-walled structure which almost encompassed the whole city. "Farrow's Hall", as it was called, became harder to raid with fewer easy entry points. After generations passed, and the defenders became more organized, the city expanded outwards and ceased being an easy target. The original "hall" was torn down for the stone to build the first outer wall, and the Duke's line unfortunately ended without an heir, but the city is still known as "Farrohol".
Recent centuries have seen the rise of guilds to prominence in the city politics, instead of merely being a collection of professionals helping each other. This has been coupled with Imperium-backed groups rising in power, those groups suggesting the provincial seat of power be moved to the city. Most of the council couldn't care less about these things, so long as the foundries continue their work and trade continues to keep the city prosperous.
Recent centuries have seen the rise of guilds to prominence in the city politics, instead of merely being a collection of professionals helping each other. This has been coupled with Imperium-backed groups rising in power, those groups suggesting the provincial seat of power be moved to the city. Most of the council couldn't care less about these things, so long as the foundries continue their work and trade continues to keep the city prosperous.
Table of Contents
Alternative Name(s)
The Primary Foundry
Type
Large city
Population
Approx 2500
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