Kraghammer

Heralded as the true living center of dwarven culture on the continent, the stronghold of Kraghammer was established by the surviving families of the high-mountain kingdom of Uthtor, said to have crumbled nearly 2 millennia ago. Rebuilt by survivors of Uthtor within the southern face of the Cliffkeep Mountains, Kraghammer grew with industrious vigor a few centuries ago with the discovery of rich veins of platinum and mithral, which remain its main source of wealth and trade power. It currently holds its ground as a long-standing autonomous city-state allied with the Council of Tal’Dorei, and the instigator of countless expeditions into the Cliffkeeps to extract the riches and long-forgotten secrets beneath the staggering peaks.
An ominous walk of a thousand stairs climb the side of the mountain to the gates of the city carved from the mountain itself, just wide enough for two dwarves to walk abreast. Too steep and treacherous for carts or common beasts of burden, traders and trappers use giant goats to transport their goods to and from market, while wealthy dwarven merchant lords employ serfs and laborers to carry their goods. Kraghammer’s impenetrable adamantine gates stand at the end of a perilous bridge overlooking a hundred-foot chasm, and is guarded by three watchtowers carved into the mountain itself. Within those gates, the massive stronghold is made up of three cylindrical levels called “slabs” that descend deep beneath the mountains. Kraghammer’s granite walls are lit by roaring fires, enchanted torches, and shimmering candlerock, which glows with internal fire. Even when the evening fires are extinguished, the amber light of the Bronzegrip Metalworks at the base of the city bathes the city in its warm glow.
Kraghammer has stood in the bitter cold of the Ice Mountains for almost eighteen centuries, impregnable and defiant. The fortress, carved out of a mountain spur, consists of two great towers ringed with spikes to keep large flying creatures from landing to attack the structures directly. The stone of the mountain itself is said to have been shaped by the hands of Moradin and is resistant to damage and weathering. The great chimney of the citadel’s central foundry stands between the towers, belching smoke like a volcano about to erupt. Ringing the citadel is a host of platforms, battlements, and arrow slits from where defenders can fire crossbows, spells, ballistae, and more at foolish attackers. A great drawbridge allows no one to enter the dwarven enclave except patrols and honored guests. Cleverly hidden traps await those who storm the halls uninvited, and beneath the citadel is an expansive network of tunnels and caverns designed to confuse would-be invaders. If Kraghammers defenses should ever prove inadequate, the dwarves have created a secret evacuation tunnel that stretches for hundreds of miles, connecting to passages that lie under every dwarven settlement in the region, all of which can be collapsed by action from both sides. Kraghammer garrison offers a reward of 10 gp for each orc head brought to the city gates, or 100 gp for each fire or frost giant head (50gp for any other giant head).
The population of kraghammer was unaffected by the Chroma Conclave conquering Tal'dorei (the Wyrms knew better than to try to assault the seat of Moradin), however no good dwarf could let the conquest go unchallenged - it drew away many of Kraghammer's greatest warriors, engineers, and mages, including its long-ruling king, Harbromm. King Harbromm led his knights into battle against the hordes of half-dragons, lizardfolk, and kobolds invading every town and village in the southern valley, and fell in battle defending a group of human children and elderly against the attack of a Wyvern. Harbromm’s twin sons, Bromm and Harnoth, inherited the throne and, like their father, left Kraghammer to join the war. Bromm perished in battle with the goliaths of the Herd of Storms, who served the dragon Umbrasyl, leaving the crown to Harnoth. Harnoth and his followers fought many battles during the war, even after the dragons fell their many minions were not quick to relinquish their power, but the new king made some poor decisions that winnowed the once-great Knights of the Mithral Shield down to a handful of members. Fortunately for Harnoth, the Iron Guard — Kraghammer's defending army — remains incredibly strong.

Demographics

83% dwarven, 10% gnome, 7% other

Government

Run by King Harnoth Kraghammer and his wife Queen Gloria Kraghammer

Defences

ALL

Infrastructure

A great many forges, arcane workshops, and underground farms of edible fungus used to make bread

Population

63,550