Law's Forge

Law's Forge, a twin-keeped, walled village, had a dual role in the old Shield Lands. It was a guarding post overlooking the Horned Society, but more importantly, it was the weaponcrafting center of excellence for most of the northern Shield Lands. Dwarven smiths, gnome armorers, and human bowyers and fletchers all worked together here. Their work was so exceptional in quality that powerful mages were frequent visitors, purchasing crafted items of true excellence for enchanting magical items. Ten percent of edged weapons made here are so fine that they confer a +1 bonus on attack rolls, but do not count as magical weapons. During the wars, when Iuz's forces swept north of the Ritensa and then back west into the Shield Lands, a hobgoblin invasion was cunningly placed by At-ur Rehmat south of Law's Forge. When the forces here tried to flee to the safety of Critwall and Admundfort, they were ambushed and many of the artisans were captured.

Both compulsion through hostages and magical control using charms and such are used to force the dwarves and others to continue their work. They slow up production as much as they dare, but still a fair supply of excellent swords, shields and armor trickles out of Law's Forge. These are given to those who are powerful enough to demand one, to superior orogs, some few to hobgoblin chieftains to placate them, and a very small amount are dispatched to the Bandit Lands forces. A sword or other metal weapon stamped with the hallmark of Law's Forge is greatly prized by Iuz's troops, who are certainly not above killing the current owner of one if they think they can get away with it.

One secret the dwarves, gnomes and handful of human survivors here have managed to protect is that nearly a ton of superb adamantine steel ingots are concealed behind a series of trapped, magically concealed, secret doors in the dungeon armory of one of the keeps. Indeed, only a few of the dwarves know of its existence at all.