Marklund

"No greater hold of dwarves exists in this world. Truly a shining beacon of power for Armok's children upon Naneth". - Carvius Hark, Researcher at Astoran Archives
Marklund, also known as "The Heart of the Mountain" or "Avor Zana" in dwarvish, is a major Astoran City and the central hub of dwarven activities in the region. It was settled in the early years after the Age of Mists, hundreds of years before the first Atmoran rebels landed at Capital Point. Marklund shares the distinction of being Astora's oldest city, a title it claimed after the destruction of Arnad-Ang. Marklund is built from the very mountain it sits upon, with portions of the city residing underground and upon the steep plateaus above. Due to it's natural defences and the skill in which the dwarven-made walls were constructed, Marklund is likely the most secure settlement in the west.

Geography

In the Mountain's Embrace

Marklund is built into the slopes of the lower Vilmyr Mountains with portions of the city stretching out towards the southern Vilmyr Plains. However, much of the city remains underground, burrowed deep into the ridges above. Here the dwarves enjoy the bounties that subterranean life offers, including the mining of precious metals and other materials; the life-blood of Marklund itself.
Marklund's climate resembles something of a desert-like environment. Almost constant winds blows down from the mountains above, creating cold, dry gales that sweep through Marklund and into the Vilmyr Plains beyond. This makes it difficult for most vegetation to survive apart from the tall brown grasses of the plains. This aspect of Marklund's geography lends itself miserably to the winter months in the city. Beginning in Snowbirth, Marklund becomes unbearably cold. The high winds of the mountains above creating swirling blizzards at moment's notice.

Government

For the Dwarves

Marklund's day to day operation are overseen by Town-Master Glavis Torharrow, a hill dwarf and life resident of the city. Marklund falls under jurisdiction by the Astora government and the The Council of Nine though in ways of commerce and military, it is entrusted to run independently in-city. This unique aspect of Astora's and Marklund's relationship was established in AoR 318, when the powerful dwarven city accepted inclusion into the growing Astoran country.
Astora does maintain a Ministry building inside the city, as Astoran officials maintain and work closely with the leaders of Marklund.

Laws & Punishments

Marklund's laws remain consistent with those established within Astora itself. However, most criminal punishments are handled in-city rather than being tried and sentenced in Vinguard or Vinheim, like other Astoran communities would rely on. Those that commit crimes in Marklund are beholden to leadership in Black Ridge Keep and Town Master Torharrow, also a high ranking member of Marklund's military. Typically, crimes such as thievery or arson are held to higher degrees of punishment in Marklund, an aspect of dwarven culture that does not tolerate such actions.
For High Crimes such as murder and treason, Marklund adheres to the laws of Astora, sending those criminals to Vinguard or Vinheim for trial.

Crime

Crime in Marklund is far from rampant, due to the harsh punishments levied against petty misdemeanors by Black Ridge Keep. However, due to the nature of Marklund's chief exports, thievery and burglaries will always be a reality of living in the dwarven-town. The precious metals and gems mined from inside the Vilmyr Mountains are just too tempting for a career criminal to pass on. Notably, the The Silver Fox Guild does not seem to have a permanent presence in the city, though effects of their practice can certainly still be felt. Long has the conflict between the White Rock Mining Company and the Silver Fox Guild raged, and it is no different in Marklund.

Commerce

Bounty of the Mountain

Being set within the mountains themselves, Marklund is Astora's chief exporter of metals, valuable ores, and building materials other than lumber. In almost a complete monopoly, the White Rock Mining Company runs the mines inside Marklund, then ships the materials out across Astora and beyond. Almost all of Astora's major settlements have been built with input from Marklund, whether that be tools, actual materials, or the skill of the city's craftsman. Vinheim is perhaps the best example of this, as the Capital's walls were built almost completely by Marklund dwarves.
The metals mined from beneath the city also provide the Astoran Military with armor and weapons. Perhaps not as renowned as their brethren from Atmora and The Teeth, Marklund blacksmiths are still counted amongst Astora's most skilled armament craftsman. Nowhere else in Astora would one find higher quality options.

Districts

The Lower City

Marklund's lower city contains the majority of non-dwarven residences, including those that live outside the walls of the ever-expanding settlement. As Marklund's largest and most populous district, the Lower City contains the Marklund Market, Town Sqaure, Merchant Guild Market, White Rock Refinery and Smithy Lane; Marklund's collection of talented blacksmiths. Most travelers to the city will never find themselves leaving this district, as most taverns and services can easily be found here. Marklund's very limited agricultural sector can also be found in the Lower City. The farming done here is not enough to keep Marklund fed, as food is one of the city's imports. However, this section of Marklund is home to the Twin Barrel Brewery, an Astoran-famous establishment.

The High City

This district encompasses all of Marklund that rises above ground level, including anything that sits upon the slopes of the Vilmyr Mountains. Most of Marklund's temples and holy sites can be found in this district, as well as a collection of the city's more wealthy inhabitants. Black Ridge Keep, The Hill of the Brave, and Armok's temple; the Forge of the Stone Shaper, can be found towering over Marklund from the High City. Vilmyr Prison also operates from the High City. This is Astora's second largest prison after The Rift in Vinheim.

The Under City

The Under City is Marklund's truly dwarven district, as the entire area sits beneath the slopes of Marklund. The Under City can be reached though the Mountain Pass Gates in the northern portion of Marklund. It's here that the majority of dwarves make their residences, homes carved into the rock itself. Massive canyons of rock occupy this area, allowing access to the deep places of Astora and making it the perfect foothold for the mines that are so prevalent in this district. All of Marklund's mineral exports come from he Under City. Though underground, this district is not totally devoid of sunlight. Two massive tunnels, known as The Shafts, are dug into the rock ceiling above Under City. These tunnels serve duel purposes as skylights and chimneys.

Defenses

Stonewall

Marklund is Astora's most defensible city as over half the settlement is surrounded by sheer drops and rocky slopes. Attack from the north would be all but impossible for a conventional force. On the south end, Marklund displays three massive sections of wall, each of them interconnected by tunnels through the raised plateau on the city's face. These walls are built high and thick from the very same rock that sits beneath the city. Dwarven-made, they are virtually impenetrable, even holding well against magic and siege engines.
Atop Marklund's walls sits an invention of death not currently found in use anywhere else in Astora; Black Fire from Veth Monra. When combined with the cannon; another dwarven invention, Black Fire could be used to launch metal projectiles towards the enemy at a velocity much higher and more powerful than arrows or rocks. Marklund's defenses have not been tested since the installation of these new weapons, meaning their true power has yet to be seen.

History

Life in the Dark

Very little is known about the earliest days of Marklund as a city. It was likely founded in the dark of the Vilmyr Mountains, many years before the Age of Mists had ended. This refuge of dwarves would have looked to wait out the poisonous mists under the protection of Armok, whilst simultaneously beginning to flourish in the shadows under the mountains. When the Age of Mists ended, and Naneth was once again able to emerge with life, the dwarves too emerged from their exile. Early in the Age of Renewal, On the slopes of the very same mountains they'd lived the last thousand years, Marklund was born.
For a time, Marklund would have been one of the only settlements in western Naneth, sharing that distinction with Arnad-Ang of the Ironwood Kingdom. Not prone to expansion, the dwarves of Marklund built their city high and deep into the immediate surroundings, choosing not to expand into further settlements. When Atmoran rebels arrived in AoR 268 and established Astora, Marklund was already a powerful city and would become an extremly important ally to the flourishing human country.

Inclusion into Astora

In AoR 318, exactly 50 years after the founding of Astora, Marklund would join the country officially. No longer was Marklund an independent city-state as the dwarves of the city became citizens of the very country that had quickly overtaken them in terms of economic and military power in less than 50 years. With Marklund, Astora saw it's border reach from the west to east coast, and from the northern The Wilderlands, to the border of the Ironwood Forest. Such expansion would see the Ironwood Kingdom launch a preemptive war on Astora. Marklund would soon see combat on it's doorstep for the first time during The Ironwood War.
Soon after it's inclusion into Astora, Marklund dwarves would discover The Spell Forge with the help of scholars from Astora. This began a long standing friendship between the dwarves of the city and scholars of Vinheim, and later, of Veth Monra.

The Battle of Marklund

See the full article of The Ironwood War.
Marklund itself would see combat in AoR 408 as the Ironwood Kingdom directly attacked the city, sieging it for almost two weeks. The Battle of Marklund would mark the largest land engagment between Astora and the Ironwood Kingdom. Dwarves manned the towers and walls of the city, beating back every elven attempt to scale the defenses. Astoran reinforcements would push the Ironwood Kingdom in the open field outside the city, looking to relive the siege itself. Many dwarfs of the city participated in open field battle as well, bravely led by Thaddeus Amberfoot; the current Town-Master of Marklund.
This offensive by the Ironwood was a two-fold objective, as a smaller force of elves looked to secure the Spell Forge. Though Marklund would finally succeed in ending the threat to their city, the Spell Forge would indeed be lost after a catastrophic cave-in. Thaddeus would be recognized as a war hero after the Battle of Marklund and later, after the Battle of Vinguard, would be named a General in Astora's Military.

Rediscovery of the Forge

In AoR 599, the Spell Forge would once again be uncovered by miners from Marklund. Aided by a group later known as The Marklund Five, the miners were able to secure the Spell Forge and return it to the hands of Marklund and Veth Monra. This was a massive boost to the city, as the years following would see it's economy skyrocket to levels not seen since the years before the Ironwood War. Scholars, merchants and magic users of all types would visit the city, just for the oppurtunity of reaching the fabled gift from Armok.

Inhabitants

Guilds and Organizations

White Rock Mining Company: Originally from Marklund, the largest portion of the company now functions in Vinheim. However, the White Rock Mining Co still owns and operates most of the mines under the dwarven city, making the Marklund branch of the company extremly profitable.
Black Ridge Keep: Black Ridge Keep is the home of Marklund's private military sector. From the keep in the High City, Black Ridge soliders watch over Marklund, keeping the peace and defending the walls if necessary.
Smithy Lane: Smithy Lane sits in Marklund's Lower City as a home for the city's most proficient weapon and armor smiths. Nowhere else in Marklund, let alone Astora, is there a better place to shop for arms.
Merchant's Guild Market: Though the Merchant's Guild of Naneth does not have a port in Marklund, they still retain a presence in the city. The Guild here runs a large scale market, complete with items shipped in from all over Naneth. This rivals Marklund's native market, where it is unlikely to find resources from outside the city. This is a point of contention with the local population.
Twin Barrel Brewery: Twin Barrel is Marklund's premier brewer of ale and the hands-down favourite of it's dwarven inhabitants. Twin Barrel is renowned Astora-wide based on the raving reviews from Marklund natives alone.

Culture

Religion

As with most Astoran settlements, temples, shrines and churches to almost every Eres can be found in Marklund. However, Armok, the dwarven God of the Forge, is revered above all others in Marklund, obviously due to the city's primarily dwarven population. The dwarves of Marklund believe that Armok himself led the ancient dwarves of this area to the caves beneath the Vilmyr Mountains during the Age of Mists in a bid to save his creations from annihilation. Armok would allow them the tools to survive many millennia in the dark, only to emerge as a powerful people back into Naneth.
Combined with the Spell Forge's proximity to Marklund, the city is widely considered to be a divine site to Armok himself.

Hero's Worship

The dwarves of Naneth are a proud people. Those individuals that prove to be extraordinary in their field, whether it be combat or craftmanship, are often celebrated amongst the populace. The dwarves of Marklund are no different in this regard as they hold Thaddeus Amberfoot, the Marklund war hero and General, above all others. Tales and songs are often sung of Thaddeus in the taverns and temples of Marklund, the subject usually being about his defense of Marklund or his heroic cavalry charge during the Battle of Vinguard.

Basic Information

Alias/s: Heart of the Mountain, Avor Zana
Type: City
Region: Middle Astora
Population: 78,987 in AoR 608

Society

Demonym: Marklunder
Races: Dwarves (53%), Humans (26%), Halfling (16%), Other (5%)
Religions: Armok, Torm

Commerce

Imports: Food, Livestock
Exports: Minerals, Weapons, Building Materials

Politics

Ruling Type: Appointed Townmaster
Ruler: Glavis Torharrow
Overruling Government: The Council of Nine