Cliffsgard

Cliffsgard is a formidable and intimidating city, built into the base of a towering cliff and it's surroundings. The city is constructed mainly of black volcanic rock except for the three massive stone warriors that face the cliff and whose back comprises the fortified high walls and guard towers. The gates to the city are made of thick iron bars and are heavily guarded, allowing only those with permission from the city's ruler to enter.
The nearby volcano is considered sacred by the city's inhabitants and is an important part of their religious beliefs, but it is also a source of fear and terror. The volcano's eruption is believed to bring good fortune and fertility to the land and its people, but it also brings death and destruction. The city's faithful regularly makes offerings and sacrifices to the Old God Kossuth, the Lord of Flames. A group of powerful Oracles that call themselves "The Burning Braziers" claim they can commune with the volcano, however they are believed to use their powers for dark and sinister purposes.
The city's economy is primarily based on the mining of resources from the cliff and under the nearby volcano; such as obsidian, sulfur, alchemical ingredients and various precious metals. This wealth has allowed the city to become a major center of trade and commerce in the region. Additionally, the city is a major center for the training of soldiers and mercenaries. The harsh living conditions and proximity to the volcano make it ideal for training, but it also breeds a violent and ruthless population.
Cliffsgard is well known for having deep sprawling mines but very few miners, the vast majority of mining is done by forced labor. Almost every infraction comes with a number of days working the mines; a couple of days for small crimes, while more heinous criminals might be sentenced to years or even life. It is a common sight to see chain-gangs of criminals shambling in and out of the under city.
The city is also home to a powerful and feared guild of blacksmiths and weaponsmiths called: The Stone Anvil. They produce high-quality weapons and armor for the city's army, but rumor says they also make weapons for shadier clients like thieves guilds and possibly other dark forces.

Demographics

Human: 60%
Duergar: 10%
Drow: 5%
Other: 25%

Government

Contrary to most other large cities and towns Cliffsgard is governed by a council of representatives, one from each district, called the Onyx Council. They act as the city's Exarch, dispensing edicts, laws and punishements. They lead Cliffsgard with an mailed glove wrapped in velvet.

Defences

The High Walls: Cliffsgard is surrounded on all sides by high, nigh impregnable walls. The sheer cliff-face the city is built into provides protection from the rear and the 3 Warrior statues that comprise the outter facing walls close the ring.
The Ashguard: The city has a strong military presence, with a well-trained and well-equipped standing army called the Ashguard. They are a formidable force, well-trained and well-equipped. They are responsible for maintaining order within the city, defending it from external threats, and enforcing the laws and edicts of the city's ruling council because they are also Sheriffs so they have the power to question, arrest, detain and imprison suspects deemed to be a threat to the city's security.
The guards wear heavy armor and carry weapons such as spears, swords, and shields. They are trained in various forms of combat, including hand-to-hand combat, spear fighting, and archery. They are also trained in the use of siege equipment, such as catapults and ballistae, in case the city is ever attacked.
The city guards are led by the Captain of the Ashguard, who is appointed by the city's ruling council. The Captain has complete authority over the guards and is responsible for their training, discipline, and deployment. He also serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the city.
The Order of Obsidian: The city guards are supplemented by a group of elite knights called the 'Order of Obsidian', they are specially trained to handle the harsh conditions of the volcano and are usually deployed to the mines, or on special missions in the surrounding areas. They are known for their fierce loyalty to the city, but also for their brutal tactics and lack of mercy.
The Order of Obsidian are fiercely loyal to the city and will do whatever it takes to protect it, even if it means resorting to more extreme measures. They are entirely comprised of races that can naturally see in the dark such as Dwarves, Fetchlings, Drow and the like. The Obsidian Knights are feared by many, but also respected for their skill and bravery. They are seen as the protectors of the city and its people, and are willing to make any sacrifice necessary to keep them safe. They are the last line of defense against any threats to the city, whether they be external invaders or internal rebellion.
The Dark Knights (as they are also known) are heavily armored, with layered obsidian plates covering their bodies, giving them an imposing and intimidating appearance. They wield obsidian weapons, which are sharp and deadly, and are able to withstand intense heat. They are also trained to fight in the dark and subterranean environments, making them formidable opponents in any battle. They are a shadowy and secretive organization, and little is known about their true goals or motivations. They often operate in the shadows, carrying out secret missions and operations on behalf of the city.

Districts

The city is divided into several districts, each with its own unique character:

The Lower District: The lower district is home to the city's market, where merchants from all over the region come to trade goods and services, but it is also a place where the city's lawless elements congregate, it is not uncommon to see a long line of chained criminals making their way to or from the mines beneath the cliff.

The Middle District: The middle district is where the majority of the city's residents live, in cramped and squalid conditions, with rows of houses and shops lining the streets. It is where most of the guilds of Cliffsgard operate out of.

The Upper District: The upper district is where the city's few elites reside, in grand stone houses with private courtyards and gardens, and they are often seen as ruthless and uncaring of the plight of the lower classes.

The Under City: The under city is the part of Cliffsgard that is built inside the cliff, it is more of a military outpost than a city. It is the last bastion of civilization before entering the mines and the catacombs that stretch out beyond that. One must have permission to come and go in the under city, it is a restricted area.

Guilds and Factions

The Burning Braziers: A group of powerful Oracles of Kossuth which claim that the heart of the volcano is an imprisoned dragon and they can communicate with it.
The Stone Anvil: One of the largest Blacksmith Guilds in the realm but definitely the largest in Cliffsgard, they wield a great level of influence and power over the smallfolk of the city.
The Order of Obsidian: Feared and revered by the people, they act as an elite task force dispatched to deal with any stubborn problems the Council of Cliffsgard may have.
The Night Masks: Have a strong presence in the city, it is said that they control most of the Lower District and that they have hidden underground encampments deep in the catacombs beyond the Under City.

Natural Resources

Iron Ore

Obsidian

Precious Metal Ore

Gemstones

Alchemical Ingredients

Type

Large city

Population

8,500