Copperstad

Copperstad is the second part of the Twained Empire, together with Reun these two powerhouses rule most of the eastern part of Reunian. Copperstad is a mountain city built into the northern Reun mountain chain. It is an impenetrable fortress of halls and tunnels, bridges, and crevasses. Never in the history of the world have the dwarves of Copperstad ever been attacked, for their remote location, fearsome warriors and harsh landscape make it borderline impossible. Though Copperstad has never been the victim of war, they have been a part of several including The Reunian War, The Enslavement of the Halflings, and The Retaking of Greenpeak Mountain.

Demographics

Most of the inhabitants of Copperstad are dwarves and gnomes which make natural allies. Though there are some human and elven inhabitants they are rare and frowned upon as the Copperstad dwarves and gnomes have secluded tendencies.

Government

Copperstad is governed by 12 family houses known as the council of twelve. Each of the great houses has a representative at the council and they vote on policies and actions with 2/3 majority being needed for confirmation. Each house has a long and historical impact on the political climate of Copperstad.
Stonebreaker (Corin Stonebreaker): Early adopters of the new Moradin sub-faith called Murism. (Murinists believe that Moradin created Dwarves as builders and not diggers and that the current speed of digging will lead to extreme calamities.) They were in favor of the Twained empereum and voted to help the enslaved halflings. They are known throughout Copperstad for their long and rich tradition of statue making (Coat of Arms: A hammer crushing stone)
Longbeard (Dulli Longbeard): Finest warriors in all of Coppersted, most Longbeards are part of the Clansguard and serve it to their death. Longbeards never cut their beard until defeated in battle. Those who lose their beard are shunned from the clan and will lose the Longbeard name. They have always been in favor of warfare and expansion of the empire. (Coat of Arms: A Dwarven jawline with a long beard)
Rockdrinker (Yully Rockdrinker): The Rockdrinkers are a clan of alchemists and enchanters dedicated to the manipulation of rock and stone, and the effects of gems on the dwarven body. They are known to create fantastic and dangerous new concoctions that can be both beneficial and deadly. They were not in favor of the Twained EMpereum and voted to stay out of the Dragonborn affairs in Helften. (Coat of Arms: A tankard with rocks poking out signifying how dwarves are made of stone)
Cragfire (Dana Cragfire): Clan Cragfire was one of the first known dwarven clans to reach Copperstad. They are great adventurers and explorers. They are said to be related to the Ragstag Crag Dwarves, but the line has thinned over the thousands of years since they arrived. They were in favor of the Twained Empereum and to help the halflings during the occupation. (Coat of Arms: A mountain on fire signifying the dangers of stagnation within the mountains)
Gembluff (Buiri Gembluff): Clan Gembluff is known as great artisans and jewel makers. They have large gem mines underneath the city and are one of the world's largest exporters of rare gems. They are tradesmen and have joined their house with Gnomes. They were for the Twained Empereum, but against helping the halflings during the occupation. (Coat of arms: a diamond beneath a magnifying glass)
Strongstep (Feiri Strongstep): Clan Strongstep is the only clan in Copperstad that are mostly located in other cities and regions. They are builders, fixers, and handymen that tend to travel about being recruited for construction projects. Their influence in Copperstad may be weaker than that of the other clans but in return, their reputation amongst other regions is greatly increased. They voted for the Twained Empereum and for helping the halflings amidst the occupation. (Coat of Arms: Three steps with mountains behind)
Goldrose (Gienna Goldrose): Clan Goldrose rose to prominence when they migrated from the Black Steel Hills a few years after the Arcanum Revolt, where they brought their keen mercantile eyes to Copperstad. Known as great business and salesmen these dwarves focus on peddling goods from one place to another, they are the main reason why Copperstad has a growing economy, bringing in new ventures through their connections to the trade amalgamations of the north. They voted no to the Twained Empereum and to help the halflings during the occupation. (Coat of Arms: A golden rose amidst a field of green)
Silverpeak (Surin Silverpeak): The Silverpeak clan is known for its expansionist ideals, xenophobic tendencies, and conservative morals. They are miners at their core and make their fortune from their iron and copper mines, selling it to other nations. Though not well-liked amongst the other clans they are respected and demand to be heard. They were heavily against the Twained Empereum and helping the halflings during the occupations. (Coat of Arms: A grey mountain with a silvered top with a blue background)
Bronzeway (Carrug Bronzeway): The Bronzeway Clan rose to prominence in the early days as fine mechanics and engineers. Most of Copperstads defensive structures and capabilities were made by the Bronzeway clan. They are artificers and problem solvers that have taken several contractor jobs for allied cities like Reun, Dwalinstad, and Stone-Shore. They are well respected and liked, and voted yes to both the Twained Empereum and to help the halflings during the occupation. (Coat of Arms: A large bronze road in between two large mountains.)
Stonedirge (Mull Stonedirge): Clan Stonedirge is the black sheep of the council of twelve. They practice weird necromantic stone magic and rituals to further their knowledge of geomatic energy. Many have not made up their minds about clan Stonedirge and tend to leave them alone. Therefore not a lot is known about them and their culture. They made none of their votes public, though other clans have leaked that they were in favor of the Twained Empereum and against helping the halflings during the occupation. (Coat of Arms: A gravestone upon a bed of dirt)
Backbreaker (Lumin Backbreaker): Clan Backbreaker are great blue-collar workers. They are strong, hardy, and sell their labor the highest bidder. Often found drinking in the tavern, fighting in the arena, or working the mines of other clans these dwarves are happy to just be useful. They are often sold to other cities and regions for hefty sums of money, mostly because of their moldability. A Backbreaker dwarf can do whatever work you put in front of them. They voted yes for the Twained Empereum and yes to helping the halflings. (Coat of Arms: A dwarven silhouette carrying a large boulder upon its shoulder)
Coldspire ( Eurin Coldspire): Clan Coldspire are a clan of calm and collected academics. They put their focus on knowledge and strategy, building vast libraries of knowledge, and writing new books every month. Using their allies as research partners these dwarves travel and start projects to find out the truths of the universe. Coldspire was the clan that originally proposed the 12 clan council, even though they were in charge they thought that the other houses should have a say in the rulings of the crown. They voted yes to the Twained Empereum and to help the halflings during the occupation. (Coat of Arms: A tall mountain amidst smaller mountains)

Defences

The first defense of Copperstad is the landscape. Both long and treacherous, the maze-like roads to copperstad are overgrown and dangerous. Wildlife, traps, and guerilla-style military camps protect the path to Copperstad. After the week-long trek to the gates of copperstad a retractable 100 feet long bridge stands in your way, on the other side are ballista and archers waiting to release their volleys. If you were to get over the 1000 meter tall crevasse you would be met by an impenetrable Durum reinforced gate with arrow slits, boiling oil and protective runes. Inside the mountain await the acclaimed Longbeard Clansguards riding atop their mountain boars, with artillery from their famous ax thrower unit.

Industry & Trade

Though Copperstad has expanded its list of export they are mainly dealing in stone, iron, copper, and gems. Maybe not as fancy as the Durum or Ironwood of Black Steel Hills these materials nonetheless bring in tons of gold. Some clans have made their fortune dealing in other trades or industries, like the backbreaker who sell their labor, or the strongsteps that trade their knowledge of masonry.

Infrastructure

The main living quarters of Copperstad take up about 10% of Copperstads reach. Most of Copperstad consists of mines, quarries, and artisans quarters. From jewelers to glassblowers, to masons and blacksmiths Copperstad reek of construction and development. Several Copperstad clans have made quarries and mines outside of Copperstad, in the nearby mountain ranges.

Founding Date

Late 2nd age

Type

Large town

Population

155000