Citadel Phaern

In a crevice left beneath the Thirsty Mountainrange  lies a dwarven fortress that bars access to a peculiar and infamous clan of dwarves known as "the Scalesworn". Although they do not see themselves as merely a dwarven clan, but a coalition of multiple nations and different peoples looking to extend their reach and power in a world that has long since abandoned them.

Demographics

Races

Most architecture in Citadel Phaern is dwarven as the original citadel and its surrounding areas belonged to the dwarven clan long before other inhabitants joined the area. A large portion of the demographic consists of dwarves, that often would be confused to dwarven tieflings. Scalesworn dwarves have received a blessing in the form of their members being more rowdy and stout than others of their race. Often growing horns and having ember-like eyes, these dwarves are more ambitious than their kin and are usually respected in the Citadel. Besides dwarves there are red dragonborns and kobolds that have migrated into the culture. The dragonborn most often act as spellcasters or prophet-like figures to the true master of Citadel Phaern, while the kobolds are responsible for more menial chores - Delivering ore to the forges, scouting new caverns discovered etc.

Professions

The deep-seething ambition of the Scalesworn dwarves has led to a near-aristocratic hierarchy in the Citadel. Other dwarves are seen as nobility, while some are still to "earn their scales". These aristocrats and nobles are responsible for keeping up appearances and communication with the outside world. Seconding to the nobility, there are multiple captains commanding the actual routine of the Citadel and the vast armies. These captains consist of both dwarves and the red dragonborn. After the military there are the craftsmen, ensuring the top-notch quality of the Citadels weaponry.

Defences

All of Citadel Phaern is located underground, with its multiple smaller passages hidden or collapsed to avoid intruders. Main gates to the citadel are thick iron and large enough to hold within themselves three layers of walkways and tiny holes, viable for spear thrusts and archers to utilize. The citadel itself is cut off into smaller sections by various walls and the defenders are well-trained and kept under constant stress to perform their best in the case of any siege.

Industry & Trade

While the exact diplomacy of Citadel Phaern is unknown to the outside world, some neighboring kingdoms have been known to occasionally ask for their assistance in managing their armies. Either by hiring squads of Citadel Phaern to act as mercenaries, or to deliver precious minerals during times of distress. However, this small cooperation is not nearly enough for the citadel to remain afloat itself. There have been rumors of precious mineral veins, that the settlement is nearly self-sustainable, or that the dwarves are operating with some unknown factions underground.

History

The Beginning

Some centuries ago, the Scalesworn were not called by that name. Their searing halls were known to other dwarven clans by a name that only some elderly dwarves remember and that can be discovered by old archives. Led by an ambitious king, the clan decided to settle beneath the Thirsty Mountainrange for its natural heat and warmth, certain to discover molten lava and magma to develop their clan even further.
Quite successful, slowly other clans belonging to the same clan began moving into the depths of the Thirsty Mountainrange. Before long, most of the clan had vanished from the eyes of the world, only peaking the curiosity of the neighboring Arc Ignis at the time. A long history of strife between the two citadels of Arc Ignis and Citadel Phaern sparked as Arc Ignis began to expand and in their expansion drove off a small sect of an orcish clan. Instead of allowing for an orcish uprise, the impetuous masters of Arc Ignis performed a destructive demonstration on what would happen to any orc who decided to follow on that path.

The Fall

That orcish clan, of which the history whispers the name Gvarng, saw to seek their new home in the mountainrange. Soon discovering the dwarvish citadel which was still under construction, the Gvarng deviced a plan to lay siege on the citadel under a banner of united orcish clans. Without a proper mapping of the cavernous depths or a connection to their kin, the dwarves grew desperate. Some say that a handful of dwarven scouts broke through the orcish ranks only to discover the endless loops of dwarven bureucracy, or an ancient resentment towards their clans isolationism to lead to their downfall.
This is when a champion rose from the ranks of the clan. A dwarven woman with the wit of a fox and strength of an ox seperated her squad from other dwarves as they pushed for the surface, behind enemy lines. Understanding this as a suicide mission, the squad pushed their way deeper and deeper into the Thirsty Mountainrange and its ashened peaks, carrying with them hidden treasures and great weapons of war. The dwarf did the unthinkable as she approached an ancient red dragon. Common history does not speak of the name of the red dragon, as neither do the current-day Scalesworn Dwarves. What is known, is that on the brink of collapse as the orcs had invaded the great halls of Citadel Phaern, the mountains erupted as a lake of searing flame befell onto their tribe. With this initial blast, armies and waves of dragonborn and kobolds joined the battle against Gvarng, who by the morning light were no more. 
This is were history turns into speculation. Some say that the dragonborn and kobolds influenced and corrupted the dwarves, or took them hostage. Others say that the dwarves felt the need to repay them and saw kinship in fighting against a common enemy. Tales whisper of a great red dragon that slipped through the Citadel and that has not been seen outside of the Citadel Gates ever since, while some say the dragon was defeated by the orcs and that the dwarves vehemently guard its body deep in their chambers.
Outside of speculation a fact is known: The Scalesworn Clan was born that day. As a sort of strange boon of magic and might, the Scalesworn dwarves are born with dragon-like features and the ambition to match a Red Dragon at its finest.

Alternative Name(s)

Redscale Keep [mockery]

Type

Citadel

Population

19,000