"We are a light in the darkness - and ours is the glint of approaching steel"
On one of the great plains of the Underdark - a cavern that goes on for miles - in a lonely fortress tucked away in the shadow of one of the vast pillars of stone that support the roof of this underground expanse, one of the world's most elite dwarven fighting forces is assembled.
While the bulk of the forces of
Vorsthold are tasked with defending the citadel itself, the outpost fort of Deepfast stands alone in the blanketing darkness as a strike point against their enemies. The Deepfast Defenders maintain the fort against assault, but it's true purpose is to be the staging point for the Umbersteel.
The Umbersteel are some of Vorsthold's best - trained in stealth tactics and specialising in lightning fast raids. They number only a few dozen, but many of them are local legends. Their task is to be always heading out into the Underdark, striking against those who assault the Thunder Gates of Vorsthold. Making their way silently through the caves and tunnels, they know the land better than any other, and often target their raids at the home of whichever faction is attacking the city today - the Duergar, Mindflayers or whoever.
They always go out in well-rounded teams - scouts, fighters, mages and priests. Going out alone or in poorly equipped parties is a death sentence this deep in an infinite maze of caves with no allies and only enemies. The stone memorial carved into the pillar wall behind Deepfast lists those who did not make it back.
One of the leaders of the Umbersteel is Force Commander Hammerglow, a front-line arcanist who looks a lot more like a heavy fighter - encased in full plate armour and bristling with weaponry - each one carved with the runes and sigils needed to cast his spells right in the thick of battle known for his distinctive mithril prosthetic arm.
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