Vorsthold
Deep under one of the mountains to the South East of Daring Heights, beyond the Woods, lies one of the most heavily fortified positions on Toril. A city built in an enormous cavern, this dwarven stronghold has been here for milennia. Its three great gates are of iron meters thick - ludicrously heavy and blocking each of the paths in or out - sturdier than even the mountain around it. It is called Vorsthold, and it has been assaulted more times than can be counted, stretching back as far back as memory spans, and dwarven memory is long.
Gnolls and Bugbears assault their surface positions. Drow and the constant machinations of Beholders are a daily threat. Even they pale to the danger of Mindflayers however. The most dangerous foe for someone behind a fortified position is someone who can just convince someone to open the door...
Demographics
Vorsthold is home to some 20,000 dwarves who call themselves Vorstborn. Slightly shorter and rounder of countenance than average dwarves. They speak only Dwarvish, though its dialect is both extremely ancient and also has a few odd phrases, borrowed from ancient gnomish. It appears that there were some gnomes in the city many years ago, but their relative lifespans have essentially bred themselves out of existence, leaving only echoes in the Vorstborn's features, dialect and culture.
Government
The fortress-city is ruled by the Vorsthold War Council, a council of five dwarves, each ruling on of the five areas of society: the General, the Archmage, the High Priest, the Chief Engineer and the Mayor. They each have oversight over their own area, but larger decisions for the city require a majority vote. Also, a decision of one over their own area can be overruled by the agreement of the other four. This has led to some drastic actions in the past but the current group all seem to be cooperative with each other.
Defences
There are only 3 possible entrances to Vorsthold. The most intimidating of which is the Thunder Gates - vast segments of the natural rock face of the cavern, each several metres thick and reinforced with iron, such that lifting each of the three of them requires a dense array of chains and pulleys, worked by both magic and muscle. The city avoids opening them, as closing them safely is an even more challenging task.
A long sloping path leads the way to the surface from the city, a much less dramatic, but significantly longer route, with a long tunnel which twists and turns as it makes its way up, with a number of traps laid out to catch out any who do not know the path. The path leads up to Sunfast, a bastion built into the side of a cave on the surface, still a full half-mile from an entrance to the outside world, concealed behind a wall of rockface.
Finally, there is another way out of the city and into the Underdark, known simply as the Side Door. A single mithral door, in the side of the rock face on the edge of Vorsthold. A crack through the rocks allows dwarves to slip in and out one at a time, for smaller raids and supply runs without having to open up the great Thunder Gates.
Industry & Trade
The city is very industrious, producing weapons and military materiel. There has been no trade whatsoever with outsiders however for centuries, though Daring Heights has sought to change this. Finally, a few precious new goods are arriving in Vorsthold, and the people are still trying to come to terms with the possibility of a surfacer ally.
Infrastructure
The Administrative Divisions
As the leadership of the city would suggest, society is divided into 5 general sections as well.Military
The single most common profession in the city is that of soldier. The military of Vorsthold is broken down into particular forces, including the Vorstguard (standard soldiers plus police), the Umbersteel (raiders), the Deepfast Defenders(an elite defensive force) and the Vorstcore (Paladins), though this last group also answer to the Priesthood. The Vorstguard is the largest force, made up of the thousands of soldiers who guard the walls of the city and the Sunfast and patrol the streets. The Umbersteel and Deepfast Defenders are both based in the forward fortress and are elite forces. The Vorstcore typically act as a supplementary force to the Vorstguard to shore up key defence points and to have on hand light healing and protection. They are especially called upon when the undead assault.Priesthood
Worship one of the ancient dwarven gods. The clergy are revered, very much in a 'high religion' vein. Aside from tending to the spiritual needs of the dwarven people and providing a bedrock of hope for the city, their defensive purpose is primarily healing and enhancements for soldiers. There is a specialised group of clerics called the Dusters who are focused on fighting undead.Magic
Practical magic is the only kind respected in Vorsthold. Magical bards are a waste of time (though musicians are treasured for maintaining culture and spirits) and Warlocks are too dangerous. There are 3 magical academies in town, which follow the philosophy that every student should master the basics and then specialise. Transmuters help the engineers, Evokers sometimes venture with the raiders, etc. Necromancy is oddly respected, but only done with great care and craft. A group of high level necromancers spend a great deal of time raising the bodies of fallen warriors to preserve their fighting ability - they create very strong undead as a result. These 5 necromancers are known as the Unending Circle.Engineers
A dedicated cadre of stonemasons, mechanical engineers, architects, miners and construction experts, tasked with improving, reinforcing and repairing the city and its defences. Over the centuries, the engineers have created incredible defense mechanisms, like the Godfall, an entire section of mountain on railings to drop and crush approaching armies. It causes an earthquake, but better than being overrun. Several engineers, especially the Chief Engineers are a little shorter than others as they actually have a little more gnomish in their heritage.Logistics
This realisically covers everything else, from farmers, ranchers, drivers, warehouses, merchants, etc. External trade is non-existant, so they have to be self-sufficient and there are hundreds of people who are the sole practicioners of trades, making the passing on of specialist artisan knowledge essential. The Mayor oversees the people's daily life and balancing resources amongst all the different areas. Accountancy and logistics are respected here as everyone knows the Vorsthold machine only turns when all cogs turn smoothly.History
History is not Vorsthold's strong point. Other than from a tactical strongpoint, it doesn't serve them much good to record the past. Any records of what life was like beyond a few generations ago are almost certainly lost. They have been here longer than anyone can remember, or their parents can remember; they are alone and without allies; and they must defend themselves from the verocity of the Underdark. What good is history in such circumstances?
Cultural Note: The Lights in the Dark
The determination of the dwarves to survive for so long in a hostile environment is predicated on their division of labour neatly and each dwarf taking pride in their role. There is a philosophy that their individual 'lights' keep the darkness of the Underdark at bay. As a result, the motto of each group and office in the city follows this thought process: Vorstguard - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is the torch that watches the shadows" Vorstcore - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is a shining beacon of hope" Engineers - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is the spark of genius" Wizards - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is a flame to purge the shadows" Priests - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is a burning zeal to serve" Mayor & Artisans - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is the fires of the hearth" Umbersteel - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is the glint of approaching steel" Deepfast Defenders - "We are a light in the darkness - and ours is the gleam of unbreakable armour" Sunfast - "We are face the light from the darkness - and we guard from the blazing of the sun"
Geography
Vorsthold is situated a few hours south of the southern edge of the Southern Woods, so pretty far south. It is situated within a vast cavern deep underground. The city has tiers and slopes to it therefore from the natural formations of rocks that are easier to adapt to than level out.
Type
Citadel
Population
20,300
Inhabitant Demonym
Vorstborn
Location under
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
