Nightfort
The city of Nightfort is a dark and dreary place. It rains most days out of the weak and is often overcast even when dry. It lies nestled in a valley along the eastern mountains of Hansola. Overlooking the valley, carved into a mountain is Castle Scurlock, a foreboding palace made of dark stone. The castle has never fallen, to reach it one must brave perilous heights and small ledges along with sometimes flimsy rope bridges. Legends speak of a secret cave system that the nobility use but such rumors are unconfirmed.
The city and its environs are largely isolated by their terrain, and even further by the attitude of their Lord. All trade comes through the Scurlock owned dry dock on the coast, the people are economically and geographically isolated. Technically there aren't any rules against leaving, but it is very difficult to manage.
The city and its environs are largely isolated by their terrain, and even further by the attitude of their Lord. All trade comes through the Scurlock owned dry dock on the coast, the people are economically and geographically isolated. Technically there aren't any rules against leaving, but it is very difficult to manage.
Demographics
The city and the surrounding area is made up of humans and rock gnomes, around half and half. Years of intermarriage have also led to a large number of halfbreeds who are usually about 4.5-5 feet tall, with large noses and bushy beards. Some have been mistaken for dwarves, something they do not look kindly upon. The people tend to dress in layers of dark colors, and the near constant rain has created a fashion norm of wearing a scarf and carrying an umbrella, even if you're poor.
Government
The city is run by a steward appointed by Lord Scurlock, generally one of his relatives. The surrounding villages are sometimes by a speaker, a man elected by the village. Speakers who fail to meet quotas are replaced by a Scurlock steward until things are back on track.
Industry & Trade
House Scurlock is incredibly wealthy and stays that way through the export of metal, stone, and gemstones. The ore is mined in mountain villages or camps and then brought to Nightfort. Here the gems are polished and the ore is smelted. Giant foundries dominate a large part of Nightfort, their smoke rising constantly into the sky, adding to the haze over the city. The finished metal and gemstones are then shipped from a cliffside dry dock all over the world. Rubies are considered a Nightfort specialty. The other material of interest is shadesteel. A dark metal alloy whose exact formula is a closely kept secret.
