Grimmaw Keep

Grimmaw Keep is a heavily fortified settlement located in the heart of the Stronghold Mountains, home to goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears. Known for its intimidating architecture and strategic location, the keep stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its inhabitants. Originally founded as a war fortress, it has evolved into a thriving stronghold where martial prowess, trade, and craftsmanship are equally valued. Grimmaw Keep is a seat of military might, where the goblinoid races have forged their path in Astrium, defending their territory while cautiously interacting with the outside world.
Grimmaw Keep stands as a fortress of strength and endurance, its people hardened by the mountains and their history of war. Though often viewed with suspicion by outsiders, Grimmaw’s military might and expert craftsmanship have made it a force to be reckoned with in Astrium.
Celebration Bloodsworn Day - 8th Pathen

Demographics

Hobgoblins (50%) Goblins (30%) Bugbears (15%) Other races (5%) (such as orcs, ogres, and some traders from other races who have gained favor)

Government

Grimmaw Keep is ruled by a military council led by the High Warchief, typically a hobgoblin of great strategic and martial skill. The council consists of representatives from each goblinoid race, ensuring their interests are protected. The Council of Commanders oversees defense, trade, and diplomacy, while ensuring that the goblinoid code of honor and discipline is upheld. The High Warchief is chosen through combat trials and strategic challenges, where only the strongest or most cunning can lead.

Defences

Grimmaw Keep’s defenses are legendary, featuring high stone walls fortified with metal spikes, ballista towers, and siege engines that can repel invaders. The narrow mountain passes leading to the keep are filled with traps, pitfalls, and ambush points, making it nearly impossible to approach without detection. The goblin tunnels also serve as an extensive network for guerilla warfare and surprise attacks.

Industry & Trade

• Weaponry and Armor Production: Grimmaw exports weapons, armor, and siege engines to nearby settlements and factions.
• Ore Mining: The goblinoids mine iron, copper, and adamantine from the mountains, providing the raw materials for their weapon production.
• War Beasts: Trained war beasts from the Beast Yards are sometimes sold to allied factions or mercenaries.

Infrastructure

Grimmaw Keep is a well-organized fortress city, with military barracks, armories, smithies, and war camps dominating the landscape. Its streets are wide and fortified, with stone towers and spiked palisades visible at every turn. There are also living quarters for the population, but they are functional and sparse, with more emphasis on utility than comfort.

Districts

• The Warchief's Bastion - The political and military heart of Grimmaw, housing the Council Chambers, Warchief’s quarters, and the Citadel, a towering structure that offers a panoramic view of the entire Stronghold Mountains.

• The Steel Crucible - The industrial district where blacksmiths, armorers, and weapon-makers toil day and night. This is the hub of Grimmaw’s steam-powered forges, using the mountain's geothermal vents to fuel their massive production of weapons, armor, and siege equipment.

• The Hollow Tunnels - A vast network of underground tunnels that house the goblin population. The tunnels also serve as defensive escape routes, hidden from outsiders and protected by clever traps and goblin ingenuity.

• The Beast Yards - This district serves as the home of Grimmaw's war beasts, which include dire wolves, wargs, and giant spiders. The bugbears, known for their beast-handling skills, are in charge of this district.

Assets

• Grimmaw Armory: Specializes in mass-produced weapons, armor, and siege engines. Known for creating brutal, yet efficient weapons such as spiked maces, iron scimitars, and heavy shields.
• Talon Apothecary: A grim yet vital store that provides healing potions, poisons, and other alchemical concoctions, often using rare herbs and venomous creatures from the mountains.
• Crushbone Tavern: A gathering spot for mercenaries and adventurers, where deals are struck over strong brews and hardened stories of battle are shared.
• The Ironclad Forge: A renowned forge operated by a master hobgoblin smith, producing enchanted weapons and armor for high-ranking military officers.

Guilds and Factions

• The Ironclad Legion: A military guild focused on training soldiers and developing new military strategies. They manage the army and defend the keep from external threats.
• The Forgeborn Circle: A faction of blacksmiths and artisans dedicated to perfecting the art of metalwork, particularly the creation of enchanted weapons.
• The Shadowclaws: A secretive guild of goblin scouts, spies, and assassins who specialize in sabotage and reconnaissance, often hired for covert missions by outsiders.
• The Beastmasters: A group of bugbears and goblins dedicated to training and breeding war beasts, providing Grimmaw with dire wolves, giant spiders, and other fearsome creatures

Points of interest

• The Citadel of Grimmaw: The largest structure in the keep, serving as the seat of government and military operations. It also houses the Warchief’s quarters.
• The Ironclad Forge: A renowned forge where master smiths create enchanted weapons and armor.
• The Trial Arena: A large, open-air arena where the annual Trial of the Warchief is held, and where disputes are settled through combat.
• The Hollow Tunnels: A sprawling network of tunnels beneath Grimmaw, home to the goblin population and filled with secret passages, traps, and defenses.

Tourism

While Grimmaw Keep is not a major tourist destination, it attracts mercenaries, weapon traders, and blacksmiths eager to learn from its forges. Some come to participate in or observe the Trial of the Warchief, an annual combat tournament held to determine the strongest warriors in the keep.
Celebration Bloodsworn Day - 8th Pathen
Bloodsworn Day is a grand holiday celebrated annually in Grimmaw Keep, honoring the unity and strength of the goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears that call the keep home. The day commemorates the historic moment when General Varz Grimmaw unified the goblinoid tribes under one banner in 867AD, forging a lasting alliance through blood oaths and shared purpose. The holiday is a testament to the resilience and martial prowess of the goblinoid people, with a strong emphasis on loyalty, combat skill, and honoring the ancestors who fought to secure their place in the Stronghold Mountains.
Traditions and Festivities:

• The Blood Oath Ceremony: The day begins with a ceremonial blood oath in front of the Citadel of Grimmaw, where warriors, leaders, and even common citizens swear loyalty to Grimmaw Keep and to each other. The High Warchief leads the ritual, drawing a symbolic cut on their palm and placing their hand on the Bloodstone Altar, a sacred relic believed to carry the power of past warriors. New recruits to the army, guild members, and citizens coming of age take part in this ceremony to swear their loyalty to the Keep.

• The Trial of Champions: The Trial Arena becomes the center of the day’s events as warriors from all three goblinoid races compete in a series of brutal, yet honorable, combat trials. These martial contests include one-on-one duels, team skirmishes, and beast-hunting challenges. The victor is crowned the Champion of Grimmaw, a title that carries great honor and privileges within the keep for the following year. Many warriors participate to prove their strength, while the goblins cheer for their favorites from the stands.

• The Beast Parade: Bugbears and goblin beastmasters display their war-trained creatures in the Beast Parade. Fearsome beasts such as wargs, giant spiders, and dire wolves are paraded through the streets, showing off their ferocity and skill. Some of these creatures perform feats of strength and obedience, symbolizing the control and harmony the goblinoids have over the wild forces of nature.

• Feast of the Ancestors: As night falls, the citizens gather for the Feast of the Ancestors in the main square. Large tables are filled with food, mostly consisting of game meat, root vegetables, and strong brews. During the feast, stories of past battles, legendary warriors, and heroic deeds are told to remind the younger generations of their heritage and the sacrifices that secured their stronghold in the mountains. Tales of Varz Grimmaw, the keep’s founder, are shared with reverence, and the goblinoids offer food and drink to symbolic shrines to honor the dead.

• The Firelight Vigil: The day ends with the Firelight Vigil, where the goblinoids light torches and climb the paths leading up the mountainside to the Overlook of Grimmaw. This tradition honors the fallen warriors who gave their lives for the keep. The procession is accompanied by war drums and chants, creating a hauntingly powerful display of unity. At the top, the Warchief gives a speech, urging the people to remain strong and prepared for any threat that might arise.

Cultural Significance: Bloodsworn Day is a celebration of loyalty, strength, and unity, values deeply rooted in goblinoid culture. The holiday emphasizes that despite their history of internal conflict, the goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears have risen to greatness together under the banner of Grimmaw Keep. It reinforces their collective identity as warriors and survivors, bound by blood oaths and a shared destiny.
The Trials serve not only to entertain but also to identify new leaders and champions within the keep, ensuring that the strongest continue to rise to positions of influence. The day also offers a reminder of the ever-present dangers surrounding the keep and the importance of preparing for future challenges, whether from invaders or other threats.
Symbols of Bloodsworn Day:

• The Bloodstone Altar: A revered relic, the Bloodstone Altar is central to the oath-taking ceremony. It is said to have absorbed the blood of General Varz Grimmaw himself during the original unification, and every goblinoid who swears loyalty on it is believed to be bound by an unbreakable pact.

• War Banners: The streets are decorated with war banners displaying the colors and symbols of the three goblinoid races. Hobgoblins use red banners, goblins use green, and bugbears use dark brown. These banners symbolize the unity of the goblinoids under Grimmaw’s leadership.

• War Drums and Horns: Throughout the day, the sound of war drums and battle horns echoes through the keep. These instruments are central to both the trials and the Firelight Vigil, marking the rhythm of the warriors and their ancestors.

Bloodsworn Day is more than just a day of festivities—it's a time when the people of Grimmaw Keep reaffirm their commitment to each other and their way of life. Bound by tradition and blood, the goblinoids look to their past to strengthen their future, ensuring that Grimmaw Keep remains a fortress of power and pride for generations to come.

Architecture

The architecture of Grimmaw Keep is harsh and utilitarian, built for defense and functionality. The structures are made from dark stone hewn from the mountains, reinforced with metal braces and spiked palisades. Most buildings are squat and imposing, with sharp angles and little ornamentation. The Citadel, however, is an impressive structure, towering over the city like a grim guardian.

Geography

Grimmaw Keep is nestled deep in the Stronghold Mountains, surrounded by craggy peaks and treacherous ravines. The narrow paths leading to the settlement are filled with cliffs and sheer drops, making the keep extremely difficult to assault.

Climate

The Stronghold Mountains have a cold, alpine climate, with harsh winters and chilly winds year-round. However, geothermal activity near the keep keeps certain areas warm, particularly around the forges.

Natural Resources

• Iron and adamantine ores are abundant in the Stronghold Mountains.
• Herbs and poisons harvested from the dense mountain forests.
• Geothermal energy powers the keep’s forges and steam-powered machinery.

Founding Date

867AD

Founders

• General Varz Grimmaw

Type

Military, Base

Population

25,000

Location under

Stronghold Mountains

Characters in Location

• Grand General Skorra Bonegnash
• Keepcouncillor Brix Scrapsulk