Azan
Home of the Arcane Forge
Azanrul, the fortress of Mt. Azan, is one of the oldest dwarven strongholds in E’ahna, only slightly younger than Uladun. Mount Azan is the tallest mountain of The Sunset Mountains which bisect the continent of Kharza. The stronghold was, by luck or destiny, built upon a magical leyline which infused the mountain range in that area with magical ores and gems including mithril, orichalcum, and adamant. The dwarves quickly learned to manipulate these energies and these metals to craft some of the most fantastic items in the world. Long term exposure to the energy here has appeared to have an effect on the dwarves. More and more, so-called "Mithril" dwarves are born- dwarves who boast superior durability, similar to the magic items they craft. This stronghold is ruled by the Azadann royal family with optional assistance from an advising body known as the Ruby Council, composed of important aristocrats and guild leaders.
Magical Ores & The Arcane Forge
There are many myths surrounding the legendary First King of Azan- his reasons for leaving Uladun, how he chose to head west, how he stumbled upon Mt. Azan and why he decided to make it the location of his new royal hold. Some say he did not know of the treasures hidden below, others say he found it through instruction from the god Oroh. The dwarves, at this point in early history, had never come across magically infused ores. It took many years of dedicated study, experiments, and failures before they were able work and manipulate these minerals which were so much harder than their iron tools and too durable to succumb to the meager heat produced in a traditional forge. It wasn't until the king managed to befriend an outcast Fire Giant of surprisingly cool temperament and experience with these metals that they were able to build a forge capable of melting mithril and adamant. This forge was tapped directly into the arcane leyline which ran through these mountains and caused these unique mineral formations. This forge- the Royal Arcane Forge, still sits at the heart of Mt. Azan, used by only the most prestigious and skilled blacksmiths Azan has to offer. It was a great many years until these dwarves discovered ways to create smaller versions of the Arcane Forge. For many centuries, the royal forge was the only place mithril and adamantine items could be created. To this day, the items forged here are still the most superior in form and they sell for thousands and thousands of gold. Items forged here cannot be destroyed anywhere else- they can only be destroyed by melting them down in this same forge. The smaller arcane forges that exist are still few as they still must be built in general proximity to an arcane leyline, but they do not tap directly in. As a result, the products they create are inferior, as it seems some of the magical essence of the ore is leeched out in the process and not recharged by the conduit. The items are still wonderful and expensive of course, but they do not sell for the same insane prices as the legendary items of Royal forge.Open Doors
Azanrul if quite different from it's distant cousin of Uladun. The dwarves here were never really staunch isolationists or religious zealots. It was these facets of Uladunian culture which caused them to leave their homeland and seek out something new. The earliest immigrants were often called the Children of Bruselle, for their adventurous nature (Bruselle being the dwarf goddess of the surface world). These dwarves were warm and welcoming in their new hold when it came to outsiders- so long as the outsiders were a respectful sort, of course. They relished in trade with people from afar which could bring them interesting new foods, textiles, and baubles. These dwarves were eager to discover the secrets of the strange new metals they had found and were not shy about asking for assistance from anyone with arcane knowledge. Back then only dragons, giants, and the elves were especially talented in this area. Though they believed strongly in collaboration in those early centuries (often in concert with the wizards of Va'Sehir in fact), later they would jealously guard their perfected methods of arcane blacksmithing and artificery. Though they now only share their craft with their own kind, their doors are still open. They allow non-dwarves to live among them if they should so wish, so long as they are helping contribute to the hold in some way. They prefer new arrivals to already have some skill or talent or to be ready for an apprenticeship. The vast majority of the hold is still inhabited by dwarves but there are small numbers of rock gnomes and humans who choose to live there among them as well. There are also an assortment of tabaxi and loxodon traders who pass through or set up shop periodically with wares from Jacho and Luxumu.Arcane Traditions & Culture
Though it began with forging magical ores, with the use of the alloy called Arcanitite the Azanian dwarves have fully accepted the vocation of Artificery within their traditional repertoire. These dwarves do not shy away from arcane learning and practice. Though there have always been religious clerics capable of divine magic, studied arcane science is a rare passion among typical dwarves worldwide. In Azan, artificers are the most beloved of artisans, just short of arcane blacksmiths. Those who learn this skill here are in high demand in large cities around the world. No one has been enchanting items for as long as these dwarves have- not even the elves of Astrithyr. These dwarves pioneered this practice and they have perfected it. Unfortunately, the popularity of this art has reached such a point that there is an overabundance within the hold. It has been driving down the prices of these goods due to competition between enchanters. As a result many artificers have taken their skills and knowledge and moved elsewhere- often Va'Sehir, Luxumu, or Namiza, and set up shop. This is considered both fully understandable and incredibly controversial as the higher-ups of Azan would like to keep these professionals at home where they can contribute to the hold in both wealth and prestige. Most artificers still stationed within Azan are strongly urged not to take any more students of the craft for the time being. At this point, on the international scale, their biggest competition are a number of famous dwarven artificers in Luxumu who have become world renowned. The vast majority of Azan's artificers specialize in enchanted items but there are a number of alchemists among them too. Of course they do it in a very dwarvish way - enchanted booze. These ale-chemy potions are very popular and sought after throughout Kharza, though the pioneers of the craft have mostly stayed local. Though item and ale enchanters are practically a dime a dozen here, actual wizards in Azanrul are a bit rare and mostly specialize in abjuration and transmutation which are the most natural to dwarves. Most are employed as arcane blacksmith assistants, specialized spellcasting guards, or they are the personal arcane stewards and bodyguards to the royal family or other members of the aristocracy. Some of them work as local healers within the Temple of Mavrin. Warlocks are a rare sort in Azan but Wild Magic Sorcerers are born often here due to proximity with the leyline. Despite their natural abilities, they do not get special attention for this as they are seen as dangerous and unpredictable. Needless to say, these dwarves hold onto traditions deeply connected with the arcane- but this does not mean they have cast off all other dwarvenly virtues. The dwarves of Azan are significantly less religious than dwarves in other holds but they still hold true to their roots of family, mining, blacksmithing, and drinking heartily after a hard day’s work. Their holds and mines are so well protected through magical means that they have had little need of large-scale numbers of guards or martial training for a great number of years- in marked contrast to both Uladun and Khuzen Gorah (who would consider this hold to be disgraceful and un-dwarf-like). In fact, it was dwarves from Azan who assisted the ancient wizards of Va'Sehir in building and warding their great walls. This is something Sehirians will deny- something Azan takes offense to and which is a constant point of cultural contention between them.Ores & The Ore Trade
Unsurprisingly, Azans greatest export is magical ores or items made from them. In early times they were stingier about these ores being shared, but as they were discovered elsewhere in the world (especially within Andun and Mordenaz) they had less of a reason to be so withholding. They have become ridiculously wealthy as their mountains are the only source on this continent for many of these rare minerals- especially after the fall of Mordenaz. Currently there are only two other known locations in the world where the favored and sought-after Mithril can be found- the southern Andun Mountains (which are controlled by Duergar) and Mordenaz Dulath, which is stewing in lava from a gaping rift to the plane of fire. Both are, essentially, unreachable by the average merchant or blacksmith. Outside of Mt. Azan, Adamant has only been found deep within the underdark. Its main use is in the creation of the powerful alloy Adamantite (a mixture of adamant, silver, and electrum). Orichalcum has only been found in very small pockets through the Andun and Khorez Mountains, and even within Azan's mines it can be a rare find; It is used in the creation of the alloy Arcanitite (orichalcum mixed with iron and diamond dust) which is the best metal for items slated for enchantment. Residuum, a stone that when powdered could be used in enchanting, spellcraft, magic inks, etc, was once mined here in abundance, but the mines have run nearly dry. It has not yet been found elsewhere in sizable amounts. Mordenaz Dulath is said to possibly contain this extremely rare substance. The mines of Azan have at times produced a mineral (Ebonite) that is used to craft Cold Iron, but these deposits are rare and small. This mineral is actually easier to find in the Khorez mountains in Arna.
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