Mt. Paladium
Mt. Paladium is the second-largest city in The Darkwood, built into the side of a mountain with the same name. It is the home of the elder silver dragon Kindreon, and was originally built to serve the dragon's interests. Since it's founding, Mt. Paladium has expanded into a bustling city. It is also home to the famed Silverscales, a popular Arena gladiator team.
Demographics
Mt. Paladium is a primarily human settlement, with silver-scaled Kobolds as a significant minority. Half-Elves, Orcs, and Gnomes also have significant communities in the city. Of the humans, Skaldorans make up the majority with Tegdylun as a close second.
Government
The city is ruled over by Viscount Zhao as it has been since it's founding. However, the dragon Kindreon holds significant political power and could in theory overrule the governing Viscount.
Defences
The only road into the city passes through Fort Firemaw, a legion outpost and castle made of obsidian. Should an invading army make it past the castle, they would have to navigate the roads of the city up the various tiers. The elevators and pathways up the tiers can be collapsed, and the city maintains well-trained archers that practice for such an event. The greatest defense the city has is Kindreon himself, as one of the ten remaining dragons.
Industry & Trade
Mt. Paladium, for obvious reasons, is the only place in the world that can harvest silver dragon scales, which are used by mages, armorers, and eccentric collectors. The kobolds of the city harvest glowhoney from giant subterranean aphids. Tourism is an important part of Mt. Paladium's economy, as many dragon cultists, scholars, and historians hope to catch a glimpse of the rarely-seen elder dragon Kindreon. Due to it's positioning between Lancaster and Old Ichtaca, it is also a trade hub, as Lancastermen do not typically trade with Greenlanders.
Infrastructure
Mt. Paladium is built in tiers up the mountain of the same name as well as hosting miles of tunnels and caverns underneath the city. It is well-paved and horse-drawn elevators carry goods and people up and down the levels. In addition, the streets and buildings are designed with Riding Ants in mind, allowing for the rapid transport of messengers and small goods. The highest tier of the city, Cloudview, is home to the city's nobility as well as a small airfield for civilian balloons.
Guilds and Factions
The Eye of Eldreon maintains a permanent school in Mt. Paladium for those who develop sorcerous powers due to proximity to a dragon. The Gold Standard and Circle of Good Faith also keep guildhalls here, and smaller buildings are owned by the Order of the Archer and the Silver Strings.
History
After the draconic wars of the Empire's infancy, Mt. Paladium was built as part of the Empire's appeasement of the remaining Elder Dragons. Unlike some of the other similar settlements, Mt. Paladium has seen economic success and incredible growth, likely as a result of Kindreon's refusal of human sacrifices and practice of rewarding loyal servants.
Tourism
Aside from visitors hoping to see the dragon, Mt. Paladium receives many traveling gladiators who come to fight at the Hole in the Wall, an arena carved into the mountain. The arena can hold three thousand fans, and those watching on the outside can enjoy giant scrying mirrors that show the fights happening inside. An enchantment in the arena also allows those watching outside or in one of the city's arena-partnered taverns to hear commentary. Besides standard Arena matches, the Hole in the Wall hosts a unique event in which gladiators are put in special harnesses and made to fight giant insects while racing to be the first to retrieve a flag from the top of the arena.
Architecture
The majority of buildings in Mt. Paladium are constructed of stone cut directly from the mountain. Due to the high Kobold and Gnome populations, it is common for public buildings and popular private businesses to have two doors, one normal sized and one small. Buildings are also constructed at slight angles for the ease of passage by giant ants. Some larger buildings are carved directly into the mountain rather than constructed externally. The city's Legion fortifications are all square, squat buildings made of imported obsidian.
Natural Resources
The mountain is a rich source of limestone, granite, and basalt, though Kindreon prohibits large-scale mining.
Founding Date
160 EK
Alternative Name(s)
The Silvered City
Type
Large city
Population
60,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Paladiumite
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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