Dun'Vol
Dun'Vol is the capital city of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol, it is a multitiered, subterranean metropolis, located in the south east of Elderan, built within a massive excavated cavern beneath the Iron Mountains.
Dun'Vol is a prominent trade capital, with vast quantities of goods and gold travelling through it's walls. Dun'Vol is positioned in a prime location between Elderan and the rest of the world, with the connecting Durin Straight, a trade route and tunnel that travels beneath the Iron Mountains, being the only safe passage between Osirin and Elderan following the formation of the Deadwastes. The people of Dun'Vol are also renowned from their craftmanship of quality goods, from weapons to jewellery, with their wares in high demand across Exorsia.
Dun'Vol is the home of both the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol, as well as the six Clans of Dun'Vol. The majority of the city's population are Dwarves, with Dun'Vol historically being a ancient Dwarven city, founded during the Silver Age. Dun'Vol was the capital of Dwarven craftsmanship during the Silver and Bronze Age, but the city was abandoned during the Age of Arcanum, its population taking to the skies, founding the floating city of Kith’urûr, and leaving Dun'Vol behind, hidden beneath the mountains. It was only after the Fall of Arcanum that Dun'Vol was rediscovered and reclaimed by the descendants of it's former inhabitants, eventually being rebuilt and repaired back to its former glory.
Government
Dun'Vol is governed by the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol, with each of it's four rings managed by a burgomaster, who is appointed by the monarch, as well as reporting to them.
The monarch of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol is also the clan leader of one of the six Clans of Dun'Vol: Clan Ashenforge, Tinkmaster, Ironfoot, Winterborn, Skyhammer, and Stonebeard, with the other five clan leaders aiding the monarch in the management of the city. Each clan has a clan house somewhere in the city, where the population can visit to make complains and suggestion for the betterment of the city and it's people.
Defence
Dun'Vol is defended by a large garrison of Stonewatch, the local guard of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol.
Each of the six Clans of Dun'Vol also have a small, private militia of career soldiers, loyal to the Clan, and stationed within their clan house.
Commerce
Dun'Vol is a nexus for trade travelling between Elderan and the rest of the world, being connected to both the Durin Straight and Gûnragni Pass, the two most prominent trade routes out of Elderan. Most of any goods or services can be found within the city walls.
Dun'Vol's main export is it's crafted goods and wares, with the people of Dun'Vol being renowned from their production of quality craftsmanship, from weapons to jewellery, with their wares being in high demand across Exorsia.
Dun'Vol also has a lucrative trade of rich ore, gems and stone, cultivated from it's extensive network of mines and tunnels found beneath the Iron Mountains.
Dun’Vol has some small farms for roots and mushrooms underground, and a little farmland on the surface, outside the city walls, but most of the city's food is imported.
Illicit trade is also believed to pass through Dun'Vol, facilitated by the Dûrgmust Kur syndicate, who secretly smuggle all manner of wares through the Mines beneath Dun'Vol, which they connect to the Deepdark.
Geography
Dun'Vol is predominately a subterranean city, a monumental, multitiered, metropolis located in the south east of Elderan, built within a massive excavated cavern beneath the Iron Mountains. The city is comprised of three massive circular rings carved into the earth, each layered on top of each other and each connected by a network of tunnels. While outside the city, on the external hillsides, there is some farmland for crops and goat herds, the city is almost exclusively located beneath the earth.
Dun'Vol has four main sectors, known colloquially as the "Rings", the Commercial Ring. Residential Ring, Industrial Ring and the Mines, which are each layered on top of each other, with each layer descending deeper and deeper into the earth. The Rings are all connected by multiple tunnels, stairways and elevator shafts. The first three Rings are massive circular platforms, uniform and ordered city sectors, set on a grid pattern, and where most of Dun'Vol's residents and industry are located. The fourth and lowest sector is the mines, which are a network of tunnels located beneath the city, which are also excavated on an ordered grid pattern.
Commercial Ring
The Commercial Ring, sometimes called the First Ring of Dun'Vol, is the layer closest to the surface, and where the main entrance to the city is located, a massive, ostentatious, stone doorway, carved into the side of the mountain.
The Commercial Ring is a massive, flat, stretch of land, located beneath the mountains, the roof a smooth dome of stone, dotted with enchanted, everlasting torches, like a uniform set of stars bathing the layer in light.
The Commercial Ring is mostly reserved for trade and businesses, filled with hundreds of colourful shops, taverns, inns and markets, where almost any good or service can be purchased, from jewellery and armour, to food and companionship. This is the only level that most outsiders get to see.
Residential Ring
The Residential Ring, sometimes called the Second Ring of Dun'Vol, is located beneath the Commercial Ring, and is mostly reserved for housing. The Residential Ring is filled with numerous districts and neighbourhoods of stone buildings, built on a uniform grid pattern and connected by a network of streets.
The ceiling within the Residential Ring is also domed and dotted with enchanted torches, but these fluctuate in luminosity throughout the day, resembling that of a day and night cycle, with the torches almost completely diminishing during the night, leaving only a soft glow.
Six of the most prominent neighbourhoods within the Residential Ring are centred around one of the six Clan Houses, the seat of power for the six Clans of Dun'Vol, with the nearby homes being the residences of prominent Clan members. These neighbourhoods are named after the Clans, and only members of the associated Clan are permitted to take up residence in these neighbourhoods.
The Residential Ring is also the location of the Seat of the Stoneborn, the royal palace and court of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol, and the home of the reigning monarch. The Seat of the Stoneborn is separated from the rest of the Ring in it's own, gated neighbourhood, located in the east of the layer.
Industrial Ring
The Industrial Ring, sometimes called the Third Ring of Dun'Vol, is located a notable distance beneath the Residential Ring, and is mostly reserved for the city's industry.
The Industrial Ring is filled with numerous great workshops, forges and smelteries, which craft the acclaimed quality wares of Dun'Vol. Any field of crafmanship can be found within this layer, from metallurgy and stonework, to glassblowing and pottery. The Industrial Ring is commonly associated with the near constant ring of hammer against metal, which is fortunately inaudible within the Residential Ring above.
The ceiling within the Industrial Ring is similarly domed and dotted with enchanted torches, but similarly to the Commercial Ring, these torches are everlasting, bathing the sector with a constant bright light.
Mining Sector
The Mining Sector, colloquially known as just the Mines, is the lowest level of Dun'Vol, located beneath the Industrial Ring, and descending deep into the earth, with some claiming that it stretches under all of the Iron Mountains.
The Mines are mostly vast excavated cavern, that descends deeper and deeper into the earth, the exact distance is hotly debated, with civilians forbidden from descending into the deeper levels, due to safety concerns. Connecting to this cavern are a network of numerous mineshafts, all set on a uniform grid, with the occasional chamber set out for rest and recuperation.
While the local miners attempt to avoid it, the Mines often intersect with the Deepdark, and while they are usually quickly sealed off, the lower level of the Mines have been known to become infested with Deepdark species who burrow into the mines, requiring the Stonewatch, or even hired mercenaries, to descend into the depths in order to clear them out.
Notable Locations
Seat of the Stoneborn
Location: Residential Ring
The Seat of the Stoneborn is the royal palace and court of the Kingdom of Dun'Vol, and the home of the reigning monarch. The palace is separated from the rest of the Residential Ring in it's own, gated neighbourhood, located in the east of the layer.
The palace is a large, stone structure carved into the cavern wall, towering between the cavern floor and ceiling. It is decorated with numerous statues, tall glass windows, and ornamental decorative patterns, made with precious metals, that cover the walls. The land outside the palace is guarded by an iron fence and gate, which allow outsiders to view the beautiful green gardens within the palace grounds, some of the only greenery in Dun'Vol, that is Magically tended too.
Clan Houses
Forgehearth
Location: Residential Ring
Forgehearth is the Clan House of the Ashenforge Clan, located at the centre of the Ashenforge District of the Residential Ring. It is the home of the Ashenforge Clan Leader, as well as the barracks for the Clan militia.
Iron Bastion
Location: Residential Ring
The Iron Bastion is the Clan House of the Ironfoot Clan, located at the centre of the Ironfoot District of the Residential Ring. It is the home of the Ironfoot Clan Leader, as well as the barracks for the Clan militia.
Skyhall
Location: Residential Ring
Skyhall is the Clan House of the Skyhammer Clan, located at the centre of the Skyhammer District of the Residential Ring. It is the home of the Skyhammer Clan Leader, as well as the barracks for the Clan militia.
Stonefall
Location: Residential Ring
Stonefall is the Clan House of the Stonebeard Clan, located at the centre of the Stonebeard District of the Residential Ring. It is the home of the Stonebeard Clan Leader, as well as the barracks for the Clan militia.
Tinkertown
Location: Residential Ring
Tinkertown is the Clan House of the Tinkmaster Clan, located at the centre of the Tinkmaster District of the Residential Ring. It is the home of the Tinkmaster Clan Leader, as well as the barracks for the Clan militia.
Winter House
Location: Residential Ring
Winter House is the Clan House of the Winterborn Clan, located at the centre of the Winterborn District of the Residential Ring. It is the home of the Winterborn Clan Leader, as well as the barracks for the Clan militia.
Dun'Vol - Historical
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