There are many cities and outposts that have been sprinkled throughout the depths.. Some are picked for their strategic importance, some for trade connections, some purely for their close proximity to good hops soil. Longshard, on the other hand, is a city that was founded as a result of the natural beauty and abundance of rare ores. The diamond shaped crystals blending haphazardly into solid granite and that granite blending into the quartz deposits above. Caverns across this region show off the blend of colours in all their splendour. The glow from the mushrooms and inhabitants of the pools faintly illuminate large caverns, almost giving the impression of living beneath the darkened sky that the lands above are so used to.
Dwarves have always been enthralled by the beauty of nature and in this case their stubborn thick-headedness to stay anchored to decisions of their long-dead kin has caused this particular township no end of strife. The area lays upon a fault line in the planet’s crust where two plates are sliding alongside each other. It has the great benefit of causing magma to have risen higher to deposit much rarer materials in easier to reach locations. The inhabitants are no strangers to
rockquakes and have created their city accordingly. However, no matter how much you prepare for such events, you could have always done more.
Finding a balance between economic output, survivability and the ability to live day to day always seems to get skewed towards economic output. The
regal family of the city have always pushed for growth and Longshard is no different in this regard. The city buzzes with industry and provides a number of cities and outposts with the raw materials required for large building/excavation projects.
The region knows how to bite back. Very faint rumblings can often be felt through the stone underfoot if you’re paying attention to the signs. Almost in a taunting manner as there is usually not enough time to react before the true quakes hit.
The natural formations that have been surviving these quakes for a millenia don’t seem to be phased by these quakes but the Dwarves of the area aren’t quite as versed in countering these events. Often fires start from molten metals being spilled out of crucibles. Precious ales are spilled onto thirsty floors (For shame). Larger rockquakes are less frequent but they have been known to sunder homes in two or to split open the floors between layers of the city.
The Dwarves just accept this fate unquestioningly as their purpose for this region is clear. Extract, Sell, Prosper.
This is a submission for my first ever Summer Camp in 2024 - I hope you enjoy my writings and I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback!
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