Berngardr
The realm of Clan Krakhammer, the Mouth of the Mountain and various other names have been used to describe the town of Berngardr. The town which was founded in the year 235 by the legendary sire of the Krakhammers, Broden Krakhammer, has known little else outside of prosperity and wealth.
Broden and the members of his clan came across the minerals and natural resources of the region accidentally after emigrating to the region post their valued service provided in the Last War. Broden and his kin came across one of the rarest of elements in the known world - Mithhril. It was not long after the discovery of a rich vein of ore that the clan decided to create a permanent home in the region.
The dwarves of Berngardr demonstrated an aptitude for skills beyond just the harvesting of mithril. They were also able to work it into useful pieces of equipment. They developed armors and weapons of the finest craftsmanship. It wasn’t long before wealth unimagined began to flow into the mountain town. Many of the young dwarves elected to become prosperous smiths rather than continue toiling beneath the earth for a paltry sum. The pay was considered a poor compensation given the challenges of mining for a living. It wasn’t uncommon for the time to hear tragedy befalling a young dwarf in his prime who dug deep only to be buried alive.
Now, you might think that these dwarves were subpar miners to be the victims of cave-ins. You’d be wrong. These dwarves knew their trade, they were careful, they were skilled, and they were ambitious. They made secure structures to facilitate their operations. It was a mystery then as to why the dwarves would suffer as many casualties as there were. There were always the rumors of carelessness and sabotage. Perhaps it was rival clans, or maybe it was that someone failed to install a support beam correctly… The explanations were numerous. Another theory was that the mountain itself worked against the dwarves to hide its treasures, or that some ancient denizen of the mountain worked to protect it. In the end, it didn’t matter.
Rather than continuing to risk his sons to the Maw of Berngardr, Bjread, Boden’s eldest, thought of another solution - one that in his eyes seemed efficient. Kobolds have developed something of an unfortunate reputation, it seems. Many folk imagine small, bipedal lizards that only want to hoard treasure or worship the Ancient Dragons, all of whom are now extinct. Many folk would be right. Despite these commonalities amongst the species, there are some tribes of Kobolds that seek to assimilate into society. The Yellow Kobolds of Berngardr are just such a tribe.
Bjread offered them wealth. He told them they’d be rich. He even allowed to burrow their own nests beneath the mountainside town. They’d be protected, you see? In exchange, they’d work for the Clan. They’d dig deeper, faster and without question - which was more than Bjread could expect of his own species. It didn’t matter to Bjread how many of the Kobolds were consumed. He figured they wanted to be down there - they could at least be useful. It was the Kobolds that dug the shafts for the Lift. It was the Kobolds who finished six of the nine great mines. It was the Kobolds who were buried by the hundreds when the Chrondrite Mine caved in - the same cave that old Sven Moldir had to get rescued from thirty years ago. That was before he became a powerful Druid, you see… That’s a story for another time though.
It was the Kobolds who opened up the Treskan Mine shaft under the orders of Haran Krakhammer, son of Bjorn, grandson to Bjread, and one day inheritor of the Clan.
Demographics
The hamlet is owned and operated by the Mountain Dwarf clans that serve Clan Krakhammer.
The hamlet is primarily inhabited by the yellow Kobolds that work for Clan Krakhammer, consisting of roughly seventy-five percent of the population.
Government
The territory is managed by it's warden and head of Clan Krakhammer; Bjorn Krakhammer. Bjorn is in service to Lady Laydene, the Seventh Senator of the Republic of Omeran.
Infrastructure
The Lifts refer to the machines designed and invented by the Krakhammers to transport their heavy cargo from the mining town above to the docks below for transport. It's a pair of elevators made of wood and metal, inside a heavy metal cages that are lowered and raised by massive chains. The machine is driven by heavy counter weights whose mechanics are housed in a huge excavated shaft within the mountain.
Krakhammer Hall dominates majority of the above ground property. Several smaller houses surround the building. Mostly occupied by those that serve the Krakhammers or assist in overseeing the mines. The well renowned blacksmiths of their clan also reside on this land.
The Maw is the entryway into the subterranean section of Berngardr. A series of massive stone pillars and beams fitted into the entry cavern with numerous tracks of rail for the carts that transport the ore.
The Temple of Yumur is a large building of heavy stonewalls and heavy wooden doors. The entry hall is often referred to as the Upper Hall, worshipers will often cleanse and offer tithes in the forms of currency and valuable trinkets upon entry. The Lower Hall is meant for worship and prayer. The lower hall is a large semicircular room, finished in finely fitted and polished gray stone. The seating cushions where worshipers kneel are of the finest satin, the images of golden dragons are embroidered upon them.
The Hill refers to the maze of tunnels below ground that belong to the Kobolds that are employed by Clan Krakhammer to excavate and work the mines.
Assets
Rare natural subterranean ores excavated by the several mining tunnels that all extend from Berngardr.
The private workshops of the Krakhammer smiths.
Geography
Recessed into the mountains of above Stagkeep is where one might find the hamlet of Berngardr - roughly half a day's travel via The Lifts.
Natural Resources
Stones and ore from the bowels of Mount Berngardr.
Founding Date
February. 17th, Year 235
Alternative Name(s)
The Mines, Dwarf District
Type
Hamlet
Population
400
Location under
Owning Organization
