Zuntîr Vîrs
Zuntîr Vîrs, or Anvil of the Stars, is a famous Dwarven Forge Settlement located in the Northwestern Amriel Mountains. Zuntîr is best known for their mastercrafted weaponry and armor, the Dawi smiths that reside in this hold are world-renowned and are even heard about across the planes. The Hold also stands in Dwarven Myth, claiming that the Dawi smiths of Zuntîr created Moradin's Hammer, and even repaired the Prime Deity Gond's smithing hammer when he shattered it in battle against the Dracolich Imrys.
Zuntîr's smiths can work with any type of metal, and craft weapons made of Adamantine, Silver, Mithral, Shadow Iron, and many others. The primary creation only found in Zuntîr Vîrs is what the Dawi refer to as Vîr Kel or "Star Metal." The hold was originally built around a massive meteorite that had crashed into the Amriel Mountains, and inside was a exorbitant amount of a uniquely beautiful, malleable, and magical metal. The Dawi smiths spent years perfecting their craft of being able to create tools and weapons from this mysterious metal.
The Metal itself is what seems to be a combination of Adamantium and Mithral, it's nearly indestructible as Adamantine, yet light as Mithral. Pickaxes formed from it can cut diamonds free with ease, swords can carve through dragon scale like a hot knife through butter.
Demographics
Approx. 99% Dwarven, 1% various
Government
Thraghulim Stardigger - Hold King - 43rd in his line of kings - The Hold King presides over all matters of state in the City. Has final say in all matters, has the power to delegate and empower others to perform duties.
Defences
Zuntîr Vîrs has its share of attacks from Goblins, Drow, Duergar, and the odd greedy dragon once in awhile, because of the sheer mass of wealth the Hold has, many have eyes for such a horde. At least once a year the Hold comes under siege from those that lurk in the Underdark or surface-dwelling marauders.
The Hold's Army is approx. 500 Dawi strong, where they lack numbers they make up in exceptional military training and top of the line equipment. The Hold is enclosed in walls 20 ft. high, with Towers and Batteries placed along the walls. Each Battery contains a Ballista on the top that fires Steel bolts, but has the ability to switch to magically imbued Star Metal Bolts when facing something more robust such as a Dragon or a Purple Worm. Under the ballistae in each tower is a Dawi cannon, powered by propelling heavy objects (such as a ball of concentrated iron) after igniting black powder behind it.
Should the walls be breached, the City will amass their 400 "Longbeards" to stand against whatever enters. In dire situations, the Hold King will gather his elite guard, the Ironbreakers. There are only about twenty Ironbreakers, these are the elite of the elite, and are clad head to toe in Star Metal armor and weapons, all imbued with Dwarven runes.
Infrastructure
The primary infrastructure of the Hold is mining, purifying, and smithing of metals. Miners of the Hold dig deep into the Underdark and across the Amriel Mountains, finding such metals as Adamantine, Mithral, iron, and of course the Star Metal native only to the Hold.
The City is covered in forges, furnaces, smithies, and ironworks. Many of the smokestacks are designed to funnel together and out of the Amriel mountains to ensure the immense amount of smoke does not circle back into the cavern the City makes its home in.
Assets
The City is flush with valuable metals and minerals. Since the miners of the Hold dig up so much, they come across a wide variety of valuable and magical gemstones. Most are sold for acceptable prices to jewelers and goldsmiths to create valuable trade commodities.
The other major asset is of course the craftsmanship of high-quality weaponry and armor. The Hold's soldiers are equipped with nothing but the finest tools of war in order to defend their city.
Guilds and Factions
Guild of Metalsmiths - The Headquarters of the Metalsmiths Guild in the Dwarven Alliances makes its home here in Zuntîr Vîrs. The Guild of Metalsmiths employs only the most elite of craftsmen who can weave metal into any tool for any job. Most of the leading Dwarven craftsmen in the City have membership.
Guild of Jewelers - A Guild originally started in the Republic of Calemdar, the Guild joined with the Dwarven Alliances as well to expand. A small Guildhall is in the commerce district.
Founding Date
364 EoT
Alternative Name(s)
Anvil of the Stars
Type
City
Population
Approx. 2,700
Inhabitant Demonym
Zuntirans
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Comments