Bashkorag

The City of Iron

You would think after the city fell into the earth that they'd just move somewhere else. Instead, I have to deal with this headache from all the noise these chains and this elevator's making. I guess that's dwarves for you.

- Martel Spinch, traveling merchant.

Demographics

80% Dwarven; 14% Dragonborn; 6% Other

Government

Bashkorag, like most cities in the Empire, is governed by a royal governor appointed by the Emperor, as well as a council of advisors with specialized fields of interest, who themselves have major legislative authority over their fields of interest. The citizens of these cities have the power to recall every member of the council, as well as the royal governor, with appeals to the Emperor and special elective action.
In Bashkorag, the royal governor is Gozmik Rerrid, who was appointed as governor approximately 100 years ago after serving as Bolsterer councilor to the previous governor. The most powerful councilors are Midde Flokiid, leader of the Ironbreakers, and Pobra Huuk, leader of the Bolsterers.

Defences

Bashkorag is highly defensible due to its position at the bottom of a massive split in the earth, which makes it unapproachable except by the surface and the elevators. Any attempts to enter Skorkarak without authorized use of the Great Lifts can be deterred by unleashing the blast furnaces. The six upper levels of Skorkarak are dedicated exclusively to the blast furnaces and, when fully unleashed, the heat they produce is compared to dragonfire. As they are on the upper levels, the heat explodes up out of Skorkarak without injury to the residential areas below and has been seen to melt steel.
If any hostile forces do manage to enter the city, they have the city guard, the Bashkorag Kazul, to contend with.

Industry & Trade

The primary industry of Bashkorag involves mining the exceptionally rich iron deposits which almost entirely constitute the earth beneath Skorkarak. The city as a whole is dedicated to the processing of iron and steel to the specifications of trade partners.
Within the city itself are found some of the finest blacksmiths within the Empire. Many of the more successful residents, however, trade in measures of comfort. Through both science and magic, many of these successful residents seek to provide relief from the heat and darkness to other citizens of Bashkorag.

Infrastructure

After the city was swallowed by the earth 1500 years ago, into the canyon known as Skorkarak, the dwarves recovered and righted what structures they could, building massive, chain-drawn lifts to bring people and goods into and out of Skorkarak. These elevators, the Great Lifts, are the most famous features of Bashkorag, and the technology to drive them exists nowhere else.
Also of note are the massive blast furnaces used to smelt raw iron and to help drive the elevators.

Guilds and Factions

The Ironbreakers: One of the two most powerful guilds in Bashkorag, the Ironbreakers are devoted to the mining and processing of the enormous iron deposits of the city. They are often at odds with the Bolsterers.
The Bolsterers: One of the two most powerful guilds in Bashkorag, the Bolsterers are concerned with the military defences of the city, but also with constructing physical reinforcement and fail-safes so that the city cannot collapse again. As the Ironbreakers dig ever deeper, the task of the Bolsterers becomes more and more difficult.
The Bashkorag Kazul: The city guard of Bashkorag, concerned with the defense of individual citizens and enforcing law and order among the people.
The Ironmakers: The craftsmen charged with smithing fine objects and crafts from the iron mined by the Ironbreakers.

Geography

The city is located in the canyon, Skorkarak, and, from a mile away, is not visible from the surface.

Natural Resources

Iron and obsidian are found here in enormous abundance.

Alternative Name(s)

The City of Iron

Type

Large city

Inhabitant Demonym

Koragizh

Owning Organization

The Holy Osven Empire