Mount-Drin

Laddie, if you think you can take the Dwarves of Mount-drin in a fight, ye be sorely mistaken. Do ye know why there be so many defensive doors at Mount-drin? It ain't to keep attackers out, I'll tell ye that much. It's to protect them from the wrath of the Dwarves!

Orvin Aleheart, owner of the Hogshead Tavern in Mount-drin

Demographics

90% Dwarves, 10% others

Government

Mount-drin is run by a King and a council of seven noble families. The king is elected from among the heads of these seven families, and is more of a council leader than an absolute monarch, though he does have more power than the other six council members.

Defences

Mount-drin has one known above-ground entrance, a grand doorway carved into the side of the mountain. In times of siege, these large iron doors can be shut fast against the world, with a second and third door shut directly behind it, creating several layers of protection between the dwarves and the outside world. There are a few guard towers and arrow slits carved out above the grand entrance hall behind the doors, which remain staffed at all times, and doubly so during times of peril. There are giant crossbows placed in these guard towers and other creations of Dwarf-make which are mysterious to outsiders, though none assume they are anything but deadly. Assuming enemy invasion, there are many walls, stairs, and passageways to deal with, and only the Dwarves know them all.

Industry & Trade

The Dwarves are infamous for their craftsmanship and inventive spirit, and Mount-drin, as the heart of Dwarven civilization, is also the heart of Dwarven industry. Their smiths and tinkerers are famous throughout Flindreck for their work, and people from all over the continent come to buy and commission their wares. The forges burn day and night in Mount-drin, and the busiest of smiths often work through the night to finish important commissions or pet projects. Their most sought after exports are armor, weapons, and alchemical devices.

Guilds and Factions

The Kragforged Family - Known for its fine stonework and architecture, often placed in charge of construction projects, and family of the current King of Mount-drin.
The Blacksword Family - Known for excellent weapons and armor, and exceptional warriors, in charge of the guards, and family of the last three Kings of Mount-drin. 
The Orcsbane Family - Known for their work with jewels and gold, runs the refineries of Mount-drin, and keepers of the treasury. 
The Aleheart Family - Known for their strong ales and great service, heads of the Tavernkeeper's Guild, and owners of the largest breweries in Mount-drin. 
The Coalhelm Family - Known for their exceptional skill with Alchemy and invention, creators of explosive devices, and leaders of the local Alchemist's and Tinkerer's Guilds. 
The Brownhand Family - Fine Miners and Delvers, exceptionally good at sniffing out ore deposits and used to walking in the dark. The owners of the Mines of Mount-drin, and head's of the Miner's Guild. 
The Runehorn Family - Known for their enchantments and great library, head of the Mage's Guild, and keepers of the records and history of Mount-drin.

History

Mount-drin was founded sometime after the Rending, the original eight families carving out halls and tunnels in the mountain to escape the possibility of another great calamity. They remained fairly isolated throughout the Age of Civilization and the Mage Era, quietly digging their tunnels and refining their skills, only trading with a select few people on the outside. When the portal to the Void was opened, the Dwarves barred their gates, shutting themselves into their halls. This action kept them safe for a while, but Demons are persistent, and they found other entrances to the caves and tunnels, coming up from underneath. The Dwarves were nearly destroyed, fleeing their ancestral home until the end of the Epoch, when most demons were banished back to the Void. The few who remained were routed by the leader's of the Dwarven families, restoring Mount-drin to its rightful owners, and they have been busy there ever since.

Architecture

Everything is either carved out of the natural stone of the mountain, or made to appear as if it were carved out of the natural stone. There are one or two notable buildings made of iron, but they are of mysterious, though clearly Dwarven origin, their original builders and purpose lost to the Epoch of Peril. Walls are painted the colors of the house that the owner belongs to, leading to areas of the city that are almost monochromatic, while other areas are a kaleidoscope of colors.

Natural Resources

Gold, gems, and ore from the deposits under the mountain. Silk, from the Webspinners, and a few rare fungi found in the lower caverns, as well as scales, hide, or claws from mountain beasts.

Founding Date

2334

Alternative Name(s)

Dwarfkeep, Mountain-Hall, Thunderkeep

Type

Metropolis

Population

50,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Mountain Dwellers, Dwarves of the Hall, Hall Dwellers

Location under

Feldrin