The City of Glass
Jewel of the Blackpeak Mountains
Industrial Capital, Guardian of the Vault, and Crystalline Wonder
Settlement Summary
- Population: 97,000 (predominantly dwarves, halflings, and gnomes, and a small human minority)
- Government: Ruled by King Thuldur Ironhammer with Queen Lysora, supported by the Mining Guild Council and the Deepguards
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Languages: Common, Dwarven, Halfling
- Notable Locations: The Imperial Vault, The Crystalspire, The Guild Forge, The Deep Hall, The Artisan’s Promenade
Notable Features
- The Imperial Vault: A heavily guarded repository containing some of the empire’s most valuable resources, including strategic reserves of obsidian, gemstones, and rare metals.
- The Crystalspire: A towering structure of pure crystal, forged by Eenar during the Godswar, serving as both a beacon and a symbol of Blackpeak’s heritage.
- The Guild Forge: The largest forge in Kyneshelm, operated by the Kyneshelm Mining Guild, where metals are refined and weapons, tools, and machinery are crafted.
- The Deep Hall: The administrative heart of Blackpeak, where King Thuldur presides over council meetings and issues decrees.
- The Artisan’s Promenade: A vibrant marketplace showcasing fine jewelry, crystalline art, and ceremonial weapons crafted by Blackpeak’s master artisans.
Special Qualities
- Crystalline Architecture: The City of Glass features stunning structures forged from crystal and metal, reflecting light in mesmerizing patterns, especially during sunrise and sunset.
- Industrial Efficiency: The city operates with near-military precision, ensuring high productivity in mining, metallurgy, and crafting industries.
- Subterranean Expertise: Much of the city extends underground, with well-maintained tunnels and chambers connecting living areas, workshops, and mines.
Defenses
- The Deepguards: 24,000 specialized soldiers trained in subterranean and urban defense, tasked with protecting the city and its vital resources.
- Reinforced Walls: The outer walls, fortified with obsidian and enchanted crystal, are nearly impervious to both physical and magical attacks.
- Crystalline Barriers: Strategic points within the city are protected by barriers of solid crystal, created and maintained by expert artisans.
Notable NPCs
- King Thuldur Ironhammer: The disciplined and formidable ruler of Blackpeak, Thuldur ensures the city’s prosperity and security with an unwavering focus on productivity.
- Queen Lysora Ironhammer: A master smith whose creations are sought after across the empire, Lysora advises on matters of industry and trade.
- Guildmaster Torrin Steelbrace: A dwarven leader of the Kyneshelm Mining Guild, Torrin oversees mining operations and ensures the city’s industrial output remains unmatched.
- Captain Ryla Emberforge: A halfling officer of the Deepguards, Ryla coordinates defenses against Underdark incursions and manages security for the Imperial Vault.
- Artisan Kellen Frostgem: A renowned jeweler specializing in crystal carvings, Kellen’s works are considered treasures in Westrun and beyond.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Underdark Threats: The city’s proximity to the Underdark requires constant vigilance against incursions by Abyssal creatures and other subterranean dangers.
- Worker Tensions: The rigid productivity standards occasionally lead to unrest among miners and artisans, requiring careful management by the Mining Guild.
- Economic Dependence: The city’s reliance on imported food and raw materials makes it vulnerable to disruptions in trade routes.
- Crystal Preservation: The ancient crystals of Eenar are both a resource and a cultural treasure, requiring careful balance between exploitation and preservation.
The Imperial Vault
"Treasures of the Empire"
The Imperial Vault holds the empire’s most valuable resources, from rare gemstones to enchanted artifacts. Access is restricted to the highest-ranking officials and guards. Direct advisors of His Imperial Majesty liaise with the Imperial Vault regularly.
The Crystalspire
"Beacon of the Gods"
The Crystalspire is a towering monument to Eenar’s craftsmanship, its light visible for miles around. Pilgrims occasionally visit to pay homage. While Eenar has little worship at all due to its own nature, offerings of precious stones and crafts appear at the foot of the Crystalspire enough that repositories were constructed to collect them.
The Guild Forge
"Heart of Industry"
The Guild Forge is the largest of its kind, producing weapons, tools, and machinery that power the empire’s economy and military. Blackpeak's primary trade agreements are with Southreach, to arm and support the Imperial Army and Navy.
The Artisan’s Promenade
"Masters of Craft"
The promenade is a marketplace of unparalleled artistry, where Blackpeak’s finest creations are displayed and sold. While items of beauty exist, unlike other kingdoms, Blackpeak's forges provide the strongest and most reliable items in all of Kyneshelm.
Life Underground
"A City Beneath the Mountain"
Much of the City of Glass lies beneath the surface, its tunnels and chambers a testament to dwarven engineering. With one of the larger populations, many of the city's people live underground, protected by the Deepguard.