The Tooth

The Tooth, named for its curious shape, is the home of Crowngate, the largest opening to the Underdark that reaches the surface. A gigantic obsidian and gold gate was erected after the godswar and creation of the Abyss, and since then, the Crownguard have protected the continent from what may try to pass through it.

King Harmon is an old, frazzled, grayed, and grumpy 700-year-old elf, who has held the Crowngate for most of his life, consistently refusing to father an heir or take a spouse, insisting that the Crowngate is his to guard, regardless of whatever man calls himself emperor and sits upon the throne. This guarded personality has swept over most of The Tooth, though while many are loyal to their centuries-old king, others believe his mind has begun to slip. He has missed 5 of the last 6 Lordsmeets, and talks of Emperor Tarwyn unseating King Harmon have rattled around for months.

Guardians of the Abyss

Major Exports: Defensive services, rare metals (small quantities), Underdark exploration artefacts.

Industries: Guarding the Crowngate, small-scale mining, and archaeology.

Economic Connections:

• Provides specialised defensive knowledge to Southreach and exploration artefacts to Westrun.
• Relies on Wildacre and Blackpeak for food and materials.

Strengths:

• Unique position as the Crowngate guardian ensures consistent imperial funding.
• Access to rare artefacts and metals from the Underdark.

Weaknesses:

• Limited population and land resources hinder economic diversification.
• Over-reliance on external trade for survival.

Tensions:

• Struggles with Lordhelm over perceived neglect and lack of imperial funding.
• Resentment from other kingdoms for not contributing as much to the empire’s economy and King Harmon's negligence of the Lordsmeet.

Guardians of the Crowngate

Forces: The Crownguard (20,000)

• A dedicated force protecting the Crowngate, a massive fortified structure sealing an Abyssal passage to the Underdark.
• Known for their unwavering vigilance and stoic nature.

Recruitment:

• Recruited locally, with an emphasis on loyalty and resilience.
• Many soldiers are lifelong Crownguard, passing down their duty through generations.

Roles:

• Maintains constant defence of the Crowngate and monitors Underdark activity.
• Provides emergency support to nearby regions if Abyssal threats arise.

Strengths:

• Highly disciplined and specialised in fortification defence. Though, contrary to expectation, their training and armaments prioritise stealth and movement, to combat the agile abyssal monstrosities and remain unheard in the echoey caverns of the Underdark.
• Extensive knowledge of Abyssal creatures and tactics.

Weaknesses:

• Limited ability to engage in offensive operations.
• Isolated from the broader empire, occasionally lacking reinforcements.

Ruler: King Harmon Greigfort

Population: 670,000

Capital: Crowngate (pop. 90,000)

Primary Function: Gatekeepers of the Crowngate

Major Cities: Halford (46,000), Riverkeep (20,000)

Disposition: The people of The Tooth are relatively quiet, pressed between two rivers and the mountains, they are a small population known for stoic privacy and guarded natures.

Military: The Crownguard (20,000)

Crownguard Soldier