The City of Brass

The City of Brass is a city hidden somewhere in northern Frankia, or southern Saxon Britain. Nobody is 100% sure exactly where it is located, though entrances are rumoured to be somewhere in both countries. It is underground and controlled by a collection of Dwarf clans and Gnomes. They sit on a council overseeing the day to ay running of the city.
Heavy mining & mines surround the city, and has the main council sit in a council hall in the middle of the city proper. Between the mines and council buildings are a mix of workshops forges, smelters, gem-cutters, and housing. The council live above the hall, and the miners generally live in and around the mines. Both Dwarves & Gnomes share mining equally. The sound of heavy industry ring across the city, and it is constantly covered in acrid smoke from metalworking. They don.t grow their own food, but have access to water. The former is imported from Gnomish farms on the surface, along with the odd Hill Dwarf farm. These are paid in gold and equipment helping them to farm easier. It is something the city seems to be experts at, making equipment, and exotic items out of metal and gemstones.
The Dwarves work the metal and some gemstones, producing durable & practical arms, armour, day to day items, and jewellery. The Gnomes, on the other hand, also make some jewellery, as well as finely crafted constructs used the city as a whole. These are only sold on to many Gnomes, and a few trusted Dwarven clans, in other parts of Europe. Both work closely together on special projects requiring the skills of both Dwarf & Gnome when required. Usually one or more projects takes place every couple of months. The work is indeed exquisite, and highly detailed. Some magic is used where need be, and to own any piece produced in the city is a mark of honour.
The name of the city comes from the main metal used for the decoration used on many items. Both the Dwarves & Gnomes are not arrogant enough to show off their wealth, but still, they do like a bit of decoration after all. Most of the smaller constructs and prototypes are made of brass, before being made out of more durable material. This helps as if any of these are stolen, or if the city is attacked, the original items are more easily broken, and the weapons, armour, and constructs used to defend the city is made of sterner stuff. If anything, this helps to stave off attacks at times, as they have access to advanced constructs, armour, and weapons that make such an endeavour daunting to say the least.
Black Elves are a common problem for the City of Brass. As a power hungry species, these Elves view such a community as a threat to their dominance. That, and they want the secrets held in the city for themselves. So far, all spies and attacks have been repulsed. Both the Franks and the Anglo-Saxons have heard the rumours of the city. Both are looking to set up trade relations with the council, in the hope of getting an edge against other nations.
A wild rumour has recently sprung up concerning the City of Brass too. The rumour is, is that they have technology so far in advance of others they have somehow been in touch with another group or groups that are helping them. Some scholars have mentioned the name of persons or places called Eberron and Ravnica, and that the council has been in direct contact with them. So far this is unconfirmed, and many look upon it as an attempt to sully the works carried out by the Dwarves & Gnomes.
The city is relatively old, having once fallen into disrepair. Magic had seeped in to much of the city, and Underdark creatures had started to take over. A few cracks had appeared in the roof of the cave it is found in, and sea water had spread through a small portion of the cracks. The Dwarves were the first to arrive here, and proceeded to make it liveable, clearing out the creatures, and stemming the flow of water. At the same time they had built basic waterways to tap into the water coming through the cracks, while desalinating it. Gnomes exploring the northern end of the caves ventured into the city to find the Dwarves still repairing the city, and offered to help. This proved to be advantageous to both, and the first council was formed. From there, the city took hold, and has become prosperous, now having the 137th council sitting in attendance.
There is a standing army made up of both Dwarves & Gnomes, and have backed themselves up with plenty of metal constructs & stone golems. These are found throughout the city and further afield around it, acting as much as a defensive ring than in an offensive capacity. They have made contact with many Dwarves & Gnomes living above ground, and below. These act as traders, a first line of defence for the city, as well as supplying the city dwellers with fresh livestock, other foodstuffs, timber, and information.

Demographics

Roughly more Gnomes live in the city than Dwarves, though the latter live longer and breed slower than the former. Al ages can be found here, and it is the elders & more respected masters of each make up the nobility. There is relatively few criminals & poor, since the expertise of the inhabitants makes all having employable skill sets.

Government

It is a council of masters made up evenly of Dwarves & Gnomes of advanced years that make the government. It is split evenly between the two races.

Defences

All the Dwarves & Gnomes are trained to fight in some capacity. The Dwarves are primarily front line troops when needed in heavy armour, while the Gnomes fight as skirmishers & operate the constructs. Many guard posts are scattered around, with heavily fortified warehouses beside them. These contain metal & stone constructs, with the majority being golems, along with large stockpiles of weapons to use. These act as assembly points, triage centres, defensive points, and training facilities.

Industry & Trade

Metal & gem work in all it's forms are present. These are sold to other inhabitants, or shipped out of the City of Brass to other peoples through middlemen and traders.

Infrastructure

Jewellery, metal armour & weapons, and advanced metal constructs are all built, maintained & sold here, and to the world at large. Furnaces, metal & gem workshops, laboratories dot the city working for long hours, or in shifts.

Districts

No real districts are maintained due to the nature of the work. Everywhere is a hodgepodge of smithing, metal & gem working, and furnaces are found throughout the city. A council building sits at the centre to allow for running of the city. These are mixed with housing, merchant shops, stables, and storage / ware houses.

Assets

Valuables are found everywhere. Metals are turned into all manner of goods, and gemstones are everywhere. Weapons and armour made of metal, and sometimes gems, are scattered in stockpiles in warehouses throughout he city.

"We have all the tricks of the trade going. Metal & stone below the floor of the sea for protection, and a business like none other. Not even the Gnomish Guild in Mecca can compete.
One thing to have the Gnomes here tinkering away, and by the Gods, they are good. Dangerous but good. They have a knack at fiddling with devices at such a small level, it's truly a gift. The we Dwarves step in. Given time, we replicate it to different sizes when a stable design comes to us, and then we build it. Lets us both survive with plenty of coin, and uses both our skills for the greater good.
The selling of our products, well... We leave that to out Hill Dwarf cousins and certain Gnomes we trust above ground. They make coin too, and keep the odd item for themselves. Handy for transporting other goods, gives the buyer a little demonstration, and protects them from any thieving buggers out there.
Also, helps us expand, and have a strong army. Besides the ingenuity of the Gnomes, and our strong arm, some of those contraptions can take a battering. Give it out too on a scale we couldn't do separately. Love to see the Gnomes think of some devious little weapon built into one of our stone golems, gives those pesky raiders  the shits. Literally at times, you know? Darts, poison or flammable gas, gouts of flame, icy breath, you name it.
So, what will it be? A mechanical hunting dog? A spotter hawk? How about an armour golem for defence?"
Bridgeton Stonewood, builder and retailer of mechanical animals & armours.

"You want to see something small, so small the enemy won't see it till too late? I've just the thing. It's about the size of a small songbird. Covered in skin & feathers. Looks kind of like a blue tit. I think it would be good for spying and distracting the enemy. Also, might stop that pesky Human, Grimmaz, from getting you carrying bags of rock to drop on the enemy.
You just use it along side yourself while your invisible, and relay anything you see or hear. It could distract or enchant the enemy and allow you to get further information. It has two small crystals, one in it's head, and one you can hold. That way you could use your pixie dust to communicate with it while you're a mile back. Keeps you out of harms way."
Gerhard Flexion. Gnomish inventor talking to Alfre, an adventurous pixie noble who follows her friends & allies into some dangerous situations while adventuring.

Type

City

Population

75023

Inhabitant Demonym

Brassians