Gracklstugh
The famous City of Blades, Gracklstugh is a settlement formed and populated (mostly) by the deep dwarves, or "duergar". Famous as much for its weapon and armor quality as it is for its dourness, it is nevertheless an important place in the Underdark.
The party makes their way here, hoping for respite and trade to proceed with their goal of rescuing the missing kobolds. But will their shelter be as safe as they hope?
Demographics
- 10,000 duergar
- 2,000 derro
- 50 stone giants
- Unknown number of slaves (quaggoths, grimlocks, orcs, dwarves, deep gnomes, and a few goblinoids and kobolds)
Government
The government of Gracklstugh is an absolute monarchy; the ruling Deepking's word is law, and only he can contradict any of the previous laws laid down by previous Deepkings. Councils are held between the Deepking and the city's faction representatives at specific intervals, but the day-to-day is usually handled by the representatives themselves unless a dispute arises.
Defences
Gracklstugh has a large standing army with specialized corps; every duergar has at least basic training in combat, and in emergency cases, a militia formed of the majority of the population can be mobilized within the hour.
Industry & Trade
Gracklstugh's reputation for weapons and armor is second-to-none in the Underdark. They of course keep the finest work for their own use, but sell the rest to nearly all groups or individuals with enough gold to pay; while they loathe selling to the drow, they will do so occasionally as a token effort to keep peace with the dark elves (they still manage to make the drow pay through the nose).
They also help to create and trade various Underdark foodstuffs and alcohol, though rarely partake themselves due to the frugal nature of their culture. While the city is willing to buy slaves from nearly any group, they never sell them except in extreme circumstances; keeping a slave until they have earned their citizenship is one of their few points of cultural pride.
Guilds and Factions
- The Council of Lairds- Group of duergar that oversee the interests of the different clans and their holdings within the city
- The Council of Savants- Group of thirty-six derro that purport to represent their people's best interests
- Merchant Council- Group of duergar that oversee trade within and around the city
- Clan Cairngorm- The clan of stone giants sworn to the city by an ancient oath
- Keepers of the Flame- Order of clerics tending to the Wyrmsmith and overseeing the city's forges
- Wyrmsmith- Though technically overseen by the Keepers, this individual seems unruly...
- Gray Ghosts- Thieves' guild of Gracklstugh
- ??- Another faction seems to be active, but their name and purpose remain to be seen...
Alternative Name(s)
City of Blades
Type
Large city
Population
12,050
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