Quonim

Renowned company that specialises in making vaults and secure doors.

Structure

Quonim has remained a family run business since it was founded. It has also remained centred in Ironhammer halls throughout it's history. At various points the company has expanded to have branches in major cities around the world, but has recalled it's staff anytime there has been a worldwide conflict or incident.
Whenever a branch is established it is invariably run by a member of the Coppernoses. While these branch heads are not expected to pass the requirement for becoming the overall head of Quonim, they are expected to have worked on making Quonim's goods.
All those who work in a branch are also expected to have trained at Quonim's headquarters, though most come from Ironhammer halls anyway. The standards required by Quonim are considered amongst the strictest across any of the halls and, unless you are a Coppernose, even being accepted as an apprentice is considered an achievement.
There are several groups at the headquartes. Defence, Seal, Arcane, and Build

• Defence focuses on the structure of walls and doors.
• Seal creates the locking mechanisms.
• Arcane works on the defensive spells built into doors and vaults.
• Build draws on specialists from the other three areas to create a team to install commissions.

Each group is typically led by a Coppernose unless there is no-one with the appropriate skillset in the family.

History

Quonim started as a locksmiths run by Querrin and Lonim Coppernose. There were already plenty of workshops run by other Coppernoses so they decided to use their given names for their partnership. The brothers were both competent locksmiths but they were frustrated with what they saw as the weakness in locks. The key.
After spending fifty years working on the problem, with much time spent with clockmakers and other skilled in creating devices with moving parts the brothers succeeded in producing the first combination lock. The design won them acclaim and new contracts and the brother's business expanded as orders arrived from outside he halls.
The business was passed down through the generations, with an unusual condition that the person running the business had to have developed a form of lock that surpassed the previous generations. While keeping to the spirit of the two founders, this caused the company to go through some hard times as skill with tools doesn't always equate to skill in managing a business.
After one such rough patch the next head of the business decided to branch out into creating secure rooms and vaults rather than just locks. This proved to be a successful strategy both in terms of business and in making it easier to improve on the locks. Demand for Quonim products grew and several branches were opened in neighbouring lands.
Although Quonim couldn't advertise who their clients were, some of the clients used the fact that they had a Quonim as a deterrent to potential thieves. Word spread amongst the wealthy and Quonim became synonymous with vault.
As the use of magic expanded Qunnim faced new challenges from those who could use spells to bypass locks and see the internal workings. Although viewed unfavourably by many groups in Ironhammer halls the company started using magic themselves to reinforce their vaults and protect them from scrying.
The company's fortunes took a significant hit during and after the War of Ascension as demand for their prodicts reduced. The Coppernoses decided to close the company down during this period and started trading again once their was sufficient demand. Those who worked for Quonim were rehired by Coppernoses to work on a variety of other projects while the company was on hold. While this did eat into the Coppernoses reserves it was considered worthwhile to ensure no secrets leaked out.
While The Empire was active Quonim enjoyed another surge in business and profits and branches were reopened in across the world.. Reopening these branches was made much simpler by the plans and materials that had been stored in specially prepared vaults that had been created at the start of the War of Ascension.
With the second Years of Darkness Quonim again went into hibernation. However, many of the new lands that have now emerged are not especially friendly to those of Ironhammer halls so there has not been the same increase in business.

Entry Prohibited

Location

Ironhammer halls

Related Species

• Dwarf

Breakthrough

The big breakthrough that allowed Quonim to produce some of the most secure doors and vaults was the separation of the opening method from the lock. Complex linkages of rods and gears allow a code to be input from one side of the door but no feedback is returned. This prevents the lock being picked or a clever thief from being able to hear sections unlocking.
Protecting the secrets of the inner workings is key so the locking mechanisms are designed to break if taken apart, while leaving the door locked. This also makes repairs expensive and ensures that no-one other than a Quonim mechanic can perform maintenance or correct problems.

Over-engineered

Some Quonim locks, such as the 30 dial Frustrator were aimed squarely at the market for those who believe more complicated is better. 10 dials would have been more than enough to delay or deny any thief at a fraction of the cost of the Frustrator.

Leafplate

Quonim recognised early on the benefits of partnering with Leafplate, a trapmaker also based in Ironhammer Halls. By making their devices easily compatible they were able to generate more business and avoid some of the issues of trying to link to unknown devices.