Hilltown
Hilltown - Married to the Stone
Hilltown began as a modest mining settlement in the Whispering Hills, but it has evolved into a burgeoning town—well on its way to becoming a city—that is fundamentally married to the stone. Rising above the plains, the town rests on four plateaus rising up to hard stone of the hills. Unlike the scarred landscapes of typical mining towns, Hilltown’s true wealth is a secret kept deep within the earth. There are no open pits or clouds of choking mine-dust here. Instead, the town is defined by architecture of stone and wood covering the plateaus leading up the mines. The Heights Dominating the settlement is The Heights, one massive plateau with a smaller one at its center that overlooks the sprawling lower sections of the town. This is the seat of power, crowned by the Temple of Caladin, a massive structure of polished basalt marking the highest point in the town. It is also home to the Temple of All Faiths and three gargantuan mineshafts that serve as the city's primary arteries. These shafts—monolithic structures of iron-bound stone and groaning steam-lifts—plunge thousands of feet into the dark to unearth the riches buried below. The Heights is the seat of power for the Stone Whisperers Guild, which consists of three families that control all mining in Hilltown: The Hammerforge Clan (Dwarven): They work the oldest and deepest mines, producing copper, iron, silver, and platinum. The Ironmantle Clan (Dwarven): They work the newest mines, producing tin, iron, copper, gold, and various gemstones. The House of Sterling (Human): The third family, controlling a lucrative mine that produces high-grade gemstones.Lowtown
The areas of Hilltown beneath the heights, this makes up the largest section of the mining town. There is one massive gate at the end of a raised causeway that leads up from the plains below. Here are the districts of the town.Tentville
Positioned along the causeway leading up to the gates this district takes its name from the tents that the caravanners erect as a place to stay as they are waiting for their next job. Notable areas are the main gate, the caravan staging area, the Wayfarer’s Rest, a large and rowdy inn and tavern that caters to travellers and caravanners looking for good food, drink and a place to sleep for reasonable prices and the Greenleaf stables.Everflow Square
This district is north of the main gate named for the Everflow well at its center. This is the lifeblood of Hilltown. The main square stands atop the site of the first well ever delved into the ridge; a miraculous spring that has not run dry in a hundred winters, marking the very spot where the wilderness was first tamed. Shops and taverns fill the district and the square is home to many stalls selling various food and goods. Notable merchants are the Half-Pint Pub A raucous pub run by a halfling named Periwinkle who claims to be a former adventurer of great renown, The Tale and Tankard a tavern known for its great food, drink and entertainment run by a pair of Tiefling twins, the Cliffwatch Inn an expansive inn and tavern overlooking the plains from a clifftop perch. When the weather permits it tables and chairs are set out in the square for patrons and Stonecrest Manor an upscale Inn converted from an old estate.The High Hearth
A district to the northeast of Everflow Square it is the home to wealthy dwarven merchants and craftsmen.Forge Father’s Plaza
The air in this district is a thick haze of coal smoke and heat shimmers, vibrating with a never-ending symphony of hammers striking iron. At its center stands a towering basalt monument to Caladin, the Forge-God, depicted mid-swing with a look of stern focus. Sheltered in the god’s literal shadow, master jewelers work in quiet alcoves, while the perimeter of the square glows orange with the open-hearth fires of Hilltown’s finest weaponsmiths and blacksmiths. Notable areas are Bori's Alehouse, a tavern run by a family of dwarves, the Gemcutter's Bazaar a u-shaped arcade, is the home to the best gem cutters and jewelers in Hilltown. Shops line the arcade with the office of their guild sits in the center. The Resonant Anvil known as the best blacksmith in Hilltown, the proprietor is Nori "Stone-Pulse" Ironhand is a master smith of the Hammerforge Clan. Asheville This district is the slums of Hilltown. It takes its name from the ash and soot that often drift over from the smithies in the nearby Forge Father district. Notable areas are Freya's Flophouse A dilapidated inn with cheap but accommodations. The Crimson Maw a pit-fighting venue carved into the plateau. Run by a half-orc who calls himself Maw.Iron Clad Overlook
A residential district to the north of Ashville, the residents here look down on the "clouds" of the lower town but are still beneath the shadow of the High Heights.Notable areas are the Garden of Odrin a park dedicated to the God of War Odrin a wooded pennisula of stone with views across the fields of the low lands, Stonemash Brewery, This is the brewery of the Stonemash clan. The current brewmaster is Snorri Stonemash and he is known for his two signature brews, Stonemash Stout and Snorri's Lager.Demographics
Hilltown has a diverse population with a large contingent of dwarves drawn to work the mines. Elves are a bit rare in the settlement and are not welcome in some quarters of the city. Population: Human 40%, Dwarf 30%, Halfling 10%, Dragonborn 5%, Gnome 5%, Elf 4%, Tiefling 3%, Half-Orc 3%.
Government
The Stone Whisperers Guild controls all of the legal mining in Hilltown. They collect taxes on all extracted ores and gems and also control the trade coming in and out of the town. Using that money and influence, they have seized political power as well. The guild master, known as the Claim Warden, is the supreme authority in town. Many of the laws favor trade and the guild with thievery and illegal mining carrying severe penalties.
The guild consists of three families that control all of the mining in Hilltown. The dwarves of the Hammerforge Clan work the oldest and deepest mine producing mostly copper, iron, silver and platinum. The Ironmantle Clan of dwarves work the newest of the mines producing mostly tin, iron, copper and gold and some gemstones. The human House of Sterling are the third family controlling a mine that produces mostly gemstones.
Type
Large town
Population
4,765
Inhabitant Demonym
Hillfolk
Location under
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