Copperhead

A hold in the middle of the Pessamits, Copperhead straddles the range between Arran and the Midlands. It suffered greatly from the raids of the Orcs, with its surroundings being one of the narrowest stretches between the two regions. The hold is centred around a massive chasm within the mountain, which hosts the majority of activity and life there. Its main resource is copper, made by its craftsmen into beautiful art and other goods. The hold has good relations with the humans in Arran, and benefits greatly from its position along the trade road into the Midlands. Its soldiers patrol the passes nearby, keeping it safe for the caravans that ply the route.

Politics

Copperhead is relatively unique among the major Dwarf holds for its tolerance of outsiders, allowing foreign traders and merchants not only to operate inside the city, but live as well. While other holds limit the access of outsiders to their inner regions, there are no such boundaries enforced in Copperhead. Nonetheless, a foreign quarter of sorts has become an established neighbourhood within the hold, catering to the more relevant needs of those who choose to live among the Dwarves. This quarter hosts a bustling market, offering some of the most diverse wares available in the Dwarf realms. Along with these merchants and expats come various escorts and adventurers heading into the Midlands, or back into Arran. An enormous array of coaching inns can be found inside the city itself, or even lining the mountain passes beyond, catering to all of these travellers.

The Holdking of Copperhead is Parakesaripanmar, known mostly as King Parak by those foreigners who live in Copperhead. Considered a content and joyful ruler, he in many ways matches his counterpart in Homfe, Duke Anselm. The two courts work together relatively closely, with an envoy from each residing as a permanent ambassador to the other. Gifts are exchanged regularly, and food from the Karstal helps to reduce the agricultural burden on Copperhead itself. Among the other Dwarf realms, Copperhead is considered a progressive place, one that condemns the traditions of the past for the benefits of the future. More conservative holds such as Greypeak accuse King Parak of losing his way, working to turn the favour of the High King against him. For his part, Parak is a fairly humble and quiet ruler, easily bowing to his King's desires and wishes. With no ambitions of his own beyond stable governance of his realm, any intrigues against him tend to fall flat.

Groups

Merchant's Guild

Copperhead is very reliant on the strong trade it has with both Arran and the Midlands, its position between the two making it as prosperous as it has become. Encouraging a bustling community has been a priority of Holdkings here, and the Merchant's Guild is a result of this action. Designed to stimulate and encourage growth of both the foreign quarter and its own craftsmen, merchant's within the guild are entitled to certain privileges and rights, provided they remain within the hold and pay dues to the crown. Most are happy to do so, carving out a niche for themselves as middlemen and go-betweens for the two surrounding regions. There are those who see the guild as too inclusive however, pushing out Dwarf craftsmen for the sake of human ones. These critics grow bolder as the hold becomes more and more inundated with travellers, seeing their way of life change dramatically.

Landmarks

Personalities

Holdking Parakesaripanmar

Copperhead is a tolerant hold, hosting diplomats and representatives from most races in Oderen. Even some elves have been known to pass through its gates, welcomed the same as any others. In such a melting pot, problems often arise. Balancing the needs of outsiders with the needs of the Dwarf people is often difficult, and yet King Parakesaripanmar has managed to walk the fine line for much of his life. A jolly Dwarf, he has ruled largely through generosity and hospitality, liked by most and using this influence to solve problems. His magnanimity is what earns him the most respect, treating everyone from diplomats to the lowest craftsmen with a level of dignity that few others would. He is despised for his tolerance by more xenophobic elements of Dwarf society, yet he maintains a court of loyalists that scheme and work to protect him from the worst of it. King Parak, as he is known, is a short and thin Dwarf, surprisingly so for a Holdking. He is jolly and excitable, enjoying pleasures such as food and music. His face is youthful despite being over a century old, with wisps of a beard draping from his chin.

Samara Chandrukhar, Spymaster

Copperhead is a relatively unique hold, known for its liberality and also for its craftsmen. Rich in copper, there is little else that the hold can claim over its neighbours, forced to build wealth on a relatively inferior metal. Nonetheless, it has managed to do so, using other means to create a welcoming and bustling trade hub within its borders. There are those other Holdkings jealous of Copperhead's success, seeing their embracing of outsiders being a betrayal of the old ways, when Dwarves were supreme. These figures work to undermine the hold and its king, attempting to overthrow its ruler or at least weaken their influence. King Parak is not known for his intrigues, and yet still someone must keep them at bay. For much of Parak's reign, and into the later years of his father's reign as well, this person has been Samara. A capable schemer, she uses her networks and tendrils to counter the acts of Copperhead's rivals. Functioning as Parak's spymaster, she has worked tirelessly to keep her King on his throne. Another short Dwarf, she appears as a bejewelled older woman, wearing hammered copper bracelets and torcs. She is kind and joyful to most, hiding the true ruthlessness in her plots.

Arjun

Among the merchants in the Merchant Guild, special protections are given to its Coppersmiths. Traditionally the source of wealth in the hold, the coppersmiths have largely been in decline for the last few decades, replaced by other traders and craftsmen flocking to Copperhead. Accordingly, they are preserved by certain regulations, aimed at keeping them happy and prosperous. Many among them are dissatisfied at the turn of events that has led to their collapse, however, feeling that their hold and way of life is diminishing with the influx of outsiders. Among these malcontents is Arjun, a fiftieth generation Coppersmith. He has been the voice of this unhappy faction in the King's court, an old and venerable Dwarf who others admire. He unhappily tolerates foreigners, refusing to business with them. His followers are growing as Dwarves native to the hold begin to lose out more and more to human and other merchants, causing problems for King Parak. Arjun has a massive black beard, streaked with iron grey. Bright copper and bronze baubles adorn his neck and clothing. He is tall for a Dwarf, and has an imposing way of speaking. His presence is felt when he's in a room, giving him the tools to become the head of a political faction.