Greypeak

Greypeak is an upstart Hold in the Dwarf Empire, located in the depths of the Pessamit mountains. Known for its vast fortifications as much as its xenophobia, it has been a source of trouble throughout its history. Most recently, its Holdking was involved in a rebellion against the High King's authority, seeking to overthrow that ruler and sunder the empire into individual realms. The rebellion was put down and its Holdking executed, with the hold still existing in this state of unease under the High King's direct rule. Its population is mistrustful and insular, generally looked down upon by the rest of the empire as ignorant and prideful. Greypeak has tremendous bastions at its singular entrance, while the underworkings of the hold still bear the grand defences arrayed against the dragons during the Dragon Wars.

Politics

Greypeak is in a unique state within the Dwarf empire, having no Holdking but still very much its own major hold. It's last Holdking, Subir, led a rebellion against the High King to usurp his leadership and abolish the office, believing each Holdking to be his own ruler. Yet the realm united rather than sunder, and Subir was cast down after a lengthy siege, his hold occupied and his family disenfranchised. Greypeak is now ruled by the High King himself, governed by a steward until such time as it can be bestowed upon a new vassal. This process has been extremely unpleasant for both the High King and the Dwarves of Greypeak, with the latter existing as a sort of collective ward to encourage their subservience. Rebellion and unrest has marked the tenure of this arrangement, with the local noble families torn between jostling for a shot as the new Holdking and refusing to accept a foreign suzerain.

Beyond this, the hold is a relative backwater. It produces little of import, simply a troublesome but self-sufficient city. It clings to its history as a great stronghold during the Dragon Wars, when numerous heroes from the hold felled a half score of Dragons. Their fabled Grey Wardens were heavily culled during the siege of Greypeak, and have been hampered in their rebuilding by the High King. Currently its nobles act as the conservative voices within the Dwarf empire, calling for a return to the old ways before the Dragon Wars. Often this means working against more liberal holds such as Copperhead, afraid of seeing their race's way of life collapse with their population.

Groups

Grey Wardens

Greypeak is known for its defences, and what soldiers it has represent this well. The Grey Wardens are a fabled unit of warriors, the elite of the levies Greypeak could call upon. During the Dragon Wars, its warriors were noted Dragonslayers, with legendary members cutting down several in a tale now passed into myth. In the modern day, their numbers have drastically reduced, with many of them falling during the siege of Greypeak during the great rebellion. Recruitment has been limited by the High King's governors, each fearful of what a fully trained regiment could do to reclaim their home. Grey Wardens traditionally act as shock troops, serving as the cadre of bodyguards that surround Greypeak's Holdking. They are heavily armoured, fighting with massive shields and spears in a nearly impregnable phalanx.

Landmarks

Personalities

Bhangwanjot, Steward of Greypeak

Greypeak's Holdking, and his entire royal family, was removed from the hold after the great rebellion some three hundred years ago. Since then, the hold has been without a landed ruler, instead governed in the name of the High King by a series of stewards and caretakers. In recent years the post has become a revolving door of figures as the two factions in Kingsreach battle for control over the politics of the empire. The current governor of Greypeak was installed by Pasha, the High King's son, as a favour to his family to earn support for a different political venture. Thus far, Bhangwanjot has proven to fall entirely short of the task of leadership, mishandling the difficult position and undoing the work the previous stewards had built towards. Bhangwanjot is a haughty and stubborn Dwarf, believing that the nature of his title should command him the full respect of his charges. He has alienated already marginalized noble groups in the hold, and done little to quell talk of a new rebellion. His tenure seems to be near an end as Pasha and other opportunists at court begin to take Greypeak's governance more seriously. Bhangwanjot is a young and brash Dwarf, with a portly stomach and few other notable qualities. He dresses in fine silks and gold, further marking him out of the otherwise dour population.

Jassa Ahluwalia, Grey Warden Legendary Figure

The Dragon Wars devastated the entirety of the Dwarf empire, collapsing the largest and grandest halls in the south. Much of the war in the north, among the Pessamits, was small by comparison, and yet still taxed the Dwarves immensely. Greypeak made its name during this invasion, resisting the assaults and fortifying itself into a nearly impregnable fortress. Attacks came on the hold from beneath, where its defences still stand, drawing the Dwarves here into vicious tunnel fighting in the dark roots of the mountains. The most notable tales of this time surround the creation of the Grey Wardens, led by legendary figures who coordinated the defence of Greypeak. One such figure was Jassa Ahluwalia, a warrior of great renown. Alongside his fellow Wardens, they launched a counterattack against their foes, breaking through the Dragonborn to confront the Dragons leading them. After days of fighting, Jassa was able to slay the strongest of the Dragons, with his Wardens otherwise killing the rest, liberating the hold from siege and freeing their people. Today Jassa is hailed as the patron of the hold, looked to for his bravery and courage in the face of utter destruction. The former Holdking Subir claimed to be his descendant, while the existing Grey Wardens use his likeness as a sigil of their order.

Shageb, Upstart Nobleman

While Greypeak has, for a length of time, been under the yoke of the High King's governance, it has retained certain elements of its former ruling class. While Subir and the royal family were removed, its nobility was left largely intact, seen as a necessary evil to keep the hold prosperous. Though humbled by defeat, the noble families of Greypeak maintained their rebellious ambitions, keeping them in check to survive the High King's interference. In recent years, with the tumult in Kingsreach and the insecure governance of the appointed stewards, these rebellious mindsets have come back to the fore. Most influential among the outspoken is Shageb, a young and well-connected Dwarf with his eyes on the throne. His supporters are numerous, and his growing power is no doubt a reason why Kingsreach is again taking Greypeak's rule very seriously. Shageb is young and spry, with tremendous charisma and an intimidating air. He is tall for a Dwarf, with a sizeable beard. He dresses in traditional costume, encouraging his more conservative followers.