Highclear

In the central Moraine Mountains, near the border between the Arrans and the Obertal forest, sits the Dwarf hold of Highclear. It rests at the head of a mighty lake, winding its way through the peaks of the Moraine before emptying down into the Arran valley. A glacier atop the hold feeds its waters, known for their quality and colour. The people of Highclear take pride in the beauty of their homeland, jealous of sharing it with anyone. Few foreigners are allowed inside the hold itself, the exception being escorted diplomats come to pay gifts and attention to its Holdking Tarun. Highclear shares good relations with the Arrans, though each believes they have the upper hand in their trade arrangements.

Politics

Highclear is a Dwarf hold in the Moraine mountains, one of the only great holds in that range, alongside Farhold to its distant north. In such a lonely position, it has naturally grown quite conceited about its importance. Its rulers lord over the surroundings as prideful petty kings, occasionally forgetting that the vast power of the High King surpasses their own. Lost in the beauty and isolation of the Moraine range, they have let easy trade with the Arrans go to their heads, their king Tarun especially buying into Highclear's superiority over the rest of the empire. They do limited business with the other holds of the empire, simply cut off by the Obertal; that treacherous wood blocking communication. They mostly coordinate through an envoy in the High King's court, or through interactions in the human realms. All these proxies might as well not exist for Tarun, who cares little for the opinions or desires of his fellow Holdkings, despite what his few rational counsellors advise.

For his own affairs, Tarun is easily swayed by gifts and praise, bowing to fawning admirers rather than the wisdom of his attendants. He has replaced particularly outspoken courtiers with sycophants, chasing after a dream of his own perfection. Arran diplomats have latched onto these insecurities and fuelled them immensely, granting them tremendous sway over the king and allowing them inroads previously thought impossible. Tarun has granted a collective of Tauche merchants the opportunity to sell within the hold for the first time, rather than cluster in the human markets at Highclear's gates like they were once forced to. A recent gift of gold and stones is seen as the basis for this sudden allowance, and gossip among the hold is spreading to their king's true allegiances. Many Dwarf nobles in the city are frustrated by the ways they are forced to earn affection and influence, bankrupting themselves to try and get ahead.

Groups

Landmarks

Gates of Highclear

A wonder by themselves, the Gates of Highclear are a notable masterpiece of Dwarf engineering and construction. They are carved into the slope of the mountain itself, gradually rising from the slope into a geometric protrusion of titanic proportions. They abruptly end, dropping off into a sheer face covered in reliefs and carvings of Dwarf legends and mythical figure. Windows and other defensive posts can be found further down, beautifully disguised amid the artistry as to be nearly invisible. A tall gate sits at the very base, flanked on either side by great statues. All of this is risen up above the shores of the lake so that a small climb is necessary to reach the landing. All of this would be magnificent enough if not for the natural splendour of the lake and mountains, which together makes it truly breathtaking.

Human Bazaar

The human market clusters near the gates of Highclear, themselves tall and imposing. Boats ply the Long Lake and end at a rickety set of docks, where porters unload and restock the barges. Goods are then sold in the stalls and stands of the bazaar, with each merchant hoping to entice the Dwarves who venture out to barter with them. Agricultural goods and other items hard to find in the mountains tend to sell well, and in exchange, the merchants will ship back crafts of gold, silver or steel. Most of the merchants here live nearby in the shantytown set up for their use, a rickety complex of boarding houses and hovels. Coaching houses can be found here as well, polluting the otherwise pristine lake with their mere presence.

Personalities

Tarun, Holdking of Highclear

Highclear has had a long history of relations with the humans, situated close to the western regions of the country. While few enter the city itself, the docks that cluster around the shores of lake Moraine boast plenty of human traders, housing a market of makeshift stalls outside the gates for Dwarves to shop through. Human diplomats pay homage to the Holdking, Tarun, who in turn grants them special privileges and allows certain traders exclusive access to the interior markets of the city. These traders come bearing plenty of gifts and tribute for the holdking, treating him as a great and wise ruler. Tarun has taken many of these flattering comments to heart, a lifetime of false platitudes and honours forming into a very real opinion of himself. He has come to expect the very best of these diplomats, easily swayed by gifts and honeyed words. He especially loves expensive gemstones and gold, earning him the nickname of the Copper King. His subjects generally suffer from his favouritism, forced to play the same type of games to win influence with their king. Tarun is surprisingly tall for a Dwarf, earning rumours that he has human ancestry mixed into his bloodline. He is somewhat fair, with paler skin than many Dwarves. A short beard and tight mouth are his dominant features, with a slightly bulbous nose peering out from above them. He is thin, draping himself in multiple cloaks that make him look much sturdier.

Albrecht Coens, Arran Diplomat

The court of Tarun has gradually been replaced during his reign, the former advisers to his father dismissed in favour of more sympathetic lackeys. Any with means can find their way into his service, lavishing gifts upon him to earn ever greater amounts of confidence. As expected, this has allowed many with ulterior motives to gain his trust, enabling them plenty of influence provided they play the game properly. Of these, the Arrans have certainly taken advantage, worming their own diplomats into his court to try and take a larger piece of trade from the city. Tauche especially has worked to this end, chief among their agents being Albrecht Coens. The petty noble is a slippery man, capable of the greatest of intrigues and schemes. Negotiating on behalf of the Ducal regency, he has bestowed substantial gifts on Tarun, and been rewarded for it. He stands as a key member of court in Highclear, much to the chagrin of its Dwarf nobles. A tall and dark man, Albrecht often bears a mechanical smile on his face, his eyes hiding any emotions he truly feels. He is a supreme schemer, able to convince anyone as to his utmost sincerity. He is loyal to his masters, however, sharing that patriotism that most from Tauche hold.