Irondeep
One of the legendary Dwarf holds, Irondeep was once a major jewel in the Dwarf empire. It is surrounded by the Iron Hills, named for their wealth of iron and other metals, providing an inexhaustible bounty for the craftsmen there. Lost during the Dragon Wars and occupied by the Orcs for a time, the hold was retaken and has since been rebuilt to some of its former grandeur. Twisting its way between caverns and under hills, the labyrinth of its halls connect into a huge network of rooms and holds. The Dwarves here still fight battles with the Orcs for supremacy of the region, linking up with the humans in the Midlands for support and a connection to the outside world. King Aurang rules the hold, a descendant of the Dwarf hero who retook the Irondeep from the Orcs. Passionate and full of life, he leads his Dwarves proudly in their quest to rebuild their home.
Contents
Politics
Irondeep is unique among existing Dwarf holds in that it refuses to bow to the authority of the High King. Reclaimed in spite of the King's reluctance to commit to reaching beyond the Bolgra and the rest of their crusading allies, the Irondeep stands as a testament to the willpower of Dwarves. Its rulers have long resisted outright the authority of other Dwarves, making the hold a haven of sorts for exiles and other outcasts. Such a refuge helped to increase their population very quickly in the early years, and continues to foster a very diverse people even today. King Aurang rules the hold unequivocally, with few other leaders in the city daring to stand against him. And yet he is a benevolent Holdking, with his entire reign tuned towards keeping his people and their home safe. Irondeep has grown dramatically under his guidance, having secured some more outlying mines out of their reach for decades. And yet his aggression towards the Orcs threatens to undo his accomplishments, perpetually on the edge of pushing too far.
Allied with the Dwarves are the humans in the Midlands, specifically Erengrad and the crusader states around Dobruja. United in their hatred of the Kathak, all were born of the unified crusade into the Midlands. Erengrad acts as a gateway for trade between the two groups, with heavily armed caravans heading between the city and Irondeep. Through shared origins and early alliances, the Dwarves of Irondeep have been drawn into the trade wars of the Midlands, supporting the Merchant Kings of Erengrad against their rivals the Hellainic League and the Elves. Through these wars, and their overland trade, the hold is kept from true isolation, able to keep its own sphere and be independent of the High King and his empire. Aurang has his sights set firmly on recreating his own empire in the south where the Dwarves were once strongest, reclaiming the largest of their fallen cities under his reign.
Groups
Rangers
Irondeep is an embattled city. Both above and below ground, its citizens battle Orcs and other creatures, carving out their homes with violence. For the most part, the city is protected through the actions of its Rangers, a company of scouts and infiltrators that work as a border patrol. Its members are excellent fighters, separate from the more brawling warriors that make up Varukti's followers. Instead they prefer subtlety and ambushes, luring Orc warparties into traps they lay throughout the Iron Hills. Ramgers are marked by their brown tunics and cloaks, helping them to blend into the dusty hills of the Badlands. Rather than the more elaborate turbans that many Dwarves wear, Rangers also wear a simpler face and head scarf, covering their faces from dust.
Landmarks
Personalities
Aurang, Underking of Irondeep
Irondeep is built into the canyons and caves that wind through the Iron Hills. Its people are rebellious and passionate, united in their hatred of Orcs and a desire to restore their empire to its rightful place. Chief among them is Aurang, the Underking of Irondeep. Claimed as a direct descendant from Varukti himself, Aurang is the undisputed ruler of the hold, defying the patronage of the High King to rule independently. Much of his reign relies on keeping his people unified. Composed of various different political groups and cults, Irondeep is a mess of conflicting factions. With a common enemy, they cease to fight on another, and so Aurang keeps them on the warpath. An aggressive ruler, he truly embodies the spirit of Varukti, regularly holding great feasts and taking part in attacks against the Orcs that surround them. His beard is long and wild, braided with thick decorated iron bands. These same bands tie his hair, giving him a shaggy mane of sorts. He is hale and strong, with ferocious eyes and an enthusiastic grin.
Shaurya 'Half-Hand', Ranger Captain
Rangers are a unit of soldiers from Irondeep, who act as a first line of defence against threats to the hold. Often on patrol, they range through the Iron Hills that surround the mines and houses of the hold, laying traps and ambushes for Orc warparties. Their war is, compared to the wilder berserkers of Varukti, a much more delicate balance between stealth and battle. Intelligence makes a good ranger, able to understand and anticipate their foes, as well as overpower them. Their leaders tend to be reserved and quiet, having in common a sharp eye and steady hand. Shaurya is one of these Dwarves, having been a Ranger for nearly a hundred years. Considered grizzled and middle aged by Dwarf standards, Shaurya has seen and experienced a lot at the hands of the Kathak. Rising through the ranks, he now stands as one of the most trusted and capable rangers in Irondeep. He bears a great scar across his face, missing most of the teeth on his right side beneath it. His right hand is missing three digits, while his left is missing the first knuckle off his pinky, both of which contribute to his nickname. He is mostly quiet, content to let others speak for him, and is comfortable with long silences. He lacks the hatred many other Rangers have for the Orcs, instead seeing them simply as another opponent. His methodical approach serves him well, and he is beloved by those under his command.