Lowpass

Lowpass is an integral stop along the road between Routot and the Midlands, acting as a lynchpin for overland trade between the two. It is not particularly well-liked by these same merchants, who see it as a mere toll booth on the caravan road. It originated as little more than a small mine, swelling with the discovery of gold in its depths before collapsing again at the exhaustion of the vein. Its population fled during the Dragon Wars and the hold was taken by all manner of creatures. Reclaimed during the Midlands crusades, Lowpass was handed to one of the chief noblemen in that endeavour as a gift. His son now rules, Holdking Lakshan, a selfish and cowardly Dwarf. The hold is small and grimy, making its wealth and influence off of its fortunate position rather than anything substantial.

Politics

To many, Lowpass is seen as a necessary evil along the road between Muerthe and the Routot states. On one hand its soldiers work to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding passes, keeping travellers from harm. On the other hand, it is not unusual for these soldiers to be the ones doing the travellers harm. Bribes are almost always expected to buy safe passage, atop the already hefty fees charged by the Dwarf customs houses. Most who travel the road do so out of poverty, unable to book passage for them or their goods on the ships out of Caulois, and resent the fines for making that burden heavier. The roads are often busy, however, with plenty of people willing to risk the journey into Muerthe and the Midlands beyond. Any complaints or resistance towards the extortion falls on deaf ears, as everyone from the basest of mercenary to the Holdking Lakshan himself is complicit in the robbery. It is made a sore point between him and his human neighbours, but there are no signs of him stopping the practice any time soon.

Groups

Customs Inspectors

Aside from the mercenaries and soldiers along the road, Lowpass itself is full of those who would rob or racketeer travellers. Perhaps the worst are the official customs inspectors; the sanctioned purveyors of the Holdking's will. Housed in the great Customs Houses at either gate of the city, they investigate and interrogate any who come through its gates without proper approval. Any merchants or traders bound for its highways must pay fines and tolls to continue, and often cannot do so until a further bribe has been paid to the inspector themself. All of this sees it as quite a tedious process, and one that most are eager to have done as fast as possible. Customs Inspectors, as the main avenue of revenue for the king, wield tremendous power in Lowpass, its ra ks filled with ambitious money-grubbers.

Landmarks

Personalities

Lakshan, Holdking of Lowpass

Lowpass is a much hated stop on the trip over the Pessamits, sitting as an almost unavoidable obstacle between Caulois and Osse. Fines, bribes and extortion are all rampant along the road beneath the mountain, its inspectors demanding duty on most goods moving through the corridor. All of this helps to prop up the reign of Holdking Lakshan, the ruler of the city and its surrounding highway. A greedy Dwarf, Lakshan does little to inhibit his men from enacting their whims on passing travellers, confiscating goods and demanding bribes at every turn. In exchange for the robbery, he pays soldiers to patrol the road. Both his own Dwarves and mercenaries are in his employ, patrolling and safeguarding the pass. Neither is much better than the other when it comes to extorting their own bribes on passing caravans, the transactions normalized as the traffic through the city grows ever busier. Lakshan likes this state of affairs, provided he continues to make as much money as possible off of the arrangement. He is an average Dwarf, with few distinguishing features to set him apart. Known for his temper, he is known to beat his subordinates when enraged, a state which happens all too often. His guards are often accomplices, lest they be the targets of the blows themselves.

Naveen, Chief Customs Inspector

The Customs Inspectors in Lowpass are a special breed of selfish. Tasked with wringing as much money as possible from those who travel through the city, they pursue this end with much zeal. They are allowed, and almost encouraged, to skim some extra for themselves, and as such the bribery often rises to ludicrous levels. And yet, with the dangers of the mountains the only alternative for many poor merchants, their abuse is tolerated. Inspectors are a vital part of the revenue for the hold, with few other industries or resources to rely on. As such, it makes sense that their chief should be close to the Holdking himself. Naveen is an unusual Dwarf, seemingly shaped and twisted by his own vile personality. He is selfish and greedy, and every bit the personification of the worst about the Customs Inspectors. He acts as lackey for Lakshan, enriching himself at the expense of others.

Gilbert the Blackheart, Mercenary Captain

Mercenary companies have long been used to augment Lowpass' own defences. After the hold was reclaimed, most of the Dwarves who did so returned to their homes, leaving a skeleton crew of supporters behind to rebuild. Taking advantage of returning Routot soldiers and levies, the tradition for outside help was established. As the hold has devolved into degeneracy and greed, so too has the quality of its mercenaries. Chief among these, perhaps if only in notoriety, is Gilbert. Known as the Blackheart by those he preys upon, Gilbert leads a band of ragtag Routot brigands in their mission to cleanse the surrounding mountains around Lowpass. A brutal man who made a name for himself among the Middle Princes, his results have been messy but questionable, striking fear into those he meets on the road. Gilbert is a tall man with a fearsome shaggy beard. His eyes appear crazed, though his tone is always level and calm. Long red hair is matted on his head, and an enormous two handed axe is used as a walking stick and leaning post both.