02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

362 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
Shoretown: Although famous for its mines, Ulgar is
just as important for its fishing fleet on the Armsdeep.
The prodigious amount of fish brought in by these
vessels feeds many clans in Ulgar and Ghord. Ulgar
is three miles north of the shoreline, so the docks are
separate from the city itself and connected by heavily
traveled roads. Shoretown includes the piers and
many nearby buildings such as shipwrights, fishing
warehouses, trading offices, taverns, and housing
for several clans. The Shoretown and city dwarves
have developed two distinct cultures each proud of
its heritage and fond of treating one another with
disdain. Shoretown is governed by a council of twelve
elders led by Vetta Olghrd (female dwarf Wiz9), a
member of the Brand of Odom.
Trine Hall: The Trine Hall was built as neutral
ground for meetings of the Trine, being equidistant
from their respective clan estates. This has become the
center of the city bureaucracy complex. Recently they
have grudgingly agreed to recognize the Shoretown
Council as well. Collectively, the council is allowed
one vote alongside those made by each member of
the Trine. As ties always go to the Trine, the vote holds
dubious value. Since the recognition of Shoretown, the
Trine has begun to feel some pressure of late for more
representation by other influential clans in Ulgar.
Wroughthammer Exquisite Metallurgy: This shop
produces some of the finest steel in Ulgar forged
into masterwork mining equipment, weapons, and
steamjack parts. Although Wroughthammer metal
is not as famous or valued as serricsteel, it remains
the best locally produced equivalent, and the clan is
always experimenting with alloys trying to outdo Clan
Serric. They have made a name for themselves with
exceptionally fine hammers, picks, and shovels. The
shop is run by Duwurk Wroughthammer (male dwarf
Amk8/Exp10), one of the most skilled metalworkers in
Ulgar. He is assisted by his three sons all of whom are
master smiths and decent engineers in their own right.
Places of Interest
Hammerfall: All roadways in the western mountains
converge on Hammerfall, the great fortress complex
serving as the land gateway to Ghord and Armsdeep
dating back to the time of the Feud of Ages. A terraced
castle composed of dozens of smaller fortresses linked
together into a single compound, it is a triumph of
dwarven defensive stonemasonry. It has been long
centuries since it faced actual battle, but it withstood
many attacks in ancient times by western barbarians
and later by more organized Khadoran Menites. The
dwarves of Rhul consider it essential to keep the castle
ready for war at all times. It is garrisoned by over ten
thousand dwarves rotated periodically from assorted
clans along with dozens of warjacks.
Stone House Dhurg is directly responsible for
this great complex, and its leadership is comprised
of hundreds of its kin permanently stationed here.
The most notable is Champion Pelgor Dhurg (male
dwarf Ftr10/Sor5), the older cousin of the Stone
Lord. He spent his youth as a mercenary in Llael
and has adopted some of the training methods and
discipline more common to human armies. He has a
strong loathing for Khadorans exacerbated by some
of his oldest human friends being killed while serving
at Redwall Fortress and Laedry during the invasion.
Hammerfall has been a regular stop for overland
travelers for thousands of years, always ensuring safe
passage for merchants along the trade roads.
Horgenhold: The Horgenhold is a massive
single castle of squat proportions atop a sheer cliff
overlooking the primary trade river used to enter Rhul.
A major roadway between Leryn and Hammerfall
passes directly by Horgenhold, and scores of cannons
are permanently fixed on both the river and the road.
Horgenhold has a colorful past and was actually
tested briefly by the Orgoth after they conquered
the old human kingdom of Rynr. Their losses were so
staggering that they never tested Rhul again.
Maintaining the hold is the responsibility of Stone
House Udo although dwarves of many clans volunteer
to serve there. The hold also serves as headquarters
for hundreds of scouts who patrol the southern
mountains and the other lesser forts and watchtowers
along the border. All of these dwarves are on high alert
due to the occupation of Llael. Many dwarves here felt
the fall of Leryn personally; some have friends and
even family in the nearby Llaelese city. The hold has
received its share of Llaelese and Nyan (see IKCG pg.
45) refugees, and none have been refused—although
they are searched and thoroughly questioned before
allowed admittance.