Post by Nazerine on Dec 3, 2011 19:52:08 GMT 10
"Ah, Thom'dol. Home to the greatest king and greatest ale to ever exist in Verenthia. Pity about the hags that serve the ale. Could use a bit of discipline, they could. Almost set fire to me beard!" - Keghar Stoutmantle, Docksman. |
| Name: Thom'dol. Pronounced 'Thuom-duol'. Region: Kildheimer. Leader: King Daegan Brollhammer. Imports: Eggs, dairy products, grain. Exports: Armour, weapons, preserved beverages and ship parts. |
The City
Thom'dol originally started as a mining cave used by the dwarves during the time before the turn of the Ice War. It was primarily a cavern used for shelter and the dwarves expanded into it slowly using primitive chipping tools and constructive planning. Over the years, the dwarven knowledge expanded and with the new-found discovery of implementing semi-precious ores it was converted and deepened into a complex underground network of tunnels and halls. Using the stone wrought from the earth itself, the dwarves evolved the city into a marvel of it's time, eventually becoming the second largest city in Verenthia, and the largest underground settlement to ever exist. The city spans for miles beneath the earth, winding into many passages and tunnels that are symmetrically adjacent to one another, having been planned for decades in advance. The expansion of the city pooled out it's inhabitants to also seek refuge along the coastline. Thom'dol is broken into four sections, each with a different focus on dwarven lifestyle. The first sector is the Trade District, which conveniently rests against the cavern's mouth. Boards of carved stone laced in snow and ice reach out from the shoreline where great ships and vessels close in to dock and seek repairs. Behind the stone dockyards lays a mixture of commoner and communal buildings where traders display their goods in rocky houses or wagons. The buildings are considered to be the very best of dwarfish architecture with each structure upholding bold and intricate features.
A series of ascending roads run through the trade district which lead to the second sector of the city. The Commoner District opens out into the cavern's mouth, marked with lanterns and braziers. Beyond the mouth is a single staircase leading down, the walls dotted with windows and doors with discreet staircases leading to private living quarters. The staircase leads with houses, long-houses, inns, taverns and other commoner and commercial buildings spreading from it's arms as it makes it's descent into the earth.
As the great staircase dives deeper into the earth, it becomes illuminated fiercely with flame. The third sector is renowned as the Business District. Scholars, business men and the economical tradespeople that keep Thom'dol on it's feet reside and work within. It is considered open to the public save for a few private rooms which are guarded and/or marked with stone inscriptions declaring an outsider can go no further. The third floor is decorated with pillars of stone splashed with carvings and statues of revered hunters and warriors. The third sector is a singular massive hall, dotted with hundreds of doors and passages that all lead to libraries, commerce, treasury storage, meeting rooms and private housing dedicated to the more elite members of dwarven society. The bank is largest room in the third floor, consisting of many glowing chambers that seal away the cities goods. A large chamber opposite the bank rolls down into a room entirely composed of icy rock. Named the Stone Core, it was originally a mineshaft used to farm for ores. It was abandoned after the miners dug too deep and opened a hole in the caverns below the city. It has since been closed off due to infestation of various hostiles.
The final chamber is found after a long rolling staircase at the end of the Business District. Massive torches and columns of stone line the walls and floors of this floor. Called the Royal Sanctum, it's exquisite polished floor made from pure gold is said to be the pinnacle of dwarven artwork. Three separate giant chambers spread out from the central floor. The first serves as a temple of indulgence where the small population of the magically gifted come to seek solace and prayer. Every edge of the temple's walls, ceiling and floor is covered in gold. Statues of the Pantheon circle the room where the worthy place appropriate offerings to their chosen deity.
The second room is the Throne Room. Columns of obsidian stone laced in gold mirror the central walkway that leads to a singular throne. Beyond the throne is the king's private chambers where him and his queens reside. The Throne Room is the most well guarded area of the city with some rumours leading to say the place is laden with deadly traps.
The third chamber leads to the banquet hall. Furs, ancient weapon displays and other precious artifacts are hung on the walls, surrounding many long tables of stone. The banquet hall is used for private functions held only by or for the king or for important meetings. The fourth sector of the city is considered out of bounds to most of the commoners, only offering the highest of authority passage.
"Go and huddle up near one of the fire's if you're cold. We don't have time to hear about your whining and complaining. " - Ghel Flaghorn, Loyalist. |
Culture
The cities personality reflects the burly characteristics of it's main citizens, the dwarves. Though seen as an isolated city compared to the rest of Verenthian settlements, it upholds a ruggish lifestyle both comfortable and hazardous. One will find out that the trait of greed runs into the cities veins quite deeply, and that buying and purchasing goods comes at a steeper price than normal. Crime is well encountered in the city, usually with stealing and brawling being the most common offences. Outsiders are usually encouraged to keep a keen eye on their possessions at all times and to carry a healthy sum of money to avoid underpaying an angered tradesman. Thom'dol is well guarded with many different stages of authority patrolling it's depths on a constant basis. Ironically, this has had little affect on the crime-rate, leading to believe that either the guards are corrupted or they show no true apathy for those who do the deeds. Usually a guard would need to be 'paid' in order to carry out their rightful duties, making those of Thom'dol seem more as mercenaries with a fancy title than servants of the people.
"Blood runs almost as rampant as the drink. Can't remember the last time I could look at the bar counter and not see some old forsaken bloodstain tarnish my reflection." - Kilda Ironboot, Innkeeper. |