Borov-Urdak is a Mountain Dwarf stronghold set in the Emperor's Mountains. It is near the town of Balmondil. The stronghold is up in the mountains, but below the snow line.

The dwarves of Borov-Urdak have historically been very isolationistic. However, they have recently opened their gates to hill dwarf refugees from a nearby stronghold which was overrun by hobgoblins.

History

This mountain dwarf stronghold was built around a highly successful mining operation, which still continues to this day. Originally, plentiful copper, iron, and lead veins were found, and therefore the stronghold was constructed around the mines. The stronghold was built 11 (dwarven) generations ago. About 100 years ago, the veins of iron played out in the nearby area, but veins of gold were discovered while the miners were prospecting. This sudden infusion of wealth has made the stronghold rich, but also very cautious about revealing and opening itself to outsiders.

About the only violent contact of any note is sporadic raiding by trolls, who dwell in the area. Fortunately, they are disorganized enough that a few good extermination efforts keeps them in line. Humanoids have not posed much threat in recent times, although human settlements in the lands below had been plagued by goblinoids, who also sacked a small nearby hill-dwarf colony.

People

Primarily mountain dwarves. A small clan of hill dwarves also lives within Borov-Urdak, and they occasionally try to get the ruler to open the doors to others. A small group of gully dwarves live here also, in the refuse areas that no one else wants.

Refugees from a nearby hill dwarf stronghold have recently arrived at Borov-Urdak. They have requested aid in rebuilding their stronghold and helping it to recover. The King has reluctantly agreed, but the work is proceeding slowly because of frequent hobgoblin raids.

Rulership

Ruled by a King; crafts/clans are run by guildmasters, who act as the second tier of authority. The High priest of the temple is at an equal level as the guildmasters.

Armed Forces

Economy

Borov-Urdak now imports iron ore, and exports some gold items (jewelry), weapons, and materials found only on the surface (wood). It it pretty much self-sufficient, as there are goat-herders, who let their flocks graze in nearby valleys, and a few farmers (and fungi harvesters - a technique learned from the deep dwarves). There is little trade - the dwarves deliberately try to keep contact with outsiders low-key.

The Temple forges work Iron, Lead, some other base metals. They also have been working Copper, and forming Brass and Bronze to work with. Actually in the temple though is mostly iron and steel. The others are elsewhere in the stronghold (it seems that the two major industries here are mining and metal-working. Astute observers might notice a fair amount of Gold jewelry worn by important dwarves, which show similar workmanship as some of the other metalwork. However, the gold-smithies are kept hidden.

Sections of Town

The front gates are immense stone doors with iron carefully inlaid to form reinforced banding. Above, there is a guard post, usually manned by four dwarves, who can unlock the doors or drop reinforcing bars as needed. The corridor from the outer gates into the center of the stronghold is well-worked and well-traveled.

The stronghold is predominantly within the mountain. There is a courtyard open to the sky (just beyond the entrance), but most of Borov-Urdak is within the mountain. It is mostly stonework.

There is an access to the underdark in Borov-Urdak. It has not been plagued by invaders from below in the recent past, in part because of the elaborate defenses constructed (especially once gold was discovered).

Sites around Borov-Urdak

Churches

The Temple of Moradin came to the stronghold upon its founding, and helped to forge the iron into useful tools and weapons. The priesthood had also sent emissaries to a nearby deep dwarf stronghold. As the iron played out, the priesthood set up trade with the deep dwarves (who had a good iron vein). Borov-Urdak now imports iron ore, and exports some gold items (jewelry), weapons, and materials found only on the surface (wood). It it pretty much self-sufficient, as there are goat-herders and a few farmers (and fungi harvesters - a technique learned from the deep dwarves).

Temple of Dumathoin: Quite popular, since mining is the primary occupation of the stronghold

Personalities

Clan Heads

Priests

Organizations

Ganae Gazetteer

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