The Forge Town
Echoes of hammers and tools fill the huge caverns of Voldhor. Dark stone fills the view, and you see people always in a rush to whatever destination they are en route to. You do not hear conversations of the weather or the meals that have been had that day. People’s discussions are quick and to the point. An energy fills the town. Forges can be found everywhere and the smell of molten metal and stone wafts into your nose down every turn.
Voldhor is a town full of people pushing their craft. Forging and smithing are the most common endeavors, but inventors and craftsmen of all kinds prosper in Voldhor. People who are not willing to collaborate with others though are not welcome in Voldhor. The greatest innovations occur when great minds come together, and personal success and fortune has been supplanted with a focus on pushing the limits of what’s possible beyond everything else.
Traits
Races: Dwarf, Gnome, Orcborn
Best Stats: Strength, Constitution, Intelligence, and Wisdom
Common Classes: Fighter, Wizard, Barbarian
Government Type: Hereditary Council
City Environment: Mountain
Alignment: Lawful
History
Dwarves are one of the oldest races in the realm. Dwarven groups have always had an affinity with mountains, and the first dwarves of Avensuna found a habitable mountain and settled in. In such a remote place dwarves did not have to spend a lot of time fending off enemies. Instead the dwarves focused on themselves and their growth, and set out to put the resources of the mountain to good use. Voldhor beings at the foot of a mountain where it meets the open plain, but it stretches on deep into the mountain. Dwarves have always felt at home in a mountain, working on their latest creation in their forge.
The first gnomes on Avensuna were actually found deep within Voldhor. Dwarfs had come across and ancient chamber that had remained untouched for centuries. Inside they had found a large cadre of gnomes, asleep under some enchantment. The dwarfs were able to dispel and resuscitate the gnome population. The gnomes recovered healthily, but had no memory of things prior to their sleep. Before the arrival of the gnomes the dwarven smiths of Voldhor focused primarily on the manipulation of molten metal when creating weapons. With the magical ingenuity of the gnomes the ceiling for wondrous weapons had been extended. Nowadays it would be unthinkable for Voldhor to not have any magic or enchanted weapons, but this reputation could have only come about with the contribution of the gnomes.
Not all orcborn are drawn into the glory of battle. Some are really inspired by the fine craftsmanship of dwarven blacksmiths in Gruungrad. These orcborn soon set out to apprentice under dwarven blacksmiths and learn for themselves how to make these amazing weapons. Enough orcborns have been driven enough to go all the way to Voldhor to learn about high level smithing, that a sizable community of orcborn in Voldhor has formed.
Ability Scores: +2 points between Strength, Constitution, Intelligence, and Wisdom
Skills: Proficiency in the Arcana, History, or Athletic skill.
Tool Proficiency: You gain proficiency with smith’s tools. You have double proficiency bonus when using them.
Gift of the Forge: You can use the Identify spell, but only as a ritual, and only on objects and items.