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This quickly growing town of some 6,000 residence is located at the south western base of the Tylon mountains. Hammerstone is a well kept and orderly town whose inhabitants are friendly and self-reliant. The citizens of the town are a mixture of dwarf, human, and ork that work the local trade going to Kratas or the silver mines in the nearby mountains. Elves and obsidiman are occasionally seen among the populace, but trolls, t'skrang, and windlings are very rare.
The dwarven established government is well structured and well run. A large town watch that patrols the town and neighboring area (one day ride radius) is maintained. The town has many cosmetic laws that require its citizens to maintain a certain level of upkeep to there properties and persons making the town very pleasant looking. Accurate and fare tax rolls are kept and elections, open to property owning citizens, are held for government officials. Government meetings are open to the public, and citizens are sometimes allowed to speak. Any major policy or law change is always decided by a vote of the public. The government sustains itself through various means, but the main source of income is taxes. The town collects taxes based on a property tax, but their main source of tax revenue comes from taxes collected from the road.
The people and government of Hammerstone engineered and built a road that runs between Hammerstone and Kratas along the base of the Tylon mountains. This allows the hundreds of villages in the valley south of Hammerstone quick, easy and protected travel to the markets in Kratas. Patrols from the town ride the length of the road making it safer for travelers and making sure all who use the road have paid the road tax.
With the increasing strength of Hammerstone have come many new challenges. Ork scorchers from the valley north of the Liaj and Sky Raiders from the Twilight mountains have begun to prey on the area and villages surrounding the town. Although they have not attacked Hammerstone itself the town has felt the economic impact of these attacks.
Another threat to the town is from Kratas. Several of the various ruling gangs and factions in Kratas wish to gain control of the town and put it under their direct control. The criminal elements in Kratas enjoy the use of the road by have become angered at the harassing nature of the patrols from Hammerstone, who make them pay to use the road. Many in Kratas dream of the day that Hammerstone falls under the control of Kratas or is just wiped from existence; just as long as they leave the road most do not care which happens.
Center Shantaya's Sextant on Kratas, and align point ( on Throal. Sight along point (. Follow Floranuus at Midnight. Hammerstone lies 6 days riding, 10 days walk from Kratas.
Hammerstone was founded around the year 1426TH when several opportunistic dwarven families from Kratas came to the area because of reports of silver finds. The reports were accurate, and the dwarves settled down in a make shift camp and began mining the nearby mountain. The dwarves never planning to stay permanently, only long enough to amass a fortune and return to Kratas, did not create the mountain dwellings that dwarves are accustomed to building in the mountains and mines.
As word of the dwarves success traveled, orks, humans, and more dwarves from Kratas and nearby areas began to arrive and they also settled down in the camp. The small camp quickly grew and several years later it was a small town that resembled a miniature version of Kratas.
Almost three decades after its founding, Hammerstone found itself in the middle of the Theran War. The town, used as a jump off point by Throal to battle Theran forces in Ustrect and Liaj, swelled in numbers. Toward the end of the war the focus of Throal strategy changed and Hammerstone was no longer used by Throal forces. The town quickly diminished in size, until the war came to an end.
One of the Throalic armies, lead by General Peiron, a dwarf cavalryman adept, had been formed in the first year of the war. Peiron's Guard as it was known, spent the entire war in the lands between the Tylon mountains and the Twilight peaks. The army passed through Hammerstone many times and General Peiron became fond of the town. When the war ended Peiron disbanded his army, and then he and his family plus many of his senior staff and soldiers all settled in Hammerstone.
Peiron and the one hundred people he brought with him found post war Hammerstone a filthy, rotten, cesspool for thieves and claim jumpers. Within a year Peiron and his people wrestled control of the town from the thugs that ran it, and immediately after a small war between the criminal elements and Peiron broke out. All the criminal rackets, gangs, and guilds were defeated and run out of town by Peiron and the honest townsfolk. This period is now referred to by the townsfolk as "The Cleansing".
It was Peiron's leadership that made Hammerstone what it is today. Peiron and the former members of his staff organized the town and its government; they established all the current laws and regulations, including the tax system and election system. Several years after "The Cleansing" in an effort to increase trade to the city, the former head field engineer of Peiron's Guard built the road. Even though it was a difficult task it has already begun to pay off for the town.
There are six main areas to Hammerstone each officially known as a district. The six districts are: the White district, the Green district, the Market district, the Old district, the Merchant district, and the Plaza district.
The White district is a residential are just north of the Plaza district. This is where the towns wealthiest citizens live. All of the houses are grandiose with giant lawns separating them and walls marking their boundaries. A few years ago crime began to increase in this area and the residents of the White district wanted first rights to watch patrols. Their request was denied by the town council so the residents pulled together a large sum of money and hired a local mercenary force known as the Sentinels to act as the district's personal watch. Although the city watch still patrols the area and has jurisdiction, its the Sentinels that have managed to decrease the areas crime rate to almost zero.
The White district is also where construction of the town's defensive wall has begun. Only about three hundred yards have been completed so far, but it will eventually encompass the White, Plaza, and Market districts and part of the Green district.
The Green district, located west of the Plaza district is mostly a residential area. The people that live here make up most of the town's middle class. This district buildings are well ordered and almost uniform. The people here take pride in the superior cleanliness of there district.
South of the Plaza district, is the Market district. The main feature of this area is the Mall, a large open paved area where farmers and others from the nearby villages and surrounding areas come to set up stands and booths to sell there goods. The mall is about 200 yards north to south and about 80 yards east to west.
The rest of the district is made up of small businesses such as dry goods shops, groceries, farm equipment shops, and other business that supply the seeds of the alley's local villages. A large unpaved road known as the Farmer's Road runs from the Mall south out of the town and into the valley.
North east of the White district is the area known as the Old district. A mostly residential area it is the oldest portion of the town. The north part of this district is populated by the town's silver miners and the upper lower class. A large unpaved road known as the Miner's Road runs from here out of the city and into the Tylon mountains.
The southern part of this district which boarders the eastern side of the Plaza is were the town's lowest lower class reside. Even though this area is unorganized and the buildings in it are usually small shacks it still reflects the town's good upkeep and cleanliness.
The Merchant district resides on the eastern side of the market district and is a combination of a middle class residential area and business area. Artisan shops are the primary business in this district. Armorers, brewers, cobblers, physicians, jewelers, masons, smithies, tanners and many more can all be found here, including all manner of inns and taverns. Most live in their shops but there are many town house areas where the upper middle class, successful artisans and merchants live.
The Plaza district, the smallest of all the districts, lies at the center of the town. It is here that all the government buildings, guild headquarters, parks, and plazas. At the center of the district is the Circle plaza, a large circular area with a fountain in the middle. The fountain bears a statue of General Peiron. The plaza is surrounded by the most important government buildings, including the Council Hall, Judicial hall, and Administration Hall.
The road running from Hammerstone to Kratas was originally begun by the Throalic military during the Theran War, but was abandoned after a few years. It was small and not very wide and did not go but half the way to Kratas. After "The Cleansing" Perion ordered the road to be completed and expanded.
The road was completed just under a decade ago and is already seeing extensive use. It begins at the Mall and runs through the center of the Market and Merchant districts until it comes to a keep on the eastern boarder of the town. The Keep is a town watch sub headquarters where they collect the road tax from all who enter and leave the town on the road.
The road then runs along the base of the Tylon mountains until it ends just outside of Kratas. Hammerstone maintains several roadside inn and watch sub headquarters along the length of the road for use by travelers and patrols alike. The trip from Hammerstone to Kratas, a dangerous trip which would take villagers 11 days walking, now is a much safer trip that only takes about 8 days walking.
The road tax is 2 silver pieces per head (this includes any animal that is not caged up), anyone who uses the road must pay the tax. Most pay at the town and then are given a certificate that states they have paid. The Hammerstone watch patrols the road and check travelers for certificates. If they do not have one, then they pay the patrol and receive a certificate from them. If they refuse to pay then the traveler is taken into custody and held in Hammerstone until the toad tax is paid.
The town government is organized into a council system. The council is made up of thirteen people, two property owning residents from each district and a mayor who is elected by the town as a whole. The mayor is the agenda setter for the council and makes sure council and public meetings are carried out according to the law. The mayor also appoints the head of each administrative office and acts as ceremonial leader of the town. The council approves all administrative decisions and appoints the magistrates and the watch captain. The mayor and council members terms are six years long with no term limit. Elections are staggered so only two council members are up for election on any given year.
There are two other parts to the government, the administrative and judicial parts. The Administrative Hall conduct the daily business of the town. This includes the Tax office, the Public Works office, the commerce office, etc. The Judicial Hall maintains the law and order in the town. this includes the magistrates offices, judicial courts, penitentiary system, and watch headquarters.
There are three political parties in Hammerstone, the Preservation party, the Expansionist party, and the Tolerance party. The Preservation party, by far the largest party in the town with six council seats and the Mayors office, is dedicated to keeping Hammerstone a sovereign entity and to preserve the values and beliefs of General Peiron. The Expansionist party is the second largest political party with three council seats. They believe that Hammerstone is destined for great things and that it should begin making its place in Barsaive. They want to place the nearby villages around Hammerstone, who depend on the town for their survival under the town's rule. Lately the Expansionists have become stagnant and the party has become divided in its interpretations of their beliefs, almost nullifying there effectiveness. Finally the Tolerance party is the smallest with only one council seat. They believe that Hammerstone is not ready for any confrontations with outside forces and that they must seek aid to protect their future. They wish to have Hammerstone be annexed by Kratas for protection purposes. There are also 2 independent council members, they tend to vote with groups such as guilds and unions.
The first census in the history of Hammerstone was conducted last year by the Tax office. The census found that approximately 6,300 people live in Hammerstone with about 2,800 of them are dwarf, 1,800 are ork, 1,300 of them are human, and 300 of them are elf. Of these 54% are citizens, that is a member of a family who owns a least one property and paying property taxes. The rest are squatters, renting a property or legally living on someone else's property, or transients.
The people who live in Hammerstone all tend to be below average in height, and the architecture reflects this (probably the reason why trolls don't often come to this town). They are all of good temperament and very friendly. The people of this town are hardworking and self reliant. They believe that every person is responsible for themselves and that it is wrong to expect from someone what you can't give to them. These attitudes and beliefs are what has united the people of Hammerstone and made it a safe and cohesive community.
| DEX 5 | STR 6 | TOU 6 |
| PER 7 | WIL 5 | CHA 6 |
The mayor of Hammerstone is a native of the town and the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Onora is a tall dwarven women with a large stature. She has long black hair that she keeps braided and bushy sideburns grace her face. She has a keen intellect and is very observant. She is very eloquent, a natural orator, with a large vocabulary. She likes talking about all of the latest philosophical subjects, but frowns on small talk as useless ranting.
Onora took to politics at an early age. She was a young women when General Peiron came to Hammerstone. Though her influence and assets were small she joined Peiron's cause during "The Cleansing" and quickly became one of his greatest allies. After his death nine years ago she was elected to replace him as mayor.
She is the leader and greatest member of the Preservation party. She recognizes that Hammerstone has the potential to be a great city, but must be able to keep it united if it is going to overcome its future challenges.
Onora is in a position of great influence, so she often finds herself hiring local adepts to act as scouts and information gatherers, so she can make the most informed decisions possible. When talking with her, most notice her eagerness and attentiveness when listening to there opinions and her nonjudgmental attitude.
| DEX 5 | STR 5 | TOU 4 |
| PER 5 | WIL 5 | CHA 6 |
A council member that is one of the representatives from the Green district and Onora's greatest opponent in the Tolerance party. A young (about 29) human about 5' 4" in height with brown hair and blue eyes. He is highly intelligent and Onora's equal in oratory and debating skills. He tends to be sickly and has glassy wide eyes that most consider unsettling. He is very friendly person that is easy to get along with, but when speaking of government or debating, he uses scare mongering to make his point playing on peoples fears and uncertainties to get his points across.
Druas has succumb to the greedy ways of his friends in Kratas and believes that the only way Hammerstone will survive its future is to become a protectorate of Kratas. Druas has many important contacts in Kratas, he has also amassed a small fortune their and in Hammerstone.
| DEX 5 | STR 7 | TOU 5 |
| PER 5 | WIL 5 | CHA 4 |
This council member is the leader of the Expansionist party and an adept of the Weaponsmith discipline, he represents the Merchant district. He is a dwarf of average height and medium build, but is very strong. He has reached 8th circle in his discipline and has excelled at forging blades (rank 11) and is an expert fighter (Melee Weapons Rank 9).
Although he is their official leader, he has fallen in disfavor with his party. He has had an inability to push the Expansionist agenda in official meetings. Secretly, the reason for this is he has fallen in love with Onora, though she does not know this, and he does not want to anger her by opposing her. Outside of official areas he rarely talks about politics, he would rather talk of lighter things or hear a good tale. Most people notice that Aubert seems to care little about politics, until they see him in a official function, when he can be very zealous.
Aubert, a former adventurer, has a rather large collection of magical weapons, which he uses to inspire his own creations. He has expert knowledge of legendary weapons, which he uses to inspire his own creations. He has expert knowledge of legendary and magical weapons.
| DEX 5 | STR 5 | TOU 4 |
| PER 5 | WIL 6 | CHA 4 |
One of the wealthiest merchants in the town owning several businesses, including an inn and two taverns. He is an ork, 5' 11" in height and is frail by ork standards. He is a capable business man with great determination. he is a well groomed and well dressed individual.
Torht is a secret member of the Lightbearers. Although he is not a Lightbearer in the traditional sense, he has turned over his resources for use by the organization. He uses his businesses as safe houses and Information gathering and exchange locations for the agents of the organization.
Torht is a private person, not often does he go out and socialize. When he does he is a very blunt person and speaks his mind. He has many contacts in Throal, Kratas, and Vivane, plus he personally knows one of the Swords of Light. At his disposal is a small army of agents and adepts to do his business and assist the Lightbearers, although they usually don't know they are doing this when he sends them on a mission.
| DEX 7 | STR 5 | TOU 5 |
| PER 5 | WIL 5 | CHA 7 |
A thief adept who moved here from Kratas about three years ago and now lives in the Old district. He is a human about 5' 9" with noble and handsome looks. He is seventh circle and is most proficient in the clandestine talents (Silent Walk rank 8) and is skilled in Evidence Analysis. He is a suave speaker and he always says as little as possible, never volunteering information. He is noticeable by his cool and calm demeanor and how he always seems in control of a situation.
Engres is an agent of Garlthik One-Eye sent here as a spy to determine the threat to Kratas posed by Hammerstone. He has bribed and blackmailed many minor government officials into giving him information and could probably get more from them if he wanted.
| DEX 7 | STR 6 | TOU 5 |
| PER 5 | WIL 4 | CHA 6 |
Hammerstone's watch captain and is an adept of the swordmaster discipline. He is an ork about 6' in height who is nimble and strong. When he talks he speaks slowly and clearly with as little words as possible. Although he is a man of few words, he is a good listener and entertains any complaints and suggestions his office gets.
This bladesman has obtained ninth Circle and is also a skilled investigator.
He is a adamant Preservationist who wishes to keep the town ideals enforced, he places a lot of infuses on enforcing the town's cosmetic laws. He believes the watch should set examples for the public. He requires all of his watch to be well groomed and clean when the go on duty.
Slean has many allies in the town and knows most everything that goes on. He knows about both Torht Rand's and Engres Colby's operations and activities but not who they work for.
| DEX 5 | STR 5 | TOU 5 |
| PER 5 | WIL 5 | CHA 6 |
A questor of Lochost and an activist against the growing power of Hammerstone. She is a very attractive and charismatic human, 5' 4" in height.
She is not an orator but is an expert at talking to people on a one-on-one bases, she is skilled in Conversation (rank 7) and Speak Language (rank 5). She finds it easy to talk to anyone, and has a soothing comforting voice.
She feels it is her duty to protect the freedom of the villages that surround Hammerstone. She protests gatherings and meetings of the Expansionist party and frequently harasses the other council members. She can also be found in many of the villages trying to convince the villagers that they must live without Hammerstone. Audrey is familiar with life in all of the villages in the area and how they interact with each other, she has many contacts and friends (not to mention enemies) in each one.
A large open air building next to the Gate Keep. Here is where travelers that are going to be traveling on the road can find out information on when the next merchant caravans are scheduled to leave. They can also sign up and pay for a place in the caravan, which then entitles them to protection from the caravans hired guards. Merchants can also leave there wagons, carts, and animals in the protection of the center, for a fee.
A large circular plaza at the very center of the town. In addition to the Council Hall, Judicial Hall, and the Administration Hall, many other important buildings can be found here. The Guild House, the headquarters for Hammerstone's merchant guild lies next to the Council Hall. Elmer Collage is a three story building opposite of the Council Hall. It is a highly exclusive institute of learning, only accepting 10 candidates a year for a five year curriculum. The education is above average, employing the best sages in the valley. Also on the circle is a small ritzy weekend theater called Montgomery's Stage and various office buildings rented out to numerous groups.
Found in the market district at the north end of the Mall. It is a building with various banquet rooms rented out on a temporary bases to the smaller guilds and organizations who do not have a permanent headquarters. Every harvest season the rooms rent out quickly by the numerous husbandry guilds found in the area.
The official eastern exit/entrance to the city and the building where travelers pay for the right to use the Hammerstone-Kratas road. The watch assigned to this location are solely responsible for patrolling and keeping the road safe and maintaining and administrating the road side inns. Patrols leave daily from here.
A large warehouse in the Merchant district owned by a consortium of magicians. Here the magicians create and sell unique and common magical items and provide a forum for the local mages together. The have thousands of common items that are at a reasonable price, ten to twenty percent lower than average.
Found in the Merchant district and is owned by Tort Rand. It is a quaint middle class establishment with fare prices and good service. It is a safe, quiet, and respectable place to stay for the night. Secretly it is also a safe house for the Lightbearers. It makes use of an access to the tunnels to fairy in and out agents in hiding.
During the war the Throalic generals began building the road and to a lesser extent began building a sewage system to help improve the town. Like the road, the sewage system was abandoned. Over the years it has been covered up and forgotten. Very few people still know it exists and there are only a few usable entrances left. The tunnels, as it is now referred to, consist of about twenty passage ways that crisscross the town in perpendicular paths to one another, forming a kind of grid. Each tunnel is about ten feet underground with a eight foot height and six foot width.
Hammerstone is a perfect place to introduce characters to a low level political campaign. It has many different elements that might make intriguing adventures. Here are some possible ideas:
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