Rock Hammer 1372-1479

Lower Ward

The Lower Ward refers to two distinct sections. The first is the real ward that lies near the main gate on either side of the main road into Rock Hammer. The second would be the area on the other side of Everlund Pass that Rock Hammer has used for growing crops and cutting down trees. A good number of people work “Across the Pass”, but not many live here. The city morgue and cemetery is located here as well. Most of the workers here live in the Lower Ward inside the valley.

Often referred to as “the unseen ward” since you have to go into it to see it, as it can’t be seen from Amyria Lane. The ward was deemed “unsightly” decades ago and it was mandated that businesses would be allowed to build their shops on either side of the main street to “block” the view of the Lower Ward from new visitors.

The Lower Ward lacks the community feel that the Temel Ward has as there is nothing to unite the people here. Most are laborers with minor skills to their trade. A lot of people come and go, once you move to Rock Hammer you do your best to move out of the Lower Wards.

There are a number of cramped residences, apartments for temporary living, bars and taverns, underground gambling halls, houses of ill repute, and average to poor goods and services.

The main attraction in this ward the Stone’s Throw Tavern & Inn which is located just inside the main gate on the north side of Amyria Lane. Security is high here because of the neighborhood. Next to the tavern is a place for merchants to securely park their caravans of goods while they rest and relax. Also, you’ll find the small warehouse district on this side of the street.

Another famous place is Lucky’s Profitable Ventures Company that is run by the halfling “Lucky” Laxinilly Wylosum, a former adventurer himself. Lucky formed this company to help adventurers get together, organize, get themselves equipped and to venture forth into the exciting world of adventuring. Lucky boasts that several of his clients have gotten rich over the years, and for a mere 10% of your earnings, that next someone could be you!

His store is huge, it includes a battle arena for groups to practice in the basement, along with everything an adventurer could need as far as equipment, and the basics in weapons (simple) and armor (as high as chainmail). Lucky will also pass along tips and rumors to his clients that he feels are best suited for the job. A number of trainers offer their services for anyone interested at Lucky’s; including up to 5th level in rogues, thieves, shamans, barbarians, slayers, and fighters, and up to 3rd level for battleminds, hexblades, and psions.

The most notable person in this area would have to be Constable Gatlund, the man in charge of the City Guard at the main gate. A fixture for years in this ward, Constable Gatlund is a broad-chested hard-ass. Known for his intimidating interrogations and long memory, Constable Gatlund does not let anything past his ever watchful eyes. A phrase often heard in the Lower Wards, when partaking in questionable actions, is “let’s step inside friend, away from Gatlund’s Gaze”.

Blackstone Ward

In many regards the Elmshire ward is the most ideal ward in all of Rock Hammer. Not too poor, but rich in style and it has an abundance of things to offer. Elmshire is home to the middle class and contains a great deal of skilled artisans, tradesmen, entertainers, and professionals.

Located south of the dwarven ward, the Blackstone Ward gained its name when the quarry discovered a vein of darker stone that was unusable by the Temple in Sundabar, it then began being used in this area.

The majority of the Blackstone Ward is comprised of residences, mostly modest houses, and the ward is also the home of the League of Fighters, the Arcane Academy, and a good number of quality shops.

Senith Mistbrook, an older female elf, runs the Silver Stallion Stables where people can purchase fine horses or even rent them (with a sizable deposit) for the day or the ten-day.

The Lost Acolyte are three sages that sell their services to the public for those who have need for their wisdom and knowledge. Lurios Aela is the oldest, the most knowledgeable of the three and runs the business.

If you are looking for magical weapons, then check out Sword and Cleave just off Coldforge Way. They are the only magic weapon and armor shop in all of Rock Hammer and they carry a wide selection of common magic items. Lotton Echworack keeps his eyes out for new inventory all of the time, occasionally hiring individuals to acquire items for him.

Usten Usk-Lurent and wife Leran run both the Banshee’s Bowyer and Straight and True Arrows out of the same store. Usten is a master bowyer, supplier of off the City Guard’s bows and also makes bows special to order. Leran specializes in arrows and her products are said to fly straighter for longer distances than any in all of Luruar. They have a special promotion that if someone kills a monster with a bow and arrow from their products, they will hand up the head (with the arrow still in it) on the wall as a trophy along with a 200 gp reward for a monster they don’t already have.

The very strange Keleto owns and runs the Skeleton’s Vial, where you can find most potions for sale. Keleto is always looking for more ingredients and has been known to hire adventurers to procure them for his business.

Dwarven Ward

As the city of Rock Hammer was first forming, Kregnok and other master masons discovered a large stone deposit in the northwest corner of the valley. The dwarves began excavation of the stone from the mountain shortly before learning that the Temple of Tyr in Sundabar had suffered extensive damage when an evil temple underneath it had fallen, thus compromising the temple above. It was later learned that the person responsible for this was the Black Knight, aka General Zithiruun.

Kregnok, Umberto and others of the original party negotiated a price and Rock Hammer became the supplier of stone to the new temple. Kregnok had to ramp up production at the quarry in Rock Hammer and went out to hire as many workers as he could. What developed was a dwarf-town just outside of the quarry. Over the years the workers of the quarry and later the gem vein, began to build permanent residences. With the majority of workers being dwarven, the dwarven ward first began to take shape.

The dwarven ward boasts a number of attractions. It is the home of all three dwarven clans. First and foremost is the Coldforge clan, located at Kregnok Manor near the mine entrance. The Stronghammer Clan is located near the main blacksmith in the ward. The Oakbeard clan is located above the main office of Oakbeard Trade & Cargo.

The main destination for those from outside and from inside the Dwarven Ward would have to be ‘Nok & Nak’s Brewery, located near the border to the Blackstone Ward. They still lack a formal license to serve beer at their brewery, but it is a popular place to buy beer for both individuals and for taverns. It is joked that Adarc, and Valddan sleep in beer vats and never go home.

The half-elf Lisilsasda owns and runs Luruar Cartography and she is the foremost authority on the western Nether Mountain range. While she employs only a small staff, she often hires adventurers to look into locations for clarification where she can’t afford to send her own. Currently she is working on maps of the area to include the Underdark.

The bounty hunters Terios Helm-Basher (minotaur) and Damakos (tiefling) own and operate Rock Hammer Reclamation. They are very efficient and have been hired by the City Guard on several occasions to find and bring back people of interest who have left Rock Hammer, mostly criminals. They do most of their own work but have from time to time, had to seek outside help for missions.

The Council representative for the Dwarven Ward is Orlan Coldforge, younger brother of Immur Coldforge who is clan elder of the Coldforge clan. Orlan is young and relatively new to the position, and he longs for working back in the mines with the rest of his clan and business.

Nearly a century ago Umberto dedicated the valley center to Bahamut’s most trusted and devoted follower, Amyria. A few years later, the fountain and marble statue of the deva was completed and it has become a major landmark in the city and hangout for the locals.

As the population of Rock Hammer grew, business began congregating around the town center and soon it became the financial heart of the valley. All major announcements made by the president are delivered from the fountain and statue of Amyria - the heart of the city.

The Amyria Ward boasts several attractions. Two of the major inns of Rock Hammer are located here, the first being the Comfortable Maiden – a popular inn that caters to the middle-class traveler. The other is the prestigious and expensive Green Fields which is located on the edge of the Amyria Ward, next to the Elmshire Ward. The Green Fields is located between the forks of the Rock Hammer River on a man-made island. Dignitaries, ambassadors, the famous, and high rollers check in to the esteemed hotel and their restaurant, “The Sly Flourish” is the best in town. Also, House of Dazu is the nicest tavern in town and is located in this ward.

Maxwell Amand owns and runs Maxwell Properties and helps people find, buy, and sell houses in the great Rock Hammer area, and has been in business here for a number of years.

The Royal Provisioner sells adventuring equipment, including armors and weapons. Gwenmay Tilsanna runs the store and she is most known for selling kids wooden swords designed to look like the sword Merthuvial. She also sells replicas of her items, mostly these are sold to people wanting to decorate their homes with suits of armors or weapons above their fireplace.

Fine Furs produces and sells the best furs in all on the Nether Mountains, including coats, cloaks, boots, hats, helmets, and gloves. The store is run by two orcs, Nemnor and Ythwar, both of which are excellent hunters and in their middle ages. One of the newer stores in the Amyria Ward, Fine Furs experienced slow business at first but is finally starting to gain acceptance in the city.

Titan Cuzar is the current president of Rock Hammer Gold & Trust which has been around for nearly 90 years now. All loans and money transactions stem from this business and over the years, it has become a very profitable and powerful political position in Rock Hammer. The place was an occasional spot for attempted robberies, but it has gone unscathed for over 40 years as security has been beefed up.

Lyle’s Fine Cloaks is run by the father and son tandem of Lyle and Lyle Jr, Maldridge. They make cloaks to commission. The put their finest wares in the huge windows that overlook Umberto Lane, but do have plain traveling gear in the back of the store. Lyle Sr is a master craftsman and Lyle Jr is learning to become one and he is currently working on enchanting his first master cloak.

Of Style and Grace started out as a typical gowns-and-pearls place, but it now includes hairstyling, cosmetics, and body shaping alterations. Of Style and Grace has become a popular spot for the ladies of Rock Hammer and Melsura Moonbrace oversees the business. It is rumors that most gossip originates from here.

Maravan Zelmor is the current representative of the Amyria Ward and has been in this position for over a decade when he sold his business to accept this position.

The Rock Hammer Trade Coalition is easily the most powerful entity on Rock Hammer over the past 25 years, but it did not happen overnight. Gradually over time, power has slowly shifted from the Presidency to the Council and then to the Trade Coalition.

The Rock Hammer Trade Coalition began as a humble group of merchants and business owners helping each other out back when the valley was just a village. Because of the freedoms allowed by Umberto as well as some rather ambitious individuals, the Coalition started down the path towards what it is now.

Currently every major business and tradesman in Rock Hammer belongs to the Coalition; in fact membership is required in order to obtain a business license. Milo Bologard, grandson of Lozigee and uncle of Lendri, is the current Council Representative for the guild. Milo is a shrewd business man and has turned over the day-to-day operations of the Bologard properties to his sister, Lidda Bologard, while he is busy with the guild.

The Trade Coalition regulates commerce not only Rock Hammer but all throughout the Everlund Pass, from Silverymoon to Everlund. In fact, it is members of the Trade Coalition that own and operate the farms in Cholnudon that supply Rock Hammer with most of their food.

The Rock Hammer Trade Coalition has also become a target of the Sons of Temel as they view the Coalition as “rich, greedy, and too powerful” also adding that they do not have the good of the city in their interests, just their own pockets. The Sons have often accused the Coalition of nefarious activities, claiming that they often hire goons and thugs to assist in Coalition interests.

The most notorious were the acts of Harlan “The Hammer”, a brute of a man that was targeting the poor and impoverished in the Lower and Temel Wards. Most people were beaten by Harlan but several of them died from his attacks. When “The Hammer” was finally brought in by the city guard he claimed that he was working on the behalf of the Trade Coalition in direct response to the Sons of Temel setting the old Briny Canine shop ablaze. Mysteriously, the Hammer died in jail while awaiting trial.

Order of the Shining Fist

First established over 100 years ago when Umberto took on his first disciple, the Order of the Shining Fist has remained a constant through the existence of Rock Hammer.

Kregnok Coldforge was instrumental in helping Umberto build the ‘guild on the cliff’ after the Spell Plague as Umberto wanted the monastery to be both isolated and close at the same time. Today the Order still lives and trains in the side of the north cliff and access remains through the mines in the Dwarven Ward.

The current leader of the Order is Feng-Jiu, a middle aged man from the Far East. Feng-Jiu had been a shrewd business man in his earlier years but had always felt something was missing from his life; a greater purpose. He began his studies in Kara-Tur and bought his knowledge and his skills west in hopes of introducing his ways to the people of the west.

He quickly learned of the existence of a monstaery in Rock Hammer. When Delek passed away Feng-Jiu was a logical replacement for the long time guild leader of the Order, and the monks of the Shining Fist have not missed a beat.

Currently the monastery boasts about 20-25 students at any time. Members come and go as they please, earning a lifelong membership when they are first accepted. Some move on to other things, but often members leave and venture out into the world to learn on their own. Their best student right now is a man named Galdor Saralom, a half-elf that had no intentions of joining the guild. Galdor was troubled by nightmares having seen his village south of Sundabar overrun by orcs as a youth. Someone suggested that Galdor seek the guidance and wisdom of Feng-Jiu in hopes that he could put the young man at ease. He did and Galdor developed an affinity for the monastery and stayed around where he hones his skills as a monk.

Another interesting monk is the githzerai Izera. She joined just a few months ago at the urging of her people who wanted to reconnect with the heroes that saved their people in the city of Sayre. The githzerai hope to improve their relationship with the Republic of Rock Hammer by always having at least one student at the Order of the Shining Fist.

Recently the Order began to tap the potential of the psionic powers. They have hired their first instructor, a human named Aldridge Wern who has already begun to teach the skills of a psion.