Rock Hammer Today

This area of town started as gardens and farmland for the original Rock Hammer settlement, and since Umberto Lunini broke ground on Lunini Manor, this area is now where the nobles and rich families live.

The ward received its name from the huge elm tree that was planted on a small hill in remembrance of Althalus and Bastion, comrades lost in the fight against Chillreaver.

Nearly all of the noble families make their home in the Elmshire Ward; Lunini, Moonbrace, Surehand, Sinarian, and Yarvander.  The exceptions being the Clan Coldforge (Dwarven) and Stronghammer (Lower Ward).

In addition, there are a number of wealthy individuals that make the Elmshire Ward their home.  The elf Galdor Dorthonion taught at the Arcane Academy as a sorcerer and was very familiar with dragon magic and wild magic, makes his home in this district.  

Ehrendil is a half-elf that has retired in this neighborhood.  He lives in a two-story manor covered in vines.  People assume he gained his fortune from adventuring, but he is rather quiet about it.  He is still seems young enough to adventure but seems to have put that behind him.

Amand Maxwell lives and works at his office of Maxwell Properties, where he buys and sells properties all over Rock Hammer.  The company has done well for itself over the decades and chances are those who want to buy property in Rock Hammer must go through Amand.

The Dragonslayer Inn is owned and operated by Bardryn Frostbeard.   It is an upscale restaurant and inn that caters to wealthy people and frequented by the many noble families in the ward.  Bardryn has built an impressive statue out front of Baern Coldforge driving the sword Merthuvial through the head of a dragon.

Stane Auditorium is the center of art for the city.  It includes a 100-seat auditorium for plays and music as well as a museum of art work on the ground floor.  

Of Style and Grace used to be located in the Amyria Ward but many of the Elmshire residents complained that it should be closer to their homes.  Today it does a lot of business selling clothing and accessories of the finest quality.

The ward rep is a retired businessman by the name of Lucky Laxinilly, who once owned Lucky’s Profitable Ventures Company in the Lower Ward.  He did well in his day selling adventuring gear to new adventuring groups, but he struck it rich when he held an auction for arcane laced meteorite that was found in the area.  Rumors persists that the off-worlders that bought it, instead received a fake and that Lucky still owns it.  Either way, Lucky got rich, moved to Elmshire and was elected ward rep.

Saeldir has been Grand Master of the Order of the Shining Fist since Feng-Jui passed away.  An elf from the capital city of Suzail in Cormyr, Saeldir traveled to north at a young age to research the ancient elven empires.  It was during one of his excursions that Feng-Jui ran into him in the Forest of Wyrms.  The two formed a mutual friendship through their silent and solitary studies.  Saeldir soon joined the Order.

Saeldir had taken over a greater and greater role as an instructor at the monastery and all signs pointed to him taking over the Order when the time came.  The transition was very slow but carefully orchestrated by Feng-Jui, and when the ritual to infuse the spirit of Feng-Jui into a blade called the Watcher took place, it was complete.  

Although it appears ceremonial, the Watcher is a powerful artifact brought together with years of craftsmenship.  It is known to alert the wielder when danger approaches, and even act on its own to defend the wielder if he is unable.

Saeldir’s watch over the monastery was smooth; everything continued on in the traditions set forth by their founder Feng-Jui.  Life was great, the Order remained consistent.  Until The Loss.

An organized band of thieves, hiding under the cover of the night, came into the cliff-side monastery and stole the Watcher.  The timing was perfect as many of the students were on a retreat, and the theft was further helped by a fire in the nearby Coldforge Mines.  The thieves were both meticulous and deadly.  Several of the younger students lost their lives, and the only thing that was missing was The Watcher.  When Saeldir returned from the fires in the mines, he discovered what happened.  The only clue left behind was a single lotus flower where the blade once stood.

Saeldir, King Elor Coldforge, and every facet of the Rock Hammer government launched an extensive search for the blade, but nothing came of it, not even a piece of a clue.  No rumors circulated about the thieves or anyone in possession of the blade.  

Saeldir silently blames himself for the loss of the blade and while others have given up on the search, the elf grand master continues to look for it, often going missing from the monastery for weeks at a time.

Wedged between the government district and just behind the statue of Umberto Lunini, the smallest ward in Rock Hammer holds temples and shrines to all of the recognized faiths in the kingdom.

Ce'Nedra Auril is the Ward rep and has been in this position for some time.  She was the clear choice for representation as she championed the cause to bring more faiths into the kingdom.  She speaks with King Thorrim on a regular basis and stands in place for the following faiths:

Temple of Torm – One of the original faiths in Rock Hammer, the followers of Torm revere the god of law whose portfolio consists of duty, loyalty, and righteousness.  The High Priest of Torm is a retired adventurer, Tiberious Brightmaster.

High Halls of Moradin – Another of the original faiths in Rock Hammer and with the good number of dwarves in the kingdom, one of the more popular religions.  A harsh, but fair judge, Moradin inspires dwarven improvements to the race, encouraging their good nature, intelligence, and harmonious existence with other good races while battling their pride and isolationist tendencies.   Toril Shieldbound has been in the High Halls his whole life and is the current high priest.

Shrine of Selune & Sehanine – also known as Our Lady of Silver and the Moonmaiden, Selune is the goddess of the moon.  She is venerated as a goddess of light, stars, navigators, wanderers, questers and good lycanthropes.  Xera D’Arqdae, daughter of Xune and Dende, is the current High Cleric.

Tymora’s Holy Temple – Tymora, or more commonly known as Lady Luck, is the goddess of good fortune.  She shines upon those who take risks and praises those with skills to make their own luck.  Celestia Heroharp is the High Priestess for Tymora.

Waukeen’s Sanctuary – Waukeen or the Merchant’s Friend, is the goddess of coin and wealth.  She rules over deals done above and below the table and believes that mercantile trade is the best road to enrichment.  Followers believe in investing in enterprises that have any chance of succeeding.  Clio Songstone is the High Priestess here.

Gardens of Chauntea – Chauntea is the goddess of agriculture, cultivated plants, farmers, gardeners, and summers.  As an open and approachable church, Chauntea is seen as a beacon of light when crops are struck with plague or disease.  Sabra Earthgiver is the High Priestess.

The Grand Temple of Lathander – The Morning Lord is worshiped as a deity of creativity, dawn, renewal, birth, and spring.  Favored are those who dispelled the undead and blessed those who planted new life.  Morninglord Win Mountaincry leads this congregation.

Located on the eastern side of the Silverymoon Pass and north of the Nether Mountains, Auvandell is a mining community that is oddly worked by mostly humans.  The town of 500 inhabitants cluster around an old, dwarf-built Delzoun watchtower which can see all the way into Sundabar on a clear day.  

Copper, lead, and iron are the major exports of the mines that many think the dwarves abandoned centuries ago (and have no interest in mining it now) because it lacks gold veins and precious gemstones in its mountains.  King Baern Coldforge made great efforts to include the town into his kingdom, knowing that if large scale war were to ever come to his lands, that a mining town of raw materials could well turn the tide in his favor.

Constable Jorthen Serpentbane: is the constable and current acting Lord Mayor of the mining town since Lord Mayor Jason Carl passed away over a year ago.  The half-elf Jorthen has had a stellar career in the bluecoats and has recently given more thoughts to a change in careers.  As acting Lord Mayor, Jorthen enjoys the freedoms he has to make decisions without having to consult with Rock Hammer.  He has done a good job in his tenure, and has started a letter of resignation several times, but hesitates because he fears a new Lord Mayor will be appointed and then he will suddenly be out of two jobs.

Walsh Brent: Master of the Auvandell Mines, Walsh is content with a steady production of material, most of which gets shipped off to Rock Hammer and Everlund.  Walsh fears making changes to up productions because he feels that would establish new and higher quotas.  He has secretly been working on a stockpile of lead and iron incase production suddenly slows.

Gaul Thodan: a dwarf that knows a thing or two of mining.  Gaul knows of Walsh’s secret stockpile of material but has not told anyone about it, agreeing that  it is a good idea to prepare for the worst.

Nestled up against the southern edge of the Nether Mountains lies the town of Hilltop.  It gets its name from the hill that divides the center of the town, the old Nevan Keep sits on top of the hill while the rest of Hilltop is at the bottom.

Raising their own crops has made Hilltop a fairly independent community.  That and the fact that they are so far off the Everlund to Sundabar road, Hilltop is a bit of an isolated area as they see almost zero traffic through their town.

The elderly halfling Rickul Tumblebelly is Lord Mayor of Hilltop and has been here for over 14 years.  Rickul owns the Adventurer’s Delight general store in town, but his son Ollie runs it now.  The townsfolk appreciate that Rickul is dependable and fair in town matters, showing no favoritism, even when it comes to his own store.

Clan Stronghammer has a very nice blacksmith forge here in Hilltop, almost a remnant of what the clan used to be.  Because of the elaborate system of bellows they built, up to four forges can be working at the same time.  Of course, the town of Hilltop did not take off like the Stronghammer hoped, but it does do enough business to keep one of the forges working most of the time.  Rithic himself is often seen in town working the forges himself, but most of the time it is Danrel Stronghammer who runs the forge.

The League of Fighters has strong presence in the area thanks to their outpost here.  Ianan Tigersoul, a half-orc fighter, is in charge of this charter.  Hilltop has been a good launching point for young fighters and adventurers, to strike out into the wilds of the Nether Mountains.  Ianan himself will lead recruits in the surrounding area to hunt for goblins and kobolds as a way to season the fighters.

The Wandering Warrior Inn has been a local attraction for years, many an adventuring party was form in this two-story building.  Muruda Greatstone, female dwarf, runs the inn and is a good source of information as she sees the comings and goings of all the townsfolk here.

The Crimson Marauders are a group of orcs that recently came to town, having split off from the Ripped Guts orcs of the Nether Mountains.  Between the six of them they are trying to form an adventuring party, hoping that a wizard would join up with them or they could join an existing group.  While they haven’t caused any troubles in Hilltop, the townsfolk are hesitant to interact with them.  They spend a good chunk of their day the Wandering Warrior looking for work.

Home to the middle class of Rock Hammer, the Blackstone Ward gained its name when the quarry discovered a vein of darker stone than was needed for their efforts.  Coldforge Construction set those pieces aside and they were later used as the foundation to this ward.  

Located south of the Dwarven Ward, Blackstone is comprised of modest residences as well as a number of quality shops.

The League of Fighers makes this ward its headquarters for their business operations.  The huge building contains lower floors for housing of members, middle floors dedicated to training, and the top floor set for administration.  

Dolwind Brother Arrows has only been in Rock Hammer a short time but Aval and Bale are making quite the name for themselves.  They take a great deal of pride in their work and it show with their expert craftsmenship.  They promote a contest for adventurers, if you kill a creature using a bow and arrow purchased from Dolwind Brothers, they will mount the head on the wall with the arrow still stuck in it.  They will offer up a 100 gp reward if the mount is something they don’t already have.

Despite being a bit of a scatterbrain, Elgrim of Elgrim’s Elixirs is a master alchemist.  Most every potion, oil, or anything in a flask can be found here.  Currently Elgrim is working on a collaboration with Nok & Nak’s Brewery to make a beer flavored potion of healing that not only heals but also bolsters courage.  Elgrim’s wife, Hafjorg, assists him and tries to keep him from misplacing ingredients.  

If it is maps you seek, then go no further than Tidurion Maps.  Tidurion Tanindahl  is an elf with a remarkable knack for being able to remember details of land with just a brief glimpse.  Tidurion and his family hail from the High Forest and he has extensive knowledge of that area.  

The Enchanted Arms is a shop that deals in magical weapons.  Jago Ibaka is a very tall man that caters to the elite adventuer.  The Enchanted Arms has a fair selection of magical weapons, most of the more mundane sort (+1), but they specialize in enchantments.  Many adventurers grow accustom to their weapon and when they can finally afford it, they bring it down and have Jago cast his enchantments on it.  Some noble family also have Jago enchant family heirlooms.

The Arcane Academy has made Blackstone its home for over 200 years.  While they do no solicit jobs like the League of Fighters, the Academy does occasionally provide spells, rituals, and other services for hire when the need arises.  But first and foremost, the Arcane Academy is a school of learning.  Elden Evanwood is High Wizard at the Academy.

The Blackstone Ward rep is a dragonborn named Serge Gatecrasher, grandson of Shagold Gatecrasher who ran the League of Fighters.  Shagold gained prominence in the ward when he was permanently injured during the Chill Reaver attack.  The reverence for the family passed down through the generations and Serge became a unanimous selection to represent the ward.

During the initial formation of Rock Hammer, a large stone deposit was discovered on the northwest corner of the valley.  Kregnok Coldforge committed several master masons to excavate the stone to be sold.  As more and more orders came in for stone, more and more dwarves began work.  A community began to grow around the quarry.  Later, the veins of gold, silver, and precious gems were found, and what was once a quarry soon became a mine.  And what was a tent city soon became a dwarven community.

Clan Coldforge were the first to set roots down in this area, by building Coldforge Manor out of the very stone pulled from the quarry.  Other dwarven workers took suit; some built their own houses, but it would become more convenient (and less expensive) to have Coldforge Construction build homes for the dwarven workers.

Today the Coldforge Mines continues to operate at a high level of production.  Recently, behind the leadership of Boromar Coldforge, they have discovered new veins of precious metals that are fairly far underground.  So far below ground that miners stay in the depths for weeks at a time before rotating out for the next wave.  Also, inside the mines are a couple of interesting items.  One is the sarcophagus of Kregnok Coldforge that lies in a solemn chamber just inside the mines.  It is good luck to tap your mining helmet against the lid for good luck before you enter the mines.  Second point of interest is the entrance to the winding staircase to the Order of the Shining Fist cliff side sanctuary is also just inside the mine entrance.

Also located in the Dwarven Ward is Coldforge Construction, which is run by Cain Coldforge.  While they are not nearly as big or busy as the company was when they built the Dwarven Ward, Coldforge Construction works on repairs throughout the city and the occasional new construction.

Last in the Coldforge monopoly is Coldforge Gems which is run by Essa Coldforge, and they specialize in gem and jewel retrieval from the mines.  Coldforge Gems is a sub group of Coldforge Mines and the two groups work well together.

By far the most popular attraction in the ward would have to be Nok & Nak’s Brewery and Pub.  Still to this day they adhere to the tradition that the only brewery in town be run by one member of the Coldforge family and one member of the Longfang tribe.  Today Nok & Nak’s Brewery and Pub (after a recent expansion) is run by Northal Longfang and Torhad Coldforge.  Over the years they have grown and now distribute across the Silver Marches, adding new beers on all the time, including:

    - Nok & Nak’s Failed Save (bitter ale)
    - Nok & Nak’s Natural One (full bodied amber ale)
    - Nok & Nak’s Bare-Back Dragon Rider (dark stout)
    - Nok & Nak’s Flagon of Healing* (Collaboration with Elgrim’s Elixirs)
    - Nok & Nak’s Kingmaker (hoppy pale ale)
    - Nok & Nak’s White Dragon Wrath (light lager)
    - Nok & Nak’s Initiative! (pale ale)
    - Nok & Nak’s Negative Hit Points (strong ale)
    - Nok & Nak’s Magic Potion, Yea! (summer ale)
    - Nok & Nak’s Liquid Glibness (porter)

* Still in experimental stage.

Impenetrable Defenses has been in business for over 10 years now and they specialize in custom made armor.  Everything from leather to full plate can be bought here off the shelf but Storm Silverguard is an expert at making minor perfections to perfectly fit the wearer.  


The ward rep is Thane Longfang, who was a popular candidate when first elected eight years ago.  The Longfang tribe has long had a strong relation with the dwarves of the ward (especially the Coldforge) and for those that live in Rock Hammer’s dwarven ward, it’s kinda nice to not have a Coldforge in change of everything.

Where Wageton has thrived and prospered, Lhuvenhead has suffered.  Once a major stopping points for river barges traveling between Silverymoon and Sundabar, Lhuvenhead is now regularly skipped over in preference for stopping in Wageton.  

The river town, 40 miles east of Everlund, still sees some business from the barges, but most will make stops in Jalenthar and Wageton instead.  However, the town does see more foot traffic through the area, some exploring the south side of the Nether Mountains, and some on their way to Hilltop to the northeast.

Dora’s Shanty is only inn left in town and it is owned and run by Melbey Norwood, granddaughter of Dora.  This two-story inn is located right on the Rauvin River and boasts a dozen rooms.  The menu is actually quite good despite the inn’s appearance.

The Lord Mayor position is currently open as Alecia Lightflower passed away recently during a boating accident.  King Thorrim has been too busy to anoint a replacement as of yet, but the town seems to be in good hands.

Immeral Hornraven of the local Temple of Torm, has stepped up in a role of leadership and has become the de facto Lord Mayor in the meantime.  Immeral is hopeful that a replacement is appointed soon so that he may get back to his work at the Temple.  

Constable Norman Irontower commands the two bluecoats in town and can usually be found at Dora’s Shanty, using that area as his office now.

A strange but pleasant thing in town has been the sudden and random appearance of The Tiefling Bard.  No one ever sees him coming or going, they just seem to notice him, strumming his guitar.  One day you might find him on the docks, and the next day you might find time on the roof of a home.  Then you might not see him again for a week.  No one knows his name or his intentions, but his music is beautiful.  Any time someone tries to approach, he seems to disappear, but the music will linger in the air a few more minutes before it is gone as well.

Almost 150 years ago, Umberto Lunini dedicated the center of the valley to Bahamut’s most trusted and devoted follower, Amyria.  Amyria fought with Umberto and Kregnok and eventually sacrificed her own life to bring Bahamut back to life.  Today a fountain and marble statue to the hero is centered in the the city of Rock Hammer.  Just beyond the fountain at the end of Amyria Lane is the huge statue to Umberto which marks the beginning of the Greatrock Ward.

Sprouting up around the major landmark and handout for the locals, is the Amyria Ward, which is mostly businesses, including two of three major inns of Rock Hammer.

The first is the Traveling Centaur Inn, which used to be known as the Comfortable Maiden.  It is a popular inn that caters to the middle-class traveler.  The innkeeper is a cultured male gnome names Ziri Goldenstep.  He is a retired linguist and keeps a small library of his favorite books over the fireplace in the main hall.

The other main inn (the third inn would of course be the Stone’s Throw) is The Green Fields Inn, which is located closer to the Elmshire Ward, between the forks of the man-made river that flows through the city.  Dignitaries, ambassadors, the famous, and high rollers check in to the esteemed hotel and dine at the Sly Flourish restaurant located within.  The halfling Quilynn Littleknight has owned the Green Fields Inn for the last 25 years and not only is the master chef, but a former adventurer as well.  

The Royal Provisioner has been around for hundreds of years, and they are still located very close to the statue of Amyria.  They sell adventuring equipment as well as everyday fair.  Kristen Tilsanna runs the store that has been in the family for generations.  They still sell wooden swords to kids that are designed to look like Merthuvial.  Additionally, the store makes and sells fake suits of armor for middle-class homes who want that noble look.

Simon’s Fine Furs, was purchased by the Raul Simon years ago from the orcs that previously owned Fine Furs.  Today, grandson Karl Simon runs the store and employs a number of hunters to trap beaver, deer, elk, and bear throughout the Nether Mountains.  

Rock Hammer Lockmsmith has a wide variety of locks, chests, coffers, safes, and anything else you could store valuables in and lock it up.  Caymor owns the place and vows there isn’t anything he can lock up properly, and if he has had a few drinks, he also adds that there is nothing he can’t break in to.  Prices are reasonable and come with a full warranty.

The Ward Rep is a strange fellow by the name of E. Fenton Coveyduck.  E. Fenton dresses in nobleman attire, sometime with full armor as well and is always seen with a goblet of wine in his hand.  Most people at first glance take him as a fool, walking back and forth through the ward to talk to everyone in sight, and laughing constantly.  But those who make the Amyria Ward home (or business) know him to be a responsible person with an intimate knowledge of every person who comes and goes.  Perhaps his outlandish personality is a show, but perhaps it is not.

Everything Dragontail is, it also is not.  It is an open town, but it experiences no travelers.  It is part of the Coldforge Empire, but it is fiercely independent.  It is strange, but it is perfectly normal.

The town was discovered early in King Elor’s reign as he and his group was trapped by a snowstorm as he traveled to the other towns of the kingdom.  Here he learned that Dragontail has been here in the Nether Mountains for generations, completely isolated from the rest of the world.  No roads lead in or out of the town, and only a few single-track trails are the only ways in.  

The self-sufficient town is comprised of a dozen buildings made of mountain stone, with a mix of dwarven and alien architecture.  The history of the town is not written down and when King Elor asked about the origins of Dragontail they simple reply, “Dragontail is always.”

Today Dragontail falls under the protection of the Coldforge Kingdom; if they were ever to fall under attack, the Iron Stonemen would spring to action to help defend the high mountain town.  However, Dragontail is allowed to govern itself; they have no bluecoats, no government officials, and no kingdom citizens live here.

The city is currently run by Ath’emo who carries the title Emroth, and he holds this position for life.  Emroth Ath’emo is a githyanki and there is actually a surprisingly high number of his race in town, nearly half in fact.  The rest of the population is a fairly even mix of human, elf, and halfling.  

Another prominent figure in town is Deom, a female githyanki wizard.  She is well known in town and many prominent wizards from the kingdom have tried to get in touch with her, trying to establish an exchange of arcane information.  To date, Deom has not communicated with anyone.

Not much else in known about the isolated mountain town, so it is difficult to say what else this place has.