Myrknes
| Race | Population |
|---|---|
| Total | ~32000 |
| Dwarven | Majority |
| Human | Minority |
| Elven | Minority |
| Halfling | Minority |
| Dragonborn | Enclave |
Dominant culture: Martial
Patron deity: Thor
In the northern part of Estia lies Myrknes, the northermost major settlement on Estia accessible by road from Greystone. It is the largest majority-dwarven settlement in the League.
The town is surrounded by the Black Forest, a largely uncharted frontier that is a great source of timber and furs. Several mines, notably copper and some iron, are located in the mountain foothills.
The Black Forest is home to many beasts, making logging here a dangerous prospect. The most feared is a giant lynx denmother, who is said to stalk her prey silently before striking with deadly precision.
Landmarks
Myrknes has mostly single or two-story wooden houses that line the narrow streets. Most houses are painted red with a paint that is produced as a by-product of the nearby copper mines.
Greatbraid Fortress
The town is centered around a great dwarven fortress where the Greatbraid family rules as Jarls, and have done so since long before the Empire came and went. There is also an extensive underground network of tunnels, which is called the Burrows.
The Black Cauldron Taproom
Comfortable inn
Between the southern gate and the fortress at the center of town lies the Black Cauldron Taproom, where the dark beer flows and the beds are warm and soft. In the center of the common room a large octagonal bar surrounds a roaring stone fireplace above which an eternal stew is simmering in the eponymous cauldron which is suspended from the rafters with several hefty iron chains. The stew contains whatever ingredients are in season, be it meats, greens, berries, tubers, or roots.
Signe Stormstriker
(dwarf, LN): The proprietor of the Cauldron.
Strongbrew Distillery
The firewater made here is exported in large casks branded with a bear-paw seal. This is family-owned business, although it employs almost a hundred hands to run the stills.
Steinar Strongbrew
(dwarf, LE): Owner of the distillery. He was already wealthy when he inherited the distillery from his mother. His sense of smell almost rivals that of a bloodhound - he is said to be able to identify where the wheat grew before it was distilled.
Flamehall of the Goldwyrm
This outpost of the Flame Eternal gathers most of the city's artisans among their ranks. The building itself is made from hewn stone in four floors. The bottom floor houses an indoor market and the Flame's banking services. The second floor holds a congratation hall with a large brazier, with a masterwork statue of a gold dragon made from gleaming metal. Services to Heimdall are held here regularly. The third floor houses artisan shops, and the final floor is the private apartments of the Flamekeeper.
Mimyra Tinkerscrew
(gnome artificer, LN, 108): Flamekeeper of Myrknes. She is a brilliant inventor, who values ingenuity higher than devotion among her flock. Her's is one of the few Flamehalls where those who do not want to profess their faith in Heimdall can reach the higher ranks, which has caused several very skilled craftsmen to move here.
Hilde Bravecloak
(dwarf leatherworker, NG, 49): Fellow of the Flamehall. Hilde and her apprentices can make almost anything from leather and fur.
Stavechurch of the Stormlord
Traditionally built from Black Forest timber, this church is dedicated to Thor, the Stormlord.
Sunrock Shrine
This Pilgrim Knight shrine houses the Sunrock, a large geode of crystals that glow like the sun, and are always hot to the touch. Visiting the church and praying here while touching the crystals is a common pilgrimage.
The Blackbolt Lodge
Just outside the walls lies a large compound. This is the headquarters of the Blackbolts, a band of big game hunters. They regularly go on expeditions into the woods around Myrknes, and sometimes on longer expeditions. The Lodge itself is filled with hunting trophies on almost every wall. An archery range dominates its grounds, where the hunters train with their signature heavy crossbows. They also raise hunting mastiffs that are almost as tall as a dwarf.
Bodvar Blackbolt
(dwarf ranger, le, 64): Founder and leader of the Blackbolts. He started his career as a fur trader, whose passion for hunting led him to pursue ever bigger game. He is a very skilled woodsman and tracker, often leading his expeditions right from the front, heavy crossbow in hand. Many of his kills are turned to fur coats by the artisans of Myrknes.
Other locations
Frosthollow
A small village east of Myrknes with a population around 250.