Durnhol-Saarkaaz

Durnhol-Saarkaaz, translating to "Durn home under the mountain", is a mountain city state located within Rozakkora, inhabited by dwarves, specifically the Durn.
==History==
===Eldham===
Originally, Durnhol-Saarkaaz was a dwarven hold in Leifmyrr.
===Arrival to Abexilas===
Around the time of the end of Eldham, the Durn began the Great Excavation, where they dug through strange rock deep underground and ending up in a new world called Abexilas. They found a tall mountain they could call home and immediately carved out hallways to build their new city. 
===The Dwarven League===
By May 2024 Durnhol-Saarkaaz contacted other dwarven settlements across Abexilas and formed an alliance of cities and nations known as the Dwarven League. 
==Government==
Durnhol-Saarkaaz is a monarchy governed by a Lar-Damak, a Durnic gender neutral term for "High King" or "High Queen". The position is not hereditary; the Lar-Damak may elect the next Lar-Damak in case they die or if they give up their position. If no heir is chosen then the next Lar-Damak can be selected by the people. Currently the Lar-Damak is Lady Cyronax.
The Damak, translating to "Noble", are dwarves with high status who are a part of the court of the Lar-Damak. They can act as advisors and depending on the amount of power entrusted to them, can run districts or manage specific duties (e.g. the Damak na Batar, Master of Farming, is in charge of the city's agriculture).
The Amethyst Palace is the meeting place of the Damaki.
==Locations ==
The Durnic city is comprised of several notable landmarks and areas.
=== North Gate ===
The north entrance to Durnhol-Saarkaaz juts out from the mountain to face Beyan. Two large statues of dwarves stand either side of the gate.
=== The Atrium ===
Colloquially called "the lobby", the Atrium is a square room with a decorated floor and four pools for arriving horses and pack animals to drink from. Its doors lead to and from the North Gate, the Trade Hall and the main stairwell to the city's other halls.
=== Trade Hall ===
Between the North and South Gates of Durnhol-Saarkaaz is the Trade Hall, a grand linear hall with market stalls selling a wide selection of wares to those travelling through the mountain. Despite the hall's grand size, it is one of the smaller halls in the city. 
=== Morkaag ===
Meaning "Cavern Farm" in Durnic, the Morkaag is one of the city's sources of food production and agriculture. Near its entrance a carved dwarven head acts as a fountain, with water pouring out from its sculpted mouth. This area is one of the few places in the entire city that has any amount of plantlife as the growth of plants in other areas of the city is discouraged by the Lar-Damak.
=== Holgal ===
The Holgal, "Home Hall", is the city's main residential district. 
==== Other Holgals ====
Branching off from the first Holgal are the Holgal-Ald and the Holgal-Ard, the 2nd and 3rd housing districts.
==== Temple of Harnag ====
A forge-like temple to the Durnic god Harnag sits in the middle of the Holgal. It is the site of several fiery cauldrons, furnaces, an anvil upon an altar and, notably, a pit of molten metal. It is said that only those blessed by Harnag can survive the fires of the pit. Those deemed unworthy are sacrificed to the pit, as are offerings. The ceiling of the temple uses skulk to resemble a night sky.
==== Amethyst Palace ====
The Amethyst Palace is the site of the Durnic government. Damaki convene here to run the country, nobles and diplomats meet in the council chambers and the Lar-Damak can summon their subjects to the throneroom. The palace library stores the city's most valuable artefacts and books. The Lar-Damak resides in the palace and has their own bedchamber. Lava pours out from each side of the palace and at its centre an artificial waterfall fills the canal that runs along the length of the Holgal. 
=== Taarnakgal ===
The Taarnakgal, translating to "big drinking hall", is the largest room in the city. It is dedicated to drinking and merriment, boasting a huge tavern along its vast hall with all the amenities necessary to maintain an endless party. The Taarnakgal is also used for some political meetings and weddings. 
==Geography ==
The city of Durnhol-Saarkaaz was built under a large mountain, surrounded by forest. To the east are sheer cliffs that drop into the sea. Deep underneath, skulk infested caverns and networks of mining tunnels can be found.
===Climate===
The mountain has a temperate climate, with weather that is often damp and rainy. Near the summit it may snow from time to time. The air is thin here and may pose problems for some visitors. Sometimes auroras appear in the skies above the mountain. 
===Flora and fauna===
The mountain is rocky and bare, weathered to the point that little plantlife can be found. Near the base of the mountain is a forest of oak and birch trees. Imported cherry trees from Beyan have also been planted there, outcompeting the local oaks. Cherry trees are rapidly increasing in number while oak trees are dying off. 
Fauna is equally sparse. Bats and rats might be found in and around the dwarven hold. Slithers (or 'silverfish' in common) have been found emerging from mountain stone.
===Roads===
The north and south gates of the dwarven city connect to the main road at two points either side of the mountain. As a result the quickest way to get past the mountain is through the Durnhol-Saarkaaz trading hall. 
==Culture==
Durn culture revolves around drinking and mining. They have a strong work ethic and will build and dig relentlessly. Brewing is a highly valued skill to the Durn and the drinking hall is often the biggest room in their settlements. The dwarven architecture of Durnhol-Saarkaaz is grandiose. Most notable are the large arches that support vast ceilings.
Resurrection gems, enchanted amethyst crystals, have been used by the Durn to extend their life spans. Due to this, amethyst is a symbol of life and longevity in Durnic culture.
=== Religion ===
Harnagism, sometimes referred to as the Durnic Faith, is a monotheistic religion based on a divine craftsdwarf called Harnag. Harnag is the creator of the Durn and the world, said to be forged using his hammer and the sacred flame.
Some practitioners of the faith treat it as a polytheistic religion, incorporating other gods (such as those from the Vulpur Nabu) into their beliefs as children crafted by Harnag, though none are considered more important than Harnag himself.
=== Language ===
The dwarves of Durnhol-Saarkaaz speak their own monosyllabic language called Durnic. The language has its own grammar rules including superplurals and the use of suffixes to denote a change in tense or to turn nouns to verbs.
== Demographics==
The main language of Durnhol-Saarkaaz is Durnic. Common is also spoken. Harnagism is the official religion of the inhabitants of this city. Durn are the most common race here.
==Gallery==
File:Durn Entrance 1b.png
File:Durn Entrance 2.png
File:Durn Lobby.png
File:Durn Entrance 3b.png
File:Amethyst Palace 2.png
File:DurnThrone.png
File:DurnFarmA.png
File:DurnFarmB.png
File:Durn Market (Empty).png
File:Durnic Mountain Map.png
File:Holgal Map.png
File:DurnPlaza.png
Category:Towns
Category:Nations
Category:Dwarves
Category:Rozakkora
Category:Durnic
Category:Abexilas