Grimhold

## History

Grimhold was founded by duergar who threw off the chains of their drow slave masters in the depths of the darklands. They escaped to caverns deep under what is now the nation of Skeksha. Although initial dealings with Skeksha was thorny, eventually the duergar saw the benefits of mutual defense and sharing of resources, and thus they joined the nation under the Agreement of Grim-Tarrasch.

## Geography

Grimhold lies deep underground near the border to the Caves of Solitude. The duergar hold has several levels of living space as well as mining tunnels spreading out in every direction. The main cavern of the hold is where most business and commerce is conducted.

## Inhabitants

The majority of the hold consists of duergar, many of whom are first generation freed slaves. There is also a surprisingly large population of deep gnomes who have settled here from elsewhere (likely the Caves of Solitude, but they do not talk about it). And there is a healthy population of dwarves and kobolds as well. A very small population of caligni also call Grimhold their home.

## Notables

Ulfano Dimguard- Forgepriest of Torag.

Hjal Borwin-Captain of the Guard.

Pantoran- Head Mage Guard.

Fizzytan Jinglebuckle- Founder of Glittering Hearth's Blissful Service, an addictive magical drug that is now finding its way into upper society across Vaniya.

Vaboul Opalgrip-black opal/onyx mine owner

Delrath Grahan-Allied Forces Commander from Skeksha and a White Dragonborn

Ellistree-Drow Noble who escaped the ratfolk invasion and major contributor to the alliance between the drow, the duergar, and the nation of Skeksha.

## Religion, Magic, Techology & Military

Grimhold has two temples to the dwarven deities Torag and Folgrit. It is believed when the duergar rose up to free themselves from their former masters, two heroes blessed by these two deities lead them in their revolution. The two heroes married and had a child, but sacrificed themselves in the final battle against the drow. The child, Ulfano Dimguard, is the high priest of the temple of Torag. The congregation is small and the temple of Folgrit also serves as a convent. There are shrines to individual deities, but with very few followers.

Many duergar are born with innate psychic magic, and more than a few expand upon their talent and practice such magic. There is a higher than normal percentage of psychic users in Grimhold, and even its own company in the military.

Mining technology has been imported since their agreement to join Skeksha, making the before dangerous and hard job of mining much more stable and less labor intensive. The use of gunpowder has also been introduced and embraced by the duergar.

Grimhold has necessarily needed to keep a standing army to fight off the monsters roaming into their territory. They have a full regiment consisting of two battalions, each of which has 3 companies. One batallion is made up of regulars consisting career soldiers, and the other are conscripts from their mandatory conscription service. To be a citizen of Grimhold, which is necessary to own property or have indentured servants within the hold, one must serve in the military no less than 4 years. Since the agreement to join Skeksha, military service in the Skeskan military up to 2 years count towards this requirement.

## Landmarks and Buildings

The Undermart: A legendary marketplace that serves as the main hub of the hold. Merchants from across the nation come here to trade for ores, minerals, and the famed duergar mushroom stout.

Hammer of Torag: The temple of Torag in Grimhold. The current Forgemaster Priest is Ulfano Dimguard, who trains young aspiring acolytes and hold weekly services.

Shield of Folgrit: The temple of Folgrit, that is also a convent. Matron Delanie Ashhearth presides as the high priestess of the temple.

Grimhold Council Chambers: The seat of the governing body of the hold. Council members consist of elders and influential citizens as well as a single member appointed by the Skeskan government. The council numbers fluctuate but is usually between 10 to 15 members. The current Grand Elder is an old duergar ex-slave by the name of Dalgrin Blackfire.

Deep Rock Inn and Tavern: A watering hole with a stage for entertainment. Many prospectors frequent the tavern.