Gravkin Hills

West of the border between the Kahniran Empire and the Seýnin Isles lies the Gravkin Hills, a lower mountainous region of Verh'Un. It knows many hills and a couple of rugged peaking mountains, situated in a generally comfortable climate. It is home to a variety of Hill Dwarf clans, united under one banner. The southern regions are deeply forested, while the northern regions are much more dry. Everywhere within the Gravkin Hills, however, is bountiful natural flora and fauna. It knows both rain, sunshine and swirling clouds. Snow is generally only present during winter, save for the tallest peaks.

## Hill Dwarves

The lands of the Gravkin Hills have been the home of the Hill Dwarves since the First Era. Many ancient strongholds and ruins from their earlier eons still remain today. Back then, the Hill Dwarf clans resided deeper underground, much like their Mountain Dwarf kin, both subraces of dwarves sharing a common ancestral race often referred to as the 'First Dwarves'.

### The Dwarven King

The dwarves of Gravkin are governed by a traditional monarchy, with strong militaristic influences. King Yufraed Wolfsheart is the current ruler, supported mainly by the upper classes of society. He actively calls for caution in these troubling times, as the Kahniran Empire is not to be provoked into full scale war. Peace must be preserved for as long as possible. While the Kahnirans have been an indirect source of trouble, attacking them in their desert dunes is of no use and would only cost precious lives.

The common folk tend to disagree with this attitude, but most respect the throne and are deeply loyal to their nation. The king and military are aware of the growing Kahniran threat, and considerable effort is spent on building strongholds and defenses along the northern borders.

### Commerce

The Hill Dwarves are renowned for their expertise in mining and craftmanship, as well as for their incredbily reliable architecture. While the dwarves are unlikely to venture out to sell their goods, merchants from the Seýnin Isles flock to their settlements to establish trading routes of fine metals, weapons and armor. Trade with the Taeryni Elves is less common, but not unheard of.

The Bronze Harbor is a reasonable town of commerce established by humans of the Seýnin Isles. It is the main hub for all trade from and to the Hill Dwarves.

### Seýnin Isles

The dwarves are actively supporting the Seýnin Isles with expertly crafted weapons and armor, and any other supplies that they can spare. As long as the empire is fighting the Isles, the dwarves are unharmed. This effort keeps the Séynin Isles troops well equipped to face the desert invaders, though many resent the dwarves for using the Seýnin Isles soldiers as their shield to hide behind.

## Independent Villages

There are several tiny, rather insignificant farmsteads and villages spread over Gravkin Hills home to both human and dwarf. While not under direct rule by the dwarven king, the Gravkin dwarves keep an eye out on villages that behave according to their laws. All known villages favor the dwarven protection over full independance, and willingly pay a small tax for it.

The dwarves only intervene when situations are exceptionally bad, and the village is unable to fend for themselves. Local guards and militia hired by the village mayor tend to handle all other threats.

## Kahniran Influence

The Kahniran Empire is openly funding guilds of slavers to venture beyond the borders of the Gravkin Hills and capture any Hill Dwarves. Most captured Hill Dwarves are turned into slaves, forced to execute harsh manual labor all over the empire. The military is actively patrolling the borders, fighting back against the slavers.

Despite the military's best efforts, almost all civilian villages along the Kahniran border have been abandoned.

Due to the continued and growing threat of human invaders, many Hill Dwarves have developed a deep suspicion for any strangers, especially humans. They are ever vigilant in fear of spies scouting out their defenses, or planning acts of sabotage.

## Gravkin Hills Settlements

The Gravkin Hills are home to many settlements, most dwarven of origin. It is one of the most densely populated nations.

### Khem Garum

The capital of the Gravkin Hills, Khem Garum is a massive city constructed within an ancient meteor crater. It's situated on top of a large steep hill, surrounded by several smaller yet steep hills. The dwarven city is of excellent architecture, with the stone structures finely decorated with bronze, silver and golden detail.

The many hills are connected with each other with massive bridges, along the side of which smaller homes are constructed in a proper manner.

The city is surrounded by about 2 km open space around it's edges, before any traveler meets a circular mountain range surrounding it. The mountains act as a natural defense line, enhanced with many outposts, gates and strongholds to keep invaders at bay.

### Nordun

A powerful stronghold constructed deep within one of the tallest peaks of the Gravkin Hills. It's the centre of all things military of the dwarven kingdom. The main military hub is underground and within the higher cliffs of the mountain, while the city itself is constructed along the outermost layers. Homes, structures and roads connect both underground and above ground equally.

Access to the inner city of Nordun is difficult at best. There is only one massive road large enough for mounts and carriages. All other access points are small and well guarded, fit for only people.

Surrounding the mighty, proud stronghold are many pleasant dwarven villages, homes partially constructed underground. They all have their own walls, but are comfortable places to be. People are generally welcoming, though the war has brought paranoïa to the people.

Deeper in the mountains lies Old Nordun, a city of first dwarves. It's been abandoned eons ago. Legend tells fiends from the depths swarmed through the city, forcing the dwarves to exile.

### Other Settlements

**Taklinn's Keep** is a small stronghold along the eastern border, ocassional trade and diplomatic talks with the wood elves. Light military presence.

**Kaledur** is a small stronghold built against a tall cliff face, near a great waterfall and river. A small town with a decent harbor is built around it, thriving on commerce. Hub of supplies to support Seýnin Isles.

**Bronze Harbor** is a human harbor settlement along the coast, which thrives entirely on commerce between the dwarves and humans. Since there is no actual government ruling over the settlement, guilds have taken over power that adhere by the Seýnin Isles code of conduct.

## Other Points of Interest

### FeyGrove Woods

In the middle of the grass plains of the Gravkin Hills lies the FeyGrove Woods, a sizeable forest of thick trees and roots. The landscape is unpredictable, the plantlife grown in chaotic manners, and a permanent layer of fog has formed in the area. Many who venture into the woods are lost forever.