Garshikan

**Garshikan**

LN Small City

Corruption +1; Crime –3; Economy +1; Law +5; Lore +2; Society +3

**Qualities** Insular, Notorious, Resource Surplus (Iron), Superstitious

**Danger** +15

**Government** Autocracy

**Population** 7100 people (5000 human, 900 dwarf, 500 goblin, 400 half-orc, 100 orc, 100 other)

**Notable NPCs**

**Grand Marshal Naithe Ingarus** LN Female Human Bloodrager 12

**Yorin Yorinson IV** (aka "The Peacekeeper") LE/NE Male Dwarf Vigilante 9

**Plaggus Nerrin** LN Male Warpriest of Tork 10

**Deggar the Dagger** CE Female Goblin Rogue 8 / Fighter 1

**Hurok Brassbottom** LG Male Half-Orc Paladin of Sallashil 8

**Marketplace**

**Base Value** 5,000 gp; **Purchase Limit** 50,000 gp; **Spellcasting** 4th

**Minor Items** 4d4; **Medium Items** 3d4; **Major Items** 1d6 items

The city of Garshikan is built around some of the most productive
iron mines in the north, and the city does brisk trade in both the raw
metal and weapons. It is far from major trade routes, but traders
none-the-less make the perilous journey to the city to do business
there. The countryside surrounding Garshikan is incredibly dangerous.
Banditry is an easy profession to get into in a land overflowing with
weapons, and the city's rulers pay little attention unless the iron
mines themselves are threatened.

Garshikan is usually ruled by whoever commands the loyalty of its
autonomous military. Currently that's Grand Marshal Naithe Ingarus, who
defeated her predecessor in single combat after a challenge to a duel.
Duels are treated incredibly seriously in Garshikan; while losing a duel
 is taken in stride (provided the duelist survives), declining it
outright can greatly harm an individual's standing in higher social
circles. Those who do not accept duels aren't taken seriously and are
excluded from any political power.

Duels in Garshikan follow very strict rules. They are strictly
one-on-one affairs and end when one of the fighters is unable or
unwilling to continue fighting. Magic is not prohibited, but it is
illegal to cast spells upon one's opponent. Summoning spells also
violate the "one on one" rule and are prohibited. Thus a spellcaster can
 only cast spells upon themselves and must defeat their opponent through
 physical attacks. Because of these rules, very few arcane spellcasters
reside in Garshikan and those traveling through usually retain a low
profile.

The iron mines of Garshikan fuel the entire economy of the region,
which would otherwise be poor and destitute. As a result, their
continued operation is of incredible importance to the community.
Goblins are frequently kept as slaves and forced to work in the iron
mines. Very few goblins in Garshikan have their freedom, and those that
do defend it voraciously.

The largest of the mines is Yorin's vein, which has been controlled
by the Yorinson family ever since its discoverer struck it rich. The
mine ha been active for nearly two hundred years and they're still
finding even more iron as they dig deeper. The current owner of the
mines is Yorin Yorinson IV, and the dwarf is as avaricious as they come.
 He treats both employee and slave with disdain, and resents the fact
that he is not given the love he deserves for providing them with
employment. When talk of an outright revolt came to his ears, Yorinson
donned a cloak and under cover of night brutally murdered the
conspirators. Ever since then, the "Peacekeeper" has ensured that
commoners know their place and those who talk about upsetting the status
 quo are dealt with appropriately.

Deggar the Dagger is a goblin born into freedom, and taught from a
young age that goblins who don't duel are shackled and slaved. Deggar is
 particularly vicious in duels, carefully timing her attacks such that
opponents have no time to surrender before she can line up a killing
blow. Deggar makes her money not from selling iron, but stealing it from
 merchant caravans. She employs the most organized and effective
brigands in the region, and uses her political sway to keep pressure off
 of her operations.

Clerics and religious leaders are rare in Garshikan, as they too are
subject to the expectation of duels. Only the most militant of religious
 leaders can stomach this political climate, and while a few do preach
quietly to the commoners and avoid duels they are bullied and even
arrested if they speak out of turn. Currently the only religious men are
 Plaggus Nerrin and Hurak Brassbottom. Plaggus originally arrived as
part of a mercenary company seeking to purchase supplies on the cheap,
but decided he could better serve his god by staying in Garshikan. Hurak
 was born in the outlying villages of Garshikan as one of the many
orc-human pairings common in the region. His idealism has lead him from a
 common upbringing to be able to stand in the upper echelons of
Garshikan's society. As of yet, however, he has been unable to affect
any systemic change.