Geldheim

**Geldheim** is the capital city of the Kingdom of Geldheim and the previous seat of power of Hrodus, the god of the earth. It is carved into Geldheim Mountain, inside the Rubinberge mountain range in the northeast of the Enthalstam.

## Layout and Locations

Geldheim is inspired by the Dwarven city of Ironforge, but instead of being centered around a large forge it is built around a gigantic cavern that goes deep into the depths of the mountain. It is there that the gold and rubies that led to the wealth of the city can be mined.

The layout of the city is semi-circular, built around the rim of the cavern below. The city proper is built on a single level, with buildings reaching as high as three stories. They are arranged in a grid system, with three thoroughfares that run from end to end known as Beric's Ring (the inner ring), Burnet's Ring (the middle ring), and Bilal's Ring (the outer ring).

Residential areas are generally situated north of the Bridge of Beloc, with higher-class housing on Bilal's Ring and as one approach's Baltec's Step at the north end of the city. Crafting and artisans are the other end of the rings, mostly in Beric's and closest to the Stairs of Borel. Law enforcement and military buildings are closest to the Bridge, with shops, inns, banks, and such are scattered throughout the rings between.

### Geldheim Keep

Located across the Bridge from the city proper, **Geldheim Keep** is a massive marvel of Dwarven architecture. At its peak it reaches seven stories up and its deepest reached five stories down. Whereas the city proper only has a single, massive exit out of the mountain (leading toward the Nachtwald), the keep has three main exits and countless hidden tunnels -- including a private staircase toward the mines and a secret passage to Baltec's Step.

### Notable Locations

* Bridge of Beloc: a massive bridge spanning the chasm of the mountain, wide enough for 100 dwarves to travese shoulder to shoulder.
* Baltec's Step: an ancient and holy site in the north of the city limited to the Trinity and certain clerics of Hrodus.
* Stairs of Borel: the way down into the chasm of the mountain.

## Society

Geldheim -- both city and kingdom -- are ruled over by the Golden Trinity: the Dwarven siblings Brynwyn, Bendin, and Brandor. They are the Seventh House of rulers of Geldheim, having taken control of the kingdom from the last house half a millennia ago. Law enforcement in the city proper is an arm of the kingdom's standing army, wearing lighter versions of full battle armor and carrying warhammers.

While the population of Geldheim includes individuals from all corners of Tasche, the vast majority of the citizenry is Dwarven. They are generally hard-headed and straightforward people, but can also be caring and honorable. Despite Geldheim's northern geography, the natural warmth of the chasm and the literally thousands of eternally-lit torches in the city keep the environment warm enough that most wear short-sleeved or sleeveless, light fabric clothing.

## History

The city of Geldheim has existed in some form since the Age of Gods. It was originally created as the seat of power for Hrodus, who raised Geldheim Keep from the mountain and then raised the Dwarves to help populate the mountain and serve him. Learning to appreciate beauty and wealth from the mortal race, he created the mines below the Keep to give the Dwarves materials to create beautiful artwork and objects for him.

During the Divine War, Hrodus commanded his armies from atop the mountain of Geldheim. When the Pantheon decided to leave the Mortal Realm for the Divine Realm, Hrodus created the Red Dragonflight to oversee the aspect of the earth in his stead. Led by Rötenoch, the Red Dragonflight made their den in the depths of Geldheim. It was at this time, during the Age of Dragons, that the Dwarves built the city proper; prior to this time, the Dwarves had resided on the outside the mountain with some venturing as far as the Nachtwald.

### Cataclysm and Beyond

When Hrodus was killed and the Red Dragons disappeared following the Cataclysm, the entirety of Tasche shifted in unexpected and often disastrous ways. However, owing perhaps to its creation by Hrodus himself, Geldheim was entirely untouched.

With the sudden and unexpected departure of the dragons, the populace of Geldheim chose the then-leader of the military to lead them as monarch. He was King Geralt the Great, and his family would rule Geldheim for centuries as the First House of Geldheim. Over the course of millennia, one house would give way to the other (usually violently). The Sixth House was overthrown by the three siblings that now rule over the Kingdom more than a half millennia ago; those three still rule today.

*NOTES: Much of the overthrown Sixth House fled and founded Verbann on Vigda. Overtime, some of moved back quietly - including Garec Aurum, who is unknowingly the rightful heir to the throne.*