Schwernost

Schwernost is an independent city founded on the north-eastern end of Mettye in the shadow of Mount Schwere. Originally it was founded by dwarves as a mighty harbour city to extract the mineral wealth from the nearby region, though the city was abandoned near the beginning of the Breaking of Nations. As the city was never destroyed by invading enemies, the Mettyaners have inhabited an almost fully intact dwarven hold, with numerous underground halls and hilltop settlements.   The Volerine dwarves have worked with the Mettyaners to repair and recreate many of the mechanical wind- and water-powered machines which are typically found in a dwarven hold. Many of the old mines are flooded, infested with creatures or exhausted of mineral wealth, though some are still exploited by the Mettyaners and the dwarven allies. Numerous terrace-farms line the hills and plantation-style agriculture is also practised on the rich volcanic soil coastal plain.   The city is ruled by a government set up to mimic the dwarven style of ruling by a council of elected clan-chiefs, with all the citizens assigned to 'clans' and inheriting 'duty-castes' from their parents. This system is only partially successful, and there are a number of highly influential Volerine dwarves who act as advisors to the human rulers.   The climate is subtropical and hot all year round, with a dry season and a wet season, though there is no true monsoon as in other parts of Mettye. Hurricanes often come in from the West and South, though the underground nature of the city and its sturdy dwarf-built design avoids the worst of the damage.