Karthan - The Last Human City

Karthan is the only Human city where humanity has powers of self-governance. It is situated at the base of Mt. Baerador in the Sontar Canyon.   Since the year 7,001 humans in Karthan have governed themselves, yet they have never been out from under the watchful eye of the Dwarves. The Dwarves are responsible for keeping humans inside the city walls of Karthan. There are millions of humans in Karthan and hundreds of thousands of Dwarves. Dwarves hold an advantage over most humans, though, in that they are made from stone and so are very difficult to harm and they are physically stronger than humans.   Karthan is first and foremost a city of miners, or at the very least a city of the descendants of miners. Since the year 7,001 humanity has been able to branch out and scrape some level of a respectable existence, according to them, from the much within which they were buried after the Torn Wars, when they were enslaved in the strictest definition of the word.   A visitor to modern Karthan, not that any such thing is acceptable, may not even recognize the signs of enslavement, were it not for the Dwarven guards and the immense walls keeping humanity trapped there. Since the acceptance of the ways of the Sun'vir by humanity the relative freedom has allowed them to build and create something resembling autonomy, though they all know within their hearts that it is a false freedom. None know this more than the laborers whose back-breaking work ensures the continued faux-freedom exists. The miners, considered more highly than criminals, if only just, are forced to work grueling hours for little reward. They are kept in check, however, by the Vir'darisi, the enforcement arm of the Tar'firna.   Above the miners are every level of trade worker, craftsman, artist and merchant. These do not cause trouble as they are kept from the mines by their specialized skills and none wish to give up their lives of relative luxury to be forced into the mines, which the Vir'darisi and Sa'a El'tarsi are only to eager to make happen to any who step out of line.