Helterdeep

Helterdeep is a Dwarvian city located in the Genx region of Malnax. It has a pathway that leads to the underdark of Ru'Mal.

The upper levels of the city are on the surface connected to the rest of the city via shafts, this level provides natural daylight and fresh air.

In the underground levels, it is very warm, damp and a lot less natural air. That is why, the lower areas of the main city bio-luminescent plants are more commonly used to light areas. These plants grow well in dark and damp places.

There are a few richer Dwarves that can afford lighting certain areas with a daylight spell, allowing for surface trees to grow.

Dwarves that do not visit the upper level gained a sensitivity to sunlight similar to the Drow Elves. Many Dwarves try to visit the surface as often as they can. This may have to do with the fact that many Dwarves like to trade with other races, it also seems to be to serve to create a distinction between “Underdark dwellers” and Dwarves.

ENTRANCE

:

Surface Level

Facilities: The entrance into the city. Large stone gates protect the city from intruders. Built around the entrance are at least several watch towers with archers.
The area around the entrance may also be used for herding cattle and the like, as well as light farming. In an underground society, products from the surface become luxury goods.
The entrance opens into a hallway that contains barracks on both sides. A group of guards is stationed there at all times in order to deal with aggressive visitors.

The Rooster's Egg Inn

In the southeast outside the city of Helterdeep, on a tree-lined street. The street outside is crowded with a procession of stray ducks and geese.
The inn is a two-story stone building, with well-made metal tables and chairs. A picture of a huge red rooster with a white egg hangs over the hearth.
Accommodation consist of several large rooms with beds and feather-filled mattresses.
STAFF = Vorga Trollaxe - Female Dwarf - Vorga has gray hair and dark brown eyes. Vorga seeks opponents for a game of darts.

MENU
Pottage, Mug of Cider (3 cp)
Vegetable Stew, Mug of Stout (2 cp)
Pickled Trout and Dried Carrot, Tankard of Mead (12 cp)
Boiled Eggs and Bitter Cheese, Tankard of Stout (12 cp)
Duck pieces with crispy noodles on bed of watercress, Tankard of Stout (1 sp)
Goose Casserole served on mash potatoes, Tankard of Mead (1 sp)

FARMING AREA

: outside walls of city. Most Dwarves’ diet is based on meat, bread and vegetables, such as cabbages, potatoes, or carrots - some meat comes from subterranean ‘cattle’, such as Giant Bats, Giants Insects, and fish that can be caught in subterranean lakes.

Lavender Farm

Teahouse and Farm
A farm of Lavender plants - sections of breeds
FARM Owners = Lotean and Kaznilan Duskback, with Jolaeline Ironfeet (Kaznilian's sister).
Lotean and Kaznilan have 11 children - ages of 3 to 18 years.

Registery Hall

On the surface level, all visitors to Helterdeep report to the Registry Hall - a long hall supported by large stone pillars.
Contains multiple counters where visitors must register themselves, as well as a waiting area with tables, chairs, and benches. There are different doorways with stairs leading further down to underground levels into the city. Stairs and ramps leading down.

MAIN CITY:

Level below
Central area, this is where most of day-to-day life takes place. It contains the following sub-areas:

Living Area

All shops can be found in or around the central plaza, as well as the church of whatever Dwarven deities. From there several tunnels branch out, leading to the different quarters of the city. Each quarter is the residences to a single clan, however everybody mingles in the market place.
Nobles and the royal family live in the same quarter, separated from the other Dwarves. Luran and Parmenides Rockheart are the current King and Queen, who reside in a large palace-like building.

Foodstuff Storage = Meat is salted and stored in barrels, cheese is left to ripen, and bread is baked regularly. Vegetable are cooled when possible.

The Helterdeep Law Hall

The Law Hall is decorative with memorabilia of Helterdeep. The heavy metal double doors that creak on opening.
Law Master = Gaimor Darkhelm - male Dwarf - black haired scattered with grey - serious pale grey eyes

Prison Area = Simple, uncomfortable chambers caved out in the rock. These chambers are somewhat further removed from the living area, and partially reach into the next layer.

Catacombs = Final resting place for the dead. Only accessible via one of several entrances in the living area.

WORKING DISTRICT

Mines and forges are located on the lower level.

Mining Area = Branches out in all directions. Dwarven mines can reach several kilometres down into the earth, only stopping when the potential danger outweighs the potential treasure. Dwarven are stubborn. Smaller tunnels sometimes follow individual veins. Depending on the level of technology your Dwarves have access to, mine cart tracks could be found here that speed up transport. Areas that have been fully mined out are either collapsed or used for expanding parts of the main city.

Forging Area = The temperature is a lot higher here. Depending on the size and complexity of the city, the forges make use of geothermal heat or magma. The forging area is that it is connected to the surface directly through multiple shafts. This is done in order to allow the smoke and steam that is produced during the forging to escape. These tunnels are fitted with reinforced grates, and possibly even traps, in order to prevent outsiders from climbing into the city unnoticed.

Underdark Entrance = Well guarded. Dwarves trade with all kinds of races, including some in the Underdark of Ru'Mal.
Drow silk, for example, is considered very trendy amongst some Dwarven nobles, and the Duergar make a strong, spicy alcoholic brew called Firelichen Wine.

VAULT:

Storage for the city’s valuables, such as precious minerals, treasures, artefacts and important documents. The entrance is protected by a large metal gate. Visitors are expected to remain in a waiting chamber while requests are being processed. Only the appointed Treasurers (Yofraud Jadesword and Tudula Battlehide) may enter the Vault in order to store or retrieve items. Below the vault is a special ‘sub-floor’, that keeps intruders out. The vault itself is heavily guarded as well, it is the most secure location.

STORES

Phenic Potions

Potions Store
Owner = Quran Deepstone Dwarf - brown hair with colourful wraps - knowledgable in potion, mushrooms, herbs, salves, and roots.

Griffon's Oddities

Magic Items Store and General Goods Store
OWNER: Griffon Warmsheild (Dwarf male) He comprehends many languages, but speaks only dwarvish. Griffon has gray hair and brown eyes, and a magical mark on his arm.
Specials

• Items 7 x Arrow +1 (120 gp) = This battered weapon is said to have been created to slay the Leviathan of The Whale Sea.
  Dagger +1 (+2 vs small creatures) (750 gp) = This finely crafted weapon was created by a goddess of war for her most loyal archer.
  Necklace of Strangulation (1000 gp) = This masterwork item was created by Elves of an ancient empire.
  Pipes of the Sewers (8500 gp) = This distinctive item was created by the illustrious artificer.
  Plate Mail +1 (human size) (5000 gp) = This finely crafted armor.
  Plate Mail +3 (human size) (15500 gp) = An ornate armor, painted with an unknown coat of arms.
  Potion of Delusion (150 gp) = This watery blue liquid smells acidic.
  Potion of ESP (850 gp) = A viridian ichor, contained in a faceted bottle etched with holy symbols.
  Potion of Flying (750 gp) = This fuming serum causes shadows to appear darker when used.
  Potion of Levitation (400 gp) = This glowing liquid causes one's eyes to turn blue when used.
  Scimitar +2 (6000 gp) = An ornate weapon, inlaid with sapphire.
  Splint Mail +3 (elf size) (14500 gp) = This finely crafted armor is said to be imbued with the spirit of the Gnome hero Arnaut, who vanished in the Dread Chambers of Elimad.
  Staff of the Serpent (24 charges) (35000 gp) = This ornate staff is said to be imbued with the spirit of the Half-Elf mage Athel, leader of the Gray Saints.
  Wand of Fire (93 charges) (25000 gp) = This distinctive willow wand also transmutes gold coins into pigeons.
  Wand of Frost (97 charges) (50000 gp) = A rowan wand, set with obsidian.
  Wand of Illumination (83 charges) (10000 gp) = A wooden wand made from Rowan Trees, wrapped in bronze wire.
  

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NOTE

Living underground also comes with certain dangers. Monsters with a tunnelling ability are a constant threat to the city. Covering the walls with worked stone might stop some of them, but not all of them. This Dwarf city has trained guardsmen that are constantly on the lookout for such creatures below.

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