Hammer Hold
Hammer Hold is a Dwarven town in Thorast.
Location
The Dwarven-run "free town" of Hammer Hold is located at the borders of the Welcome Hills and the southernmost edge of the Hammer Peaks (the mountain range which runs down the centre of Thorast).
Population
As of the last census the town had a recorded population of just over 2,700 which about half that of Wayfarer's Rest but only around two-thirds of that number are permanent residents of the town itself. The other third live in nearby settlements scattered around the surrounding hills but close by (within a couple of kilometres) such as Stonehall and Flintstone. The town is predominantly made up of Dwarves (70%), Humans (10%), Orcs (10%) and a small number of the other major races (a half-dozen or so each of Ymirkin, Elves and Gnomes plus a few Goblins and Tieflings).
In addition Hammer Hold has nearly 700 undead residents (or the "trans-living" as they prefer to be called). These are "mostly harmless" Dwarven and Orc skeletons, zombies or ghosts. However there are also a few vampires, ghouls, ghasts and wights who are considered "unfriendly" to the living residents. As such there is a strict curfew in place whereby the "trans-living" have free run of the town from midnight to dawn.
Description
Hammer Hold is a fortified mausoleum town made up of two distinct sections:
- The Garrison - this is the vaguely circular section that serves as the entrance to the town proper. It straddles the road that would otherwise run past the site and contains the newest buildings in the town. As well as housing the Armsmen's "barracks" (such as they are), it is also where two contubernia of the Imperial Army can be found when not on patrol. Unlike the rest of the town, the buildings in this section are not built as resting places for the dead but are of typical Dwarven/Imperial construction.
- The Mausoleums - the bulk of the town consists of a separate section that contains hundreds of mausoleums dedicated to various Dwarven families. These are single story, stone buildings. Some of these have been converted into shops (always with the express permission of the tomb's resident. Above them are wooden additions which serve as dwellings for the town's still-living residents. The mausoleum also hold three temples, the Wall of Residents, and the Obelisk of the Unknown God. Since last war a number of Orcs are also interred in newly constructed Orcish tombs in this section, to house the honoured dead of that people as well.
Every night the Armsmen shut the gates between the Garrison and the Mausoleums, from midnight to dawn - mostly for their own safety but also for that of the surrounding villages.
Defences
Hammer Hold is nestled high in the hills leading to the Hammer Peaks and so has certain strategic value anyone who might be tempted to seize it. Luckily it has little real material wealth and, coupled with its high stone walls and "neutral" status, it is not a very appealing target to any of the local bandits. The town is defended by the "Armsmen" - its moderately well-funded Town Watch - run ably by Pauldrak Redblade. The number of Armsmen fluctuates but is typically three dozen Dwarves and Humans.
Additionally, Hammer Hold is also within the 'catchment' area for Fort Basilisk and so can call upon up to 4 Cohorts of the Imperial Army should matters get really out of hand. In order to ensure safety along the roads, Fort Basilisk stations 2 contubernia of legionnaires at Hammer Hold. These are rotated out every 30 days and are not permitted into the town itself, only in the garrison section. Despite the presence of these men the roads are not appreciably safer but it does mean that the town has a small force that they can quickly call upon should the need arise.
History
The history of Hammer Hold dates back over 2000 years to its inception as the preferred mausoleum site of Clan Finehammer - a wealthy (Mountain) Dwarven clan from Overlook. Clan Finehammer picked this site, more than 2 days travel from Overlook due to its vantage point high in the Hammer Peaks. At that time the Obelisk of the Unknown God was present and Clan Finehammerl wanted to dedicate the area to their patron deity, Moradin.
Over time the number of mausoleums grew and other clans, with permissions also situated mausoleums here, until nearly five hundred Dwarves were interred. It was then that the Dwarves decided to erect walls around the mausoleums - partly as protection but also to set the boundaries of what was quickly becoming a small town. It was at this point, early in the 1st century IC, that "Hammer Hold" was created (named after the clan that started it all).
All was well until the last war when invading Orcs, intending to reach Overlook, reached the area. The Dwarves of Bordrin's Watch realised that the narrow mountain passes around Hammer Hold would prove to be a good defensive position and built a makeshift garrison just outside of the town's walls. The region was held but many Dwarves and Orcs died as result. As part of the Treaty of the Eight Thrones the Orcs requested that, as a now-sacred site for them, that some of their honoured dead be allowed to be entombed in Hammer Hold and the Empire, reluctantly, agreed.
It was then things started to get "odd". Over the next couple of years the entombed dead, both Dwarven and Orc, rose from their "slumber" and tried to retake the town for themselves. The churches of Moradin, Gruumsh and Hades resisted this and many undead were destroyed. Eventually those that remained offered a "truce" whereby they could be allowed to continue to exist and to have the town to themselves at night, whilst the living would be able to have the town by day. Many mausoleums, with their owner's consent, were turned into shops, with the "trans-living" (as they preferred to be called) taking a share of the profits.
The garrison was extended and fortified to ensure that the undead did not leave the vicinity and to also deter the local Orcs from any "unfortunate" choices. All the town's residents now live in harmony.
Hammer Hold Laws
In addition to obeying all of the standard Imperial Laws, due to rather "unique" status, Hammer Hold also has 4 additional "by-laws" which all residents and visitors are asked to abide by.
These "by-laws" are printed on a flyer and given to everyone who enters the town.
The "by-laws" are:
- Obey the Curfew
Do not roam the streets between the hours of midnight and dawn. This is for your own safety. - The "Trans-Living" are our Friends
Under no circumstances should any living visitor to our town antagonise or ridicule the undead. - Orcs are Welcome
As agreed by the Treaty of the Eight Thrones, Orcs ARE allowed in our town. All grudges are to be left outside of the town walls. - No Unaccompanied Tieflings
Any Children of Orcus who wish to enter our town must be accompanied at all times by at least one Dwarf. If necessary a leash can be purchased at the town gates.
The penalty for breaking these four "by-laws" is a fine from the Armsmen but could also be met with the collective displeasure of the town's "trans-living" community. As previously noted, some of that community have dining habits which the living find unpleasant (and often fatal).
In addition to the above, as effectively a graveyard, the town of Hammer Hold is also able to claim a charitable status, meaning that no taxes on income earned in the town is accrued. This makes the town a fairly cheap place to live (comparatively). This would be a bigger draw for residents if it were not for the inherent problems with residing there.
Inns and Taverns
For a town of its size, Hammer Hold has surprisingly few inns or taverns. This is because the town is not somewhere that travellers randomly come to, for obvious reasons. In total the town has just 2 inns (although both are of a fair size) and 3 taverns.
Inns:
Taverns:
Notable Places
The town consists primarily of mausoleums, tombs and temples. In town there are temples to:
Also in town is a Teleport Hut®, a visitor's centre and the Obelisk of the Unknown God.
A map key can be found here.
Notable People
For a moderately small town, Hammer Hold has more than its fair share of notable people. The ones that visitors to the town are most likely to interact with are:
- Ulara Carawicz - Tavern Owner
- Kryll Flesheater - Tavern Owner
- Pauldrak Redblade - Master of Arms
- Ferris Rhodal - Innkeeper
- Norrick Steelmantle - Innkeeper
Acknowledgements
The design of the town of "Hammer Hold" is taken directly from the "Hammerfast" 4th Edition D&D supplement by Mike Mearls and hence the maps of the town are © WotC 2010. Hammer Hold's history, buildings, guilds and NPCs do deviate significantly from that "Adventure Site" (as it is called). Knowing the contents of the "Hammerfast" supplement will give players no readily usable information about "Hammer Hold".
