Hammer Hold

Map of region

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).

File:Hammer Hold.png

Hammer Hold. Image © WotC 2010

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). The town is predominantly made up of Dwarves (70%), Humans (10%), Orcs (10%) and a small number of the other major races.

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.

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 5 taverns.

Inns:

• The Coach and Pony
• Rhodal's Inn

Taverns:

• The Foundation Stone - although typically thought of as an "adventurer's bar" there is also regular entertainment here.
• The Black Cat

Notable People

• 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".