Escalion
Locations
Browse the public locations that belong to this world. Select a card to read more.
Public locations roster
Berron's Keep
Perched high within the Tolgoth Mountains, Berron's Keep stands as a formidable fortress carved directly into the stone peaks, serving as the primary military stronghold of the United Dwarven Kingdoms. Below its towering ramparts lies Durin's Depth, a subterranean township that once flourished as a thriving sanctuary for the Deep Gnome civilization. The fortress and township have become inextricably linked through tragedy and necessity, as the accidental breach of an ancient seal by Durin's Depth's inhabitants unleashed hordes of wraiths and shadow beasts that now plague the depths without mercy. Under the steadfast leadership of the Umberwood Clan's Thanes, Berron's Keep has transformed into a bastion of unity and sacrifice, with nearly a third of its population fighting daily alongside their gnomish allies against the relentless darkness. The keep itself remains a symbol of resilience amid growing tensions between the Mountain Dwarves, who advocate for isolationism and severed surface ties, and the Hill Dwarves, who champion progressive trade and cultural exchange. Only the Stone Regent and the legendary hammer Thunderbringer maintain the fragile bonds holding the dwarven city-states together against complete fragmentation. The people of Berron's Keep view their endless struggle against the shadow beasts not merely as a battle for survival, but as penance for a war they believe was unjustly waged by Imperial forces against the innocent gnomes and halflings of the borderlands. This shared burden has forged an unbreakable brotherhood between dwarf and gnome that transcends the political divisions fracturing their broader civilizations.
View details
Ember Hold
Ember Hold stands as the industrial heart of the southern Hill Dwarf territories within the Tolgoth Mountains, a sprawling underground metropolis carved deep into the earth by generations of skilled miners and engineers. Since the conclusion of the great war that once unified the dwarven kingdoms, this city has become increasingly significant as a symbol of progressive dwarven culture and forward-thinking governance under the steadfast leadership of the Brightblaze clan's Thanes. The city's prosperity flows from its unparalleled mining operations, which extract vast quantities of coal, iron, and precious metal ores that fuel both the local economy and the broader wealth of the United Dwarven Kingdoms. Unlike the quieter, more traditional Under-Cities where mining serves merely as a supplementary craft, Ember Hold has transformed excavation into a refined science, employing innovative techniques that have unlocked the discovery of rare elements and precious metals previously thought inaccessible. The constant hum of pickaxes striking stone and the glow of forge-fires illuminate the cavernous streets, creating an atmosphere thick with industry and ambition. As tensions between the traditionalist Mountain Dwarves and progressive Hill Dwarves continue to escalate, Ember Hold remains a beacon of hope for those who believe in surface trade, cultural exchange, and a unified future for all dwarven-kind. The city's wealth and strategic importance make it both a jewel of the Hill Dwarf faction and a point of contention in the ongoing ideological struggle that threatens to shatter the fragile unity maintained solely by the Stone Regent's authority and the legendary hammer Thunderbringer.
View details
Dannerfjord
Dannerfjord stands as a remarkable underground city carved into the depths beneath the Tolgoth Mountains, governed by the proud Thanes of Clan Twobeards. Once unified under the Stone Regent's iron rule and the legendary hammer Thunderbringer, the dwarven civilization has fractured into bitter ideological camps following the end of the great war. The Mountain Dwarves yearn to retreat into isolationist traditions and sever ties with surface dwellers, while their Hill Dwarf cousins champion progressive trade and cultural exchange. Rather than align with either faction, Dannerfjord has chosen a path of deliberate neutrality, maintaining its own sovereignty while refusing to participate in the escalating political turmoil that threatens to tear the United Dwarven Kingdoms apart. This independence stems largely from the city's sacred obligation to guard the Cryptum Vaults—ancient repositories of forbidden knowledge and arcane secrets entrusted to them by Telsa, The Stonesinger, goddess of mysteries and hidden truths. The citizens of Dannerfjord view their estranged brethren's obsession with divisive ideology as a betrayal of dwarven heritage, believing their kin have abandoned wisdom in pursuit of narrow convictions. The city itself thrives through careful stewardship of its subterranean domain, where crystalline caverns and ancient stonework create a sanctuary of contemplation and scholarly pursuit. Dannerfjord remains a beacon of moderation in a realm torn by extremism, its people committed to the preservation of sacred duties above the petty squabbles of surface politics.
View details
Ferro's Way
Nestled deep within the Tolgoth Mountains alongside the neighboring undercity of Helmvil, Ferro's Way stands as a testament to dwarven craftsmanship and tradition. Ruled by the venerable Thanes of the Firstforge Clan—a lineage celebrated throughout the ages for their mastery of metallurgy, runic inscription, and artistic metalwork—this subterranean stronghold pulses with the constant rhythm of hammer against anvil. The forges of Ferro's Way never truly extinguish; day and night, skilled smiths labor to create siege engines of devastating precision, gleaming plate armor, and weapons of unparalleled quality that have once armed entire kingdoms. Yet the prosperity of this great city has become shadowed by the ideological rift that now divides all dwarven-kind: the isolationist Mountain Dwarves who inhabit Ferro's Way resist trade and contact with surface races, viewing outsiders with increasing suspicion and disdain. Many of the finest creations forged within these halls are deliberately withheld from market or smuggled south to progressive Hill Dwarf settlements, their maker's marks deliberately obscured to avoid association with Firstforge's xenophobic stance. The Firstforge Clan once supplied arms to the entire United Dwarven Army, but the passage of years and deepening divisions have caused many of their forges to dim and fall silent. Only the Stone Regent's iron will and the legendary hammer Thunderbringer prevent complete fracture among the city-states, yet Ferro's Way waits—as though holding its breath—for the spark that might reignite its former glory.
View details
Helmvil
Helmvil stands as the principal northern stronghold of the United Dwarven Kingdoms, carved deep into the heart of the Tolgoth Mountains where ancient stone and tradition run as deep as the ore veins themselves. Governed by the venerable Thanes of the Greyhelm Clan, this under-city has long served as the forge of the realm's most formidable warriors, producing generations of battle-hardened fighters whose reputation echoes across the known lands. The legendary conflict with the Commonwealth transformed Helmvil's warriors into instruments of liberation, as they poured forth to aid the human rebels of Reimos, systematically dismantling Imperial occupation through years of fierce mountain warfare and strategic brilliance. Since the war's conclusion, however, Helmvil has become a microcosm of the greater tensions dividing dwarven society—the traditionalist Mountain Dwarves who inhabit these halls increasingly resist contact with surface peoples, viewing isolation as the path to cultural preservation. The Hill Dwarves' progressive vision of trade and cooperation stands in stark opposition to this worldview, creating a rift that threatens the unity of the kingdoms themselves. Only the Stone Regent and the sacred artifact Thunderbringer maintain the fragile cohesion between these factions, preventing ancient bloodlines from descending into open conflict. With the pressing need for mercenaries diminished, Helmvil's master craftspeople have redirected their considerable talents toward the production of weapons and armor of unparalleled quality, establishing the city as a premier destination for those seeking superior arms. The Greyhelm bloodline remains second only to the First Stone King in prestige, their loyalty and martial prowess the bedrock upon which the United Kingdoms stands.
View details
Grime Hollow
Nestled deep beneath the southern reaches of the dwarven realm, Grime Hollow stands as a testament to agricultural innovation and progressive ideals within a fractured society. Ruled by the venerable Thanes of the Whitemane Clan, whose members bear distinctive silver beards regardless of age, this undercity has become the agricultural heart of the United Dwarven Kingdom. While traditional dwarven settlements focus their efforts on masterwork craftsmanship and martial prowess, Grime Hollow diverged from this path centuries ago to cultivate vast underground farms that feed the entire realm. The city's ingenious use of glowstone illumination has enabled the cultivation of crops and grain in the perpetual darkness beneath the mountains, transforming barren stone caverns into verdant gardens and productive fields. This commitment to agrarianism and surface contact reflects the Hill Dwarves' progressive philosophy, putting Grime Hollow at odds with the isolationist Mountain Dwarves who view such endeavors as betrayals of ancient tradition. The Whitemane Clan's success has fostered a unique culture of earth-reverence within their holdings, with most inhabitants devoted to Lucia, the Dwarf Mother and Green Keeper. The tension between Grime Hollow's reformist values and the growing resentment from traditionalist factions threatens the unity that only the Stone Regent and the sacred artifact Thunderbringer can maintain. Despite these internal conflicts, Grime Hollow continues to thrive as the indispensable breadbasket upon which the survival of all dwarven city-states depends.
View details
Eminence
Eminence stands as the southernmost jewel of the United Dwarven Kingdoms, a sprawling subterranean metropolis carved deep within the Tolgath Mountains. Having joined to battle and fend off the Imperial menace during the War Against the Commonwealth, when nine independent dwarven city-states unified under a council of thanes, Eminence has flourished as a beacon of commerce and cultural exchange. The Hill Dwarves of Clan Highhill have governed this bustling underhold with remarkable openness, welcoming merchants, adventurers, and settlers from across the known world who seek fortune and refuge within its stone halls. Positioned strategically north of the rocky deserts belonging to the Arid Nation of Oris, Eminence has become one of the primary waypoint for trade caravans traversing between the western and eastern nations, as merchants deliberately route their goods through the city to circumvent Oris's notorious tariffs and oppressive regulations. The city's grand bazaars echo with a symphony of languages and commerce, where gnomish tinkers haggle alongside human traders, halfling artisans display their wares next to elven craftspeople, and dwarven merchants broker deals that shape continental trade networks. Despite its prosperity, Eminence has not remained untouched by the factional tensions that have fractured the greater United Kingdoms since the war's conclusion, with various power groups vying for influence over the city's future direction. Ancient stone architecture mingles with newer construction as the city perpetually expands to accommodate its diverse and growing population. The grand halls of Clan Highhill's seat of power overlook the central market district, a testament to the thane's commitment to transparency and accessibility among all inhabitants of this remarkable underground realm.
View details
Vulcahar
Vulcahar stands as the northernmost jewel of the Tolgath Mountains, a sprawling underground metropolis carved deep into the stone by generations of the Blackstone Clan. It was nearly lost centuries ago when the dragon Alecor attacked and took the mountain as his own to rule. All hope was lost until the legendary Stone King Cinder Redbeard came and brokered a historic pact that would define the city for ages to come—after a brutal seven-day conflict with the ancient red dragon Alecor, Cinder offered the beast a binding covenant of mutual respect and annual tributes of masterfully crafted treasures in exchange for the dragon's withdrawal to the depths below and the dwarves return to their city. Since that fateful accord, Vulcahar has flourished as a bastion of exceptional dwarven craftsmanship, where artisans create some of the finest metalwork, stonecraft, and enchanted items across all the known lands. The city's architecture reflects its traditionalist values, with grand halls supported by massive pillars carved from the living mountain and adorned with intricate reliefs depicting the city's storied past. Trade and military supply lines thrive through the use of Alecor's red dragon offspring, who serve as both beasts of burden and formidable warriors in times of conflict. The Blackstone Thanes continue to govern with an iron will, maintaining strict adherence to ancestral customs and codes of honor that have sustained the city through countless trials. Today, Vulcahar remains a symbol of dwarven resilience and pragmatism, though whispers suggest that the ancient pact with Alecor grows more complex with each passing year, and questions linger about whether such an alliance can endure forever.
View details
Hammer's Rest
Nestled deep beneath the towering peaks of the Tolgath Mountains lies Hammer's Rest, the magnificent capital of the United Dwarven Kingdoms. This sprawling subterranean metropolis emerged as the political and economic heart of nine once-independent city-states that unified during the devastating War Against the Commonwealth, when dwarves joined forces with surface-dwellers and other races to repel an existential threat. The city's vast caverns echo with the sounds of thousands of dwarven craftspeople, merchants, and residents, while travelers and traders from across the realm navigate its grand thoroughfares in search of commerce and alliance. At the city's center stands the Assembly Hall, an architectural marvel where the nine thanes—rulers of each city-state—convene alongside the Stone Regent, the most influential leader chosen from their ranks, to shape the political destiny of their united nation. However, the peace forged in war has fractured along ideological lines, with the traditionalist Mountain Dwarves yearning to sever ties with surface societies and retreat into isolationism, while the progressive Hill Dwarves champion open trade, cultural exchange, and continued cooperation with other peoples. This schism has deepened into genuine hostility, with some Mountain Dwarves harboring outright contempt for non-dwarven visitors within their halls. The only force preserving the fragile union is the authority of the Stone Regent and their sacred artifact, Thunderbringer—a legendary weapon whose very existence symbolizes the binding oath that holds the nine kingdoms together against the tide of separatism.
View details
Black Spire By Banner's Bay
Black Spire By Banner's Bay stands as the southernmost sentinel of the Grand Kingdom of Reimos, a colossal fortress constructed from rare darkstone that pierces the horizon like a jagged tooth. This formidable tower was erected as one of seven strategic keeps established by Reimos to maintain vigilance over the Bramble Brush—a twisted, wild-magic-infused jungle that erupted centuries ago to permanently scar the landscape between the Imperial Commonwealth and the continent beyond. The fortress serves triple duty as a bastion against eldritch threats spilling from the corrupted wilderness, a monitor of any Imperial Commonwealth activity attempting to breach the supernatural barrier, and a guardian against naval incursions from the sea. During heavy fog, Black Spire's beacon cuts through the murk to guide merchant vessels safely toward Wavecrest, while its elevated platforms offer unobstructed views of Imperial warship movements along the coastline. The true glory of the region, however, belongs to the distinctive black sands of Banner's Bay below, a haunting memorial to a pivotal victory centuries past when the nation's ancestors drove Imperial forces from the waters. In that brutal clash, the triumphant defenders set ablaze countless Imperial banners, flags, and sails, while the charred remnants mingled with rusted weapons and armor scattered across the shore. Over generations, these blackened relics fused with the beach's natural sediment, transforming what were once pristine white sands into a dark, distinctive shoreline that serves as both a beacon of freedom and a sobering reminder of the price of independence.
View details
Starhold
Starhold stands as one of seven sentinel fortresses erected by the Grand Kingdom of Reimos along the treacherous border of the Bramble Brush, the vast and corrupted expanse that transformed when a magical cataclysm reshaped the once-peaceful forests and meadows into a nightmarish tangle of twisted vegetation and otherworldly phenomena. The keep's primary duty has remained unchanged for centuries: to maintain an unbreakable watch against the eldritch horrors that writhe within the Wilds, while simultaneously monitoring any attempts by the Imperial Commonwealth to breach this supernatural barrier and reclaim lost territories. What distinguishes Starhold from its sister keeps, however, is its remarkable celestial gift—the persistent aurora that shimmers perpetually above the Bramble Brush creates an atmospheric phenomenon that banishes clouds from the skies overhead, revealing the heavens in breathtaking clarity. Each night, soldiers and residents alike witness an unobstructed tapestry of constellations wheeling across the darkness, their ancient light unmarred by cloud or haze, a display of cosmic wonder that has inspired poets, philosophers, and simple folk for generations. The morale-boosting effect of these magnificent nocturnal vistas has become legendary throughout the kingdom, drawing scholars and pilgrims who seek spiritual renewal beneath the brilliant stars. Whether attributed to divine providence or the raw beauty of nature itself, the luminous spectacle that graces Starhold's skies has transformed the fortress into far more than a mere military installation—it has become a beacon of hope and wonder in a land shadowed by danger and mystery.
View details
Old Bastion
Old Bastion stands as the most venerable of seven sentinel fortresses that mark the boundary between the Kingdom of Reimos and the untamed wilderness beyond. Centuries ago, the catastrophic emergence of the Bramble Brush transformed the region's once-verdant forests and meadows into a nightmarish jungle suffused with wild magic and creatures of eldritch origin, forever altering the geopolitical landscape of the continent. Recognizing the existential threat posed by this supernatural barrier, the Grand Kingdom of Reimos commissioned the construction of these seven keeps to serve dual purposes: containing whatever horrors festered within the twisted jungle and monitoring for any covert Imperial attempts to breach or excavate through the forbidden border. As the eldest of these fortifications, Old Bastion has endured countless centuries of renovation and reconstruction, transforming from an ancient ruin into a formidable stronghold capable of withstanding the dangers that lurk within the Wilds. The keep's weathered stone walls and reinforced battlements bear witness to ages of vigilant guardianship, and its legendary status has grown with each passing generation of soldiers who have served within its halls. Despite extensive restoration efforts and the fame surrounding its present-day defenses, Old Bastion jealously guards secrets buried deep within its foundations—mysteries from its earliest construction that scholars and explorers have yet to uncover. These hidden chambers and forgotten archives remain shrouded in shadow, waiting for those brave or foolish enough to seek the truth that lies dormant beneath its ancient stones.
View details