Skalf's Hold

Skalf's Hold is a walled city built on a bluff overlooking two mountain passes. To the east lies the winding path toward Karak Azul. To the west is the bustling settlement of Deadgate and the path toward the Badlands. Skalf built the city using the treasures he found in the Dragon’s lair. Since the day he slew the dragon, his clan has been identified by the symbol of a rearing Dragon. To honour him, his descendants incorporated that symbol into the very structure of the city itself.

Construction
Dwarf craftsmanship is renowned throughout the Old World, especially when it comes to stone working. With the Dragon's treasure at his disposal, Skalf was able to summon the best builders to create the hold on the ruins of Karak Azgal. Although the holdfast and the temple were the first buildings constructed, the Dwarf engineers were confident the community would prosper and grow. The plan for the city walls was made with this in mind, so they enclose the entire level portion of the plateau. Their foresight was rewarded, as the city today fills the entire area inside the walls.

Streets
All of the streets are paved with smooth, tight-fitting stones. While there are no formal sewer lines beneath the city, Dwarf engineers made use of the natural caverns beneath the city to move water and effluvium away from the city. Gutters line the curbs and water runs down through cleverly placed metal drains.

Buildings
The buildings of Skalf's Hold are constructed of grey or white stones quarried from the mountains nearby. Most of them only reach a height of one or two storeys at the most. The exterior doors are all made of stone and are perfectly balanced to open with the touch of a hand. Many are decorated with sculptures and fine carvings in the stone, and it is not uncommon to see visitors staring slackjawed at these works of art when seeing them for the first time. All written signs are in Khazalid with runic characters, but a Reikspiel translation is often written in smaller text underneath.

Defences
A 20-foot-high wall of stone surrounds the city, with only two gates, in the east and the west. A parapet and walkway connects towers along the wall, providing excellent defensive positions for Dwarf warriors. The towers each have a stone carving of a rearing Dragon at the top, facing outward and hovering over the ground below. If attacked, the Dwarfs keep barrels of oil in each tower they can heat up and pour out of the mouth of the Dragons onto any besiegers. Each tower also has a Dwarf cannon on it.

Descending from the enormous west gate is a switchback stair carved from the face of the cliff, passing three turns until it ends at the shantytown of Deadgate far below. The Dwarfs constructed the steps to appear from afar as the winding tail of a Dragon, replete with spikes and scales, while the gate itself resembles a Dragon’s mouth, the flanking towers serving as its wings. Though an amazing feat of architecture in its own right, beyond the decorative façade, the gates and steps are very practical. The Dwarfs care little for the inhabitants of Deadgate and if attacked would completely abandon it. The switchback stair is the only way to enter the hold providing the Dwarfs with plenty of opportunity to shower the besiegers with missiles. A massive reservoir of oil is stored in the Dragon Gate as well, ready to be unleashed upon interlopers.

Population
Skalf ’s Hold houses a total population fluctuating between 5,000 and 6,000 at any given time. Those calling the hold their home are about 80% Dwarfs, 15% Humans, and 5% Halflings. During the day the total number of people increases, as many come into the hold from Deadgate to conduct business, journey into the ruins, or simply to have a good time.

Pending...

Source

 * : Warhammer Fantasy RPG 2nd ED -- Karak Azgal: Adventures of the Dragon Crag
 * : pg. 11
 * : pg. 12

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