Hammerspark Hold

Hammerspark Hold Location Guide - By B. Kellestine v.1 2020

As one descends into the mountain containing Hammerspark Hold, the first thing that meets the eye is the dull glimmer of a crystalline substance that coats the inner pseudo-ceiling of the mountain. The nature of the substance is a mystery, as the Kaal’Kor forbid its examination by outsiders. While there are three levels to the hold only the first two, the foreigner’s quarters and the craftsman's atelier, are immediately apparent. The third levels lies deep beneath the ground, and few are allowed to venture there.

As prospective city goers turn their eyes to the hold proper, the first thing they encounter is the stunning facade of the Kaalian grand cathedral, placed adjacent to the foreigner’s district of the hold.  This is one of the main locations you will see native denizens of Hammerspark mingling en masse with the visitors from the foreigner’s quarters, and even then only while mass is being held.

Below the Foreigner Quarters lies the true gem of Hammerspark Hold: the Craftsmen's Atelier. A thriving district where sleep rarely comes, it is where most Kaal’Kor have both their homes and businesses. Anyone not exceptionally stone-eared can hear the boisterous noise of the Kaal’Kor practicing their craft and making their living--or brawling, depending on the time of day.

However, one should not mistake dwarven boisterousness for lawlessness. While good-natured brawls are not an uncommon occurrence, overall law and order is guarded zealously by the Sacred Order of the Lightbearers, Kaal’s Knighthood amongst the Kaal’Kor. Foreigners must be especially careful not to make trouble, unless they care to be evicted from the Hold with great prejudice.

Beneath these two levels is a darkness known by the locals as “The Depths”. Little is known to foreigners about this shadowy part of the hold, save that it is where dwarven augers dwell.

Foreign Quarters

This relatively new addition to Hammerspark Hold is built atop the rest of the ancient fortress and is a great deal closer to the surface than the areas housing the Kaal`Kor.  This area emerged as a result of flourishing relations with the Zodasian Northlanders, though visitors may encounter a mix of races in this area. This district was built with surface dwellers in mind, with one such consideration being skylights that extend through Mount Hammerspark. As a result, the Foreign quarters is the only part of Hammerspark Hold that receives natural sunlight.

Tall People's Auberge

A large cylindrical hotel that is anchored to both the peak and base of the foreign quarters, with rooms designed specifically with non-Kaal`Kor comforts in mind.  The first floor consists of a foyer where rooms may be rented after luggage is inspected for contraband, specifically that of a Xosian nature. Private meeting booths line the room, so appointments might be held in private with benefactors vouching for the entry of select individuals into the rest of Hammerspark Hold beyond the foreign quarters.  Rooms themselves are comfortable enough, each possessing a bed large enough for two (or a single Voraath), a small hearth, two chairs, and a small table.  Water-closets and baths are two to each level as opposed to personal, however state of the art plumbing and ventilation ensures that no lingering offending odours cause discomfort for guests.

Craftmen's Atelier

One part workshop, one part open marketplace, the Craftsmen's Atelier serves as the heart of commerce for Hammerspark Hold.  Kaal`Kor wares can be purchased from one of the many shops or kiosks littering this district, as well as travelling supplies or Kaal`Kor food.  Further, workshops litter this district, as well as the Hold's Dwarven Forge. Tradesmen occasionally have been known to take a non-Kaal`Kor apprentice now and again, teaching them the proper (at least as far as the Kaal`Kor see it) way to design and build things.  This is rare, however, and typically to learn from one of the Kaal`Kor masters, an apprentice candidate must prove themselves. How this is accomplished varies from master to master, however their standards are extremely high. Vaddon Goldenshield, a middle-aged, fashionable Kaal`Kor with a thundering voice is the Commerce Manager, and can often be heard bellowing schedule changes and reminders for meetings throughout the Atelier during the daytime.

Hammer's Hearth Inn & Tavern

If the Atelier is the heart of commerce within Hammerspark Hold, Hammer's Hearth is most certainly the soul of the district.  A comfortable communal inn and tavern where Kaal`Kor and taller races alike can be found sharing lager, games of chance and strategy, as well as various tales both fantastical and mundane.  Warm and inviting, far more so than many places solely designed with Kaal`Kor comforts in mind, this inn is the go-to place for foreigners to relax, due to both its accommodating interior and the proximity to the foreign quarters. Hammer's Hearth is owned by Belra Hammerheart, a sturdy but pretty Kaal`Kor hearth mistress.

Cathedral of Kaal 

One of the larger structures within Hammerspark Hold, the Cathedral to the Old Gods is a spectacle of Kaal`Kor craftsmanship.  Though possessing a relatively simplistic floor plan, by no means is anything else about this consecrated ground simple. Unlike many Kaalian Cathedrals, it lacks transepts, instead bearing a more straightforward rectangular design rounding outward at the entry archways.  The walls are reinforced with sturdy yet slender flying buttresses, each topped with a statue of a Kaal`Kor champion of the Kaalian faith.

At the entrance are a trio of flat arches topped with a relief of gilded stonework, bearing the downward-pointed flaming sword of Kaal.  Beyond these is a large domed foyer where smaller shrines and altars to other Gods and Spirits can be found, primarily of Indarian bent but also extending to encompass those of Xirorya and Mirdahl, to allow those who don’t pay homage to the Flamebringer in the Kaal`Kor's boisterous way to perform ceremonies in peace and comfort.  No public worship of Xosian gods is tolerated whatsoever on either these holy grounds or within the Hold, and shrines to gods of a more chaotic bent are restricted.

Past the foyer, the cathedral adopts a double-aisled design that continues uninterrupted to form a double-ambulatory about the raised choir.  The inner aisle possesses a high (at least, high for Kaal`kor) vaulting with three-part elevations utilizing stained glass windows depicting many of the legends surrounding Kaal, the Flamebringer that date back to the creation of the current universe.  The outer aisle features simpler windows, cut in the likeness of a downward pointing sword which are backlit from the exterior.

Beyond the ambulatory are the meeting chambers of the Clergy and the Sacred Order of the Lightbearers.  None outside the Kaalian clergy are permitted into the Clergy’s meeting chamber, and the chamber of the Lightbringers is entirely off-limits to anyone not of their Order--this even includes visiting Knights of the Holy Order of the Flamebringer.  However, extraordinary circumstances may allow exception to be made for higher-standing Crusaders and Priests of Indaris.

Hammerspark Hall

The central Kaal`Kor meeting hall within the hold, entry by non-dwarves into Hammerspark Hall is not permitted beyond extenuating circumstances. It is unlikely even if one of the taller races wished to venture inside, that they’d be terribly comfortable, given this location was built with strictly Kaal`Kor comforts in mind, with long tables that sit low and a ceiling that would certainly result in non-dwarves hitting their head.

While certainly dwarven, the interior architecture has an antiquated air to it, with pillars of gemstone-studded Ishaelan stonework acting as false support for the ceiling. The pillars are engraved and anointed by Hammerspark shamans, with namesakes and effigies honoring the sacrifices of generations of heroes. While most of the names included are Hammerspark, other Kaal`Kor names are amongst them, in addition to a scant few human and Shei ones.

Murals along the inner walls depict the Hammerspark Exodus following the Great Clan War: ones which would perhaps give insight to how they arrived on Imarel, if any scholars from the outside were given time to study them in detail. Seating is arranged by clan, with the Great Clan of Hammerspark at the center, and the others are situated counterclockwise around them. A special seating near the entrance is for foreign ambassadors, as rare as they may be.

The Depths

Upon entering this small cavern the first thing one notices is ancient Kaal`Kor hieroglyphs upon the walls, thought to be some of the first examples of written language outside of Ancient High Asyndi on Imarel or Ishaela by archeologists and the single Chronomancer permitted to study them at great length.  At the end of the dim cavern is a bizarre, spiraling helix staircase that leads to the true Depths, which are shrouded in impenetrable shadow. There is no restriction to approach these stairs, as the stairs themselves will only 'allow' certain people access to the cavern below, leaving any others not chosen to descend walking endlessly in a loop of pure darkness. This area is used and maintained by Kaal`Kor augers, each of which are pale enough to be regarded by their kin as albino, who use this area for their soothsaying and rituals.

Residential Districts

Not a single area, but six separate locations within Hammerspark Hold.  Five are effectively their own miniature municipalities, with a councilman who is elected every five years by the residents of the district.  Seldomly is a councilman chosen that does not bear the same clan name as the district they are running in, as most of the residents have little interest in what are effectively administrative duties, preferring instead to concern themselves with their craft.  Rarely is such a councilman ever younger than the age of 100, and though there is no hard retirement age from this position, most seem to stop running around their 300th year. The sixth district - Glantheel Deep - is unique compared to the other clans. This area is not its own municipality, but instead acts as an embassy for Ishaelan Kaal`Kor.  The appointed Ishaelan ambassador (who is as often as not Glantheel Clan) acts effectively as the councilman for this district, though speaks only on matters in the Hall that might have an impact on all Kaal`Kor or the world at large.