Karak’Thoon

Pladeholder Dwof by Katy Smith

Classed as one of the great cities of the Dwarves, Karak’Thoon sits low in the rock compared to their counterparts. Utilising the natural and ancient lava tubes and dried up riverways. The city is built central to a large network of weaving tunnels that all culminate at the deepest accessible point. Blocked from going deeper by the sheer heat that is churning beneath them, this is where the city’s heart is found. Buildings reach from the granite floor of this great cavern up to the smoke blackened ceiling. The bubbling magma casting shadows across the outer walls like the buildings themselves were dancing around a campfire. Ornate and blackened bridges have been built to traverse the mass of platforms left remaining within the central cauldron.

The Heat Problem

Ventilation shafts have been carved into the upper levels which prevent toxic gasses from accumulating. Extra care has been taken to outfit these outlets with an array of spiked surfaces to help prevent any potential breaches. Although, in rare occurrences, the odd beast of goblin gets drawn to the stench of their rotting brothers and sisters that have been caught on such traps and they make their way through the tunnels regardless.

The Drinking Problem

Appropriate drinking water proves to be a huge and ongoing issue for the city. Many outposts have been set up at nearby aquifers and have diverted water to the city for the myriad of common usages it’s required for. The issue comes from the condensate that builds in more protected areas of the upper city. Capturing this liquid is essential. The natural stone that the city is carved out of is granite. The temperature of the surrounding magma is usually not an issue as the melting point of granite is far higher than the magma has achieved. However, this granite’s structure is able to absorb water which in turn lowers its melting point. If the condensate is left unchecked and is not gathered effectively in the elaborate guttering and liquid diversion systems, then the foundations of parts of the city may start to warp. In many areas of the city this can be seen very clearly in structures that have survived such issues. Misaligned columns, sunken ground levels and walls which have subsided. The oldest portions of the city have the highest level of this form of damage, giving the impression that it is melting into the core below.

The Spice Problem

Pladeholder Dwof by Katy Smith

Dwarves are known amongst other races to have extremely exotic tastes when it comes to food. A number of the standard herbs and spices found in a pantry would kill humans, elves or orcs. Usually great care has to be taken by the Dwarves in the rare instances in which ambassadors of other races have been allowed into their cities to not outright poison them upon the offering of a welcoming drink or appetiser.

However, one spice which does the same for most races, is that of the pepper. Although the Dwarves can handle the heat far better than your average man (Certainly better than that of the long-ears), the dwellers of Karak’Thoon are unable to partake in anything that could be considered spicy. Purely a result of their location and proximity to other heat sources. The spice increases the sensitivity to heat and makes it completely unpalatable.

Unfortunately, this results in this city’s distinct lack of appetising foodstuffs. Mostly roasted meats, mushrooms or stews with basic seasoning if any. Which is seen as little more than calories for fuel as required.

A culinary culture has arisen from the blandness. So much so that regular pilgrimages take place to nearby outposts where anydwarf can enjoy the cuisine of their folk. Travellers from other cities in the local cluster also attend these gatherings to share in the celebration of food. Grand banquets are held multiple times a year and the outposts hosting these events have become centers of feasting and music but also of pleasure and debauchery.

The Karak’Thoon Guard

There are a large number of differences and deviations away from tradition with regards to the Karak’Thoon guard. The most unsettling of which is that in place of where you would expect to see long, luscious beards, they have bald, heavily scarred chins and necks. This jarring appearance is a result of the burning ritual that takes place upon inauguration to the guard in order to honour those that have been lost outside of the protective walls of the city. Specifically those that sacrificed their lives in what came to be known as “The Karak'Thoon Stand”.

This article was created for my first World Ember - I hope you enjoy my writings and I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback!