When gold, silver, and precious gemstones were discovered in the hills and lowlands beyond Saltmarsh, the Kingdom of Keoland moved quickly to capitalize on the find. Unwilling to risk slow returns or amateur efforts, the Crown contracted the Dwarven Mining Company of the Tor Mountains, one of the most respected and efficient mining guilds in the realm. In exchange for exclusive excavation rights, the company agreed to share profits with the Crown—a partnership built on gold and guarded by political necessity.

Saltmarsh, the closest settlement to the discovery site, was chosen as the regional staging point. A once-proud manor house—formerly owned by a now-defunct noble family—was purchased by the Crown and transferred to the company. The structure has since been reinforced, expanded, and modified to meet dwarven architectural standards, transforming the old estate into a bustling headquarters of stone and steel.

The compound now houses:

• Executive offices and records of the company

• Shipping and inventory coordination

• Gem cutting and magical assessment chambers

• Stone-carved archives holding daily mining reports and historical records

The dwarves remain outsiders in Saltmarsh, tolerated by some, resented by others. They align with the Loyalists not out of ideology, but as a matter of survival—without the protection of Keoland’s Crown, their operation would be vulnerable to sabotage, subterfuge, or worse.

A permanent royal guard detail is stationed at the vestibule of the manor, ensuring that all visitors understand the location is under direct protection of the King of Keoland. This presence serves both as a deterrent and as a political symbol: the dwarves may not be of Keoland, but their gold flows into its coffers.

Manistrad Copperlocks, the regional commander of the mining operation, resides in the manor alongside her core staff, including the company’s foreman, master gem cutter, runesmith, archivist, and groundskeeper. Throughout the day, the hall sees a steady stream of merchants, couriers, royal agents, and contractors arriving to conduct business, manage exports, and broker deals for refined gems, ore, and precious metals.

Though the dwarves keep largely to themselves, their operation is one of the most lucrative ventures in the region—and for now, that keeps their footing secure.