When rich veins of gold, silver, and gemstones were uncovered beyond Saltmarsh, the Crown of Keoland acted swiftly. Rather than gamble on local prospectors, the King granted exclusive rights to the Dwarven Mining Company of the Tor Mountains—renowned for efficiency and iron discipline. In return, the Crown receives a generous share of all extracted wealth. It is a partnership forged in gold and guarded by necessit

Saltmarsh, nearest to the strike, became the company’s regional base. A decaying noble manor was purchased by the Crown and ceded to the dwarves. Reinforced with stone buttresses, ironwork, and subterranean vaults, the estate now stands as a fortified headquarters.

Within its walls:

• Executive offices and financial ledgers

• Shipping and export coordination

• Gem-cutting halls and arcane appraisal chambers

• Stone-carved archives of daily yields and historical surveys

The dwarves are respected—but not embraced. Their loyalty lies with the Crown, not Saltmarsh, and they align with the Loyalists out of pragmatism rather than ideology. Without royal backing, their operation would invite sabotage.

A permanent royal guard detail stands watch at the manor gates, a clear message to friend and foe alike: the dwarves may be outsiders, but their gold fills Keoland’s coffers.

Regional commander Manistrad Copperlocks resides within the manor alongside her senior staff: foreman, master gemcutter, runesmith, archivist, and groundskeeper. Merchants, royal agents, and contractors pass through daily to negotiate exports and secure shipments of ore and cut stone.

The dwarves keep to themselves, but their venture is the most profitable enterprise in the region. For now, that profit buys protection—and silence.

• Manistrad Copperlocks

• Barun Deepdelve

• Dworic Ironbelly

• Old Marda Hearthblest

• Thorek Gemhand

• Torren “Ash-Eyes” Flintcloak

Additional Dwarves (Support Staff & Rotating Workers)

• Office & Trade Staff (2–3): Clerks, scribes, and trade liaisons managing documentation, merchant interactions, and accounting.

• Gemcutting Apprentices (1–2): Working under Thorek, usually quiet and terrified of disappointing him.

• Archivist Assistants (1–2): Help Barun transcribe and transport stone slabs.

• Guard Rotation (3–6 dwarves): Internal security (not the Keoland soldiers). At least one per shift, two on standby, others off-duty or training.

• Skilled Laborers & Engineers (2–3): Mid-ranking dwarves who don’t live in Saltmarsh permanently but rotate in to oversee logistics, equipment, repairs, and technical problems.

• Servants & Kitchen Hands (1–2): Answer to Marda. Handle cleaning, food prep, errands.