Some centuries ago, a conflict in the lands to the east caused an exodus of their dwarvish population. The precise reasons, the dwarvish community being as it is, are unclear, but they were granted sanctuary within the Kingdom of Endon in 541AS and given permission to mine in the shadow of the Agdu-Stein, in the Iron Mountains. The result is one of the great dwarven cities of the west, and the only one of them that falls under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Endon.

The human miners of the Kingdom of Endon had delved into the mountain to follow a seam of copper and found, at the end of their tunnel, the vast caverns in which the dwarves would build their city. In exchange for the land, and a limited independence from the Kingdom, the dwarves of Gros’lot supply a large quantity of the copper used in the coins minted in Endon and smelt the ore brought to them from other parts of the Kingdom. Over time, the city became a hub for metallurgy, producing fine tools, weapons, and intricate metalwork that now circulate throughout the western lands.

The dwarves of Gros’lot encountered the same problem as most dwarven architects: eventually, as the population of the city expanded, they found that they no longer had enough room within the caverns to house their growing people. Not to be discouraged, and with the assistance of the Kingdom, they delved a vast warren of halls, houses, and granaries within the rock, ensuring a self-sufficient underground society capable of sustaining itself through generations. The expansion was not without its challenges - fault lines in the rock led to collapses in the lower tunnels, and flooding from deep reservoirs forced engineers to develop elaborate drainage systems that remain in operation today.

A Special Relationship

It has been several centuries since the agreement was forged between the Kings in Endon and the Oligarchs of Gros’lot, but the relationship holds strong. The city is a bustling metropolis, and the roads to and from are constantly busy, filled with groaning carts hauling goods and tradesfolk. Trade is not merely a matter of coin but of necessity - Endon relies on Gros’lot’s metals and artisans, and in return, the dwarves depend on the agricultural produce of the human lands, particularly grain, timber, and wool, which cannot be cultivated in the depths of the mountain.

While there are some elements within the city that resent the arrangement - the dependence of their people on a human government, and the mockery endured from the independent dwarvish communities - the relationship remains mutually beneficial, and the Oligarchs continue to support it. The bureaucratic structure of Gros’lot has adapted over the years, developing a hybrid governance system that incorporates dwarven council rule with oversight from a royal liaison appointed by Endon.

There are, however, always malcontents, stirring trouble and gathering followers. The independence of the dwarves from the Kings in Endon has been a point of debate for centuries and will continue to be one. Movements calling for full autonomy flare up periodically, only to be tempered by the harsh realities of economic and political interdependence.

The Engineers of Gros’lot

Dwarven engineering in Gros’lot is among the most advanced in the known world, with great subterranean aqueducts, ventilation shafts, and cargo lifts that allow for efficient movement of goods and people. The streets of the city are laid out with precision, ensuring even the deep caverns are not left in permanent shadow, as shafts funnel sunlight through mirrored tunnels to illuminate key sections of the city.

One of the greatest feats of engineering is the massive counterweighted transport system that allows goods from the lower forges to be hauled upward to the trade quarter with minimal effort. Designed to operate with a system of gears and pulleys, the mechanism is a source of pride for the city's craftsmen, who continue to refine it with each passing generation.

Slight Inclination

In order to maintain a sanitary construction in an environment where water will sit stagnant indefinitely, the engineers and miners ensure that the floors all angle so that the water drains - in the case of Gros’lot, it drains towards the central well, the cistern at the bottom of the Greater Cavern. This system is so integral to the city’s function that maintenance crews are employed full-time to ensure there are no blockages, with strict regulations against any structural modifications that could disrupt the drainage pathways.

Walls Five Hundred Feet Thick

It is no secret that the dwarvish method of construction results in a far more defensible city than anything of human design - though the counter-argument is, of course, that it is harder to evacuate a population from a subterranean city. Fortifications at Gros’lot are particularly formidable, with reinforced gates hewn from solid iron and guard stations embedded within the rock itself. The main entrance, known as the Hammer’s Gate, is designed so that any attackers attempting to breach it would be funneled into a killing ground where defenders can strike from multiple angles.

It has also been noted by many travelers that, for some reason, the vast majority of the delvings in Gros’lot are storage halls, enormous spaces and layered caves that sit, for the most part, entirely empty.

It has long been rumored that a part of the agreement between the Kings and the Oligarchs is the use of the city by the population outside: should a threat ever appear that could lay waste to the city of Endon - only a dozen leagues away - here is an unassailable fortress, with granaries and supplies aplenty, with enough room for thousands of refugees. While no formal confirmation of this agreement has ever been made public, the presence of organized ration storage, emergency housing, and even training drills suggests that the dwarves, and perhaps the Kingdom itself, have made certain preparations for an event they hope will never come.

The Barrack Cavern

A vast chamber dedicated to the defense of the city, the Barrack Cavern houses the standing militia of Gros’lot. Unlike human armies, which often rely on separate barracks and training grounds, the dwarves maintain an integrated space where warriors live, train, and craft their own arms and armor. Rows of dormitories are built into the cavern walls, and in the center stands a great mustering hall where formations are drilled daily.

The Zhady Hall

The Zhady Hall is the heart of Gros’lot’s governance, where the Oligarchs gather to deliberate on matters of law, trade, and diplomacy. Built within a natural chamber of immense proportions, the hall is named after the first Oligarch of Gros’lot, Zhady Firebeard, who led the dwarves to their new home after the eastern exodus.

At the center of the hall stands the Grand Table, a circular stone slab where debates are held and decisions are made. Unlike human courts, where authority is often concentrated in a single ruler, the dwarves operate through consensus, with each Oligarch representing different guilds, trade interests, and warrior factions. A royal liaison from Endon is present but holds no direct authority, serving only to communicate the kingdom’s concerns and mediate disputes.

The Greater and Lesser Caverns

The lifeblood of Gros’lot, the Greater and Lesser Caverns form the core of the city's infrastructure. The Greater Cavern is the economic and social heart of the city, where traders, artisans, and common folk conduct their daily lives. The marketplace hums with activity as merchants hawk fine metalwork, gemstones, and exotic goods brought in from Endon and beyond. Taverns and feasting halls spill over with laughter and song, ensuring that even in the depths of the mountain, the dwarves enjoy the pleasures of life.