Khaz Glorlode

Khaz Glorlode, dwarven for the "Silver Citadel Clan-Fort", is the clanhold capital for Clan Marrensson of the Clans of Magnus. The large city is storied, and has a highly insular population, mostly of Dwarves (and mostly of its own clan). Tradition states that Marren Magnusson was buried here after her death, and that the valley leading up to the citadel immediately burst into glorious fertility which has never since faded. Though located in the heart of the Northreach, it actually suffers little from the depredations of the Carcolie, partly due to the richness of the area making raiding less profitable than straight agriculture and hunting, and partly because the dwarves of Clan Marrensson are more likely to engage in trade.

Geography

Glorelode has a single surface gatehouse, near where two ridges of its parent mountain come together to form the crotch of a sort of valley. The meadows and forests within this valley are rich with fertile soil, and gently-sloping enough to not pose a serious barrier to industry or travel, eventually flowing down into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in the Imperial Province.

The hold is known in particular for the Silver Citadel (which gave the whole stronghold its name). This shrine is a temple to Marren Magnusson and is traditionally also considered to be her tomb, heavily guarded.

This city is considered popular as dwarven cities go. It overlooks its entire clanhold, and traffic feeds into it from overland. However, there are also many roads through the Roots of the Mountains that lead to Glorelode.

Economy

Glorlode is rich, if not materially, then spiritually and in terms of its lifestyle. The city is well fed by the farmable lands beneath it, and the high traffic into the city brings with it plenty of trade. This traffic is largely in the sons and daughters of existing clerics of Marren or practitioners of more material medicinal arts, who come to the city for training. The wealthy may even send for doctors from this city or, if especially desperate, risk the journey themselves.

In addition to its arable holdings and noteworthy silver mines, the city has an especially productive salt mine beneath it. Salt occupies a critical role in dwarvish herbalism and culinary circles; even with the limited few mines within dwarvendom that produce it, the dwarves import massive amounts of salt from lands with direct access to better supplies of it.

Politics

Clan Marrensson rule from Khaz Glorelode, if rule is the right term. Traditionally, the kings and queens of the Marrensson rule closer to the silk glove end of the spectrum than the iron fist, influencing rather than commanding. Marrensson royalty and thanes are well-respected throughout the other clans, in much the same way that the doctors from their holding are often sought out.

The city occasionally receives as guests emissaries from the Atarlie Empire. This access to the Atarlie give them some political influence outside the Atlas Mountains.