Copperhead - The Dwarven Fortress City

Located in the East, to the north of the Free City of Elbion lies the mighty Copperhead mountains. This small ridge of mountains strikes the sky with it's impressive height. Nestled within the largest peak lies the Dwarven city named after the mountains themselves; Copperhead. Originally a mining outpost, the riches found within it's depths soon grew it into an impressive city. So great was the city that they formed a new clan; Clan Battlehammer.

The mountain is home to many nasty bogies such as Goblins and Aberrations within it's depths as well as Trolls and Harpies on it's surface. The city was forced to defend itself, and erected strong walls and defenses, creating an underground fortress. The surface access is narrow and easily defended. Tunnels were expertly carved in such a way as to make them collapsible if necessary, allowing the citizens of Copperhead to seal themselves away from both the surface and their own network of tunnels.

Copperhead's once grand size and riches was damaged by the hundred year Goblin War. A demon had taken up residence in the Goblin spawning pools deep within the mountain and whipped the Goblins into a frenzy. While superior to the goblins in every way, the Dwarves were slowly whittled down until they no longer possessed the numbers necessary to operate their many outlying outposts. They retreated to the city and collapsed many of their tunnels to funnel the Goblin Hoard. A small army of soldiers, lead by Chief Battlebeard and his Kingsguard. They successfully slayed the demon and brought peace to the mountain. The cost was great, and the city has never truly recovered.

The city continues to mine, reopening old tunnels to reach the ore held within the mountain. The mountain is especially rich with it's namesake; bronze. The Dwarves openly trade with the nearby city of Elbion but are distrusting of other city states. Especially in the wake of the fall of the Empire. They are not terribly far from the Dwarven capital of Idmidum in the North East and do trade with them as well. They do not regularly interact with the other Dwarven strongholds.

SIZE AND LOCATION:
- Medium -

WEALTH:
- Medium -

STABILITY:
- Medium -

DANGER TO TRAVELERS:
- High -
The Copperhead Mountains are home to many dangerous creatures; Goblins, Trolls, and Harpies to name a few. The city itself is welcome to Dwarves, but rarely are any non-dwarves allowed within the gates.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT:
- Chiefdom -
The city is controlled by Clan Battlebeard. The Clan is lead by an elected official; Bronzebeard the Lesser. The Clan recognizes the rule of the Dwarven king of Idmidum and the Council of Chieftains.

FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION: 
The Chieftain rules with near absolute authority, is able to make decisions without the consent of the people. The Chieftain is an elected official selected through a voting process. Currently seated Chieftains can be challenged for the right to rule. This is a rare occurrence 

COMMON SPECIES:
- Dwarf -

MILITARY FOCUS:
- Phalanx Tactics -
The armies of Copperhead are legendary. They are known for being worth more per soldier than many other armies, even among other Dwarfs. Their tactics were designed to battle within the narrow tunnels of the mountain and rely on a phalanx of shields to protect a row of Dwarves. While slow moving and less effective on the attack, the phalanx is difficult to break through. The heavy iron armor affords them incredible protection. All Copperhead warriors fight with a warhammer and great shield. What they lack in mobility they make up with being incredibly difficult to kill. Since the great casualties of the Goblin War the armies of Copperhead have been in limited supply. 

TECHNOLOGY:
- Medieval -

PLAYER CONTROLLED:
- Yes -