994
Just arrived in Gateway two nights ago. The temperature here next to the mountains is frigid, to say the least. The dwarves seem to like it though. Never seen so many of the short stocky folk around. They aren’t very much like the Elves describe them. Certainly not the vile repulsive beasts I heard about. Vulgar, yes. Violent, yes. Dangerous, definitely yes. They are also honorable, loyal to a fault, and the most hardy individuals I have ever seen. Here is an example:
On our way here we broke an axle on a crag in the road, and shattered two of the wheels in the process. A small band of the short folk, beards blowing in the wind were moving through the pass behind us. Three of em with beards blowing in the wind and a fourth all bundled in hood and dark, baggy clothing so I couldn’t make ‘em out.
They stopped and offered to fix the wagon. Our caravan master said nothing would fix her, but the dwarves disagreed. The master started to get upset and he said he would give his life or a bar if they could fix that wagon. The dwarf just nodded and said ‘Done.’
Then he and his cohorts dropped their packs to the ground and began pulling strips of metal, tongs and hammers out of their pouches. They worked all through the night over a small coal fire, fixing the metal wheel rims and forging a cylindrical axle patch. By dawn the dwarves had our wagon better than it was new. No smith I know could have done so well.
The apparent leader walked up to our wagon master and said ‘your life or a bar’. They were the first words any of them had said all night. Our master wordlessly counted out ten Wald and handed them over. The dwarf just nodded, took up his pack and joined his party on the road again.
Their are two morasl to that story, one dwarves are great smiths and hard workers. Two their services aren’t cheap. They would make great allies to the kingdom of Silverthorn if we could afford their keep.
The town of gateway itself is small and crowded. It is built right into the mountain sides of the pass. Embassy houses and trade homes line the narrow streets, while the warehouses extend into vast storerooms underground. The citizenry all lock themselves inside at night though. They claim the place is haunted and the Barons guards enforce the unofficial curfew. They round up anyone on the street after dark and throw them in the brig. Twice while I was here the first night I heard strange scrapping noises like chains dragging on the ground outside. I tried to force the metal shutters on the barracks open to get a look but they were rusted solidly shut.
Tomorrow I leave by caravan again. This time towards Silverthorn herself. We will pass the small port town of Pellin on the way there. My next report will probably arrive by ship.
-Strider Al’Terra
The city of Gateway is located deep within a pass of the Crescent Mountains connecting the Kingdoms of Silverthorn and Alleria. Due to this prime locale, it is the site of much trade and import to the kingdom. The Dwarven nation also conducts all trade and negotiation through this point.
The city itself is heavily fortified and constructed entirely of mountain stone. It is believed that the dwarves had some part in its building themselves though they left early on in the human era. Bronze gates nearly a foot thick adorn the walls on both sides of the city to repel attackers and the entire city can be closed easily to repel siege. Though covering little surface area a few of the six or seven story buildings actually serve as homes and workplaces for the city’s many inhabitants. It is estimated that the population could grow to as much as fortythousands before new construction would have to be undertaken.
Politics
The baron of Gateway answers directly to the King of Silverhtorn, to prevent his position being swayed by any other nobles. However, with the war well underway the King has been unable to undertake his customary close observation of this key barony and many trade agreements and treaties have begun to suffer between Alleria and Silverthorn.
The Baron, one Cassius An’Porulus rules with a heavy hand, containing his town under martial law for the past year. None are allowed in the streets after dark, and those found harboring weapons are executed on the spot. The minister of the court claims it is for the safety of trade and the populous but many of the citizens have disappeared mysteriously in recent months.
In addition five council members have been executed or dismissed and replaced. Two of which were from house Jacoric and two from House DeVris. The last being from the then Merchants guild. Members of House Toevass have not been seen in months.
Current representatives to the council are Sir Alfred Kofka of House Jacoric, a wily old gent who keeps his head down and firmly upon his shoulders. He is timely to a fault and meticulous in appearance. Tomilova Mirovich sixth rank of house DeVris sits on the council unsteadily after the death of his two predecessors. Mr. Myers of the Merchants House sits for them, though he has avoided meetings of late complaining of a terrible flux. As for the House Toevass, their representative Sir Bayle Tompson has not been seen or heard from in quite some time.
Dangers of the city include the ever present flocks of night bleeders (vampire bats) and rumors of decaying men in the sewer system developed some centuries ago. As to the truth behind these rumors who can say, with the curfew and all it is hard to get down there and find out.
The warriors guild and merchants House hold the most power here, led by Alloc Smith and Mr. Myers respectively. They keep their heads down, avoid trouble and do whatever they are told by the baron. Others who did not follow orders to the letter such as the mages guild and the alchemists guild had their charters withdrawn.
Ecology
The ecological implications of Gateway on its surrounding are few and far between. For the most part the local hills and mountains remain in their natural state. Many wild creatures inhabit the passes along with the men and beasts that prey upon them. An extremely large black market involving poisons, imported weapons and information has sprung up across the border here. Many believe the Free Trader’s Union to be responsible though they deny it themselves.