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Cloudspire

Cloudspire city is home to approximately 65,000 citizens of varying species and race. Built on one of the highest arms of Mount F'ketyl (usually pronounced keh-tuhl), Cloudspire denizens are able to see for incredible distances, often residing above the clouds.

City Life

Life in Cloudspire is hectic and crowded. The widest known streets barely accommodate two wagons beside each other, and it's nearly impossible to be anywhere without someone else already being there. Most buildings stretch four or more stories tall, casting a constant shadow across even the most open of passages, and even the widest of city squares is stuffed with bustling bodies. Peoples of every race and culture the world over make their home in the massive city.

During the day the streets, houses and businesses are crowded with travelers and citizens trying to complete their daily affairs, while countless visitors kill time in and around the city, waiting for the Eye of the Sun to open to their next destination. The night is no different, as the endless parade of jubilant newcomers makes the most of a nigh incomparable night life.

Cloudspire is truly a city that never sleeps.

Politics

Cloudspire has an elected mayor and city council that govern it. There are no limitations on who is allowed to run for office, though the city's emphasis on trade and negotiation means that it has always been a member of Cloudspire's upper class.

Cloudspire's largest trading partner is Nodnol, opening a portal there twice per day.

Important People and Places

• Black Stein - a tavern, and one of the few locations that the Sky Reach Thieves Guild conducts it's business.
• The Eye of the Sun - a massive and highly active portal that ushers traders and travelers in and out of Cloudspire.
• Cloudspire Guard - The city watch. Currently headed by Captain Dolkirk.
• Goldbloom's Tavern - the favoured drinking and brawling spot of dwarves and adventurers everywhere.
• Keepers of the Eye - a dwarven organization responsible for the operation of the Eye of the Sun.
• The League of Adventurers - a widespread group dedicated to a positive image of adventuring.
• Merchant's Guild - the largest, organized mercantile group in Cloudspire.
• The Waterhouse - found at the top of the northern hill is the Waterhouse, a deep well inside a grand hall that provides the entire city with a constant supply of fresh water through an elaborate system of aqueducts.

History

Construction of Cloudspire began in -61 AC as an expansion of the Do'rek Clan?, and was completed in 7 AC. Unlike their delving cousins, the dwarves that inhabited Cloudspire grew to love the sky and the outdoors. This eventually led to a rift forming between the two factions, and a brief civil war finalized the separation. As a result, Cloudspire needed to rebuild its population and wealth. Cloudspire's remote location was a major challenge in this regard, and so the dwarves negotiated with the elves of Els? to build the Nomad's Path and Ironway Tunnels?, connecting the two communities to the nations outside the valley, a project that, to this day, has benefited both communities beyond their wildest dreams.

Cloudspire has grown steadily since the opening of the path, with more and more visitors arriving every year, many of them refusing to leave. In order to cope with the influx, the dwarves of Cloudspire formed the Keepers of the Eye, and built the Eye of the Sun, a decision that has only enhanced the strength of the city. Every year, new portals are built far and wide that connect to Cloudspire, and every year the negotiation of connections become more and more political. To date, the elected council has managed to remain uncorrupted against an onslaught of bribery.

Do'rek and Cloudspire have since settled their differences, though dwarves from both communities still treat each other with apprehension, referring to each other as "dirty dwarves" and "cloud huggers".

Arming the Militia

In late 982, Cloudspire's Eye of the Sun was overrun by zombies after opening the portal to Chalkstone Harbour. A short time later an intense confrontation took place directly outside the eye, involving the a massive mobilization of the local thieve's guild and several wealthy merchants. As a result, Cloudspire Guard has called its militia force into action.

Since that time, the Cloudspire Thieves Guild has been hit extremely hard, losing major portions of its street level members to the heavily bolstered forces. Strong curfews put into place by Captain Dolkirk of the city guard have all but crippled the operations of the thieves, leaving only the more accomplished members free to work. Since his appointment to the position of captain, Dolkirk has been ruthless against those he sees as opponents of law and order within the city, and is quoted as saying "I might not be able to find 'em all, but I can damn well hang the ones I do!"