Nestled amidst the mountain range known as the Unreachable Peaks, Astis is the last great dwarven city on two continents with any presence above ground. Named for the only dwarven king to survive the exodus that carried the remaining clans across the sea, the dwarven city-state is difficult to reach by conventional means, and this is by design. The Genocide Wars across the sea wiped out most of the dwarven people, and they teetered dangerously on the verge of extinction. The remaining clans ascended up into the mountain range created by the chaos of the Shattering Era and built a home for themselves out of solid stone, vowing to never again be so vulnerable. Far from isolationists, the dwarven clans of Astis reached out to the neighboring communities in the Elven Lands and New Tarsa in order to establish trade and alliances in the event that enemies should ever rise again, and therefore Astis Fort has always been open to those who are willing to help bring prosperity and security to their people again. The dwarves learned a valuable lesson from their suffering, and they focused on turning Astis into an impregnable city fortress with armored watch towers all throughout their lands, and they also focused on strengthening ties to their neighbors, creating a relationship that has been profitable for several centuries now for all parties. The dwarves provide valuable stone and steel and the finest crafts developed through the ancient traditions of their people, and in exchange, they receive all manner of goods that cannot be garnered from the mountains, including silk, produce, lumber, and livestock.

 

Astis is built partially above ground and partially below ground with many dwellings, municipal buildings, and businesses operated from structures carved into the very cliff-side. In the Lower City, as the dwarves call the interior of the mountains, are the clan holdings, cultural centers, mines, forges, and the royal dwelling, the vaunted Iron Palace. Fort Astis has been ruled by a king and the Royal Council of Clans since before the dwarves finished their migration to the Eastlands, a system that has been very successful. Honor is greatly prized by the dwarven people, and their ability to trust their Clan Heads is of paramount importance given how few dwarves have survived in the last few millennia. Although the clans do compete against one another for station and wealth, no Clan Head would dare dishonor their family by dishonest dealings or treachery, for such are seen as crimes against the entire surviving dwarven people. Because of this, the dwarves of Fort Astis have a well-earned reputation for diplomacy and honesty. With the recent return of the Elder Elemental God, patron of dwarves and “grandfather of Moradin” as they call him (however inaccurate), the dwarves belief their ascendancy is come, and they are as eager as ever to venture forth and seek out adventure and risk to bring prosperity to their people.

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• Coat of Arms: A black mountain with a white forge inside, a flame resting on top of it over At four corners: a red axe, a blue wave, a golden crown, a broken chain over a grey background

• Temple: The Elder Elemental God (The Vault of Secrets), Saroku (Abbey of the Four Winds)