District Type: Dwarf neighborhood
Buildings: Temple, average lodging (10), upscale food (5), average food (40), poor food (10), exotic trades (10), upscale trades (24), average trades (60), poor trades (25), upscale services (10), average services (40), poor services (20), upscale residences (20), average residences (180)
First Impression: The architecture is sturdy, functional stone, though the scale is slightly too small for most humans. While there is luxury to be found here, the citizens of Holdfast put work before play.
Social Class: Middle class
Location: Upper Dura
When House Kundarak first established itself in Sharn, the dwarf immigrants who came with the house sought to make their mark on the city. While dwarf engineers had played a significant role in the construction of Sharn, the city was designed for humans. Holdfast is the first district to be built by dwarves for dwarves, and their touch is evident throughout the district. While the dwarves appreciate luxury and comfort, they are also concerned with defense and durability, and the buildings of Holdfast are among of the strongest and most defensible in the city.
Dwarves make up the majority of the population in Holdfast—both recent immigrants from the Mror Holds and those whose families have lived in Sharn for generations. The inns and taverns serve strong Mror ale and stonebreaker mead, and most of the buildings and furnishings are built to dwarven proportions. Beyond the dwarves, there are a considerable number of gnomes in the district, refl ecting the strong economic ties between House Sivis and House Kundarak.
Businesses in Holdfast include a branch of the Kundarak Bank and a Sivis message station. There are also restaurants serving Mror food (an acquired taste for most humans) and a variety of other crafters, including master masons, architects, and armorers. Many of the inhabitants work for one of the branches of the Kundarak Bank, while others work in the Cog foundries but have positions allowing them to afford to live above the surface.
Clebdecher’s Loom: While most people think of dwarves as grim and stoic individuals, the merchant princes of the Mror Holds take great pride in their appearance and clothing. Run by Hellien Clamas Clebdecher (LN female gnome commoner 6/magewright 2), Clebdecher’s Loom specializes in fine clothing in Mrorian and Zil styles. Clebdecher is one of the finest workers of glamerweave in the city, and many human lords and ladies come to Holdfast to avail themselves of her talents. As a result, there is usually a considerable wait for Hellian’s services; anyone preparing for an important event needs to plan ahead to purchase a Clebdecher gown or suit.
Moraggan’s: The Mror spirits served at Moraggan’s might be the strongest drink in Sharn. However, Moraggan’s is a far cry from the rough and tumble saloon one might expect from a place with such a reputation. This posh, luxurious establishment has considerable security and a number of private, soundproofed rooms. Moraggan’s caters to Kundarak agents and other Mror merchants—traders and crafters who believe that strong drink and business negotiation go hand in hand.
Source: Sharn: City of Towers
