Ironhall

Ironhall is a fortified city located on a basalt plateau in the northern reaches of the realm of Ardentia. It serves as the administrative capital of the Iron Province and as a center for metallurgy and trade.

The city was founded in the early medieval period by the Iron Guild to guard northern ore routes and protect caravans through the highlands. Ironhall grew around a colossal forge, known as the Great Forge, which gave the city its name. Its early walls combined stone with iron reinforcements, a pattern that persisted in later periods and contributed to its defensive reputation.

The citadel is dominated by the Great Hall and the Gate of the Anvil. The defensive walls, built from basalt and studded with iron, enclose a compact core that includes guild halls, the market square, and the administration building. The Forge Tower rises at the center of the city and houses a ceremonial anvil used for apprenticeships and public demonstrations.

Today, Ironhall is governed by the Iron Ward, a council composed of master smiths and local officials who oversee security, trade, and municipal services. The economy centers on ironworking, loom and textile production, and cross-border trade. The city remains a regional hub for crafts, hosting annual markets that attract traders from the surrounding provinces. Population is estimated in the low thousands, and Ironhall maintains cultural institutions such as a blacksmiths’ academy and a yearly Festival of Sparks.