Janderhoff

Janderhoff is a dwarven Sky Citadel and settlement in southeastern Varisia's Mindspin Mountains, north of Korvosa and south of the Cinderlands. It is a firm trading partner of Korvosa, and also retains good relations with the Shoanti. It holds the greatest concentration of dwarves in Varisia, and boasts one of the largest populations of Shoanti outside of the Cinderlands. Its smiths are well-known throughout the region.

Appearance
The first thing visitors to Janderhoff see are the massive iron curtain walls of the city, proud reminders of the glories of dwarven architecture and engineering at their peak. Once through the tunnels that provide the city's only access, however, one finds only trade and crafting chambers with low ceilings and few above-ground dwellings. The vast majority of Janderhoff lies below the surface in hundreds of interconnected rooms and tunnels. As one of the Sky Citadels built by the dwarves at the end of their Quest for Sky, it retains a working connection to the Darklands. It remains heavily watched by dwarven patrols who rightfully fear an incursion by creatures from below.

History
Built by the dwarves at the end of their Quest for Sky during the Age of Darkness, Janderhoff was one of the few strongholds not to fall to the orcs during their wars of conquest in that period. It has continued throughout the millennia as a center of dwarven culture. In 4423 AR, a delegation from the city first made contact with the fledgling Chelaxian outpost of what was then known as Fort Korvosa, and a permanent mutal-protection agreement, the Treaty of Crystalrock, was signed in 4472 AR. An agreement opening trade between the two cities was finally penned in 4532 AR.

Economy
The dwarves of Janderhoff mine the Mindspin Mountains for valuable metals, iron, and black marble. While they keep the scant mithral they produce for themselves, all others are available to the highest bidder. After more than two centuries of trade and mutual protection, the dwarves maintain very good trade relations with Korvosa. They are also frequent traders with the Shoanti of Storval Plateau, acting as middlemen between them and the Korvosans. Janderhoff's economic and mercantile interests reach far beyond its walls. They receive a cut of all tolls levied on river traffic on the Runtash River, fund and direct the well-respected Gas Forges in Riddleport, and provide engineering services in Korvosa.