Bolor Hold

A dwarven clanhold in the Giant Spine Mountains. Home to Clan Bolor, who were almost entirely obliterated in 16 BC through treachery involving the ancestors of clan Alkh.

History

Early History and Betrayal

One of the older hold, it was founded during the late 2nd age by a clan whose name has been forgotten. Clan Bolor stemmed from them and first arose mid-way through the 3rd Age. As possessors of a Rune Anvil, they were notably wealthy and prosperous. Many of the other surrounding clans, including the Alkh, were virtual clients of the Bolor. This, of course, led to their downfall.

The elders of Alkh, jealous of Bolor and envious of the Rune Anvil, believed that it was theirs by right of inheritance. As such, they devised a plan to acquire it. They contracted with Gozh for the magics necessary to teleport that device to "safety", in exchange for a promise of a fossilized dragon egg that was also among Bolor's treasures. They also contacted bandit groups, promising treasure and an easy battle in exchange for an assault on Bolor Hold. They came to Bolor Hold in 16 BC with ample supplies for an epic feast, ostensibly to celebrate the union of one of their clan daughters with one of Bolor's sons. As the feasting and (especially) drinking wore on, a few of them incapacitated the gate guards and opened the gates to the waiting mercenaries, who rushed in and began slaughtering the people. In the confusion, the remaining elders entered into the treasure hold and stole anvil and egg, teleporting them to a safe location. They wove spells of transformation around a suitable duplicate, transforming it into a (non-functioning) replica of the Anvil.

They then returned to Alkh Hold, arriving at about the same time that word reached the hold of the attack on Bolor Hold. Playing the innocents, they sent the Alkh forces to Bolor Hold. Too late to save anyone, of course. They did find the fake Rune Anvil, along with the corpses of the last defenders, who had sealed themselves in and starved to death, keeping the false anvil "safe". Sorrowing, they brought the false anvil back to Alkh Hold, where the duplicitous elders swapped it for the real one at the first opportunity. Notably, they did not pay Gozh his due, creating a grudge that would last for centuries.

Bolor Hold was abandoned--the only survivors were those who were not home at the time of the attack. They joined other clans or drifted, clan-less, until the Cataclysm.

After the Cataclysm

Main Article: Abandoned Clans

Bolor Hold was re-settled by those dwarves who did not abandon their homes and flee south at the Cataclysm. Some were descendants of Bolor, others were exiles from other clans or were simply too stubborn to leave. In the years that followed, they founded the three cities of the Abandoned Clans and were conquered (subtly) by various powerful groups, who ruled from the shadows and twisted them into more pleasing (psychological) forms.

The one constant was that they blamed the "other dwarves" for abandoning them and for their misery. Bolor Hold was the dominant city, and came to be known as the "City of Pain"".

Modern Times

In 211 AC, the Wild Cards entered the region and meddled. They destroyed the hags that ruled Bolor Hold, freeing the people from their chemical control and helping them reach some semblance of peace with the dwarves (who had learned of the treachery of their ancestors and had come to make amends). Since then, the Abandoned Clans, led by Bolor Hold and its Bosses, has settled into an uneasy peace with the more "civilized" nations. They are still not part of the Federated Nations, but trade is active.

Population

Bolor Hold is home to about 14,000 Abandoned, as well as a sprinkling of other peoples (mainly dwarves and jazuu from the neighboring Tuura Adam).