The twin towns of North Ledopolus (population 1,000)
and South Ledopolus (population 2,000) sit on the shores
opposite the island of Ledo. Many dwarves live in these
towns, and they are engaged in a great project – the
construction of bridges to span the northern fork of the
estuary and replace the silt skimmer ferry. The dwarf
Bruthambar, chief of the Rockcutter clan, is the head
builder and master of the towns. He is a pugnacious
ex-mercenary whose bluff good cheer is wearing thin
after years of setbacks and obstacles. The hill giants that
inhabit Ledo, a key stepping-stone for any bridge across
the estuary, have already torn down two previous bridging
attempts. The giants believe that the bridge is a scheme
to gain access to their island's valuable flint deposits.
Attempts to bribe them into allowing the construction
have proved fruitless. Competing merchant houses make
the situation even more difficult. The Wavir and Inika
trade posts in Ledopolus favor the bridge, but the head
of the Tomblador outpost secretly fans the giants' fears.