The North Corner of Laat Golz is the lifeblood of the city’s military machine, a bustling and industrious district that produces everything necessary to sustain the city’s eternal war footing. Unlike the other corners, which may focus on the day-to-day aspects of city life, the North Corner operates with a singular focus: crafting and maintaining the tools of survival—primarily weapons, armor, and other essential supplies for the city’s defense.
The Heart of Craftsmanship
At its center lies the Forge District, a sprawling expanse of workshops, smithies, and foundries, where the clang of hammers on anvils rings out day and night. Blacksmiths, metallurgists, and weapon-smiths dominate the streets, working tirelessly to forge the steel needed to arm the soldiers of Laat Golz. The most famous of these is Borath’s Ironworks, a large forge run by the esteemed dwarf mith Borath Ironblade, whose weapons are said to have saved more soldiers' lives than any healer in the city. Borath’s skill at tempering blades is unmatched, and his craftsmanship has earned him great respect throughout Dearmad. Other skilled smiths also make their homes here, specializing in everything from creating enchanted weapons to forging practical, hard-wearing armor fit for battle.
Nearby, Gleaming Edge Armory crafts intricate sets of plate and mail, custom-fitted to each soldier who passes through its doors. The armorers here are known for their innovative designs, blending functionality with protection, often crafting lightweight yet durable armor suited for the constant patrols soldiers endure along the wall. They also experiment with integrating minor arcane enhancements, such as runes etched into breastplates for increased durability or resistance to specific elements.
Artisan Quarters
Beyond the forges are the Artisan Quarters, where master artisans and craftsmen produce a wide array of supplies essential to the city’s operations. Here, tanners, leatherworkers, and tailors fashion cloaks, boots, and gloves from the hides of local creatures, many of which have adapted to the perilous terrain of the Scar of Perdition. These goods are essential not only for soldiers on duty but also for citizens needing sturdy attire to withstand the harsh environment of Laat Golz.
Specialized artisans such as fletchers and bowyers create arrows and longbows used by the city’s archers, while alchemists work to distill potent oils and compounds that can be applied to weapons or armor. These alchemists often delve into dangerous research, combining the rare ingredients found near the borders of the Scar with traditional reagents to create concoctions capable of poisoning, exploding, or burning the foul creatures that emerge from the cursed land.
The North Corner is also home to runecrafters—specialists who imbue weaponry and armor with protective or destructive magic. Their skill in crafting magical wards, sigils, and enchantments is highly sought after. Soldiers with magically-enhanced gear are far more likely to survive encounters with the unnatural monstrosities from the Scar.
Trade and Commerce
Despite its militant focus, the North Corner thrives on trade. Traders from across Dearmad bring raw materials like iron, steel, and rare herbs, vital to the industries here. The Market of Blades, the primary marketplace in the North Corner, serves as a hub for the exchange of not only weaponry but also goods like timber, hides, and foodstuffs to support the workers and soldiers.
One of the more exotic items for sale in the market is Scarsteel, a rare and valuable metal harvested from the cursed land itself. Though dangerous to extract and incredibly difficult to forge, Scarsteel is highly prized for its resilience against both physical and magical attacks. It is said that weapons forged from this metal can cut through the hide of even the most ancient and twisted creatures lurking in the Scar.
The Training Grounds of War
Although most training takes place at the Kruziik Hofkahsejun in the city center, the North Corner also contains several smaller combat schools and sparring grounds. Here, the most promising recruits are sent to train under the city’s master weaponsmiths and seasoned veterans, learning how to wield the very weapons forged around them. The Blademaster's Yard is one such location, an open training space where recruits are taught not just the basics of swordplay, but the intricacies of fighting against the cursed beasts of the Scar. Lessons in tactics and strategy are common here, as are the brutal reality checks that every soldier must face.
In the farthest reaches of the North Corner lie the Siege Workshops, where engineers and inventors design and build the massive ballistae, trebuchets, and other siege engines used to defend Laat Golz’s towering walls. These massive contraptions are not just defensive; they’re also offensive weapons, designed to keep the monstrosities from the Scar at bay, sometimes even firing directly into the cursed land when large groups of beasts are spotted. Engineers in this district are often seen tinkering with new devices, some of which employ volatile materials harvested from the Scar to create devastating explosions or magical effects.
Life in the North Corner
Life in the North Corner is fast-paced, with a constant sense of urgency. The air is thick with the smells of hot metal, oil, and burning wood, while the streets are filled with the sight of soldiers picking up fresh weapons or armor, carts hauling raw materials, and artisans plying their trades. It’s a place where every citizen has a purpose, and no moment is wasted. Time is a luxury in a city always on the brink of war.
However, the people of the North Corner share a close bond, united by their shared mission to defend the city. They take immense pride in their work, knowing that every sword they forge, every arrow they craft, could be the difference between survival and destruction for the people of Laat Golz. Though hard and often dangerous, life here is fulfilling in its own way, with a sense of duty that ties every worker to the city’s fate.
Despite its militaristic nature, the North Corner still finds ways to celebrate. Festival of the Anvil, a local tradition, honors the city’s smiths and artisans every year. During this festival, the forges are lit with special flames, and a grand display of weapons, armor, and magical creations is held in the streets. The festival also features combat tournaments, where soldiers showcase their skills using the very weapons forged within the North Corner, a testament to the craftsmanship of the district.
In all, the North Corner of Laat Golz is the unbreakable backbone of the city's defense, its craftsmen and artisans forging not only the tools of war but the very spirit of survival that allows Laat Golz to stand firm against the encroaching darkness of the Scar of Perdition.