Hagurthand

Category	Cities
Region	Drarthiel
Owner	Irdtrax
Population	40,000+
Races	Mîmêk 60% Derro 25% Lacedon 10% other 5%
Founded	26 Artifice 1731 HE
Map	Ufthag

In 1728 HE, prospectors from Duluk-Zirag reached an agreement with the fiery folk of Vaermund. A portion of the profits would be allocated to Vaermund's Soot Lords, in exchange for allowing venture companies to extract the gold veins of Ulangrim. Three years later, pressured by native unrest demanding toll fees, protection money, and various other corrupt practices, the Hagurthand fort was constructed. Driven by security needs, speculation, and corruption, the fort was built swiftly with the aid of abundant magic and the labor of distant Earth Elemental builders, costing ten times the normal expense and surprising the local populace with its rapid completion. For the first century of its existence, Hagurthand protected a steady stream of gold extracted from Ulangrim, much of it by restless natives who had become well-paid employees.

The settlement, situated near a river and a dark sea, experienced growth in both wealth and population. It evolved from a mining town into an independent city-state, with citadels safeguarding a sea port on the Green Nebulous and a river port guarded by three citadels overlooking the River of Mind-Dûn.

In 1888 HE, the fishing village of Tharuzbaluk was militarily annexed during an expansionist drive. Disgruntled with their new overlords, Tharuzbaluk declared independence in the Year 20. After five decades of warfare, on 31 War March 77, Tharuzbaluk was reincorporated. A month later, Hagurthand, Tharuzbaluk, Arazindam, and Duluk-Zirag were unified under the Irdtrax Republic.

The historic Old City of Hagurthand is an area of former mining sites transformed into luxurious residential districts. Constructed within the towering Ulangrim stalagmite, the Old City spirals upward through the heart of the city, a labyrinth of opulent homes, guard towers, arcane grandeur, fungal groves tended by druids, and cascading waterfalls powered by elemental water motes.