## The Shadowspire Dominion – Goblin Rise from the Depths ### Overview The Shadowspire Dominion is a rising goblin kingdom located in the southern regions of [[Karudasos]], neighboring the Orc Union of Olgrug. Once viewed as expendable cannon fodder, the goblins of Shadowspire have forged an industrial, militarized society hidden deep beneath the surface and spreading above ground. Ruled by King [[King Grusdak|Grusdak]] the Steel-Fanged, the Dominion is a society built on cunning, ambition, and relentless innovation. Its factions are often in conflict with one another, but united under a vision of goblin ascension and independence. --- ## Culture and Philosophy ### Values - **Ingenuity over tradition** - **Progress through ambition** - **Unity through manipulation and strength** Goblins within the Shadowspire have thrown off the chains of their old servitude. They value invention, espionage, and military might as tools for survival and power. ### Religion - **[[Murklak]], God of Fury** – Worshiped by warriors through blood rites. - **The [[Faceless Flame]]** – A secretive deity or force embraced by arcanists of [[The Veilshard Council]]. - Ancestor reverence and mythic ties to the Underdark are also common. --- ## Capital: Shadowspire City - **Location:** Deep beneath the Valley of Ketaca - **Size:** Estimated 850,000+ goblins and subterranean kin - **Features:** - The **Black Forge Network**: Vast interconnected foundries fueling their war machine. - The **Shadewind Bazaar**: A sprawling underground market dealing in both legal and illicit goods. - The **Tower of Sightless Flame**: The Dominion's arcane research hub and home of [[The Veilshard Council]]. - The **Great Spire Palace**: King [[King Grusdak|Grusdak]]'s throne and seat of government. --- ## Government - **Monarch:** King [[King Grusdak|Grusdak]] the Steel-Fanged - **System:** Cunning Monarchy with power consolidated at the top, but maintained through faction balancing. - **Advisory Factions:** Flameforged Assembly, Bloodclaw Covenant, and Veilshard Council --- ## Key Factions of the Shadowspire Dominion ### 1. [[The Flameforged Assembly]] - **Leader:** [[Gristak Forgeblood]] - **Focus:** Industrial dominance, technological advancement, resource exploitation - **Role:** Manages all forges, siege works, and war machines - **Traits:** Rational, efficient, often brutal in their exploitation of labor - **Conflict:** Opposes traditionalism, wary of unchecked magic ### 2. [[The Bloodclaw Covenant]] - **Leader:** Warlord [[Skrag Blackfang]] - **Focus:** Surface expansion, tribal warfare, militaristic unity - **Role:** Leads raids and military campaigns above ground - **Traits:** Brutal, spiritual, fiercely proud of goblin heritage - **Conflict:** Dislikes the Assembly's reliance on machines and diplomacy ### 3. [[The Veilshard Council]] - **Leader:** [[Veskala Nighttide]] - **Focus:** Arcane mastery, espionage, and information control - **Role:** Operates spies, assassins, and arcane researchers - **Traits:** Mysterious, manipulative, secretive - **Conflict:** Distrusted by other factions, often acts independently --- ## Economy and Industry ### Major Exports - Advanced siege engines - Alchemical weapons - Goblin steel arms and armor - Black market goods (spices, relics, poisons, enchantments) ### Trade Partners - **[[Askaria]] Empire:** Mercenary contracts, dark artifacts, and enchanted equipment - **Olgrug (Limited):** Shadow trade in forged tools and supplies - **Pirate Lords of Ig’Vul:** Illicit trade and information exchanges --- ## Military ### The Dominion Forces - Mixed infantry of goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears - Siege divisions powered by Flameforged machines - Arcane shock troops under the Veilshard banner - Naval elements aided by goblin-built warships ### Key Units - **Blackclaw Raiders:** Elite surface raiders and scouts - **Ironhowl Engines:** Flameforged walkers used for siege and intimidation - **Veilshard Infiltrators:** Mage-assassins and illusionists --- ## Key NPCs ### King [[King Grusdak|Grusdak]] the Steel-Fanged - **Class:** Fighter / Rogue - **Role:** Supreme ruler and architect of goblin independence - **Traits:** Cunning, visionary, merciless to enemies - **Goals:** Elevate goblins to a world power, protect the Dominion’s survival at all costs ### [[Gristak Forgeblood]] - **Class:** Artificer / Fighter - **Role:** Head of [[The Flameforged Assembly]] - **Traits:** Technocratic, industrialist, brilliant engineer ### Warlord [[Skrag Blackfang]] - **Class:** Barbarian / Cleric ([[Murklak]]) - **Role:** Bloodclaw military commander - **Traits:** Zealous, fearsome, brutally honest ### [[Veskala Nighttide]] - **Class:** Sorcerer / Rogue - **Role:** Veilshard Council leader and Dominion’s spymaster - **Traits:** Enigmatic, cold, always several moves ahead --- ## Key Locations ### The Iron Maw - A massive mining complex producing ore for Flameforged factories. ### The Spire Breach - A deep pit where goblins test experimental war engines—many never return. ### Whisperstone - A prison and torture site for spies and defectors, operated by [[The Veilshard Council]]. --- ## Internal Conflicts ### Flameforged vs. Bloodclaw - Progress vs. tradition; efficiency vs. fury ### Veilshard vs. All - Espionage undermines diplomacy and unity ### Surface vs. Subterranean Focus - Strategic disagreement on whether goblin strength lies above or below ground --- ## Threats and Tensions - **The [[Ironhide Clan]]:** Orc traditionalists who view goblins as manipulative cowards - **[[Kadh Vrbuz]]:** Though a trade partner, tensions rise with growing goblin influence - **The [[Pale One]]:** Strange energies from Oruz threaten all who delve too deep --- ## Final Thoughts The Shadowspire Dominion is a volatile, brilliant force—part industrial power, part secretive cabal. Though born from darkness and scorn, the goblins of the Dominion now stand ready to shape the fate of [[Karudasos]] and beyond. > "From the shadows, we build. From the flame, we rise. The world will kneel to green ambition."