The Iron Tier (Steamfort)

Type: City District / Residential and Commercial Hub Location: The mid-levels of Steamfort.

The Iron Tier is the primary living and trading space for the majority of Steamfort's population. Built into the reinforced granite of the mountain, its architecture is a model of dwarven functionality and durability. The district is characterized by its wide, soot-stained streets, robust stone housing, and the constant hum of the steam-pipes that provide heat and light. It is a busy, bustling area where the smell of roasted meat and oil is always in the air.

The district's central hub is the "Brass Market," a massive, multi-level bazaar where everything from industrial tools to luxury imports from Kigum can be found. The Iron Tier is also home to the city's many "Steam-Baths," which serve as both social centers and a necessary way for workers to wash off the grime of the Forge-Heart. The "Hall of Ancestors," a vast cavern carved with the names and deeds of every major dwarven hero, is a place of solemn reflection and cultural unity. While less opulent than Kigum's upper districts, the Iron Tier possesses a rugged, honest charm that reflects the character of its inhabitants.

Plot Hooks:

• The Steam-Pipe Leak: A massive leak in one of the main steam-pipes has filled a section of the Iron Tier with boiling vapor, trapping dozens of residents. The party must find a way to shut off the valve and rescue the trapped dwarves.
• The Market Rivalry: Two rival merchant clans are engaged in an increasingly violent "trade war" in the Brass Market. The party must act as neutral arbiters or choose a side to restore order.
• The Hall of Secrets: A group of "Obsidian Scale" cultists has been seen entering the Hall of Ancestors late at night. The party must investigate and find out what they are doing in the sacred cavern.