Metal: History and Rumors
Weh'rr borrrn te die'n de lovin ahrrrms o' Vorrrax! ~A common phrase and sentiment.
Those born and bred in this town know that life can be--and often is--short. The devotion of these people to their cause outshines any of their other qualities. The fervor in this town is like no other place in Rhugal's Realm. It is in large part why the city itself was not completely demoralized when the capital was moved to Thoraz. There is some underlying agitation among a small minority of the populace; however, nothing more than grousing over ale ever comes of it.
Despite some discontent and grumbling from a few of the dwarven denizens, several of the changes that resulted from the capital moving actually benefited Metal's citizens.
Prior to the change, Metal's population was composed of a few different races. The racial mixing caused a great deal of strife, as the dwarves of Metal are quite intolerant of other races and view anyone not willing to give up everything--including one's life--to the glory of Vorax as weak and faithless. Non-dwarvish people are treated poorly and are often enslaved or driven off. When the capital moved, all of the non-dwarvish people moved on, and the racial tension and conflict in the city disappeared with them. Travelers are uncommon in Rhugal's Realm, but if a person not of the People (non-dwarf) happened to pass through, he or she would likely be greeted with suspicion, treated with sincere and open disrespect, denied all services, and generally shunned. However, if that traveler happened to prove that he or she walked firmly in Vorax's path or proved to be truly faithful to Dorand, regardless of race there would be a gradual--if hard fought for--acceptance.
Metal's history is short by dwarven standards, but filled with the glorious battles that any of the faithful would wish for. There hasn't been a battle lost at this front since before the city was established. The city's walls are carved to tell the story of each great battle in intricate detail, including the final push that devastated the forces of Pyrtechon who were originally camped here.
The Zhazn' ng 'urrurh (Wall of Honor) is a closely guarded relic of Rhugal's Realm, and it is a point of contention for the Naazdah uogh. If Metal were taken and the inscriptions deciphered, the wall's carvings would give the enemy combatants an inside view of the tactics used to defeat them throughout the century. Metal will always be the last stand, should the dwarven people ever be pushed back that far.
