Flashpoint Rise

Sealed away in the heart of the mountain
Hearts turned to stone
With a beast at our heels
We abandon the throne.

Intro

The Flashpoint Rise is a mountain range in the southern reaches of the Kolossvell Cascades. It’s the home to clans of dwarves, orcs, goblins, and lizardfolk. The land goes from rolling hills to high mountain peaks, all with bright red dirt like you have never seen before. Even the grass and plants have a red tint to them, seeming to have absorbed whatever minerals created the red color. As you approach the base of the mountain, you can see small caves etched into the sides of the mountain slopes.

Inhabitants

Common races found here include dwarves, orcs, goblins, and lizardfolk.

Dwarves

#DWARF Dwarves have lived in reclusive groups deep in the mountains for a long time. It is not uncommon to see some dwarves out and about, but they mostly stick to the insular mountain communities they have built. There are a few different factions of dwarves around who follow different codes, and they seem to get along relatively well with one another.
From what you heard from Jenras Steelbane, the dwarves in the mountain were artisans, tinkerers, and metalworkers, creating beautiful work that was revered around the continent. In the Flashpoint Rise, there was a large community built around an underground forge.
Legends say that the dwarves had created or encountered something too powerful for them to handle properly and locked the forge to protect the land. Rumors spread out of hand with little to no idea of the truth. After the forge was locked, the volcano went cold and dormant. No contact has been made from the inside of the forge for centuries, but now it is beginning to warm up again.

Orcs

#ORCS This band of orcs live in the eastern areas of the Flashpoint Rise, taking up residence in an abandoned dwarven mining tunnel. The entire clan is training in dedication to their god as paladins. They are wary of outsiders but rely on what could be considered tourism to generate revenue. These orcs raise beasts that can be used for combat or mounts. There is a fighting ring for the prize beasts, and the rounds can be bet on.
Vargan the Enforcer is the chieftain of the band, assisted by two advisors, Yotul and Gnash.
There is a mix of orcs and half-orcs that live in this band, and they are extremely protective of their young members as a whole. There are around 20-25 adults, a few teens, and around 5 young children in this band and it seems to be growing in both population and riches quickly.
The orcs are dedicated to the beast god, who they call the Beastlord. This god is the same as the one that the fey follow, but interpreted differently- the orcs are following the god to gain control of the beasts they raise.
The orcs do not care much for weaker beings, and will reject those who do not follow the Beastlord close enough.
The orcs wear what seem to be well made clothing and have a clean presence, as they rely on visitors to pay bills. Each adult wears a clawed paw tied around their necks or belts. There are a variety of paws- these are the paws are of the first beast they tamed and taken naturally after the death of the beast.

Happenings

Explorers in the area found a small dwarven community at the base of the mountain holding the forge. The town uses warforged-style steam horses to carry ore out of the mines. They mine for both iron in the main mines, as well as a red salt mine. Red salt has healing properties when prepared correctly, giving healing potions their distinct red color. Red salt is everywhere in the mountains, and gives the earth around this place it’s rich red silt.
The group explored further into the forge, navigating a dungeon filled with skeletons, wererats, and more, eventually finding an entrance that is protected by some kind of magical wall. Ruinhilde Grovewarden proceeded to both become a wererat and touch the wall, almost dying in the process.
The explorers visited the orcs and participated in the fighting ring, eventually winning a ton of gold and the favor of Vargan the Enforcer. Vargan has sent Perytons back to Helmport as a gesture of goodwill.
Vargan has also asked the party to capture a young green dragon that they encountered near the town of Helmport.