Population: 20,000 (pre-disaster)

Ruler: Baron Karl Karhirst III

Country: High Barony of Cholden

Located in the craggy, windswept, mountainout north west of the Ragged Coast, the city-state of Cholden has long been the metallurgic capital of the region thanks to its extensive mining industry. The venerable City of Cholden itself is to be found spilling out from a great cave beneath Mount Grethir, with the rock serving as a natural barrier shielding the city from the worst of the mountain weather.

Despite a certain degree of tension between its ruling Dwarven class and its burgeoning Human population, who believe they should have a greater say in the governance of the city-state, the city is generally peaceful. Cholden has typically stayed out of the politics of the Ragged Coast, preferring to keep themselves to themselves.

Recently, however, it has become clear that something is amiss. Scattered reports tell of abandoned villages in the mountain nation, and rumours abound that the great adamantine gates of Cholden City are closed to all. Even more disturbingly, demonic howls have been heard emanating from within the city after dark, and people say that nobody has been allowed inside Brair Gottoth - the lava encircled keep of the ruling Karhirst family - for months.

What has become of this once fair city? Will anyone be able to make it out alive? You decide.