Ironreach Exports: Items, Equipment, Weapons, and Constructs
Overview:
Ironreach, a dwarven stronghold in Ecliptica’s industrial heart, led by Forgemaster Drenvar Steelrend, is renowned for its mining and craftsmanship, producing vital exports of primal ores, steam-forged equipment, weapons, and constructs. Nestled in the Ironreach Mountains, its forges churn out blackened iron and darkstone amidst a steampunk horror landscape of corroded gears and eldritch-tainted mists, shaped by the Calamity of the Void 300 years ago. As Ravensgate’s lockdown, initiated a decade ago by King Thorne II to contain the Aetherian seal’s leaks, strains resources, Ironreach’s exports fuel Ecliptica’s survival against plagues like Vortulon’s Starveplague, which drives cannibalism. These items, sought by factions like the Ebon Star and Order of the Saffron Veil, aid Plague Doctors in uncovering plague sources and crafting cures but risk amplifying eldritch threats if misused.
Description:
Ironreach’s exports gleam with rune-etched precision, their blackened iron and darkstone pulsing with primal energy. Forges belch ash and ozone, their steam-powered pistons grinding in cavernous halls scarred by the Hungerforge Crisis, where Drenvar lost his arm to Starveplague cannibals. Each item, from weapons to hydroponic vats, blends dwarven craftsmanship with steampunk ingenuity, designed to endure Ecliptica’s horrors. Yet, Ebon Star cultists covet these exports for rituals in the Veilcrypt, threatening to destabilize the Aetherian seal and unleash a second Calamity.
Exports and Their Functions:
Primal Ores (Iron, Darkstone, Silver)
Description: Ironreach’s mines yield iron, darkstone (a jet-black ore humming with primal energy), and silver, smelted in stone forges. Darkstone glows faintly, resisting eldritch decay.
Function: Essential for crafting weapons, armor, and constructs. Darkstone enhances resistance to plagues like Xyraxis’s Witherplague (grants +2 to Constitution saves vs. decay, Craft DC 15). Silver counters Azagorth’s Mawplague (deals +1d6 radiant damage to void-wraiths). Used in cure rituals (e.g., Sylvarbloom Infusion for Starveplague, Medicine DC 14).
Impact: Supplies Ravensgate’s City Watch and Plague Doctors, but Ebon Star raids mines for darkstone to fuel Veilcrypt rituals (Investigation DC 16). Drenvar’s hoarding risks shortages (Persuasion DC 15).
Rune-Etched Steamblades
Description: Blackened iron longswords with darkstone runes, engraved with primal wards. Their hilts house steam-vents that hiss when swung, glowing red-hot.
Function: Deals 1d8 slashing + 1d4 fire damage (Versatile, 1d10 slashing). On a critical hit, vents release a steam burst (Dexterity save DC 14 or 2d6 fire damage, 5-ft radius). Requires attunement; grants advantage on Intimidation checks. Vulnerable to Morgrath’s Madnessplague (disadvantage on saves if exposed, Arcana DC 16).
Impact: Arm City Watch in Ravensgate’s Starveling Slum against cannibal bands (CR 3, Bandit). Ebon Star seeks blades for rituals, risking seal breaches (Investigation DC 15).
Hydroponic Steam Vats
Description: Brass and darkstone vats, rune-etched, with steam-powered nutrient pumps. They glow with primal energy, resisting Starveplague’s crop decay.
Function: Grow plague-resistant crops in barren lands (Survival DC 14 to maintain). Produce 50% more food than traditional farms, countering Vortulon’s Starveplague (reduces exhaustion risk, Constitution save DC 14). Require weekly maintenance (Craft DC 15) or risk corrosion.
Impact: Vital for Ravensgate’s lockdown, feeding quarantined slums. Sylvara seeks vats for Blighted Grove; Drenvar’s Ebon Star ties risk taint (Investigation DC 16). Used in Starveplague cure production (Crafting DC 15).
Void-Warded Armor
Description: Blackened iron plate armor with silver inlays, etched with anti-eldritch runes. Emits a faint hum, deflecting void-energy.
Function: AC 18, grants resistance to necrotic damage from Xulthar’s Voidplague (Dexterity save DC 15 halved). Disadvantage on Stealth due to weight. Requires attunement; grants +1 to Wisdom saves vs. Nyrathos’s Whisperplague. Vulnerable to Seraphel’s Lightblaze (Constitution save DC 16 or blinded).
Impact: Equips Plague Doctors in Withered Vault, protects against Mawplague (Investigation DC 16). Ebon Star steals armor for void-rites, threatening seal stability.
Ashen Constructs (Forge Sentinels)
Description: Clockwork dwarven automatons, 7 feet tall, forged from darkstone and iron. Rune-lit eyes glow amber; steam-vents hiss from joints.
Function: CR 5 (MM: Animated Armor, modified). AC 16, HP 60, Str 18, multiattack (2 slams, 2d6+4 bludgeoning). Immune to poison, psychic, and plagues. Steam Burst (Recharge 5–6): 10-ft radius, 3d6 fire damage (Dexterity save DC 14). Vulnerable to Zaladria’s Veilplague (disadvantage on Perception).
Impact: Guard Ironreach’s Ashen Forge, aid City Watch in Ravensgate. Ebon Star corrupts constructs for Veilcrypt assaults (Arcana DC 16). Used to protect cure reagents (Survival DC 15).
Starveil Cannons
Description: Massive brass cannons, rune-etched, powered by darkstone cores. They hum with primal energy, barrels glowing with starlit runes.
Function: Ranged attack (600 ft.), 6d10 force damage (Dexterity save DC 15 for half). Reloads in 1 minute (Craft DC 14). Grants advantage on attacks vs. ethereal creatures (e.g., Voidplague victims). Overheats if fired twice in 1 minute (Dexterity save DC 14 or 2d6 fire damage to crew).
Impact: Defend Ravensgate’s anchor points, counter Xulthar’s Voidplague rifts. Ebon Star seeks cannons for Blighted Mausoleum rituals (Investigation DC 16). Thorne II demands them for lockdown (Persuasion DC 15).
Plague-Warded Alembic
Description: A brass alchemical device with darkstone vials and rune-etched pistons, hissing with steam. Used for brewing plague cures.
Function: Grants advantage on Medicine checks for crafting cures (e.g., Sylvarbloom Infusion, Crafting DC 15). Halves brewing time (4–8 hours). Vulnerable to Witherplague corrosion (Craft DC 15 to repair). Requires primal ores (Investigation DC 14).
Impact: Essential for Plague Doctors in Withered Vault, producing cures for Starveplague, Witherplague, and others. Veyren and Sylvara seek alembics; Ebon Star taints them with void-energy (Arcana DC 16).
Impacts on Ecliptica and Campaign Goals:
Ironreach’s exports are vital for Ravensgate’s lockdown, arming City Watch against Starveplague cannibals (Starveling Slum) and supplying Plague Doctors with cure-making tools (Withered Vault). Hydroponic vats feed quarantined zones, while steamblades and armor protect against eldritch threats. Constructs and cannons guard anchor points, countering Voidplague and Mawplague. However, Drenvar’s Ebon Star ties risk tainting exports (Investigation DC 16), fueling Veilcrypt rituals that weaken the Aetherian seal. Plague Doctors must:
Secure Exports: Escort ore shipments from Ashen Forge or vats from Ironreach mines (Survival DC 15), facing Ebon Star ambushes (CR 3, Cult Fanatic).
Craft Cures: Use alembics with Sylvara’s herbs and Veyren’s lore (Crafting DC 15) to cure plagues like Starveplague (Medicine DC 14).
Banish Gods: Deploy cannons and constructs in Voidbind Rituals at Crownspire Nexus, using Aetherian Compasses (Arcana DC 18), risking madness (Wisdom DC 16).
Drenvar’s paranoia and relic trade (Persuasion DC 15) complicate access, while Ebon Star sabotage threatens supply chains, risking a second Calamity.
Key Characters Involved:
Forgemaster Drenvar Steelrend
Description: Dwarf leader, steam-forged arm, scarred by Starveplague cannibals.
Role: Oversees exports, supplies Ravensgate. Ebon Star ties risk taint (Investigation DC 16).
Runesmith Torva Ironvein
Description: Dwarf tinker, rune-etched goggles, soot-stained.
Role: Crafts vats and alembics, aids Plague Doctors (Crafting DC 14).
Forge-Captain Varn Hammerclad
Description: Dwarf commander, void-warded armor, grim gaze.
Role: Guards exports, fights Ebon Star (CR 4, Veteran). Shares ore access (Persuasion DC 15).