Where iron roads climb, and the mountains keep their own counsel.
LFLa Marche de Fer
Overview
La Marche de Fer is a broad alpine frontier threaded through the ridges of L'Échine du Monde. Its central valley gathers mines, furnaces, river hamlets, and the dark hilltop stronghold of Fort-Frontière. To the east, the road climbs past an ancient dwarven fortress and squeezes into a chasm where a new wall threatens to close the pass. Southward, the Route du Sud descends through open rolling hills toward unsettled country.
Cultures
Human valley communities shaped by ironwork and seasonal mountain trade.
Dwarven holds preserve deep-stone craft traditions and guarded eastern roads.
Itinerant highland herders carry customs between isolated valleys.
Places
5 settlements
Small · FortressFort-FrontièreFrontier garrison and meeting placeA dark stone fortress on a high hill overlooks the central valley and hosts regional hearings.
Large · Industrial townLa FonderieIronworking and trade centerSmoking chimneys, ore yards, and workshops crowd the banks above the valley floor.
Small · VillageBasse-FouilleRiver supply stopA river village of miners, ferrymen, and charcoal burners stands along the Forges Run.
Small · Bridge settlementLe Vieux Pont de l'EstCrossing and caravan checkpointA fortified bridge station watches the eastern approach and collects road tolls.
Medium · Mountain fortressLe Bastion des NainsDwarven stronghold and road wardA grand dwarven fortress carved into the mountain guards the trail beyond the old bridge.
How they spread
PatternMost settlements cluster along the Forges Run, productive mine mouths, and pass roads. Isolated herding steadings occupy high meadows, while eastern outposts gather near the mountain trail.
Common kinds
Mining hamlets, Ironworking towns, Bridge and road stations, Dwarven holds
Trade routes
The Route du Sud descends from the valley through rolling hills.
The eastern pass road crosses Le Vieux Pont de l'Est toward La Gorge de l'Est.
A river track follows the Forges Run between upland mines and La Fonderie.
Dangers and hooks
4 threats
Most dangerous · HighThe WhitefallNatural hazardSeasonal avalanches threaten exposed passes and isolated work camps.
The Chasm WyrmHighMonstrous creature
A huge predator has been sighted near the eastern trail, though its lair remains unknown.
The Ore-TakersModerateBandit bands
Small bands raid remote claims and disappear into abandoned workings.
The Gate DisputeModeratePolitical conflict
Armed crews and caravan guards face off around the unfinished eastern wall.
Hazards of the land
Sudden avalanches sweep across exposed trails.
Unstable mine galleries collapse without warning.
Flash floods rise quickly along narrow riverbanks.
Plot hooks
1
The Gallery BelowExplorationA fresh rockfall exposes a sealed gallery beneath an abandoned iron claim, and several factions race to reach it first.Starts: A miners' camp above La FonderieReward: A lawful share of recovered ore and a rare tool from the old workings.
2
Missing IronInvestigationThe eastern gate crews report that their iron stock is vanishing, while the dwarves accuse rival caravans of sabotage.Starts: The construction camp at La Gorge de l'EstReward: Safe passage through the eastern works and a negotiable trade favor.
3
River at the PilingsRescueA damaged bridge threatens to strand Basse-Fouille as spring melt swells the Forges Run.Starts: The riverbank beside Basse-FouilleReward: A community's gratitude, supplies, and a modest payment.
4
The Wrong LineIntrigueA shepherd finds old survey markers that appear to contradict every current boundary claim.Starts: A high meadow above the Route du SudReward: A disputed land grant or leverage in the frontier assembly.
The land
Climate and ground
ClimateAlpine, with long snowy winters, brief cool summers, and sudden storms at high elevations.
TerrainA mountainous frontier centered on a worked valley, with steep ridges, high passes, and rolling southern hills.
Biomes
Alpine meadows, Conifer forests, Rocky scree slopes, Cold river valley
Waters and borders
Waterways
Forges Run, The Slatewater, The North Melt, The East Tarn's outlet
Borders
Northern ridgelines divide the region from glacier country.
Southern rolling hills open onto distant lowlands.
Western passes lead toward settled foothill territories.
Eastern peaks close around the route to the distant plains.
On the road
The Route du Sud is the most reliable wagon road, though spring mud slows traffic.
The eastern trail narrows sharply at La Gorge de l'Est and is obstructed by construction.
High passes can become impassable after heavy snow or rockfall.
Landmarks
Fort-Frontière stands on a dark stone hill above La Fonderie.
La Fonderie's smoking chimneys mark the valley's ironworks.
Basse-Fouille sits beside the Forges Run.
Le Bastion des Nains is carved into the far eastern mountain beyond Le Vieux Pont de l'Est.
Le Bastion du Corbeau rises under construction inside La Gorge de l'Est, with scaffolds and heavy iron gates.
Landforms
The long spine of L'Échine du Monde
A high central valley of iron-bearing rock
Steep eastern peaks and a narrow chasm
Rolling southern hills
Glacier-cut upland bowls
Resources
Iron ore
Granite and slate
Pine timber
Mountain herbs
Power
Rule
GovernmentA frontier charter binds the valley's town councils, mine communities, and allied dwarven holds through a rotating assembly.
SeatFort-Frontière serves as the principal place for regional hearings, without being a capital.
StabilityUneasy but functional; disputes over tolls, construction, and mineral rights threaten cooperation.
Laws
Ore claims must be recorded before a new mine is opened.
Caravans pay posted tolls at maintained bridges and gates.
No armed company may block a public pass without a local hearing.
Factions
Ironwright CompactCraft guild league
Influence: Strong in the central valley and among mining settlements.Control ore rights, maintain the furnaces, and keep the valley's roads open.
Dwarven Road WardensMilitary order
Influence: Strong around Le Bastion des Nains and growing at La Gorge de l'Est.Complete the eastern gateworks and secure dwarven claims along the pass.
Highland CommonsHerders' council
Influence: Widespread in upland hamlets, modest in the valley towns.Preserve local grazing rights and resist new tolls on old paths.
Faiths
The Hearthfather's Way
Influence: Common among valley workers and household shrines.The hearth, the forge, and the duty to shelter travelers through winter.
The Deep Ledger
Influence: Strong in dwarven halls and respected by many miners.Deep stone, ancestral craft, and keeping oaths carved into rock.
The High Cairns
Influence: Most visible among herders and pass guides.Mountain winds, safe passage, and offerings at high cairns.
People and trade
Who lives here
How manySparse across the high slopes, with denser clusters in the central valley and along the Forges Run.
Main peoples
Humans, Dwarves
Other peoples
Highland herders, Seasonal miners
Languages
Common Trade Speech, Dwarven, Highland Cant
Trade
WealthUneven; prosperous workshops and toll stations coexist with poor upland hamlets.
Work
Iron mining and smelting, Stone quarrying, Caravan trade, Highland herding
Exports
Iron bars and tools, Worked stone, Wool and hides
Imports
Grain and preserved foods, Fine textiles, Lamp oil
Markets
La Fonderie, Basse-Fouille, Le Vieux Pont de l'Est
History and secrets
La Marche de Fer grew around iron seams, narrow passes, and the riverworks of its central valley. Human miners and dwarven masons alternated between cooperation and rivalry as trade expanded across the mountains. Fort-Frontière became a meeting place for frontier disputes, while the eastern road brought both wealth and danger. The unfinished defenses at La Gorge de l'Est now test the compact that has kept the region working together.
Key events
Old Survey Era
The First Iron RollSurveyors marked the central valley and its iron seams for the first recorded claims.
Bridgebuilding Era
The Raising of Le Vieux Pont de l'EstA stone crossing replaced a dangerous ford and drew eastern caravans into the valley.
Compact Era
The Valley ArticlesThe frontier compact established shared road duties after rival mine claims led to violence.
Present Era
The Closing of the Eastern WayWork began on the massive gate wall at La Gorge de l'Est, straining trade and old alliances.
Secret 1 · GM only
The first survey granted overlapping mineral rights to human and dwarven claimants, but later copies quietly removed the ambiguity.Found by: Compare the oldest boundary stones with the iron seams shown on a weathered survey slate.If found: The eastern fortress may stand over a shared deposit rather than solely dwarven ground.
Secret 2 · GM only
A hidden natural cleft runs beneath La Gorge de l'Est and emerges beyond the planned gateworks.Found by: Listen for a hollow echo beneath the lowest scaffold at Le Bastion du Corbeau.If found: Opening the sealed route could bypass the fortress wall or undermine its foundations.
Secret 3 · GM only
One furnace chimney carries coded smoke signals that predate the present frontier compact.Found by: Inspect the soot patterns on an unused chimney at La Fonderie after a night shift.If found: The discovery could expose a smuggling ring or reveal that someone is testing an old alarm signal.
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