The heroes have established a fledgling community of some 750 persons.  Most of the inhabitants are refugees from the south, though about 30 are locals.  The group has chosen Castle Whiterock as the centre for their settlement - despite the dangers of the caverns beneath - because of several factors in its favour:

• Strategic location
• Defensible against surface attack 
• Access to fresh water
• Access to food supplies (fish)
• Access to stone for building
• Access to crystal, which can be sold as a trade good