This stronghold boasts considerable security measures to keep out intruders and the inquisitive. It is also very well guarded--by one hundred hobgoblins. Not only do the small creatures keep the outside world at bay, they also oversee the important work undertaken by the Assayer's other little helpers. Deep beneath the tower is an intricate system of mines where precious metals are excavated and smelted by elves. The ingots are then hoisted to ground level, placed in baskets and carried up the two hundred and fifty-eight steps of a solid gold spiral staircase to the top floor. Here, twenty-four hobgoblins sit at six benches. Their job is to assay the ingots and stamp them with special hallmarks. There are three different stamps for this purpose; one for platinum, one for gold, and one for silver. Each hobgoblin has his own set of three stamps.
   The tower is constructed from steel and is held together with ten thousand gold rivets. The cottages at the base of the tower are either inhabited by the hobgobins themselves, or by poisonous snakes and scorpions, but the doors to these cottages are never locked!