Seyyad Ridge
Seyyad Ridge is the mountainside home of the world renown Seyyad blacksmiths. A Seyyad weapon is said by many to last a hundred years and a thousand battles. Their unique craftsmanship and use of closely guarded smelting procedures produce some of the most highly sought weaponry on the continent. Though it is arguable to call them the best, they are indisputably within the top five weapon crafting guilds in the known world. Situated in the southern portion of Tsuchi no Kuni near the border of Sekitan no Kuni the village has been approached by Iwagakure no Sato many times over the years to try and take their craft for their own. The blacksmiths guild of Seyyad has remained outside of Iwagakure's grasp despite being within the borders of Tsuchi no Kuni, claiming its own providence and even a seat in the Council of Tsuchi no Kuni. Being so close to the southern border it is easy for the determined from other countries to reach the ridge without Tsuchi no Kuni authorities becoming aware. Many Iwagakure no Sato ninja make the pilgrimage to purchase Seyyad weapons, a mark of pride amongst those who wield weaponry in the village.
History
Seyyad Ridge was founded many decades ago as a single blacksmith forge run by two blacksmiths of differing backgrounds. Malur Seymore and Laiyad Foruun were known in their own rights for their skill, but it was not until the two had met that they decided to create something new, a home for blacksmithing prospects to come and train. Seymore had been an apprentice in the Country of Iron for many years before gaining his own forge and rights. He was a master of form and metals. Foruun was from the mountains near the Wild West, technically within the bounds of Tsuchi no Kuni but outside of its reach of influence. Foruun was a master of smelting, his innovation in smelting technology caused leaps and bounds in the process of metal crafting. The two together forged some of the best weaponry ever seen on the planet.
When Seymore and Foruun passed on, their apprentices stayed and grew the guild. Taking in new apprentices and training them to inherit the will of their founders. The village is positioned so that it is nearly impossible to approach from any direction aside the forward entrance. The guild takes its secrets very seriously, not allowing any who are not part of the guild into the Lower Alcove where the smelting and smithing occur. All visitors are required to stay in the Upper Alcove during their stay, a rather hospital area with inns and some great food. All those that dare attempt to trespass to the Lower Alchove are dealt with by samurai guards that swear fealty to the master blacksmith. To this day the secrets of Seyyad Ridge have been protected, even at the cost of many blacksmith's lives as ninja from all corner of the world try and uncover their secrets.