Mithral Hall |
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| The most famous dwarfhold in the
north, dwarves recently resettled Mithral Hall. For
centuries, its rich treasures were only legends, and some
fear it could be swept away again. This dwarfhold’s
mithral lodes are said to be the richest known in the
North, and perhaps the richest left anywhere in Faerūn.
The hall lies underground north and west of the Surbrin,
and east of the Lurkwood within a mountain known as
Fourthpeak. Mithral Hall is a half-day’s climb east
into the mountains from the ruined dwarven village of
Settlestone, known now as is "the Ruin." Mithral Hall is entered through a secret door in a high valley known as Keeper’s Dale. The general location of the door is marked by ancient monoliths that date well before the time that Mithral Hall was settled. The Hall has a mazelike upper level designed to divert intruders into traps. The middle level includes mines and smelting furnaces vented through long shafts to the height of the peak. The lower level is where the deepest mines descend from a vast cavern called the Undercity. Here, the walls are studded with the cave mouths of homes for 10,000 dwarves. The homes open onto concentric ledges. The cavern is spanned by a bridge leading east, and eastward passages eventually lead to a huge cavern over 1,000 feet deep known as Garumn’s Gorge. This cavern is spanned by a bridge, forming an excellent defensive barrier for the eastern hall. The bridges lead to a hidden exit on the eastern slopes of the mountain. Over 175 years ago, Clan Battlehammer delved too deeply, breaking into a cavern that was linked to the Demiplane of Shadow. The greatest shadow dragon in Faerūn, Shimmergloom, entered Mithral Hall, ravaged Clan Battlehammer, and took the Hall as his own. He dwelled therein with his entourage of shadow creatures, including shadows, drelbs, shades, shadow mastiffs, a shadow fiend, and a tribe of duergar. Shimmergloom was clever, and his forces attacked with guile, not brute strength. Duergar of Clan Bukbukken occupied the Hall and worked its mines until 1356 DR, the year Bruenor returned to slay Shimmergloom. The following year, he returned and drove out the duergar and proclaimed himself the Eighth King of Mithral Hall, Lord of the Peak and Depths. In the next couple years Mithral Hall was invaded by the drow of Menzoberranzan but were defeated by the combined forces of Dwarves, svirfneblin and humans. Shortly after the war, Bruenor gave the throne back over to his ancestor, Gandalug, Patron of Clan Battlehammer, who had returned from centuries of inprisonment at the hands of the drow elves. Since the opening of Mithral Hall, the dwarves have quietly disappeared from Llorkh and other human cities, presumably seeking better lives in Mithral Hall. Today, the dwarves of the Hall are suspicious of uninvited guests an few non-dwarves are allowed inside. Trade with the dwarves is mostly kept to Settlestone, whose massive stone buildings still provide shelter to travelers, explorers, and monsters. The dwarven village was built above ground, something rare these days and unheard of in the time of Mithral Hall. Built to last, the structures of Settlestone were like giant houses of cards great slabs of stone cunningly laid together. Settlestone is currently inhabitted by human barbarians from from the Tribe of Elk in Icewind Dale. They are led by a powerful warrior named Berkthgar the Bold who was a hero in the fight against the Drow. Lately Berkthgar has been speaking loudly of returning the tribe to their ancestral ways in Icewind Dale and "the Ruin" may soon stand empty once again. |
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