Mithral Hall

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 Faerûn. 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 isthe Ruin.le The dwarven village was 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.

One enters Mithral Hall through a secret door from 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 Faerûn, 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.

Today, the dwarves of the Hall are suspicious of uninvited guests. Only those who trade with the dwarves are advised to go there. A watch is kept over Settlestone, whose massive stone buildings still provide shelter to travelers, explorers, and monsters. Since the opening of Mithral Hall, the dwarves have quietly disappeared from Llorkh, presumably seeking better lives under the rule of King Bruenor Battlehammer. Bruenor Battlehammeris about as openminded as dwarves come, and he is a deadly fighter. Bruenor was also the only dwarf in Icewind Dale who still remembered Mithral Hall.