Founding of Hirdlos

Founding

The founding of the city of Hirdlos: Wyvern's Nest

The founders of Hirdlos had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they settled a of the largest mountain in the world. The mountain is vast and treacherous, with jagged peaks and deep crevasses, but it was the perfect spot to build their new home for they had lived within the valley of the mountains for as long as they could remember. The founders were a mix of dwarves and gnomes, with a healthy amount of Dragonborn and a smattering of humans and halflings thrown in. They were expert miners and prospectors, and they knew that the mountain was rich in minerals and ores.   As they began to tunnel into the mountain, they quickly discovered that they were not alone. They had unknowingly built their city atop one of the only now known entrances to the Underdark, a vast and dangerous network of tunnels and caverns that ran deep beneath the surface of the earth. They soon found themselves in constant conflict with the denizens of the Underdark, fighting off hordes of Drows, kobolds, spiders, on top of the wyverns.   Wyverns have long been a part of the lore and legends of the mountain ranges surrounding Hirdlos. The creatures were feared by many, with their sharp claws and were feared by many, with their sharp claws and venomous tails causing death to those unlucky enough to cross their path.   However, a group of brave adventurers, comprised of mostly dragonborns, had discovered that the wyverns were not all that they seemed. In fact, they were fiercely territorial creatures that would not attack unless provoked. The dragonborns saw potential in the wyverns and sought to tame them, seeing them as potential mounts for their expeditions through the treacherous mountain ranges. They managed to win over the trust of a small group of wyverns and trained them to become their companions in their travels.   Word of their success spread quickly and soon other races began to take notice. A city was established at the base of the mountain and was named Hirdlos, which meant "Wyvern's Nest" in the dragonborn's language. The city became a hub for those seeking to tame and train wyverns, and eventually, the creatures became an integral part of the city's economy. Wyvern breeding and training became a respected profession, and the city's most skilled wyvern riders were in high demand for protection and exploration of the treacherous mountain ranges.   However, the dragonborns knew that their wyverns were not the only ones in the area, and that there were still many who saw the creatures as dangerous and sought to eliminate them. It was then that they discovered the entrance to the Underdark, a vast network of caverns and tunnels beneath the mountains that housed all manner of dangerous creatures. They realized that this was where the other wyverns were hiding and decided to establish the city on top of the entrance as a means of protection for their own wyverns, as well as a strategic location for defending against any threats from below.   Additionally, the presence of the wyverns made the location all the more attractive, as they could be hunted for their valuable scales and venom. The potential access to the Underdark was likely an unintended benefit, but one that ultimately proved advantageous to the city's survival.   Going from a simple mining town with a good defendable position, Hirdlos became known as the city of the wyverns, a place where dragonborns, dwarves and other races came to learn the art of wyvern training, and where the creatures themselves roamed free in the skies above the mountains.