Mithral Hall

Mithral Hall is a major shield dwarf stronghold located beneath the Frost Hills in the southern region of the Spine of the World. Founded by Clan Battlehammer before Dalereckoning, Mithral Hall has long been a major mine for mithral, iron, and other metals. In 1192 DR, the stronghold was conquered by the shadow dragon Shimmergloom. He was slain in 1356 DR by Bruenor Battlehammer, who went on to become the new King of Mithral Hall.

Since the reclaiming of Mithral Hall, it has once again become a major supplier of metals to the North. It has managed to resist attacks by drow and orcs alike, and contributed many soldiers to Bruenor's reconquest of Gauntlgrym. The city is currently ruled by Queen Dagnabbet Waybeard.

Table of Contents

Demographics

The population of Mithral Hall is almost entirely comprised of shield dwarves (around four thousand total), with a small number of migrated gold dwarves. Deep gnome survivors of Blingdenstone were welcome into Mithral Hall by King Bruenor Battlehammer in the 1370s DR. Although Blingdenstone has been rebuilt since, many of the deep gnomes or their descendants live in Mithral Hall. Just outside Mithral Hall, Settlestone is inhabited by Reghed humans of the Tribe of the Elk, as well as many of the dwarven defenders of both settlements.

Government

Mithral Hall is a monarchy, ruled by a line of dwarven kings going back over a thousand years. The current monarch is Queen Dagnabbet Waybeard, former General of Mithral Hall and tis first Queen, since 1486 DR. The inhabitants of Mithral Hall have a deference to their monarchs, and civil strife is rare. Unlike many other monarchies, the monarch of Mithral Hall can select their heir, rather than it being purely though bloodline. Clan Battlehammer ruled the stronghold until 1409 DR, when King Bruenor selected Banak Brawnanvil as his heir and faked his own death.

Mithral Hall is also a former member of Luruar, but withdrew after the disasterous fall of Sundabar during the War of the Silver Marches. In addition, it is a member of the Lords' Alliance, and Queen Dagnabbet has expressed her desire to maintain a strong relationship with the organisation.

Industry & Trade

Some have described Mithral Hall as more of a mine than a city, and its economy is completely dominated by its mines. Mithral is the prime export and namesake of the stronghold, though it also manufactures mithral into finished goods like weapons and armour. Other metals mined, such as iron, are also exported.

In terms of imports, Mithral Hall is fairly self-sufficient like many dwarfholds. However, mining equipment, surface food, and alcohol are always in demand.

History

Founding

Mithral Hall was built by Gandalug Battlehammer and his clan at some point before Dalereckoning. Due to the rich veins of ore in the mountain of Fourthpeak, it was a natural choice for a mine. In order to maintain security, the exact location of Mithral Hall was kept secret for centuries, instead selling their ore through the nearby village of Dwarvendarrow (now called Settlestone) as a front. This arrangement kept the mines of Mithral Hall secret for well over a thousand years.

Shimmergloom

In 1192 DR, several new mines in the deepest levels of Mithral Hall were excavated. One of these mines broke into a massive cavern, which had a portal connected to the Shadowfell. From this portal came a powerful shadow dragon named Haerinvureem, better known as Shimmergloom. Aided by creatures from the Shadowfell and a clan of duergar, Shimmerfell cut his way through the dwarven defenders of Mithral Hall. Of the 10,000 dwarves that lived in Mithral Hall, only 300 managed to escape.

Reclamation

The survivors fled across the Spine of the World to Icewind Dale, where they made a new home in the area now called Dwarven Valley. Over a century later, Bruenor Battlehamer, who had fled Mithral Hall in his youth, was determined to take it back. He and the other Companions of the Hall set out in 1356 DR, after the forging of Aegis-fang. Though it took time, the group discovered the entrance to Mithral Hall later that year. Inside, a series of events culminated with them fighting Shimmergloom in Garumn's Gorge - a very deep cave in the stronghold. Bruenor doused himself and the dragon in oil from a storeroom, then set them both alight and tumbled to the bottom of the gorge.

Bruenor was saved by the magic of Drizzt Do'Urden's sword Icingdeath, which magically protects its wielder from fire. Despite being critically wounded from the fall and his climb back up, he made a full recovery with the help of the wizard Alustriel Silverhand. As he had freed the stronghold from its century-long rule by Shimmergloom, Bruenor was crowned the eighth King of Mithral hall. With Mithral Hall cleared of the shadow dragon and its minions, dwarves from across Faerûn came to repopulate it.

Battle of Keeper's Dale

Two years later, in 1358 DR, Mithral Hall came under siege by a drow-led army from Menzoberranzan. Mithral Hall received aid from many sources, including the deep gnomes of Blingdenstone, human nomads from Settlestone, soldiers from Nesmé and Silverymoon, and Alustriel Silverhand. The drow army was defeated at the Battle of Keeper's Dale, and Mithral Hall was safe again.

Bruenor abdicated the throne in 1362 DR, leaving it to the ancient Gandalug Battlehammer. The two millennia old dwarf that had founded Mithral Hall had been kept alive by the drow matron mother Yvonnel Baenre, but was freed by the Companions of the Hall. Gandalug died eight years later in 1370 DR, and Bruenor returned from Icewind Dale to become the tenth King of Mithral Hall.

Many-Arrows Conflict

Mithral Hall would once again come under attack that same year, this time by the orc forces of King Obould Many-Arrows. The war lasted for two years across the Spine of the World, ending in 1372 DR with the signing of the Treaty of Garumn's Gorge. This treaty would lay the foundation for the Kingdom of Many Arrows, and kept the peace between the dwarves and orcs for over a century. During the war, Mithral Hall joined the confederation of Luruar, and by extension, the Lords' Alliance. King Bruenor would fake his own death in 1409 DR in order to search for the lost city of Gauntlgrym, leaving his cousin Banak Brawnanvil as king. Banak died in 1445 DR, and the title passed to his son Connerad.

War of the Silver Marches

In 1484 DR, the Darkening covered large parts of the Silver Marches in shadow. This marked the beginning of the War of the Silver Marches, which saw a combined drow and Many-Arrows force attempt to conquer the region. The Treaty of Garumn's Gorge was broken as Mithral Hall came under siege by orc invaders, but managed to hold them off. Eventually, the Darkening ritual was dispelled, the drow retreated, and the Kingdom of Many-Arrows collapsed in 1485 DR. Although the scattered orcs continued the fight, the war was over by 1486 DR.

King Connerad Brawnanvil would abdicate after the end of the war in order to join the march on Gauntlgrym with Bruenor Battlehammer. The title was given to General Dagnabbet Waybeard, who had led the forces of Mithral Hall with distinction during the War of the Silver Marches. In addition, she was the first Queen of Mithral Hall. In 1489 DR, the former king Connerad Brawnanvil would be dispatched by the Queen to the Council of Waterdeep as ambassador for both Mithral Hall, and all dwarves across the North.

Founding Date

Prior to 0 DR

Type

Citadel

Population

5,000

Related Ethnicities

• Shield Dwarf

Location under

Spine of the World

Owning Organization

Lords' Alliance

Related Plots

• Tyranny of Dragons