Six Cities of Dhelboran

In central Sundercrag, around The Rift of Twisting Stones, six cities stand as a bastion of civilization in an otherwise chaotic land. These are the Six Cities of Dhelboran, founded during the late Third Age.

Founding

Built by eight mages long ago
Six towers o'er six cities stand.
'Twas by their magics sky did glow
Across the dark of ancient land.

Surrounded now by cities six
Twinned towers keep the rift at bay.
And now our people grow and mix,
Forever bathed in light of day.

— Ancient Dhelboric poem

During the Fall of the Underneath, the already-existing chasm collapsed, giving way into The Underdark below. In the centuries that followed, the Mountain Dwarf clans that heeded Saema's plea began to settle around the Rift, seeking to prevent the cursed beings below from using it as a point of egress. Attempts to encircle it proved nigh impossible, so eight dwarven mages instead constructed a network of six towers around the edge of the Rift. From these towers, they weaved great magics that cast three beams of sunlight across the crater, lighting up the entirety of the Rift. Though it has been many millennia since then, the magic remains, forever using the light to push back the darkness.
Around these towers, six dwarven cities eventually formed. United in the defense of the surface world they took the name Dhelboran, after one of the mages that cast the spell. They stand united to this day, ever vigilant against the twisted dangers from below.

The Six Cities

The individual names of the six cities are Brev Dhelboran, Kher Dhelboran, Mar Dhelboran, Nox Dhelboran, Voc Dhelboran, and Ward Dhelboran. Each city's prefix speaks to a unique aspect of the city, though all share many other characteristics. The most notable landmark in any of the cities is the grand tower that stands above all else, shining brilliantly at all times.
Each city also bears a unique flag, though in recognition of their shared history there are some identical parts. The flags generally sport a black six-sided star bordered in gold in the center of a gray field. The star represents the six cities, with the black symbolizing the darkness of the rift and the gold symbolizing the light of the towers keeping it within. The gray represents the bleak landscapes of Sundercrag and the role of the Six Cities a central guiding light.

Brev Dhelboran is known for having the shortest tower out of all the six, though this is due to the location of the tower being much higher than that of the others. It was intentionally kept short during construction to keep all six towers at roughly the same height. From its vantage point, Brev Dhelboran has a commanding view of the entire Rift, making it a popular location for visitors.
The flag of Brev Dhelboran has a vertical bar, signifying its iconic tower as well as the verticality of the city.

Brev Dhelboran Flag by Dave X

Kher Dhelboran is the political center of the Six Cities. While not the largest, it was where the first tower was built and has remained as the head of them all. The six Dhelboric Gatekeepers meet once a year in Kher Dhelboran to talk and discuss the future of their cities. Though their mission has always been to protect the towers and keep the Rift sealed, the growth of the cities requires them to engage in regular statecraft as well.
The second star on the flag of Kher Dhelboran signifies its position as both the northernmost city and as the political center.

Kher Dhelboran Flag by Dave X

Mar Dhelboran is built along the banks of the Stonespear River, which meanders its way through the jagged outcroppings of stone until it meets the Rift at the Neverending Falls. Travelers coming to the Six Cities will often arrive first in Mar Dhelboran by boat before striking out for the other five.
The diagonal bar on the Mar Dhelboran flag represents the Stonespear River that flows through the city, bringing trade and prosperity.

Mar Dhelboran Flag by Dave X

Nox Dhelboran is built partially in the shadow of a particularly massive stone outcropping, which keeps parts of the city in darkness more often than not. Were it not for the light of the tower, some areas would receive no light at all. Most residents prefer to avoid those areas, venturing forth only when the sun is at its highest.
Unlike the other flags, Nox Dhelboran's flag is near entirely black. This represents the everpresent shadow cast upon it.

Nox Dhelboran Flag by Dave X

Voc Dhelboran is the city built closest to the edge of the Rift, with some districts even going off the edge and down the cliffsides. Any expeditions into the Rift begin in Voc Dhelboran, though obtaining permission to do so can be difficult. Nevertheless, this city is the place to go if one wishes to descend into the depths of the world.
Voc Dhelboran has embraced its reputation as the "City in the Rift" and shows this in its flag. The black bars on the top and bottom symbolize how the city in held within the Rift.

Voc Dhelboran Flag by Dave X

Ward Dhelboran was born of the first failed attempts to wall off the entire Rift. The massive stone walls stretch for miles to either side of the city, and while largely unfinished they are still put to good use. The garrison of Ward Dhelboran maintains massive siege engines all along the walls, aimed at the Rift should any unholy army be so bold as to emerge.
The flag of Ward Dhelboran is marked with a horizontal bar, representing the mighty walls it is known for.

Ward Dhelboran Flag by Dave X

Type

Political, Confederation

Alternative Names

Six Cities, Dhelboran

Demonym

Dhelboric

Parent Organization

The Gatekeepers of the Underneath

Location

Sundercrag

Related Ranks & Titles

• Gatekeeper

Controlled Territories

• Brev Dhelboran
• Kher Dhelboran
• Mar Dhelboran
• Nox Dhelboran
• The Rift of Twisting Stones
• Voc Dhelboran
• Ward Dhelboran

Related Ethnicities

• Sunderian