Mines of Hrathyr

## Summary

Anciently this was the seat of dwarven power, however it was also overthrown. The mines span most of the underside of the Cerevenklagt mountain range.

It was once one large city but now vast swathes of it lay uninhabited between populated sections now referred to as respective cities. There are many wonders of dwarven engineering to be found throughout the mines.

When it was at its apex the mines were filled with numberless dwarves. Censuses had proved fruitless in detailing the population. Most of the world’s wealth was concentrated in the mines or found there.

## History

The mines started small but over the course of a millenia countless dwarves were enticed to the continent of Cerevnklagt. The mines expanded rapidly and of necessity was divided into several closely connected kingdoms governed by a Plutarch, respected for their wealth.

The total amassed wealth in these mines at the zenith of its power is debated by historians. Whatever the total between all the banking clans, all scholars concur that it was mind-numbing in scope. Where all this wealth went is also hotly debated.

Many claim it's still lost in the mines. Others assert that it was carted away by the dwarves who left in a mass exodus. Yet others insist that demons stole the vast wealth and it now dwells in the Abyss. More than likely all of the above is true; whatever the truth, most of the wealth is gone from the main hubs of living in the mines.

Approximately 2700 BC a group of 17 miners were in the deepest part of the mines. They were in the Underdark against the commands of the local Plutarch. The miners unearthed a portal to the Abyss from the foundation of the world, which was inactive at the time. However upon breaching the seals in the local area there was an outpouring of demonic magic that twisted all of the miners in the vicinity. Nine perished, the potent magics overwhelming their bodies.

The eight remaining miners became demons of great power, when they quickly ascended to prince status. From the portal came a deluge of demons led by the now demonic dwarves. They poured into the mines and the Underdark waging war on the local drow and the dwarves.

Out of the eight only three of the dwarven princes survived the five century war. The tides of forces pushed back and forth and the demons at one point near the beginning of the war had pushed almost all the way to the surface.

Unfortunately the other nations in the world provided no support to the fighting dwarves and the conflict dragged on for years. In the Abyss the Demon Prince Zuggtmoy masterminded much of the war. The Dwarven Princes were field generals on this side and much of their knowledge of the mines was employed to the destruction of the dwarves. Through brutality and greed the dwarves ascended the ranks and become Princes.

The Dwarven princes fought valiantly and were eventually slain and sent into the abyss. They created their own layer of the abyss where they rule as the Tyrants of Greed, Lords of Stolen Wealth, and Despots of Terror.

Their layer of the abyss is home to a strange form of dwarves often referred to as Abyssal Dwarves. Their sense of honor twisted beyond recognition, the whole of the dwarven race rejects them and considers them degenerate.

Of the other five their fate is unknown to all, even to the dwarven princes. Whether they are still demons in the abyss or they were somehow redeemed or lost is unclear. They seem to have entirely disappeared from the known planes.

## Locations

#### The Dark Abandon

These Mines were abandoned by dwarves in ages past. Most of it is a dark and dreary wilderness inhabited by strange creatures and people. Delving deep enough will bring the adventurer to the Underdark. There is plenty of demonic influence remaining in the deeper parts of the mine and dangerous relics for those foolish enough to seek them.