Rhûn

Most dwarves live in the highlands of Ûrad-Dum, to the far north-west of Aenín. From there, the clans are ruled by the Lord of the Hold who sits upon the Granite Throne. But some dwarves have made their way south, following the Anadurna to find another mountain range near it's mouth. In the Thera mountains, under the spurs of the great mountain Rhôr, lies the Dwarven stronghold of Rhûn.

As the only mountain dwarf city in the south, Rhûn is a well-visited spot for traders. Many dwarf merchants make the city their home. They trade in gold and jewels, superior dwarven craftsmanship, and the pride of the city: mithral. When the dwarves settled in the Thera mountains, they discovered veins of this legendary substance flowing right beneath their feet. They saw it as a divine omen, and immediately started delving it. To this day, it remains one of the few places in Aenín where it can be found.

The city is conjointly run by two dwarven clans. Clan Mîr oversees the city's communal areas, infrastructure and farms. Clan Andunálvar oversees the city's mining and smithing.

## Geogaphy & Layout

The mountain Rhôr lies near the center of the Thera mountains, where the northern range splits into a southern and eastern range. The city's Great Southern Gate is built right in between those two great spurs, and from it lead the road that leads into the human lands of the county Odyssa. But like all dwarven cities, Rhûn is built deep into the mountain under which it lies, and its tunnels extend far. On the other side of the mountain, the dwarves have their farming outposts, watered by the outflowing tributaries of the Silver Run River. The entrance to the city on these northern slopes is marked by a great dome of white marble reaching into the sky. This is a temple of Urûr, the dwarven god of the heavens and the wind, and it mirrors the lava-columned, black-domed temple of Morgothal, the dwarven god of fire, that marks Rhûn's deepest point.

The city itself is built onto three seperate layers. Together with the farms on the surface and the temple down below they divide Rhûn into five different sections. A large central shaft leads down the center of each level, with cranes and wooden platforms lifting up people and goods.

### First Level

The Northern Gate doesn't lead directly into the city. First, it leads to a series of long tunnels with many side doors. Here are large storerooms in the sides of the mountain, keeping a large stock of supplies in case of drought or famine. Beyond those, the tunnels open up, widening into the city proper.

The upper layer of the city is home to most of Rhûn's lower classes. With it's access to the surface, most farmers have their homes here. There are also underground farms on this level, large mushroom fields and beds of ferns and other medicinal plants that shun daylight. Most miners also live on this level, having to go up and down all three levels to the mines below the city every day. Because of this, most houses here are short and squat, and you'll find more wooden supports here than elsewhere in the city. There is also a larger population of gnomes here, mostly deep and rock gnomes.

#### Mîradin House

This level is also the home of Clan Mîr, one of the two clans ruling the city. A large, stately mansion occupies several blocks, with a lush garden surrounding it. Pines and cedars growing in this garden, kept alive by magic. It is three stories tall, with tall pointed roofs and several towers. Wooden pillars with a tall fence of wrought iron between them separate the estate from the rest of the level.

Mîradin House is the home of the clan chief of Clan Mîr, as well as his family. From here they rule their part of the city, and hold their court. Any clan disputes will also be adjudicated within the main hall of the building.

#### Cranetop

This impressive building of tall wooden supports and masses of ropes, pulleys and tackles is the headquarters of the Society of Rubixs in Rhûn. It is situated along the edge of the inner circle of the level. From here the tinkerer's guild oversees many of the cranes and other systems that haul goods and people up the different levels.

#### Hîldrid's Market

Hîldrid's Court is the name of one of the largest squares in the city, named after a previous clan chief of Clan Mîr. Every other day one of the largest farmer's markets is set up here, providing many goods to those of low income.

#### Creaky Crane Inn

An inn located not too far from Cranetop and the center of the first level. It is run by a Society of Rubixs member, an excitable gnome named Catnip. It has three stories and rustic accommodations.

### Second Level

The Great Southern Gate leads from the wide expanse outside directly into the heart of the mountain Rhôr. And stepping through, you also find yourself in the heart of the city. Travelers from all over come here to trade or to rest before they continue on their way. Most of the city's craftsmen also live on this level, making their trade available to all passing through.

#### Merchant's Quarter

A large part of this level, known as the Merchant's Quarter, is home to those dwarven families who make their living buying and selling goods to and from the dwarven city. Here are large houses and wide, well-paved roads. Most notable of these families are the Azkûznuli, sorcerers who make their trade in magical artifacts; and the Regni, a large familiy who are one of the only ones who trade the mithral the city is proud for.

#### Stonewarden's Keep

The Stonewardens are the primary defense force of the dwarven stronghold. In times long ago when there were still wars they protected the city from invaders, but now they serve mainly as a police force. However, their headquarters are still one of the main sights of the second level. Right after the Great Gate, an imposing building of solid rock rises up, with many levels of its own, of battlements and narrow, barred windows. Here many dwarves are stationed, armored with their heavy tall shields and helmets that cover their faces.

#### The Miner's Daughter

The most famous tavern in Rhûn. It is a tall and wide stone building with thick square pillars, and a large, carved wooden sign featuring the titular well-endowed female dwarf hanging outside. It is run by Broddric, a cheerful dwarf with round cheeks and the best ear for gossip. He is always welcoming to new people, entertaining them with tales and the latest news.

#### The Hooded Lantern

A small bar located near the furthest end from the Southern Gate, near a small set of steps that lead up a level. It is a low-lit building run by Dayereth, a Drow.

#### The Mithral Serpent

A large inn that caters to the wealthier patrons of the city. It has a small plaza out front that features a fountain of an actual serpent carved out of mithral. It is run by two dwarf women: Helja her husband Durthane.

### Third Level

The third level of the city is the deepest and smallest. Here live the wealthy of Rhûn, and most nobles have their homes here, privileged to live closest to the mithral below and the great smithy of Morgothal. They control the mines and the wealth that flows from them. As a result, most of the city's working force are forced to travel up and down the different levels to get to their work.

Houses here are tall an grand, built of thick stone in splendorous architecture and carved with intricate detail. Sometimes precious metals or jewels are inlaid into the masonwork. Most houses have gated courtyards around them.

#### Halls of Fire

A significant part of this level is dedicated to smithcraft, the sacred domain of Morgothal. The clinking of anvils is never far away here, and the streets are illuminated by the glow of forges. These smithies do not forge mithral, as it is only allowed to work that legendary material in the Temple Smithy down below. Nevertheless, the greatest metalworks of the world are made by dwarven hands, and so it is here.

#### Andun Manor

This level is also the home of Clan Andunálvar, one of the two clans ruling the city. A tall, wide tower of dark stone, with wide, triangular arched windows. Many separate wings and side buildings have sky bridges leading into the main tower, which is five stories tall. The main gate is a drawbridge across a small moat, and is framed by two small columns of lava dripping out of the wall.

Andun Manor is the home of the clan chief of Clan Andunálvar, as well as her family. From here they rule their part of the city, and hold their court. Any clan disputes will also be adjudicated within the main hall of the building.

#### Mithral Mines

There are many mines located beneath Rhûn, and most of them have their entrances on the third level of the city. They bring back gold, jewels, and of course the famed mithral.

#### Mule's Respite

After a long, hard day's work, many miners don't immediately return to their homes. The Mule's Respite is a tavern on Rhûn's third level, famous for it's dark stout ales. It is run by Haldrik Goblinbane, an elderly retired miner, and his daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.

#### Digger's Dive

Another tavern catering to miners. It is a small dive bar and house of ill repute.

### Temple of Morgothal

Rhûn's deepest point is marked by a great dome of black volcanic rock. This is a temple of Morgothal, the dwarven god of fire, and it mirrors the marble-columned, white-domed temple of Urûr, the dwarven god of the heavens and the wind, on the mountain slopes outside. This dome marks the bottom of the wide shaft formed by the levels circular openings, and as such only a part of it is visible. In the center, it has a circular opening itself to transport it's precious works out to the city. Below it, the dome extends into the rock, forming a much larger structure only visible beneath it. To the sides of the dome flow lava columns out of the ceiling, illuminating everything in a dull, red glow.

While it is a holy site, Morgothal cares little for worship through praying. He values hard work and craftsmanship. As such, the entire temple is one large smithy. It is here that the legendary substance mithral is forged. It is brought in by rail and minecart from the mines below, processed and formed by magic, and then hauled up to the surface on cranes. To the side of the main forge are living quarters for the smith-priests, a small library on metallurgy, and a dragon hatchery. Since mithral can only be heated by the hottest flames, the dwarves of Clan Andunálvar have learned to work together with young red dragons, the god of fire's sacred creatures. How they forged this alliance is a highly guarded secret.

## Politics

Mountain dwarf culture is divided into clans. Each clan is led by their chief, and only the the Dwarf King rules all other dwarves from the Granite Throne in the northern capital of Barûk Hold. Most clans live in the highlands of Ûrad-Dum, but two of them have made their way south. The city of Rhûn is ruled by these two clans.

The two clans act as two brothers. They bicker often, and occasionally fight, but at the same time they blindly depend on one another. In this, they mirror the two godly brothers the clans have as their patron: Urûr and Morgothal. Each clan is devoted to one of these deities, and upholds their religious practices in the city.

### Clan Mîr

They oversee the agriculture of the city, as well as the temple of Urûr on the mountain slopes outside. Most of the poorer mining families also belong to this clan. They greatly value community, and are one of the few mountain dwarf clans who appreciate the sunlight.

The current ruler of the clan is Rîn, son of Dînar, 31st Chief of Mîr.

### Clan Andunálvar

They oversee the smithies of the city, as well as the temple of Morgothal at the very bottom of the city. They are also the ones who control and operate the mines. Most of the wealthier families belong to this clan. They greatly value individuality and appreciate uniqueness in pieces of art.

The current ruler of the clan is Merúla, daughter of Rûnrhilda, 33rd Chief of Andunálvar.