Hold of Amldihr

## Amldihr

**Amldihr** was a dwarf hold in the West Dwarovar known as the *Gates of the Assembly*, known for being the Capital of Aul-Dwarov, the stewards of the breadbasket of the Serpent's Vale and bureaucracy. It was where the Empire was consolidated from and where the Dwarovkron was forged to unify all dwarf kind, and it was where the High Assembly of Holds met to advise its bearer. It was also from where the surface terrace farms of the Serpent's Vale were managed by the Kronium Dwarves, with which the High King could feed his subjects to sustain themselves in the dark depths of the mountain.

## Notable Locations

### Verkal Vazkron

It's name in dwarven meaning "West Castle that Protects the Crown". Verkal Vazkron was much more than what is usually considered a castle. The entire hold served as a vast labyrinthian complex of massive fortifications, gates, and strong-points. At its height said to be capable of stopping any would-be attacker indefinitely. As its name implied, Verkal Vazkron was the primary defensive line of Amldihr and tasked with the safety of the hold from both internal and external threats.

### Hall of the Ancestors

Built from one of the attached holds to Amldihr. It was here dwarves gathered to recite their ancient oral history and venerate their ancestors. Every recorded ancestor in existence was said to have been carved in stone and lined every available space of the walls in its halls. The most prestigious, notable, and influential ancestors, such as Dagrin Everbeard, had their massive statues in the center of the hold.

### Amlharaz

Where the High Assembly of Aul-Dwarov met and discussed political matters of state. But also as a hall for feasts and ceremonial gatherings. Its walls were lined with the flags of every hold in the Aul-Dwarov. In it's center was a huge table with a seat for every hold, with the massive seat reserved for the High King at the very end. Home to the elite Amldavhad Guard who served as peacekeepers for the assembly.

## History

### The Siege of Amldihr

Beginning in 5920 BA, the Orcish forces marched through the Amloz tunnel towards Hall of The Ancestors, and the Amlvaz tunnel towards Verkal Vazkron respectively. Having reached the hold, the Orcs quickly realized that a conventional siege wouldn't be enough to break the dwarven defenses. 5918 BA, two years into the siege, the Orcs started work on creating a tunnel into the Serpents Vale. The goal was to completely cut off the hold from supplies and reinforcements, and allow a second front to siege.

Four years later, in 5914 BA the tunnel today known as "Orcsbreach" stood completed and the Orcish forces staged a massive attack on the Vale. After a series of skirmishes and battles spanning 4 years, in 5910 BA the Orcs had completely secured the Vale and moved to siege Verkal Vazkron from the Southern Entrance as well as from the Amlvaz Tunnel.

### The Fall of Amldihr

It would take 15 years for the dwarven defenders to finally break, as supplies, manpower, and morale slowly ran out. In 5895 BA Verkal Vazkron fell to the Orcs, spurring a final attempt from the dwarven holds to retake the fortress, partially succeeding before facing total defeat. Six months later that same year, Hall of the Ancestors also fell to the Orcs. With no defenders left to hold them back on any flank, in 5888 BA the orcs broke into Amldihr through Verkal Vazkron and the Hall of the Ancestors, proceeding to overtake the Amlharaz from within Amldihr itself. The battle formally ends with the shattering of the Dwarovkron by Ducaniel.