Thalal Fo'Deler Toril (Ancient Empire of the Steel Crown) - Ancient Dwarven Empire of the Golden Age

Thalal Fo'Deler Toril (sometimes shortened to Deler Toril) was likely the most massive Empire Aertrea has ever seen. Created when four great dwarven Kingdoms united, it span almost all the hill and mountainous areas of the Northern Continent. With the exception of a few volcanically unstable areas, almost every mountain range contained some settlement of Deler Toril. Their building was so advanced that most of their structures and monuments still stand today. Although the activity of the Barrier Peaks have cause some destruction. Many of today's dwarf settlements are in halls build during this period. All dwarves in the Northern continent can trace their lineage back to one or another clans of this Empire.
Thalal Fo'Deler Toril's influence was well beyond that of just the mountainous area. They also controlled a sizable number of gnome, halfling, and human settlements. Sometimes this control was outright and sometimes through economic and political influence. The empire all but had a monopoly on metal and mineral production. Through this they control weapon and armor manufacturing and currency creation. The dwarves of Deler Toril were less focused on actual ownership of more lands and people and more focused on economic control. The literature of this era often talks about "being own by the Fat Dwarf" for being in debt, or "the Empire's share" referring to its heavy taxes and tariffs or "a beard coin" referring to the bribery needed to get anything done with the dwarves of Deler Toril.
Records indicate that Deler Toril was created when four distinct Kingdoms banded together for mutual protection, it's unclear from what. A study of runes in some the oldest halls were inconclusive. There was some evidence of an incursion of aberrations from the Underdark, orc hordes, and dragons at different points. Which one these, if any, was the impetus to unite is unknown.
The Four Kingdoms:

1. Datan Shegat Nokzam (Iron Horn of Battle)- Central
2. Shan Zuntar (Family of the Anvil) South
3. Ziril Nazuska (Fire Blooded)- Central
4. Osod Ber (Earth Bones)- North

Kingdom of Datam Shegat Nokzam Translated into common means: (To blow the)Iron Horn of Battle (together). One of two Kingdoms in the central region of the North Continent, they were in direct competition with Ziril Nazuska. Despite apparent hard feelings and a long history of rivalry, they welcomed the Ziril into the Empire. They were the central force in bring the other Kingdoms together. They were master builders and are responsible for many of the most impressive structures ever built on Aertrea.
Kingdom of Shan Zuntar Translated into common means: Family (Forged) of (and on) the Anvil. The Most southern of the four Kingdoms, they stretch south into the what is now the Dustwall Mountains and up through the Jeweled City areas. They were the smallest Kingdom and were not the prolific builders the other three Kingdoms were. They were know as great inventors and merchants. There have been some theorizes that the Shan Zuntar were not dwarves at all, but gnomes. Event later in the Age would cast doubt on this and most of the evidence points to dwarfs.
Kingdom of Ziril Nazuska Translated into Common: (Those with)Fire (in their) Blood (and Souls) Another Kingdom located in the central portion of the Northern Kingdom, they were apparently fierce rivals of the Kingdom of Datam Shegat Nokzam. They were the last to join the Empire, but were apparently welcomed even by their former enemies. They are famed for their enchanted weapons, armors, and engines of war.
Kingdom of Osod Ber Translated into Common: (We arise from the) Bones (of the) Earth. The most Northern of the four Kingdoms that formed Deler Toril. They were the most unique of the dwarf Kingdoms with many traditions that the other dwarves felt were strange. The Osod Ber were known as the fiercest of warriors and users of elemental magics. There is some evidence that the Kingdom was, or at least included, some of the druidic faith.
Ineth Dunost Translated into common: City of Beards At some point in the early days of the Empire, when it was still a diverse and disconnected alliance of Kingdoms, they decided to build a centralized hall. Records indicated that location of this future capital was an subject of much debate and conflict. However, the end product is likely the most impressive structure ever build on Aertrea. Those who have entered the main halls have found runic history of the Cities from its inception. Initially a grand hall and mighty fortress, Ineth Dunost was added to by each Emperor who sat on the throne. It appears to have become something of a competition between which ever Kingdom's King sat on the throne to add bigger and better additions to the City. As it reached actual city status, Ineth Dunost began to really take on the identifity that its designers wanted. Over generations, those who were born there began to think of themselves as Deler Toril and not as one of the initial Kingdoms.
Over the thousands of years that the Empire reigned, the city continue to grow. Each leader put their own stamp on it, creating a somewhat chaotic (for dwarf standards) if not majestic place. Its scale grew and grew until it encompassed the entirety of the small mountain range it sat on. Building continued, reaching upwards into the sky and downward into the depths. Those who have seen the City of Beards report believing it was an illusion or a trick of scale, for nothing could appear that large from such a distance. Many dwarves (and others) break down into tears at seeing it. Records indicate that the city contains over 100,000 rooms. It includes huge halls, mines, workshops, defenses, and vaults.
When Deler Toril crumbled, Ineth Dunost became independent and continued to be ruled by an "emperor". The fate of the Ineth dwarves is unknown. They were thought to have dwindled throughout the ensuing dark age. By the time adventurers and the dwarves of the Seven Holds investigated, there was no trace of them. They found Ineth Dunost to be a hell hole of waring humanoid tribes, monsters, and several dragons. Riches and relics were recovered, but it was extremely dangerous.
King-shaped: This ancient term today is used by dwarfs to describe someone of respect. However, the term originally referred to an ancient cultural norm of the Empire of the Steel Crown. Over time, it became a sign of wealth and power to be obese. It took the normal dwarf trait of being barrel-chested and took it to an extreme. If you were not a warrior, then the fatter you were the more powerful and wealthy you were. It is suspected that the amount of food and ale the wealth elite of the Empire consumed was astronomical. The need for more was part of the greed that drove the expansion of the Empire. It is said that some of the Kings of the Empire were so large that they could no longer stand or walk on their own.

Metallic Beards: This was a common adornment for dwarves in the Empire that has continued to a lesser degree in some dwarf lands. Dwarves of wealth would enchant their beards so that instead of hair, fine threads of precious metal. This was usually a mix of silver and gold. Some clans preferred the look of copper and bronze and used them as well. The wealthiest dwarves would include mithral. There is a legend of a great Deler Toril warrior who was so wealthy that his beard with adamantine and that it acted as additional armor.
Living Battlements: Another lost art of the dwarves of Deler Toril, they constructed/enchantments high stone walls and battlements that were mobile. Created from ensorceled earth elemental monoliths, they could be moved and shaped by their controller. It is said that when the Empire's armies were on the move, they could create defensive fortifications to protect themselves wherever they went. Some researchers believe that these living battlements may have even been able to move underground with earthglide, to suddenly spring up when the enemy least expected it.
Diamond Skin: The female equivalent of metallic beards, the art of this has been lost to time. It involved enchanting a dwarven lady's skin to incorporate gemstones. Although diamonds were common, any gem could be used. The wearer became living jewelry. The wealthiest of Queens were often all but covered in gems.
Lava Bombards: The Empire was said to have create multiple siege engines that involved long metal tubes whose bases included harnessed mini-gates to the para-elemental plane of magma. Through unknown mechanisms the bombards built up intense pressure that was that allowed release. This launched a projectile of molten lava at their enemies. Smaller versions apparently spewed continues lines of molten stone.
Earth Rage Drummers: Another legend of the Deler Toril Empire are the Earth Rage Drummers. This brigade of warriors primary weapons were enchanted drums of stone and mithral. All gifted musicians and elemental mages, their pounding rhythms control the vary earth. It could transport them around a battlefield faster than a horse. They could command the earth to rise up and smash enemies or swallow them entirely.
The Empires Behemoths: Another legend relates that the Empire had either come across several giant "sleeping behemoths" or had imprisoned them themselves. It was said that, if every needed, the Empire would release these creatures on their enemies. The truth of this is unknown.
The Fall of the Empire Four kingdoms eventually splintered and isolated themselves. During the ensuing Dark age, they too dissolved into smaller settlements. There are several known contributing factors. The great blast and the years of dust and clouds that followed limited agricultural production across the continent. This made food scarce. During this time period, the magical Abyssal plague known as the Tears of Achlyss decimated populations across the north. The great networks of road that made trade so much easier also spread the disease very quickly. Lastly, the great war between amongst the elves that banished the losers into the Underdark greatly upset the balance of power there. This forced a number of those Underdark into conflict with the downward traveling dwarves of the empire.