Mausoleum of Dwarf Lords
The Mausoleum of Dwarf Lords is a large burial site holding the remains of several generations of Clan Oathenhammer, particularly the rulers of Endor, the First Mountain. It is a place of great historical and cultural importance to the dwarves. It has been refurbished and reconstructed several times over its long history, and it is remarkable as it has been the holding place of a number of the Zenethian Items.
Description
The mausoleum is located on the far southwestern edge of the Dragon's Jaw peninsula in the Kingdom of Endor. It is constructed within a cave system set between large hills, where a small bay and shallow beach allows water access to the front terrace of the mausoleum. The finished sections of the mausoleum are constructed from the grey stone. The interior is heavily dwarven in design. By the late Fourth Age, the mausoleum had fallen into a state of disrepair. The mausoleum was protected by a series of locked gates, but was otherwise left unattended at this time. The full extent of the cave system is not known in modern times due to the damage and reconstructions it has gone through over the ages.The Mausoleum in the Fourth Age
Services Antechamber
The front terrace of the mausoleum was a muted and plain entrance. It was a roofed entrance of blank stone supported by a series of pillars. This terrace led to a dwarven steel gateway, which remained locked when not in use. This led to a large antechamber, which appeared to be used for burial services and ceremony proceedings. The door opened to a small platform with a small number of steps that led to the main level. This was a large square room with four column pillars holding the ceiling above and a worn and decayed carpet. On the far side was another accessway leading further into the mausoleum. On either side of the antechamber were staircases leading to a horseshoe balcony level which overlooked the antechamber. On this balcony was a pulpit with the symbol of Zenethia, the Plane of Light. To either side in enclaveswere shelves holding various small holy items, symbols, and goblets.Administration and Archives
The access on the far side led to a rounded hallway with a number of doors. The lefthand doorway led to a small administration room which appeared to be used for extra storage. The items in this room included burial cloths, royal insignias and emblems, wooden tinder, and putrid oils. Part of the room had collapsed, seeming leading to a side cavern. The righthand doorway led to a large archive room, which contained many records held on rotted and broken wooden shelves. Many of the records and papers here were decayed and illegible. On the far end of the hallway was a large, locked metal doorway leading to the royal crypts.Crypts of the Oathenhammer Court
On the other side of this door was a large statue depiction of Zenthai, The Dragon King, on a stone platform. Around this statue was a large chamber, with many smaller sections divided based on those buried here. Immediately beyond the statue and leading further within was a wide passage flanked by sixteen stone pillars leads to the high and arched ceiling. On the stone floor was a large, carved Zenethian symbol around thirty feet across. On the far side was a large, shallow staircase leading up to another level. To the left of the Zenthai statue was a sarcophagus to a dwarf of Clan Grimsunder, named Umad Grimsunder. It was not recorded why this dwarf received a burial place of honor in the tomb. Within, among the remains was a bracelet of a dwarven child, presumably belonging to the child of Umad. Leading deeper into the chamber was a staircase leading up to another area of tombs, which held a number of tombs set into tiered enclaves. These tombs held royal guards, high ranked knights, and important warriors of the Oathenhammer court. To the right of the Zenthai statue was another sarcophagus to a dwarf of Clan Frostbrewer, named Kurot Frostbrewer. It was not recorded why this dwarf received a burial place of honor in the tomb. Within, among the remains was a gilded set of golden armor, with signifiers and emblems indicitive of a knight of the royal guard. Leading deeper into the chamber was another area of tiered tombs, which held a number of royal servants of import to the court. On the far side was a staircase leading up to the higher level.The Royal Tombs
Above these areas was the resting places of two royals. On the left side was the burial sarcophogus of High King Faldrick Oathenhammer, and on the right was the burial sarcophogus of his wife, High Queen Gundra Oathenhammer. Within Gundra's tomb was an ornate necklace. Along the back, central section was a large and detailed mural set around a closed and locked doorway. The doorway read, "Only the child of Rita may pass." On either side of this door were a total of four inlaid braziers, each labeled with a small placard. From left to right, the messages indicated the items needed to open the central door:- The Ring of a Newlywed
- The Necklace of a Whore
- The Bracelet of a Child
- The Robe of a Saint
Older Side Section
Aside from the main chamber holding the court of Faldrick and Gundra Oathenhammer, there were older and deeper sections of the tombs as well. Leading from rubble behind the administrative room and near to the tomb of Umad Grimsunder was a natural cavern tunnel leading further down into the hills. This led to a room carved from the stone, similar in construction to the main temple but seemingly much older. The area was damaged and filled with cobwebs, dust, dirt, and refuse. There were also broken pottery pieces and long-forgotten tokens which were discarded among the enclaves of this chamber. Various tombs were set in enclaves, some of which had symbols or names which had long faded. To the right side of this room was a natural cavern, seemed to be formed from broken or tumbled rock which led much deeper into the darkness. To the left was a staircase which led to a small chamber. This room seemed to be newer and from the same era as the central tombs. Within here was a small dwarven tomb, which was illuminated by a shaft carved through the rock to the outside to create a beam of natural light which fell on the tomb. The name on the sarcophagus was Marealyan, and within was a wedding ring.The Mausoleum in the Fifth Age
Johanna's Tomb
In the Fifth Age, High King Thorik Oathenhammer ordered the construction of a grand tomb for Johanna, Shieldmaiden of Endor. The entrance of this tomb was enchanted to allow only a descendant of Johanna to enter, and interred within was the Zenethian Greatsword.Notable Interred People
- High King Faldrick Oathenhammer
- High Queen Gundra Oathenhammer
- Umad Grimsunder
- Kusot Frostbrewer
- Marealyan
- Johanna, Shieldmaiden of Endor
History
The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia
At some point before the events of the Great War, a large burial site was constructed for Clan Oathenhammer. Over time, this would grow to house more of the clan's fallen, gradually increasing in size, scale, and depth. During the Great War, the location of the tomb was shifted with the destructive formation of the Dragon's Maw. Much of the internal structure was damaged, destroyed, or entirely submerged by sea water. It is unknown what became of the older remains interred before this time.The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
At some point early in the age, the mausoleum was repaired and reconstructed. After Rita entrusted the Zenethian Staff to High King Faldrick Oathenhammer, the staff was placed in the Oathenhammer tomb. Eventually, Faldrick and his wife, High Queen Gundra Oathenhammer, would be interred before the locked entrance to the chamber holding the Zenethian Staff. Near the end of 4A 995, the Zenethian Heroes were ambushed by Steverossa, the Illithid at the mausoleum. Though he was able to send a sample of Brigitte's blood away, the group killed him. They used Leo's magic to speak with the body before retrieving the Zenethian Staff. Unseen by the others, Rath heard a call inside him and took a severed tentacle from the chamber.The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
In early 5A 030, Johanna, Shieldmaiden of Endor, died shortly after giving birth. High King Thorik Oathenhammer would create a great burial vault in the mausoleum in her honor. The Zenethian Greatsword entrusted to Thorik would be buried with her. It is said the enchantments on the tomb will allow only a direct descendant of Johanna's bloodline to access it.
Type
Cave System
Owning Organization
Dragon's Jaw Continent
West of Gimora Mountains Plane
Material Plane