The Andun Mountains
Kingdoms of the Andun Mountains
The Anduni Range (or Andun Mountains) was once home to one of the original ancient dwarven Strongholds: Andun. Andun was known as the only dwarven stronghold this side of the continent to have access to mithril. This kingdom was also known for its warriors and for nearly driving wyverns to extinction in these mountains, keeping only a few alive for riding mounts of their most elite. They guarded their mountains fiercely from hordes of both orcs and humans in ancient times. According to the elves of Astrithyr and Shora, the dwarves had made an agreement with the elves to fight against the humans of Qusur and guard the east from them, but when humans actually began invading successfully (when they had learned arcane magic) they turned their backs on the elves and barricaded themselves within their strongholds. In a cruel irony, or perhaps karma, the kingdom fell shortly thereafter to raiding Duergar from below, and it’s few survivors fled to Uladun to the north or the Khorez Mountains to the south. No one is sure what drove the duergar from their underdark home to seek out a new kingdom close to the surface. The severe cliffs on the eastern side of this range is home to the aeries of the Aarakocra of Arna who arrived during the Event and chose to remain. They are near impossible to reach without flight, which is what they prefer.Khuzen Gorah
Recently, a group of dwarves who claim lineage to the Andun kingdom managed to take back one of their major old strongholds under Mount Gorah and reinstall leadership. it was given the new name Khuzgoro and is ruled as a fledgling new kingdom called Khuzen Gorah. Many of these halls collapsed due to earthquakes during the Event so they now work tirelessly to dig out the old mines (hoping greatly to stumble upon veins of mithril) and keep the Duergar to the south at bay. This newly renovated stronghold seems to face constant assault from all directions, be it rival humans, duergar, kobolds, or giants and raiding orcs. They hope, with time, to reclaim the other two Anduni strongholds- the royal hall (Andun'hela) under Mt. Andun and the southernmost stronghold Thara'zarul under the mountain of Zirakhaz (now called Mt. Gathol after the Duergar stronghold).Duer'Gathol & The Duergar
The Duergar still control the southern Anduni stronghold of Thara'zarul which they call Duer'Gathol as well as the mines of Mt. Gar’Ghelen to the north. They make taking the southern pass especially dangerous as they are very territorial. They were once known for raiding settlements and taking slaves but this is a practice that has stopped since taking ownership Andun, though the reason is unclear. They also control the mines of Dulathduain at the southernmost end of Mt. Anura, which still actively produce magical ores. They once controlled the old royal hall of Mount Andun, but were forced out by an ancient Red Dragon about a century ago. Many think the dragon was drawn to the nearby hot springs, such as those found under Mt. Hissarana, which is the perfect location for a red dragon to raise a clutch of eggs.The Snow Peaks
Snow-capped Mt Anura and Mt. Thumangost have always appeared lacking in riches but still are mined to an extent by elves from Astrithyr for iron, copper, and tin. Rumors say the elves secretly tapped into a very productive old Anduni mine but all information on it is strongly guarded. There are also rumors that within this section of mountains is a clan of Goliath- but it is almost more a legend than anything else. A local cryptid. There is also a cliffside monastery (Monastery of the World-Walker) located here, though it is difficult to find and grueling to reach.The Ancient Strongholds
Khuzgoro (Khuzen Gorah) x Duer'Gathol x
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