Phandalin

Phandalin is a small, rugged mining town nestled in the foothills of northwest Ashkrim. While it still carries the practical charm of a frontier settlement, Phandalin’s roots run deeper than one might expect. The town was built atop the remnants of an ancient stone settlement, its exact origins lost to time. Many of the town’s oldest buildings, including the tavern and the town hall, rest upon these forgotten foundations, and some of the earliest mines were carved from tunnels created long before settlers arrived.
Phandalin rose to prominence during the Second Rakash War, when its rich veins of iron ore supplied the forges that equipped the Human colonists. With easy access to the rugged hills and deep caverns of the region, mining quickly became the backbone of the town’s economy. Over the years, the town unearthed copper and other valuable ores, but none would prove as rare or as fascinating as Starfire Stones. These luminous gemstones, found only in Ashkrim’s deepest veins, are prized not only for their economic value but also for their mystical allure, making them a unique treasure of the land.
The town’s buildings are a mix of rough-hewn stone and sturdy timber, with many incorporating the remnants of the ancient ruins that still lie beneath. Narrow, winding streets wind through Phandalin, lined with bustling workshops, cozy miners' barracks, and well-stocked supply houses, creating a lively, industrious atmosphere.
Though Phandalin is built on the labor of those seeking riches, it is also a place where neighbors lend a hand, where stories are shared, and where the hardships of mining are softened by the resilience and warmth of its people. The town may be perched on the edge of Ashkrim’s rugged wilderness, but it’s a place of growth, opportunity, and quiet pride.
For those who seek fortune or a fresh start, Phandalin offers both, a chance to carve out a life amid the hills, with the promise of untold treasures and a community that thrives on hard work, determination, and a shared sense of purpose.

"Nestled in the foothills, Phandalin may seem small, but it’s a town of boundless potential; where the echoes of an ancient past meet the hopes of a bright future."