Karak Dûr
Founded in 160 BD by the Khazdural Clan, Karak Dûr was a modest but prosperous dwarven hold carved into the rugged cliffs of the Desolate Wastes, some twenty miles from the Obsidian Mire. The dwarves, recognizing the telltale signs of ancient quartz veins laced through the exposed stone, chose the site for its rich deposits of gold, a rare boon in such an unforgiving land. Mining efforts soon revealed veins of deep-iron and fire opals, further cementing Karak Dûr’s wealth. Though never a large hold, its steady flow of valuable metals and gems made it an important link in the dwarven trade network, with caravans sending raw materials eastward to Stormhold and beyond via The Underway.
For nearly two centuries, Karak Dûr thrived, its defenses strong against the harsh elements and the occasional raiders that stalked the wastes. However, in 10 AV, the hold came under siege—not from the depths, but from above. Orcish warbands, drawn by the wealth of the hold and emboldened by their growing numbers, launched relentless assaults from the barren lands above, eventually overrunning the outer mining complex of Dûrthar Chasm. The dwarves fought bitterly, but by 17 AV, it became clear that the hold could not withstand the sheer numbers of the greenskin horde. With no hope of relief, the survivors sealed what tunnels they could and retreated through the Underway, abandoning Karak Dûr to ruin and leaving it to whatever horrors now lurk within its once-hallowed halls.
For nearly two centuries, Karak Dûr thrived, its defenses strong against the harsh elements and the occasional raiders that stalked the wastes. However, in 10 AV, the hold came under siege—not from the depths, but from above. Orcish warbands, drawn by the wealth of the hold and emboldened by their growing numbers, launched relentless assaults from the barren lands above, eventually overrunning the outer mining complex of Dûrthar Chasm. The dwarves fought bitterly, but by 17 AV, it became clear that the hold could not withstand the sheer numbers of the greenskin horde. With no hope of relief, the survivors sealed what tunnels they could and retreated through the Underway, abandoning Karak Dûr to ruin and leaving it to whatever horrors now lurk within its once-hallowed halls.
Industry & Trade
The wealth of Karak Dûr was carved from the rock itself, its fortunes built upon the gold, deep-iron, and fire opals extracted from the depths of Dûrthar Chasm. Unlike the sprawling fortress-cities of the dwarves, Karak Dûr did not thrive on sheer size or military might but on the steady flow of raw materials that fueled the great forges of the east. The dwarves who settled the hold chose their site carefully, recognizing the presence of gold through surface-level quartz veins and the fractured formations that hinted at deeper ore deposits. Over time, as the mining shafts delved ever deeper, their yield grew more abundant, and Karak Dûr became known for the purity of its metals and the brilliance of its gemstones, drawing traders from distant lands eager to claim a share of its riches.
Though set in the heart of the Desolate Wastes, Karak Dûr was never isolated, for it was connected to the wider dwarven world through the Underway, the vast subterranean trade network that allowed caravans to transport its wealth eastward. Stormhold, the nearest major stronghold, became Karak Dûr’s primary trade partner, receiving shipments of gold and iron to be forged into weapons, armor, and coin. In return, Karak Dûr received steel, foodstuffs, and supplies that could not be procured in such an unforgiving landscape. Human and elven traders, too, sought after its goods—fire opals, with their molten hues, were prized among sorcerers and jewelers alike, while the hold’s volcanic glass and sulfur, sourced from the nearby Obsidian Mire, found buyers among alchemists and enchanters who valued their rare properties.
Mining was the beating heart of the hold, its tunnels and shafts meticulously structured to maximize efficiency and safety. Gold-bearing veins were carefully mapped and guarded, for even among the dwarves, theft of such a precious metal was met with severe punishment. Deep-iron was extracted from reinforced shafts that plunged far into the bedrock, while gemstone caverns required delicate work to avoid damaging the valuable fire opals they contained. The smelting and refinement of these materials took place in vast forge halls, where dwarven metallurgists worked tirelessly to produce ingots of unmatched purity. Unlike the great holds that prided themselves on craftsmanship, Karak Dûr was not known for its finished products—its strength lay in industry, in providing the lifeblood of metal and stone that others would shape into weapons, armor, and coin.
For nearly two centuries, the hold thrived on this trade, growing steadily despite its size, but its reliance on external commerce proved to be its greatest weakness. When orcish warbands began their assaults in 10 AV, travel along the Underway became perilous, and Karak Dûr found itself increasingly cut off from its allies. Without the ability to move its wealth beyond its walls, its once-thriving economy began to wither, and when Dûrthar Chasm fell, so too did the industry that had sustained the hold for generations. What remained of its fortune was left behind when the last dwarves fled, the once-prosperous mines now little more than a hollowed-out tomb of stone and forgotten riches.
Though set in the heart of the Desolate Wastes, Karak Dûr was never isolated, for it was connected to the wider dwarven world through the Underway, the vast subterranean trade network that allowed caravans to transport its wealth eastward. Stormhold, the nearest major stronghold, became Karak Dûr’s primary trade partner, receiving shipments of gold and iron to be forged into weapons, armor, and coin. In return, Karak Dûr received steel, foodstuffs, and supplies that could not be procured in such an unforgiving landscape. Human and elven traders, too, sought after its goods—fire opals, with their molten hues, were prized among sorcerers and jewelers alike, while the hold’s volcanic glass and sulfur, sourced from the nearby Obsidian Mire, found buyers among alchemists and enchanters who valued their rare properties.
Mining was the beating heart of the hold, its tunnels and shafts meticulously structured to maximize efficiency and safety. Gold-bearing veins were carefully mapped and guarded, for even among the dwarves, theft of such a precious metal was met with severe punishment. Deep-iron was extracted from reinforced shafts that plunged far into the bedrock, while gemstone caverns required delicate work to avoid damaging the valuable fire opals they contained. The smelting and refinement of these materials took place in vast forge halls, where dwarven metallurgists worked tirelessly to produce ingots of unmatched purity. Unlike the great holds that prided themselves on craftsmanship, Karak Dûr was not known for its finished products—its strength lay in industry, in providing the lifeblood of metal and stone that others would shape into weapons, armor, and coin.
For nearly two centuries, the hold thrived on this trade, growing steadily despite its size, but its reliance on external commerce proved to be its greatest weakness. When orcish warbands began their assaults in 10 AV, travel along the Underway became perilous, and Karak Dûr found itself increasingly cut off from its allies. Without the ability to move its wealth beyond its walls, its once-thriving economy began to wither, and when Dûrthar Chasm fell, so too did the industry that had sustained the hold for generations. What remained of its fortune was left behind when the last dwarves fled, the once-prosperous mines now little more than a hollowed-out tomb of stone and forgotten riches.
"I would have loved to see the Hold, in it's height; forges, refineries and the studious industry of one people with one purpose. Now, it is but a shattered dream." - Griswold Ironhammer
RUINED SETTLEMENT
17
Founding Date
160BD
Alternative Name(s)
"Duraz’Khalir" (Dwarven for "The Golden Bastion"), now "Dûr-Mazrak" (Dwarven for "Cursed Dûr")
Type
Underground / Vault
Population
Nearly 11,000 at it's height
Inhabitant Demonym
Khaldûr ("Children of Dûr")
Location under
Included Locations
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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