World Anvil

Nestled in the heart of the Kerdil capital, Ironheart - a city carved deep into the mountain's embrace - stands a legendary relic of craftsmanship and tradition. It is the oldest anvil in the entire Garuhm Dominion and the largest in all of Mirintha, made of star metal, one of the rarest metals ever found. They call it the World Anvil.

Forged from the stars and tempered by the resolve of an entire people, the World Anvil stands as a testament to what can be built when strength and unity strike as one.

— Inscription on the World Anvil
as spoken by the first Forge Master

History

The anvil was forged from star metal, one of the rarest metals in all of Mirintha. Collecting the enormous amount of metal required was no easy task, but part of it was gifted to the Kerdil by the Peri. One could loosely call it a welcome gift.

On the anvil, all the tools were initially crafted that would form the foundation of the Kerdil civilization. Additionally, the regalia of the Seramkerdil were forged on it, as depicted here.

Today, the World Anvil is no longer used in the daily life of the Kerdil but holds a place of reverence in their hearts. It has become a ceremonial relic, its significance shifting from a functional tool to a powerful symbol of their heritage and ingenuity.

Seramkerdil regalia

Either that crown is really small or that key is really big.

Ceremonial Role

Though dormant, the World Anvil remains at the center of dwarven culture. It is prominently displayed in the Great Hall of the Forge, a massive chamber lit by glowing veins of lava that run like rivers beneath the mountain. Each year, during the Festival of Stone, the Kerdil gather to honor their ancestors and their craftsmanship, with the World Anvil as the focal point of the celebrations.

The highlight of the festival is the Anvil Rite, where the current Forge Master performs ten ceremonial strikes - one for each deity - upon the anvil using a hammer said to be forged in the same fire. The sound resonates through the mountain, a deep, echoing chime that Kerdils believe carries their prayers and gratitude to the spirits of the earth.

The Legacy Lives On

The World Anvil

The World Anvil may no longer shape weapons or tools, but its legacy is alive in the stories, songs, and ceremonies of the Kerdil. It reminds them of their proud history and inspires new generations to carry on the traditions of craftsmanship and resilience. Visitors to the Kerdil capital often marvel at this colossal relic, its surface marked by the countless strikes of those who once worked upon it. For the Kerdil, the World Anvil is not just a monument but a living connection to their roots, a symbol of the enduring spirit of their people, and a reminder that even in the face of change, their heritage is unbreakable - just like the anvil itself.

I guess this is even more impressive in person.

Naming

One could argue that the World Anvil's name is poorly chosen. It was, of course, never the first anvil to be made. The Peri used anvils centuries before the Kerdil even existed. However, it is important to consider that, especially for the first Seramkerdil, their empire beneath the mountains was their entire world - or at least the only world that mattered.

They accepted their brethren, the Bukitkerdil, who lived in the hills outside their domain, but in their early days, almost everyone else was seen as non-believers. Fortunately for all of us, this attitude has shifted over the last millennia.

For the Seramkerdil, it was appropriate to call it the World Anvil: the one anvil that was going to forge their world.