Shanatar
Shanatar or Deep Shanatar was one of the underground realms of the shield dwarves. It first came into being around −10,800 DR when Taark Shanat and his dwarves migrated west from Bhaerynden and defeated the inhabitants of the Rift of Dhalnadar in the Cloaker Wars to found Alatorin.
After the Spawn Wars, the subterranean part of Shanatar consisting of the eight sub-kingdoms became known as "Deep Shanatar" whilst the part above ground became known as "High Shanatar".
Geography
Shanatar was located beneath the lands of Amn, Tethyr, Calimshan, and the Lake of Steam, collectively known as the Lands of Intrigue.
Sub-Kingdoms:
The eight sons of Taark each formed their own kingdom in Shanatar, adopting one of the children of Moradin as a deity. Of the original eight kingdoms that composed it, the sole surviving one is the reclusive Iltkazar. whereas in Alatorin the dwarves of Shanatar primarily venerated Moradin and Berronar,[citation needed] the eight subkingdoms each venerated their own deity:
Barakuir: the Iron Kingdom. (Laduguer)
- Holorarar: the Gold Kingdom. — merged after its fall with Barakuir
History
Ages of Shanatar:
The ages of Shanatar are periods in the history of the dwarven realm.
First Great Age of Shanatar
Around −10,800 DR to −8137 DR
This age began when Taark Shanat and his dwarves founded Shanatar by winning the Cloaker Wars and contained both the first and second Spider Wars, ending at the conclusion of the Second Spider War when the drow of Guallidurth withdrew from Alatorin.
Second Great Age of Shanatar
−8137 DR to around −6150 DR
The alliance of the eight kingdoms of Shanatar and the successful repulsion of the Guallidurth drow marked the beginning of this age, although this alliance did not stop certain tensions between the kingdoms. The dwarves asked the gods to decide which of them should sit on the Wyrmskull Throne of Brightaxe Hall in Taark Shanat's place and Dumathoin chose the king of Ultoksamrin. Dumathoin then became the patron of the shield dwarf race. This age ended with another invasion of the Guallidurth drow and the Third Spider War that lasted around thirty years.
Third Great Age of Shanatar
Around −6120 DR to around −1800 DR
When this age was ushered in, the emperor sent dwarves to the surface to find new subkingdoms. This saw the creation of High Shanatar and later, its destruction at the hands of the humans of Calimshan around −2600 DR. This age also saw the rise and fall of Oghrann and Haunghdannar and the rise of Delzoun and Ammarindar. It ended when all of Deep Shanatar with the exception of Iltkazar was destroyed by the invading Duergar who had once been its inhabitants.
The WyrmSkull Throne:
The Wyrmskull Throne was a throne made from the skulls of four blue dragons slain by Taark Shanat around −12,000 DR to bring the Cloaker Wars to a victorious end for his dwarves. It was believed that the throne was forged by Dumathoin's hand.
The throne originally resided in Brightaxe Hall (originally the Rift of Dhalnadar), in the lair of the blue dragons. When Brightaxe Hall was abandoned during the Third Spider War around −6150 DR, the dwarves took the throne with them.
In 1360 DR, a gang of pirates briefly recovered the Wyrmskull Throne in the Bay of Skulls near Hook Isle, but then lost it again
The Throne resurfaced around 1370 DR in possession of the aquatic elf tyrant Gantar Kraok
After an adventuring party took it away from the Gantar Kraok they sold it to storm giant queen Neri for a considerable fortune. She magically enlarged it and gave it as a gift to her husband King Hekaton.
Tourism
Dwarven Cities and Fortresses:
Ahruukar • Citadel Adbar • Citadel Felbarr • Drik Hargunen • Dunspeirrin
Dwarven Valley • Eartheart • Earthfast • Far Hills • Fireforges • Gracklstugh
Graskynar • Harheldur • Iltkazar • Ironmaster • Khaelud • Mithral Hall • Qarlondrar • Raskuldin • Underwatch
Former Cities:
Alatorin • Ammarindar • Ascore • Citadel Sundbarr • Citadel Yaunoroth • Dorn's Deep • Gauntlgrym • Halls of the Hammer
Hrakhamar • Kanaglym • Rrinnoroth • Sarbreen • Splendarrmornn • Tyar-Besil • Tzindylspar • Underhome
Fallen Realms
Ammarindar • Besilmer • Bhaerynden • Dareth • Deep Kingdom • Delzoun
Gharraghaur • Haunghdannar • Hollowbold • Ironstar • Oghrann • Roldilar • Sarphil
Shanatar (Barakuir • Drakkalor • Holorarar • Korolnor • Torglor • Ultoksamrin • Xothaerin) • Thunderholme
Alternative Name(s)
Deep Shanatar
Location under
Owning Organization
Contested By
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