The Dwarven City of Arduum

The Dwarven City of Arduum

Located in the mountains near Switchback Keep, this city was once a magnificent dwarven stronghold, led by the dwarf hero Bazrak Firehammer. He literally carved out his small holding from the hands of the goblins in the old days, and his domain lived in peace with the nearby human lands.

But this was before the human kingdoms declined and their trade routes were once again overcome by humanoid monsters. After a few generations of less capable leadership, and with the waning power of the human kings, the small kingdom grew weak. The great halls and fortifications fell into disrepair, and when the Goblin King Garbaga rose to power, the remaining dwarves were helpless to stop him from driving them from their ancestral home.

Several groups of survivors escaped from the final defeat of Arduum, and are now wandering the lands in search of a new home.

Arduum in the dwarven tongue means "Blood Home": Ara meaning blood, duum meaning home or manor.

Boran - Dwarven Warrior - led the dwarf patrol when they encountered the Order of Cleansing Fire. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667630-IC-Keep-on-the-Borderlands/page26

1. Western Gate After the Eastern gate fell into disuse with the collapse of the mountain trade routes to the coast, this served as the main entrance to the dwarven city. Four towers in the cliffs above the main gate guard the approach with catapults. Inside the massive gates is an entrance hall lines with columns carved into the likeness of dwarven warriors. To the south are barracks, guard rooms and an armory.

2. Western Halls Built to inspire awe and respect, the likenesses of great dwarven heroes are carved into the many columns in these two rooms.

3. Storehouses This area is used to store goods from trade with the surface, and to store items crafted in areas 5 and 6 to the south.

4. Old City Over a century ago, there was an earthquake and subsequent collapse in the city. The rubble that fell caused a partial cave in - sealing off the northern part of the city.

5. The Pit A large shaft goes down into the heart of the mountain for several hundred feet. Massive hoists on several platforms help lift the valuable ore out of the pit to be processed in area 6.

6. Refinery A large workshop with a massive forge. The dwarves use this to process ore, and also as a foundry and smithy. A passage with rails and carts connects this area with area 3 where goods to be sold on the surface are stored.

7. Halls of the Fallen Statues of dwarven saints guard the entrance to this area. Across a bridge there is a temple to Clanggedin Silverbeard. The honored dead are taken by barge into the tombs to the west.

8. Arduum City The southern half of the city was home to the dwarves of Arduum after the collapse. Residences, markets and an inner keep/palace are in this area.

9. Hall of Heroes Honored clan leaders, kings and rulers have their likenesses carved in massive stone pillars here.

10. The Grotto The dwarves raised livestock in this area, and harvested lichen and mushrooms that grow naturally in this damp cave.

11.Eastern Gate This area fell into disuse after the eastern trade routes collapsed. At one time a massive outdoor market welcomed surface trade from the east within the shelter of it's outer wall. Catapults would line the top of the massive wall and two flanking towers. Otherwise this area is similar to area 1.

12. Eastern Hall This area is similar to area 2.

13. The Fissure A massive opening into the bowels of the mountain. Several bridges made from huge wrought stone arches rise above this fissure. Some of the bridges have collapsed.Only the ones leading through area 9 are intact.