Khar-Grundak Thaig

City of Depths

 

Overview

  Khar-Grundak, known among dwarves as The City of Depths, was once a jewel of subterranean engineering and a vital mining thaig in the ancient dwarven empire. Nestled deep beneath the mountains, it served as a major supplier of precious metals to the four great dwarven capitals over 3,000 years ago. The thaig has since faded into legend—abandoned, sealed, and ultimately lost to time. Its name still echoes in dwarven halls as a place of great wealth, mystery, and dread.teryFounded during the height of dwarven expansion, Khar-Grundak rose to prominence due to the unusually rich veins of ore and gems that ran through the bedrock beneath it. It quickly became indispensable to the dwarven economy, providing the raw materials for weapons, armor, coinage, and architectural marvels throughout the Iron Roads.   Yet at the peak of its influence, Khar-Grundak vanished. No message, no survivors—just silence. Dwarven scholars and miners alike have speculated endlessly. Some believe the veins were depleted, leading to economic collapse and evacuation. Others suspect a deadly plague swept through the population, prompting a full quarantine and the sealing of all exits. The most chilling theory claims that the miners dug too deep—and awoke something that was never meant to be disturbed.   Current StatusThe precise location of Khar-Grundak has been lost, with only fragmented maps and contradictory accounts hinting at its whereabouts. None who have sought the thaig in modern times have returned. It is widely considered cursed, and most dwarves refuse to even speak of expeditions attempting to rediscover it.   Architecture and FeaturesThe city was centered around a massive town square, where towering statues of legendary dwarves stood vigil. These statues, carved from the same rock as the mountain itself, were said to be enchanted to watch over the citizens of the thaig.   Opposite the entrance to the Iron Roads, the city’s core buildings rose along the cliff walls. While some structures were built on the cavern floor, many others—including temples, homes, and halls—were carved directly into the stone face of the mountain. Narrow stairways wove between these cliffside constructions, while enormous elevators once transported goods and people to the upper levels. These mechanical marvels were powered by complex gearworks and deepwell steam.   Culture and LegacyKhar-Grundak was a place of ambition and innovation. Its engineers and miners were renowned even among other thaigs, and some whispered that the city’s priests wielded forbidden magics to aid in their delving. The culture was steeped in reverence for the mountain and the secrets it held, often bordering on obsession.   Though lost, the legacy of Khar-Grundak lives on in dwarven superstition and scattered fragments of song and tale. Some families claim lineage from its halls, though none can prove it. Artifacts believed to have originated from the thaig surface occasionally in black markets and treasure hoards, though their authenticity is hotly debated.   Rumors and Legends   The Deep One: A legendary entity said to have been awoken by the miners. It now sleeps beneath the ruins, dreaming dark dreams that influence the surface.   The Sealed Vaults: Hidden within the thaig are supposed to be vast stores of unclaimed riches and ancient artifacts, untouched since the city fell.   Living Statues: Some claim the central statues were not merely enchanted guardians—but cursed dwarves, frozen in stone to protect a final, terrible secret.   The Last Priest: A ghostly figure in ceremonial robes is said to wander the lost halls, murmuring prayers to a forgotten god.