The Ruins of Thun'dorak

Before it was abandoned, Thun'dorak held humans, halflings and elves. Most of them had come as either miners or craftsmen some of which had families residing within, however when the elementals began chasing away humanoids from the woods, they were forced to remain within and had to adapt to survive. Thanks to a few experienced folks they managed to grow crops which thrived within the caves of Thun'dorak. Prioritizing self-sufficiency through craftsmanship. Skilled blacksmiths and artisans created tools, weapons, and everyday items. The elders held influence through wisdom.

Main Shaft:

Thun'dorak's mining operations centered around a large, well-reinforced main shaft that descended deep into the earth. Miners used sturdy hoists and stairs to access different levels of the mine.  

Living Quarters:

Carved into the rock, the living quarters provided shelter for the inhabitants. These chambers included sleeping quarters, communal areas, and spaces for families. Ventilation systems were integrated to ensure fresh air circulation.  

Storage Chambers:

Large underground chambers served as storage facilities for raw materials, finished goods, and provisions. Frequent inspection ensured the stability of these chambers.  

Water Source:

Thun'dorak relied on an underground water source, skillfully tapped into for drinking water and cooling purposes  

Deterioration

After its abandonment, Thun'dorak has undergone a profound transformation, bearing the marks of time, neglect, and the encroaching forces of the Black Shroud. The once vibrant dwarven mining outpost now stands as a haunting testament to the passage of years:  

Decay and Erosion:

The infrastructure, once meticulously carved into the rock, has succumbed to decay and erosion. Portions of tunnels and chambers have collapsed, creating unstable areas that are perilous to navigate.  

Overgrowth:

Nature has reclaimed Thun'dorak, with moss, vines, and fungi covering the surfaces. The Black Shroud's influence has seeped into the abandoned mines, intertwining with the remnants of dwarven craftsmanship.  

Silent Halls:

The once bustling living quarters and communal areas now echo with silence. Empty sleeping quarters and abandoned common spaces tell a story of a community that once thrived but has since vanished.  

Spectral Miners:

The ghosts of dwarven miners, bound to the ruins by unfinished tasks or the disturbed elemental forces, roam the empty halls. While not inherently malicious, they react defensively to perceived threats, causing disturbances in the ethereal plane.

Established during the First Astral Era around 1965, Thun'dorak was primarily conceived as a mining outpost within the Black Shroud. It was strategically located to exploit the rich natural resources of the surrounding forest. The architecture was utilitarian, designed to facilitate mining operations and provide shelter for the workforce. Thun'dorak's population mainly comprised humans, halflings, and elves who sought opportunities for resource extraction in the heart of the Black Shroud.   When the Umbral Era begun with the great flood around 2056, Thun'dorak experienced both geological alterations and shifts in Elemental influence. The Elemental spirits, once simple observers, became agitated. They began chasing away all humanoids from the forest in an effort to protect it. The lack of a safe way to evacuate the families of the miners forced them to isolate themselves within the mines, where they would remain for the next few centuries. This forced them to adapt to survive. While they found ways to not only survive, but thrive, the dream of going back to the surface still remained inside most Thun'doraki.   Once the Umbral Era finally ceased and the elementals began to relax, one of the few mages still remaining within managed to communicate with them. Receptive to the pleas of the Thun'doraki, the elementals allowed them to leave the underground and even establish a new settlement among the forest floor, as long as they showed proper respect to nature.   Thus, over a few days the population of Thun'dorak all but vanished, either joining the construction efforts on the new settlement, or vanishing from the forest. Only a few remained, Elves of noble blood who had enjoyed the influence they held underground.   The remains of the Thun'doraki struggled to live within the ground alone for a few more decades, before they too left. However, they did not rejoin civilization, instead opting to become pridefull tribes of nomadic drow moving within the underdark.