Khaz-Dorahn

Known to outsiders as Khazdor

Physical Description

• General Overview: Khaz-Dorahn is a major dwarven city carved into the eastern mountains, built around one of the most important Eternal Hearths. The city represents the pinnacle of dwarven industrial and magical capability, with massive stone halls connecting workshop districts to the central forge complex. Known to outsiders as "Khazdor," the city's true name is reserved for those who speak with proper respect for dwarven craftsmanship.

• Sensory Details: The constant hammer-song of master craftsmen echoes through stone corridors, punctuated by the roar of the Eternal Hearth itself. The air carries the scent of hot metal, stone dust, and coal smoke. Orange light from the forge reflects off polished stone walls, though shadows seem deeper now as the forges struggle to maintain their legendary heat.

• Points of Interest:

  • Eternal Hearth: The city's heart - an ancient forge of immense power requiring twice its normal fuel
  • The Master Workshops: Where the city's legendary craftsmen practice their arts
  • The Mountain Gates: Massive fortified entrances to the city, opening onto Hearthgate plaza
  • The Deep Tunnels: Network connecting to The Deepen and other dwarven settlements
  • The Forge District: Industrial heart surrounding the Eternal Hearth
  • The Bell Foundries: Specialized workshops for sonic and magical engineering
  • Hearthgate: Surface trade town built directly before the Mountain Gates

Political Structure

Multi-Leader Governance: Khaz-Dorahn operates under council or shared governance structure. Otso serves as "one of the leaders" rather than sole authority, suggesting distributed power among multiple leaders.

Factional Dynamics: Otso's youth in leadership position suggests recent political shifts or crisis-driven elevation. His willingness to open gates and commit resources to Fellowship (Session 4) likely represents reformist/openness faction.

Ale-ore's Family Connections: The Bridge family name carries significant political weight. Otso's immediate recognition of Ale-ore's family indicates historical contributions to the city. Otso and Ale-ore played together as children; their families maintained close ties.

Campaign Timeline

Session 2: Approaching Threat

Army Sighted: Cut-scenes revealed an army approaching Khaz-Dorahn with smoke visible from distance. The Entropy Shepherd appeared to be targeting the city's forge capabilities as part of broader strategy to cripple dwarven manufacturing and magical engineering.

Session 3: Siege Conditions

Mountain Gates Sealed: The massive Mountain Gates shut tight against the siege threat.

Hearthgate Refugees Inside: The entire population of Hearthgate fled inside Khaz-Dorahn for safety when The Mob advanced.

The Mob Advancing: Thousands of insane people marching toward the now-evacuated Hearthgate as part of siege force.

Void Titans Present: Confirmed as part of the siege force, adding entropy-level threat to the mass assault.

Complete Isolation: With gates sealed and siege forces surrounding the area, the city was completely cut off. Strategic importance critical—loss would eliminate one of few remaining locations capable of advanced construction and magical metalwork.

Session 4: Alliance Formed

Hearthgate Saved: The Void Titan threatening the valley (corrupted fire giant Shod) was successfully restored by the Fellowship, preventing Hearthgate's fall and removing immediate siege threat to the region.

Gates Opened: Otso ordered the Mountain Gates opened when Ale-ore approached. His eyes went "really wide" upon hearing Ale-ore's family name, confirming the Bridge family legacy's political weight.

Fellowship Alliance: Khaz-Dorahn became the Fellowship's first major allied community and manufacturing base. Otso committed the city's resources and support to the Fellowship cause.

Refugees Welcomed: Hearthgate survivors and affected individuals from void titan attack received aid, medical treatment, and sanctuary. Resources and assistance provided for recovery efforts.

Boom-Stick Mass Production: Ale-ore established plans to mass-produce acoustic anti-void weapons in Khaz-Dorahn. Version 2.0 will combine orc innovation with dwarven precision.

Current Status

Allied Community: Formally committed to Fellowship cause, serving as major manufacturing base and political ally.

Gates Reopened: Mountain Gates now open, restoring connection to Hearthgate and surface trade routes.

Refugee Care: Providing sanctuary and medical treatment to Hearthgate survivors and void titan victims.

Production Initiative: Preparing facilities for mass production of Boom-Sticks, combining dwarven precision manufacturing with orc rapid prototyping innovations.

Ongoing Challenges

The Fuel Crisis

Doubled Requirements: Like all The Eternal Hearths, the forge at Khaz-Dorahn now requires twice the normal fuel to maintain the same heat levels. This represents The Entropy Shepherd's creeping influence of entropy affecting even the most advanced dwarven facilities.

Operational Impact: The increased fuel demands strain the city's resources and ability to maintain full production capacity, affecting both routine work and special projects like bell reconstruction.

The Collaboration Question

Disturbing Evidence: Ale-ore's analysis (Session 2) of 5,000 bell construction documents revealed that dwarven knowledge was necessary for The Entropy Shepherd's attack on Blackwharf. This raises troubling questions about Khaz-Dorahn:

• Are there collaborators within the city?
• Was the traitor from Khaz-Dorahn's forge masters?
• Could traitors still be present?

The Tuning Forks: Kurg possesses master tuning forks "stolen from original dwarven forge masters" - these could have come from Khaz-Dorahn itself, suggesting insider knowledge was stolen or sold.

Strategic Significance

For the Fellowship

Bell Reconstruction: Khaz-Dorahn possesses the advanced forge capabilities and master craftsmen necessary for the Fellowship's bell reconstruction project. The city's expertise in sonic and magical engineering is irreplaceable.

Technical Expertise: The forge masters here created the original Seven Great Bells for Blackwharf, making them uniquely qualified to help recreate such defenses.

Potential Ally: If the Fellowship can save the city from siege, they could gain access to crucial crafting resources and forge time at the Eternal Hearth.

For the Entropy Shepherd

Crippling Dwarven Capability: Destroying or seizing Khaz-Dorahn would eliminate a major center of opposition and magical defense production.

Control of Power Source: The Eternal Hearth itself, forged with fire from the first star, represents a potential Source of Power (see Overlord notes on The Eternal Hearths).

Demoralizing Impact: The fall of such a legendary city would shake dwarven confidence across The Deepen.

History & Lore

• Known History:

  • Built around one of the ancient The Eternal Hearths
  • Created the Seven Great Bells that defended Blackwharf
  • Major center of dwarven magical engineering for centuries
  • Connected to The Deepen through underground networks

• Cultural Significance:

  • Represents the height of dwarven craftsmanship
  • Source of pride for dwarven people
  • Training ground for master forge-workers
  • Repository of ancient metalworking techniques

• Recent Events:

  • Session 2: Army approaching, smoke visible
  • Session 3: Gates sealed, refugees sheltered, siege conditions
  • Session 4: Alliance with Fellowship formed, gates reopened
  • Now serving as Fellowship manufacturing base
  • Struggling with doubled fuel requirements
  • Possible infiltration by collaborators remains concern

Connections

• Hearthgate: Surface trade town serving as the gateway to Khaz-Dorahn (gates now reopened as of Session 4)
• The Deepen: Connected via underground tunnel networks and mine cart systems
• Blackwharf: Former client city, received the Seven Great Bells
• The Eternal Hearths: Houses one of the few remaining active ancient forges
• Ale-ore: The Bridge family has deep historical connections; Ale-ore's family name opened political doors
• Otso: Young dwarven leader who recognized Ale-ore and opened the gates
• Master Carillon: Now has access to these forges for bell reconstruction and Boom-Stick development
• The Fellowship: First major allied community, serving as manufacturing base and political ally
• The Entropy Shepherd: Previously targeted the city for destruction (siege threat remains in region)