The Deepen

Physical Description

• General Overview: The ancestral underground realm of the dwarves, featuring massive halls carved from living rock, eternal forges, and the recently dug deep wells that saved the dwarven people from drought. The Deepen showcases dwarven engineering at its finest, though signs of entropy creep even here.
• Sensory Details: The ring of hammers on anvils echoes through stone halls, the heat from forges battles against creeping cold, the smell of metal and stone dust fills the air, and the sound of deep water running through new channels provides a constant backdrop.
• Points of Interest:
  • The Eternal Hearths: Ancient forges now requiring double fuel
  • The Deep Wells: Recently dug wells that tap into deep earth water
  • The Bridge Family Workshops: Where master craftsmen work
  • The Tournament Grounds: Where crafting competitions determine champions

Encounters & Events

The Great Drought and Deep Wells

• Summary of Event: Twenty years ago, a severe drought threatened dwarven survival. With typical ingenuity, the dwarves (with Ale-ore's help in design) dug incredibly deep wells to tap into the deep waters of the earth. They not only survived but profited by selling water to desperate neighbors, making enemies in the process.
• Characters Involved: Ale-ore, the dwarven people
• Outcome, Decisions & Consequences: Dwarves became wealthy but created resentment, Ale-ore gained recognition

The Crafting Tournament

• Summary of Event: A year-long crafting tournament was held to determine who would represent the dwarves in the Fellowship. Ale-ore won, though he secretly used orc alloys provided by Kurg, which would undermine his victory if revealed.
• Characters Involved: Ale-ore, Kurg (secretly), dwarven competitors
• Outcome, Decisions & Consequences: Ale-ore became the dwarven champion, carries secret shame about his victory

History & Lore

• Known History: Ancient halls with eternal forges, survived the twenty-year drought through ingenuity
• Rumors & Legends:
  • Forgetting Skills: Dwarves rumored to be losing their legendary crafting abilities
  • Greed is Good: Cultural belief that desiring treasure is natural and right
  • The Bridge Legacy: The Bridge family known for exceptional craftsmanship
• Current Events:
  • Fuel Crisis: Eternal hearths requiring twice the fuel to maintain
  • Philosophical Questions: Dwarves questioning the purpose of wealth accumulation
  • Restlessness: People need uniting purpose or problems may arise

Secrets & Discoveries

• Unrevealed Secrets:
  • The Orc Alloy Secret: Ale-ore's use of orc materials in the tournament
  • Why Forges Need More Fuel: The true reason behind increased fuel consumption
• Player Discoveries:
  • Water Wealth: How the dwarves profited from the drought
  • Cultural Crisis: The existential questions about materialism