Carved deep into the roots of the Pale Mountains, the Ember Halls are the beating heart of dwarven culture and craft. The city stretches through vast caverns lit by the glow of molten rivers, with colossal stone pillars carved into likenesses of ancient kings and heroes. The air is hot and heavy with the scent of forge-smoke and stone, alive with the rhythmic thunder of hammers echoing from the lava-fueled forges. Every hall gleams with the work of dwarven hands—walls inlaid with veins of gold and mithril, floors polished to a volcanic sheen, and great gates wrought of steel so thick they seem unbreakable.
The forges themselves are legendary: titanic workshops powered by channels of flowing magma, where smiths work with fire hotter than the sun and metal is shaped into wonders unseen elsewhere in the world. Above them, the Hall of Flames serves as both a temple and assembly, where the Firewardens keep eternal pyres burning in honor of the forge-gods and ancestors.
Though the Ember Halls are a fortress-city, life flourishes here. Markets bustle with merchants trading gems, iron, and carved stone, while feasting halls roar with laughter, song, and the clatter of tankards raised in defiance of hardship. Yet beneath the revelry lies tension: goblin warbands grow bold in the mountains, the deep tunnels collapse with unsettling frequency, and whispers spread of older, darker things stirring far below.
At the city’s core lies the Throne of Ash and Iron, where King Brundrik Stonebluff rules with steady hand and weary heart, carrying the burdens of both crown and clan. To his people, the Ember Halls are more than a home—they are a bastion of fire and stone, standing against the shadows of the deep.
Shopping District
| Owner Image | Shop |
|---|---|
 | Firehammer Forge _(Weapons & Armor)_The most famous forge in the Ember Halls, where weapons are tempered in channels of molten lava. The clang of hammers never ceases, and the walls hum with heat. Owner: Thorgrin Firehammer, a burly smith with a singed beard, scarred hands, and a reputation for blades as indestructible as his temper. |
 | Cinderbrew Hall _(Tavern & Brewery)_A cavernous alehouse with barrels stacked to the ceiling, serving dark lagers and spiced flame-whiskey brewed with volcanic herbs. The floors are sticky with history, and the songs are louder than the forges. Owner: Baldrin Cinderbrew, a round-bellied dwarf with a laugh like a rolling boulder. |
 | Stoneweave Atelier _(Clothing & Armorcraft)_A shop of sturdy but elegant garments—quilted travel cloaks, runic embroidery, and mail that blends silk and steel. Practical, yet beautiful. Owner: Kira Stoneweave, a wiry dwarf woman with jet braids, sharp wit, and a needle said to stitch faster than most blades can cut. |
 | Molteneye Jewels _(Jewelry & Gemcraft)_An opulent workshop carved into a glittering geode chamber, filled with gems that sparkle like captured stars. Specializes in mithril filigree and enchanted stones. Owner: Brokk Molteneye, a jeweler with a gold monocle fused to his brow and an obsession with perfection. |
 | Ironroot Provisions _(General Goods)_A broad-stalled emporium supplying everything from rope and lanterns to salted meats and climbing gear, favored by both travelers and deep-delvers.Owner: Dunna Ironroot, a practical dwarf matron with greying hair, a ledger for a heart, and an unshakable disdain for haggling. |
 | Deepdelve Curios _(Relics & Oddities)_A shadowy shop tucked into an old mine shaft, its shelves laden with relics pulled from long-forgotten tunnels: broken idols, cursed blades, and fragments of ancient stonework. More museum than store. Owner: Varik Deepdelve, a quiet dwarf with pale eyes and the habit of whispering to himself. |
 | Coalfire Confections _(Bakery & Sweetgoods)_A cheerful bakery that somehow thrives in a city of iron and fire. Famous for smoky toffees, embercakes, and bread sweetened with honey from rare mountain hives. Owner: Helga Coalfire, a stout, warm-voiced baker who claims sugar is stronger than steel (but keeps a hammer under the counter). |