Verkal Skomdihr was a Dwarf Hold in the Serpentreach known as the Citadel that Shields Against the Wood, the home of the dwarven carpenters, the originators of the flintlock rifle and the warders against the fey magic of the Deepwoods. The Flint Dwarves were master craftsmen with wood, as compared to the stone, metal and gem craftsmen in the rest of the Serpentspine, creating artisan furniture and architecture by using the exotic woods of the Deepwoods. Their advancements in Herbology allowed them to also find many treatments for common diseases they might have come to contact with thanks to Deepwoods flora.
Culture and Customs[]
Being the originators of the flintlock handheld firearms, their innovation of such weaponry millennia before firearms were widely used, showed the immense technological advancements of the old empire of Aul-Dwarov. The firearms were also found to be used against the fey, which would not be able to stop the power of gunpowder. The Flint Dwarves employed many forest rangers which were expert trackers and marksmen, stalking in the shadows while awaiting enemies.
The Flint Dwarves were very superstitious due to the nature of the mischievous fey, as their traps and illusions could have been foiled by suspicion. Before the fall, very few visitors would frequent the hold but those that did told tales of strange customs. They would create circles of protection from small stones placed on their doorsteps or would have their eyes close at a specific hour of the day.
Carpentry was not a common art around Aul-Dwarov yet it thrived in Verkal Skomdihr, through the years a myriad of varieties of wood was imported to the hold along with the occasional mystical tree from the Deepwoods. They created many artisan works including furniture and architecture with the occasional order for ceremonial weapon handles, all these works were prized across the Dwarovar. Herbology was an important craft of the Flint Dwarves, using plants such as mint or ginger to cure minor body ails but their proximity to the Deepwoods allowed them to find many more uncommon plants to use. The plants were found to be infused with fey magic, allowing the Flint Dwarves to find many medicinal properties not found in regular plants and using them in combination with cave flora for treatments of many common diseases or infections.
Notable Locations[]
Kekig's Labyrinth[]
The architect of Verkal Skomdihr, Kekig the Maze-Maker, created his greatest maze as a defensive measure for the underground entrance of the hold, making a prototype first to master his craft and make the final project perfect. The entrance to Verkal Skomdihr rests inside a massive natural cavern with high, fog-shrouded ceilings and it was here that Kekig would create the most expansive and trap-filled labyrinth that any would-be invaders would have to confront.
The Warding Gate[]
A strange gate in terms of dwarven design, the Warding Gate is a circular gate entrance for the hold facing the Deepwoods. It is adorned with ancient rune and gem magic to protect the hold from the malicious influences of the fey. A rendition of the gate is displayed on the flag of Verkal Skomdihr itself.
While Kekig the Maze-Maker was the main architect of the hold, he had little to do with the Warding Gate other than its commission.
History[]
A Labyrinth between the Orcs[]
Following the Orcish attack of Ovdal Lodhum in 4624 BA, the orcs moved westwards and eventually setting eyes for Verkal Skomdihr in 4611 BA. Unfortunately for the orcs, Kekig’s Labyrinth was between them and the hold, with hordes of orcs pouring into it, but with none ever coming out. No orc was able to breach the labyrinth and so the hold of Verkal Skomdihr was never threatened, allowing the Flint Dwarves to eventually retreat back into their hold and locking themselves away in safety.
Trapped, from both Gates[]
By 3800 BA, the Orcs had overrun all of the rails in the Serpentsreach, preventing supplies from scavenging outside of the holds. With Shazstundihr and Orlghelovar being surface holds, they were able to find supplies from the outside and could survive for long, but even though Verkal Skomdihr was one too, the Fey prevented them from scavenging as much. The Flint Dwarves had angered the fey before as they warded the Serpentspine, making the fey hostile to them and prevented them from venturing deep into the Deepwoods to find supplies, but were still able to scrape by with their limited resources.
Warding, Undone[]
With the Day of Ashen Skies in 1 AA causing much destruction all across Halann, it had limited effects on the Dwarovar save for Verkal Skomdihr. The many enchantments cast on the Warding Gate were overloaded with magic and exploded, leaving the hold vulnerable in the north. The explosion did not get unnoticed by the Forest Goblins who immediately attacked the hold and overwhelmed the dwarves. However, as the goblins attempted to return to the Deepwoods with their loot, they found that the Verdant Veil constantly placed them back where they were and prevented them from reentering and left them trapped in the Dwarovar. Due to this, the goblins turned their raid to a full scale invasion in which they conquered Verkal Skomdihr and left all the inhabitants dead.