Page 62 - D&D - Player's Handbook

THE DIRGE OF DELZOUN
The tale of the great North kingdom of the shield
dwarves, the Dirge of Delzoun takes more than a day
to sing in its entirety. The song recounts the history of
Delzoun, from its founding m illen nia ago to the dis-
persa l of its cities and the settlement of the successor
realms of dwarves in the North. It is performed only in
Dwa rvis h, and no known written copies have ever been
reported. Only a privileged few non-dwarves have ever
heard the Dirge in its entirety, and dwarf bards who want
to perform this epic must demonstrate great ski ll in both
singing and history.
The current dirgekeeper is Ollyn Grimtongue of Citadel
Felbarr, who was appointed by King Emerus Warcrown a
century ago, and is the only dwarf permitted to add new
lines to the ballad. It is believed that, now that Emerus has
gone to the Halls of Morad in, Grimtongue is preparing a
stanza honoring his former liege as a hero who rivals the
champions of Old Delzoun.

CITADEL FELBARR
Among the eldest and grandest of the Delzoun holds,
Citadel Felbarr was built more than three thousand
years ago- a span of time beyond the ability of younger
races to comprehend. With great wealth, obtained
through profitable trade with Netheril and some of the
older human settlements of the North, the dwarves
forged themselves a mighty fortress.
Like most dwarven settlements, Felbarr was built
around mining. With the fall of Netheril, the reduction
of trade along the Lowroad, and signs that the mines
beneath the city were reaching the end of their useful-
ness, the Felbarran abandoned the citadel after nearly
two millennia, whereupon a force out of Silverymoon
occupied the fortress shortly thereafter. Within half a
century, the ores had come to realize the weakness of
the much smaller garrison, and Felbarr was taken by
the savages following a four-month siege. The ores gave
the place their tribal name, and the Citadel of Many
Arrows stood as a fortress for ores for more than three
Adbar's foundries, mines, and other operations working hundred years.
at all times. Near the wheel is the Hall of Moradin's The recent story of Citadel Felbarr is the story of my
Forge, a place of worship that reminds every dwarf of fallen friend, King Emerus Warcrown. In 1367 DR,
the Soul Forger's strength and enduring protection. One Emerus led a force of dwarves to seize on the advantage
can't help but feel safe in its presence, and a true dwarf when, to our surprise and delight, another ore horde
is home in the warmth of Moradin's shadow. assaulted the ores inside the Citadel of Many Arrows.
Given the current state of the surface lands around Biding his time until the invaders broke down the gates,
the citadel, it is no surprise that Adbarran are even Emerus vanquished both tribes of ores and reclaimed
more suspicious than usual of caravans and visitors that the citadel for the dwarves. After a first, brutal winter,
approach the city by means of an underground route. Citadel Felbarr was restored: its forges were relit, and
One such road arrives from the west, connecting Adbar the sound of dwarven hammers began ringing through
to Mithra! Hall and Mirabar through the ancient tun- its halls once again. It was a proud time when we
nels of Old Delzoun. Another tunnel leads south from welcomed the following summer with Felbarr back in
Adbar to meet the Lowroad, which connects the ruins of dwarf hands.
Ascore in the east to Citadel Felbarr in the west. In the most recent war, the ores again took Citadel
No matter where they come from, all roads leading to Felbarr, but with the help of King Bruenor Battleham-
Adbar converge so that all travelers must confront the mer and an alliance of dwarves from across the North,
great pair of iron doors known as the Caravan Door. King Emerus again retook Felbarr, slaying every ore
Like the rest of Citadel Adbar, this gate has never been that managed to enter the city and the tunnels below.
breached. Mention the idea of that happening to an The grateful king and his loyal warriors then agreed
Adbarran dwarf, if you're looking to get a laugh. to accompany Bruenor to Gauntlgrym, and there aided
him in reclaiming that ancient city as well, but Emerus
was mortally wounded in the effort. Bruenor honored

CHAPTER 2 I THE SWORD COAST AND THE NORTH
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