Shadowgate

The Mountain Forge

Deep within the thunder-gray spine of the Mount Shadowstar stands Shadowgate, the ancestral stronghold of the dwarves. Older than recorded history and scarred by the Cataclysm, it endures as a bastion of steel, stone, and unyielding will.

From the echoing forges to the rune-lit halls, Shadowgate remains the indomitable home of dwarvenkind in Shadowstar.

⛰️ The Cataclysm

Long before Shadowstar was torn from its world, Shadowgate flourished beneath the mountains — a realm of master-smiths and warrior-clans. Its forges armed empires. Its miners unearthed veins of star-ore. Its artisans crafted relics whose secrets remain unmatched.

Then the Cataclysm came.

Though the mountain stood firm, the dwarves were nearly swept away in the chaos that followed. Orcish tribes ravaged the settlements across the mountain, and in the ensuing Age of Ashes the hill clans were forced from their ancestral homes.

But in 82 AC, during the Age of Wars, the children of the mountain marched back — led by the battle-priests of Clangeddin — and reclaimed Shadowgate  in a legendary assault that is still praised in the dwarven halls.

Today, over six thousand dwarves continue to call Shadowgate home, their forges blazing brighter than ever.

⚒️ Leadership & Clans

Shadowgate is ruled by Belrag, a stern but just leader whose lineage traces back to the pre-Cataclysm. The clans under him — workers, soldiers, smiths, miners, and priests — all play a part in maintaining the lifeblood of the mountain.

Belrag’s council consists of elders chosen for wisdom, strength, or craftsmanship. In Shadowgate, one earns respect not by birthright alone, but by what one has forged, mined, or defended.

Relations with the outside world remain pragmatic but firm. The dwarves trade with the entire Three Castles Confederation. As for Forestlake, centuries of mutual respect bind elf and dwarf — though neither speaks openly of the rumored tunnels that link their realms beneath the mountains.

⚔️ Mighty Orders and Guilds of Shadowgate

The dwarven fortress is home to several of Shadowstar’s most formidable military and craft orders:

• Warriors of Moradin – Also known as The Iron Vanguard, The Warriors of Moradin form the core of the Shadowgate military, consisting of the most skilled dwarven fighters in the city. Their role is to hold the front lines, reinforce the gate defenses, and ensure Shadowgate never falls.

• Battleragers – The Battleragers are frenzied warriors, trained in reckless but effective close-quarters combat. Unlike the disciplined formations of the Warriors of Moradin, Battleragers rely on berserker fury and brute strength, using their spiked armor to tear through enemy ranks.

• Shadow Slashers – Unlike the frontline warriors, the Shadow Slashers specialize in underground warfare, stealth operations, and ambush tactics. They are trained to move unseen in tunnels, eliminate high-value targets, and cut off enemy reinforcements before battle begins.

• Gate Guards – The Gate Guards serve as the city’s last line of defense, protecting Shadowgate’s gates, fortifications, and secret entrances. They are trained in both combat and animal handling, ensuring that war-bears and dire-wolves aid in Shadowgate’s defense.

• Keepers of the Forge – Shadowgate’s spiritual core revolves around Moradin the Dwarffather, Dumathoin the Keeper of Secrets, and Clangeddin the God of Battle. The priests serve as both spiritual guides and battlefield healers, ensuring that faith remains as strong as the stone of Shadowgate itself.

Together, these factions form the backbone of Shadowgate’s might — and ensure the mountain remains unconquered.

🔥 The Soul of Shadowgate

Shadowgate stands firm — a symbol of dwarven endurance. Its people carry memories of loss and reclamation, and the pride of a culture that has survived fire, war, and the slow wearing of time itself.

To walk Shadowgate’s halls is to hear the heartbeat of the mountain — steady, strong, and eternal.

For the dwarves, Shadowgate is more than a city; it is a promise:

Stone endures, fire renews, and the mountain never forgets its children.