The History of Dorum’Tel

The island of Dorum’Tel was discovered and settled sometime in the fourth century of the second age. Little is known of the founders. It is believed that the original inhabitants were refugees from the fallen Dwarvish kingdom of Dor’Kaalinth.

At the time of discovery, the appearance of the island was drastically different from present-day. While there were small stands of trees scattered across the more fertile areas, there were no dense woods to speak of. Most notably, the island’s most prominent feature, the great crater of Dorum’Tel, was absent. It its place stood an enormous inselberg crowned with three rocky spires.

Due to the lack of a substantial source of wood, the dwarves turned to quarrying stone for their buildings and infrastructure. Primarily focused on subsistence, the original inhabitants quickly discovered the resources that would bring great prosperity to this burgeoning empire. It was discovered that the foundations of Dorum’Tel were rich with valuable ores and precious gems.

Following this discovery, the small village of Takmir began to grow into the prosperous port city it is today. As word spread of the islands riches, some of the finest smiths and craftsmen traveled to Dorum’Tel to setup shop, cementing the island as a premier location to obtain the best weapons, armor, and jewels.

Invasion from Below

For the next two centuries Dorum’Tel continued to thrive. The mines showed no sign of slowing production and Takmir became a well known trade hub in the Valancian Sea. All this progress came to a halt in the Spring of 582 (SA) when it is believed that an exploratory shaft in Takmir Mine broke through and opened an ancient planar portal.

After the breach, legions of dark creatures filled the mine killing anyone they crossed before exiting and razing the countryside.

The hoard made it all the way to Takmir before encountering real resistance at the city gates. Siege was upon the city for weeks, but ultimately failed when a contingent of Paladins pushed them back to the mine before sealing the entrance; saving the city, but surrendering the mine.

Knowing that the mines were of paramount importance to the people of Dorum’Tel, a search began for someone strong enough to enter the mines and seal the breach. Word was sent across the sea and months later, their call for help was answered.

A great half-Elvish sorcerer by the name of Threondoril arrived in the Fall of 582(sa). Threondoril’s reputation was well known across many lands. Such was this reputation that his choice to enter the mines alone passed without question.

Ten days passed after Threondoril’s incursion with no sign of success or defeat. On the eleventh day, the island shook violently while strange screams and roars bellowed from the inselberg shortly before the entire plateau collapsed.

A New Beginning

A ten-day passed after the collapse of the insleberg before a contingent of paladins were sent in to find out what had happened. Upon entry, it was discovered that the majority of Takmir Mine had caved in. Few creatures remained, and those that persisted where killed on-sight. All were tentative of this victory, but teams of miners were sent in shortly after to assess the structure and formulate a plan to re-open the mine. What they found was completely unexpected: It was discovered that all the ore and gems in the mine possessed a faint glow.

Samples were sent to the best alchemists and mages on the island to determine the nature of this strange effect. After much study, it was revealed that the materials were imbued with an inherent magical property that made them substantially easier to enchant. Though not fully understood, it was believed that the cataclysm that sank the inselberg had caused the planar fissure to collapse and essentially expel a massive amount of neutral magical energy before being completely closed off.

After the magical nature of the ore and gems was understood, mining operations went back into full-swing. The products of Dorum’Tel were even more desired than ever. The economic boom brought new craftspeople skilled in the arts of magic and enchantment.

The changes brought forth from the collapse weren’t isolated to the mines. A lake quickly formed within, and a dense forest began to encroach at the southern edge of the newly formed crater. Believed to be a byproduct of the planar magic, the forest spread with unnatural haste. Creatures not native to the island began to show up in the woods, both benign and treacherous. Although they were cause for concern, they seemed to prefer the isolation of the trees so the people of Dorum’Tel eventually became complacent of their presence. In honor of the islands apparent savior, these woods would be known as the Forest of Threondoril.

As wealth continued to pour in from across the sea, the ruling family, The House of Naar, chose to build the royal hamlet of Kohldar Naarinth. Construction began in 590(sa) inside the crater, just East of the lake that had formed in its walls. To access Kohldar Naarinth, a tunnel was built through the southern face of the crater. It wasn’t long after completion, the forest which had sprung up within the crater migrated through the new tunnel and took root outside.

The new outer forest gained interest from a small group of elves living in Takmir. Being more suited for life in the woods, they set up the settlement of Mirandil where they act as wardens of the strange new flora and fauna. Situated beside Melody Falls on the eastern fork of the Kaelek River, the village is mostly self-sufficient. Still, the elves of Mirandil keep shops within Takmir where they offer enchantment services and sell helpful elixirs.

Amidst the extreme prosperity of the island, the local order of Dumathoin saw a rift forming in its members. Many felt that the cause of the invasion was the product of greed and wanted to cut ties with the city of Takmir. Still, most agreed that they must uphold their duties to the people of Dorum’Tel. A compromise was reached that pleased both sides. The order build the outpost of Ket in the middle of The Eastern Wastes to serve as the seat of their order. This allowed the leaders to distance themselves from the influence of the economic powers of Takmir. The move also served to provide better protection on the east of the island where bands of orcs and goblins often originated and allowed a more direct route to the Shrine of Dumathoin in the Northeast.

The Second Siege

Two more centuries have passed since Threondoril removed the threat under the island. The disaster had finally begun to succumb to a status of distant history when evil creatures swept through the mine once again in the Summer of 782(sa). This time, the miners of Takmir were at least prepared to contain such a threat. After evacuating as many workers as possible, a powerful sigil was activated, locking the mine entrance and preventing the threat from spreading.

Two months after the protective closure of the mine, commerce has come to a halt and many inhabitants have left. An order has been passed down from The Council of Naarinth to suspend wholesale trade and limit the merchants who remain to selling only to consumers. This order was an attempt to prolong the islands resources and avoid a commercial bubble from forming due to the now finite nature of the valuable goods. Three days after this order had been passed, tragedy struck Kohldar Naarinth.

The only eye witness to the attack was a young messenger to the clerics of Ket named Torel. While she was able to escape and alert others, help arrived too late. When the paladins of Dumathoin arrived, they were greeted only by death and destruction.

And here is where our story begins…