The Kharolis Mountain Range hosts a number of interesting locations including the ancient kingdom of Thorbardin. Let’s learn more about this dwarven home and more! Buy War of the Lance: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/3164/War-of-the-Lance-35?affiliate_id=50797
Transcript
Cold Open
The Kharolis Mountain range is home to much more than just wildlife.
Intro
Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about Thorbardin and the Kharolis Mountain range in the War of the Lance Era. I would like to take a moment and thank the members of this channel, and invite you to consider becoming a member by visiting the link in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate links. I am referencing the Tales of the Lance boxed set and the War of the Lance sourcebook for this information. If I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below!
Discussion
Southern Ansalon is home to some truly amazing sights, but none are as naturally wondrous as the Kharolis Mountain range. This range spans from Abanasinia in the north to a mere twenty miles from Ice Mountain Bay in the south. Within this one hundred and seventy miles rest the ancient dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin, Skullcap, Pax Tharkas, Qualinost and Solace! I will cover the kingdom of Qualinesti and the region of Abanasinia in separate episodes.
The region has a vast array of weather patterns, as is common among mountain ranges. In the north near Abanasinia the mountains remain cool most of the year, but they do enjoy every season. South near Thorbardin, the climate is much drier and colder. Hot summers are short, only lasting from Corij to Reorxmont, and winters extend from Phoenix to Chistlemont. It enjoys more snow than rain, with its flora sustaining from the wild runoff in the spring. The southern tip of the Kharolis Mountains are the same near arctic conditions of the Plains of Dust.
There is an estimated population of one hundred and twelve thousand residents in Thorbardin. While ruled by the Hylar, twenty-two percent of its population is actually Neidar, with Hylar at eighteen percent, Theiwar at sixteen, Daewar at thirteen and the remainder percentage broken up between the Daergar, Klar, Aghar and others. It is ruled by a council of Thanes. While the gates have remained closed since the Dwarfgate Wars, the War of the Lance will see them opened and Thorbardin will build an alliance with Solamnia, and is settling a similar treaty with the Qualinesti. In the wake of the War of the Lance, Thorbardin plans to restore Pax Tharkas and continue adding cities and mines to its underground kingdom. It is a kingdom that eventually opens to adventurers and will be a land of opportunity for those of good will and stout heart. Thorbardin willingly trades with Tarsis and Qualinesti. Pax Tharkas has maintained its mines to help pay for its own repairs.
Thorbardin itself is one of the few wonders of the world residing beneath the Cloudseeker Mountains. These three massive peaks spread over fifty miles with each summit towering over twelve thousand feet above sea level. Sky’s End Peak in the north is another three thousand feet above that! The kingdom of Thorbardin spans twenty two miles underneath the Kharolis Mountain range from north to south and fourteen miles from east to west. Within that territory there are seven major cities, three farming warrens, two governmental areas and its own burial area. Connecting the cities are cable-ways running along the tunnel roads. There is little talk about the engineering marvels that Thorbardin has developed from their Railways and pulley systems to its aqueducts and more. At Thorbardin’s heart is the Urkhan Sea which spans five miles on each side. At the center of the underground sea is a massive stalactite with a width of one-fourth a mile and half a mile in height. This is known as the Life Tree of the Hylar. They have carved a twenty-eight level citadel within the stalactite.
Major settlements in Thorbardin include Hybardin. It’s the largest city with just over twenty thousand residents. It is cleaved from the living rock, resting in the Life Tree. Using quarts to catch and reflect light from sun tunnels, it remains expertly lit up and water flows freely on every level. Its gardens are featured everywhere and it’s truly a sight to behold. New Daebardin has over fifteen thousand residents. This large city lines the Urkhan Sea. It features the most sun tunnels of all of Thorbardin and features the largest army in the Kingdom. However the Daewar have refused to leave their great city since the Dwarfgate War. Thiebardin is the next largest city with just under fourteen thousand residents. It also lines the Urkhan sea, but nestled behind a great rock wall. It is a suspicious and isolated city in the kingdom, where everyone minds their own business and its levels are broken up by class. Daerbardin has just under eleven thousand residents. The central feature is the Arena of Honor where each new Thane wins their post through battle in its upper level. The three levels are broken down by class as well.
Klarbardin has over eight thousand residents. It is a stark contrast to the organized construction of the rest of the kingdom and its residents are belligerent and chaotic. Combat training, bartering for food, and playing with quicksilver lining the walls seem to take the bulk of the day for its populace. Agharbardin has just over seven thousand residents. It is a happy community of Gully Dwarves who live in the remnants of the construction of the other cities. It is a chaotic maze of twisting tunnels and passageways through rubble. Thiewarin has over five thousand residents and is the remnants of the split of the Thiewar clan. Other than its palace, it is a massive slum filled with outcasts, dissenters and the homeless. Daerforge has over three thousand residents and is two miles from Daerbardin. It is the primary work site of the Daergar. Constant hammering with black smoke filling the air made this a less than enjoyable and healthy location to visit. Lastly Hillhome is a village of over five hundred and is the quintessential example of a Neidar village. Its homes are a mix of stone and wood, and its agricultural lifestyle is interrupted only by the occasional goblin raids, as it stands on the surface of the mountain range.
Between the Dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin and the ancient monument to peace, Pax Tharkas, lies the ruins of Skullcap. This was once a great tower of sorcery but it was destroyed by the Black Robed Mage Fistandantilus just after the Cataclysm in the Dwarfgate Wars. He released a magical barrage of energy that melted the stone into the shape of the Skull that resides there till today. It is believed to still hold treasure though only the bravest or most foolish explore it’s depths.
Pax Tharkas is a mighty fortress in the Tharkadan Mountains. It was built to celebrate the peace between the Qualinesti Elves, Dwarves of Thorbardin and Humans of Ergoth in the Age of Dreams. Prior to the Cataclysm it was manned by both elves and dwarves, but the elves retreated to their forests after the Cataclysm. Verminaard, the Red Dragon Highlord, has captured it in the War of the Lance, using it for its Iron Mines below the surface. It is liberated by heroes before the wars end. Its two towers flank the east and west, joined by the Great Wall. Insight the west tower is a kitchen and mess hall as well as storage and armory. The upper levels serve as living quarters. The east tower houses Verminaards chambers, the female and child prisoners and the two dragons’ lairs. Its cellar is home to gully dwarves.
Outro
And that is all I have to say about Thorbardin and the Kharolis Mountain Range in the War of the Lance Era. Would you be able to live happily underground in Thorbardin? Have you ever explored Skullcap in a game? And finally, what is the best way to infiltrate Pax Tharkas? Leave a comment below.
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I swear by Paladine and by Gilean and by the Dark Queen and by all the gods in the heavens that if I ever in my life see you even looking in my direction, dwarf, I will turn my head and walk – no, run – the opposite way!
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