It is called the City of Glass, and for good reason: in ages long since lost, the dwarves delving into the Iron Mountains for iron and other metals found a vast chasm, stretching from the surface into caves hundreds of feet beneath the surface. They ventured inside and saw one of the natural wonders of the world: deep beneath the surface, the dark grey rock of the mountain gave way to a titanic geode, cracked by some conflict long before dwarves ever ventured into Endon. They built their city there, using the crystal formations to their advantage.

Glaston is a vertical city – rather than extending across the ground when the population grows and is in search of more room, the architects of Heimglah used the terrain of the chasm to plan their city. Built upon levels that reach down into the darkness of the Chasm and stretch from there to the massive broken geode now known as the Glass Cavern, Heimglah is one of the few cities in Endon to use mechanisms to move between levels: their lifts move them and their supplies around as needed.

The dwarves of the Glass Halls are a reclusive, secretive lot – and that is their right. The mountain-walls of Heimglah protect a treasure greater than anything wrought by mortal hands, and they have taken it upon themselves to guard it and keep it. However, some travellers are surprised that the legendary friendliness of the dwarves seems to be lacking at Heimglah.

The Origins of Heimglah

Heimglah, the City of Glass, owes its existence to a geological wonder that few had the fortune to witness: the discovery of a massive chasm beneath the Iron Mountains. When the dwarves first delved into the mountains searching for iron and precious ores, they stumbled upon something far more extraordinary - an immense chasm that descended deep into the earth, opening into a cavernous expanse unlike anything seen before. At the heart of this chasm lay a titanic geode, a shimmering world of translucent crystals stretching from the cavern walls to the ceiling. These massive crystal formations glittered with an ethereal glow, casting long shadows and bathed in the soft light that filtered down from cracks in the mountain above.

At first, the dwarves could scarcely believe their eyes. The geode was both a blessing and a mystery - its size, its beauty, and its very existence were unlike anything they had ever encountered. After some deliberation, the decision was made to settle the area, and what began as a simple mining expedition grew into the grand city of Heimglah. The dwarves did not simply mine the area for metals; instead, they constructed a city built around and within the geode itself. The cavern’s glass-like walls were carved and polished into breathtaking structures, forming an intricate cityscape suspended within the heart of the chasm. As they mined deeper, the dwarves also discovered a wealth of rare minerals, which they incorporated into their crafts and trades, further enhancing the city’s value. Over time, Heimglah’s reputation as a city of unparalleled beauty and skill spread throughout the lands, though it remained a closely guarded secret.

The dwarves of Heimglah regard the geode with a reverence bordering on sacredness. To them, it is not just a resource but a gift - a natural wonder they must protect at all costs. The city’s position within the chasm was strategic as well as symbolic: its location is both a natural fortress and a reminder of the dwarves’ place within the mountains. Heimglah’s citizens were entrusted with the care of this gem of the earth, and its protection became not only a matter of survival but of honor. However, the city’s existence beneath the earth has not gone unnoticed. Over the centuries, rumors of the city’s treasures, including the geode itself, have drawn the interest of adventurers, thieves, and rival factions, all eager to uncover what lies within. Despite the threat of intrusion, the dwarves have managed to preserve their secrets, maintaining the city’s isolation from the world above.

The Jewel of Heimglah

Deep within the heart of Heimglah lies the Glass Halls - an architectural marvel that has become the very symbol of the city’s ingenuity and craftsmanship. The Glass Halls are located at the farthest, most secure point from the entrance of the city, nestled in the depths of the chasm where the crystal formations of the geode are at their most striking. These halls are not simply rooms or chambers; they are vast, open spaces filled with delicate crystal spires, translucent walls, and polished surfaces that reflect and refract light in mesmerizing patterns. The dwarves who built these halls did not merely carve into the rock; they shaped the crystal itself, using its natural properties to enhance the beauty and functionality of their living and working spaces.

In addition to their beauty, the Glass Halls are also a practical marvel. The dwarves have used the natural properties of the crystals to create a city that is both sustainable and self-sufficient. The crystal formations act as natural conduits for light, providing illumination for the city’s lower levels without the need for torches or other artificial sources of light. The walls of the halls are also inscribed with ancient dwarven runes that are said to imbue the crystals with protective properties, keeping the city shielded from both physical and magical harm. It is said that the dwarves of Heimglah maintain these runes as a form of warding, ensuring that no harm can come to the city or its precious geode.

The Goods Exchange

As the locals of Heimglah have always been protective of the wonders of the Glass Cavern, they do not allow outsiders into the city unless under extreme circumstances: rather, all trading with the outside world happens at the Goods Exchanges. Like most dwarven cities in the area, the architects built a complex of halls at the surface for the trading caravans from outside to bring their wares, haggle about price, and take orders for further deliveries. In cities like Heimtod and Heimflad, the Goods Exchanges are simply convenient marketplaces for the merchants – but in Heimglah, they take their security far more seriously.

The Dwarven Goods Exchange is an intact trading post designed to keep the outside world separate from the interior of the city. At the exchange, a team of merchants and accountants from within the city buy the produce from the traders and caravans, and hook the goods up to the great lift and the chasm lift. The produce then descends to the city and the traders, having been happily paid and sent on their way, return to the world above without having glimpsed the city.

The goods exchange is guarded, but the guards are posted to stop outsiders from attempting to reach the city, not to stop people from venturing into the abandoned tunnels.

The Geode’s Curse

Deep within the Glass Cavern lies a secret that has been whispered among dwarves for centuries - the Geode’s Curse. The Glass Cavern, with its glittering, crystalline walls, is not only a source of immense beauty and wonder but is also said to harbor a mysterious and dangerous power. Ancient dwarven texts speak of a time long ago when the cavern was nearly destroyed by outside invaders who sought to harness its power for themselves. In response, the dwarves swore an oath to protect the Glass Cavern at all costs, and it is said that the geode itself placed a curse upon the city’s founders, binding them to its protection forever. As a result, Heimglah’s guardians remain vigilant, warding off any intruders who may wish to exploit the geode’s hidden powers.

Though the exact nature of the curse is shrouded in mystery, some say it takes the form of a slow, creeping madness that afflicts those who venture too close to the cavern’s core. Others claim that the curse has manifested in the city’s isolationism, with the dwarves becoming increasingly secretive and distrustful of outsiders over the centuries. The curse has also been linked to a series of misfortunes that have befallen those who have attempted to plunder the Glass Cavern, including the disappearance of several prominent adventurers and the failure of expeditions to uncover the geode’s true nature. The dwarves, however, refuse to speak openly of the curse, believing it to be a sacred duty to protect the geode at all costs.

The Lifts of Heimglah

It has long been a point of contention – and one that would not be recommended to bring up in polite conversation amongst mixed company – about which race invented the mechanical lift. The goliaths and the giants will swear that the smiths at the Agdu-Ild made them first, in the days long before the rise of the lesser races. The gnomes, known for their tinkering and invention, also claim that they are the first to create the lifts. But the dwarves of Heimglah also stake a claim to that honour, and look upon anyone claiming plagiarism as hostile.

Nonetheless, the mechanical lifts of Heimglah, if any outsider can get far enough into the city to see them, are a true wonder. The Great Lift, the most recently built, has a counterweight system that spins a wheel thirty feet across – but there are other lifts, such as the Chasm Lift, which is far older, maintained and used constantly for at least several hundred years. Recent developments in industry and innovation have meant that the herds of animals that used to be used to lift have been replaced by counterweights and water-power.