Minthal

Minthal
Type	Capital of the Minthari
Location	Anvil Range
Realm	Terasil
Inhabitants	Minthari

Minthal is the capital of the Minthari civilization, a sprawling underground metropolis carved into the heart of the Anvil Range. Hidden deep within ancient stone, Minthal is a city of vast caverns, interconnected tunnels, and towering subterranean forges. As the political, economic, and spiritual center of the Minthari, it serves as both a fortress and a sanctuary, sheltering its inhabitants from the surface world while housing some of the finest metallurgical and engineering wonders in Adaris.

Geography

Minthal is a vast, multi-layered network of tunnels, chambers, and carved-out spaces, forming a labyrinthine metropolis deep within the Anvil Range. The Minthari have sculpted their home directly from the rock, shaping every passageway, cavern, and forge.

Minthal’s structure is defined by:

• The Grand Tunnels – Massive arterial tunnels that serve as the city's primary thoroughfares, linking major districts together. These passages are wide enough for entire caravans of goods and workers to travel through.
• The Deep Halls – The oldest, most sacred tunnels, where the first Minthari carved their homes. These halls are densely packed with winding burrows, forming a complex honeycomb of living spaces.
• The Forge Caverns – Gigantic underground smelting chambers harnessing geothermal vents to produce weapons, tools, and armor. These caverns are lined with natural lava tubes, providing an endless source of heat.
• The Flowing Market – A sprawling subterranean bazaar carved into a network of interwoven chambers, where traders exchange goods in winding, tunnel-like stalls.
• The Ember Vaults – A series of deep, reinforced mineral veins, where the Minthari store their most valuable resources, including mithril, adamantine, and historical relics.
• The Council Burrow – A vast, highly secure chamber, where the ruling Minthari leaders gather to govern and settle disputes. Unlike the surface-world halls of power, this space is low-lit, resonant, and designed to amplify subsonic communication.

Because Minthal is entirely underground, the city's layout is three-dimensional, with tunnels extending upward and downward in complex layers. The Minthari navigate using vibration-sensitive organs, allowing them to move seamlessly through the twisting tunnels that would leave most outsiders lost.

History

Minthal’s origins date back to the earliest Minthari settlements. Over time, the city evolved from a series of primitive burrows into a highly structured metropolis, shaped by centuries of excavation and refinement.

Key historical periods:

• The Founding of Minthal – Ancient Minthari first carved the city from natural caverns, creating a sanctuary from surface dangers.
• The Era of Expansion – Massive tunnel networks were constructed, connecting Minthal to other settlements and forging routes for trade and mining.
• The Age of Industry – The discovery of geothermal energy and refined metallurgy allowed the Minthari to become one of the foremost underground civilizations in Adaris.

Notable Locations

Minthal is divided into multiple districts, each serving a specialized function within the city.

• The Forge District – The industrial heart of Minthal, filled with smelting chambers, metalworks, and engineering workshops.
• The Deep Halls – The oldest part of the city, home to historical archives, ancestral sites, and sacred gathering chambers.
• The Flowing Market – A vast underground bazaar, where merchants trade refined metals, alchemical reagents, and rare underground delicacies.
• The Ember Vaults – Secure chambers storing the rarest and most valuable metals, including mithril, adamantine, and legendary relics.
• The Council Spire – The governing center of Minthal, where the ruling Minthari leaders convene to make decisions on trade, law, and foreign relations.

Culture and Society

Minthal is a society built around craftsmanship, resilience, and tradition. As a subterranean species, the Minthari have developed unique customs and a deep connection to their environment.

• Communal Work & Craftsmanship – Every Minthari contributes to the city's maintenance, with skilled artisans, miners, and engineers holding high social status.
• Bond with the Stone & Fire – The Minthari view the earth and molten veins as both a source of sustenance and a spiritual force. Their rituals often involve stone carving, metalworking, and fire-based ceremonies.
• A Language of Vibrations – Due to their worm-like physiology, the Minthari primarily communicate through subsonic vibrations and resonant echoes within tunnels, though they also use a written script.
• Isolationist Yet Pragmatic – While Minthari prefer to remain underground, they maintain selective trade relations with surface dwellers through trusted intermediaries.

Economy

Minthal thrives on mining, metallurgy, and subterranean resource management.

• Ore & Metal Trade – The city exports high-quality iron, copper, silver, and rare minerals, sought after by weapon forgers and artisans across Adaris.
• Geothermal Energy Use – Unlike many surface societies, Minthal relies on lava vents and steam energy, making it a self-sufficient power hub.
• Tunnel-Based Agriculture – Specialized mushroom farms, fungus-based livestock, and underground water filtration systems sustain the Minthari.
• Alchemical Production – The Minthari extract minerals for potent alchemical substances, enhancing their tools, armor, and medicinal supplies.