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

A forge in Minthal

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

A Minthal tunnel

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.