Melairrin

Melairrin was an ancient dwarven citadel that sat in the heart of Mount Sar in the Sword Mountains north of Waterdeep.

Description
The ancient dwarfhold was long abandoned, and consisted of both a citadel and adjoining caverns. It connected to the exterior of Mount Sar via western tunnels that led through the abode of the frost giant Harshnag, a member of the Gray Hands. The lower reaches of the hold were also accessible via a portal known as the Sundered Throne in the Dungeon Level of Undermountain, although reports differed as to whether this was a one- or two-way gateway.

History
The fortress was claimed by the orcs of Uruth Ukrypt shortly after the founding of their realm in the, and provided them a secure base from which to wage wars on the surrounding human and gnome settlements of the Sword Coast North and Dessarin Valley. It also served as the seat of the realm's political power where the Bloodbone Throne of Uruth was kept.

During the Rage of Dragons in the, the black dragon Shammagar attacked Melairrin and claimed it from the orcs as his lair. Three centuries later, much of his hoard was famously plundered by Asilther Graelor, a wood elf thief and Harper. Wary of further thefts, Shammagar abandoned the citadel to seek more remote lairs in the middle of the Trackless Sea and to take revenge on Asilther.

Inhabitants
As of the mid-to-late 14 century DR, Melairrin was home to a variety of monsters that had arrived from the caverns of the Underdark beneath it, as well as to bands of half-dragon orcs believed to be descended from Shammagar. The deepest depths of the fortress hosted the lair of Rorrina Stoneshaft, a dwarven vampire who served Artor Morlin of Waterdeep.