Deep Kingdom

The Deep Kingdom, also known as the Deep Realm, was the name of a kingdom of gold dwarves that was found in the caverns of the Great Rift and the surface lands surrounding it.

Geography
When first established, the Deep Kingdom occupied lesser caverns and tunnels under the Eastern Shaar.

The subterranean parts of the Deep Realm, which comprised the majority of it, was located entirely within the Underdark domain of Great Bhaerynden. It could be found in the north east part of that domain, and was mostly placed in the Upperdark. The surface lands and settlements of the Deep Realm included the Great Rift and the lands directly around it. Most surface dwellers never realised that the dwarven nation occupied a far greater territory than they ever expected, just below their feet.

Notable Locations

 * Daunting: A prosperous city east of the Great Rift.
 * Eartheart: this city in the Great Rift is the chief point of contact between the surface and the Deep Realm.
 * The Firecaverns: An inhabited underground rift warmed by lava flows about 100 miles north east from Underhome.
 * Glitterdelve: A prosperous town known for its precious metal mines.
 * The Hall of Echoes: A labyrnythine settlement with a haunted reputation.
 * Hammer and Anvil: The surface village is the main point of trade between the Deep Realm and the surface.
 * Harlending: A frontier city often attacked by duergar, drow, or other denizens of the Underdark.
 * Rimmator: A hospitable city on the River of the Serpent.
 * Sundasz: A small, isolated city in the far north east of the Deep Realm.
 * Thuulurn: A fortified monastic settlement dedicated to Moradin.
 * Underhome: The capital of the Deep Realm.

History
The Deep Kingdom was established after the fall of Telantiwar and stood unconquered for generations. The Thunder Blessing filled the caverns of the Deep Kingdom beyond their capacity, so a large number of gold dwarves set out to expand in new lands.

The reigning monarch of the Deep Kingdom in 1373 DR was Queen Karriva of Clan Simmerforge. However, the actual power in the Deep Kingdom lay in the hands of the Deep Lords, the governing clan council. Each of the clans had the right to appoint four clan elders to the council, which ruled from some time in the 7th Century DR. Kings, Queens, High Princes, Princes Royal, Axe Princes, Princess, Princess Royal, War Princess, and Duke were just some of the common hereditary more exalted titles which continued to represent the royalty. Due to endless feuds, bickering and internecine wars, and the rising threat of drow and duergar, the Deep Lords were created to maintain unity within the Deep Kingdom. They dispensed justice, commanded the armies, and dictated policy.

When the Spellplague struck Toril in 1385 DR, great rifts opened up in the Underdark beneath the Sea of Fallen Stars, which in turn caused the collapse of great swathes of land. The Underchasm formed in southern Faerûn, devastating the Great Rift, including the Deep Realm and its capital of Underhome. Many gold dwarves were able to flee the cataclysm through the elemental portals that fed the Riftlake, and others, including the Deep Lords, fled east to the devout city of Eartheart.