Anvil

Anvils were an essential tool for metalworking throughout Toril. They were used by all manner of armorers, blacksmiths, jewelers, metal workers, swordsmiths, and weaponsmiths. "If you aren't the hammer, some berk'll think you're an anvil."

- Vindalf of the Ysgardian dwarves.

Description
Anvils consisted of a large block of metal with a flattened top surface and one pointed end. This flat surface was known as the "face" and was where another object would be either struck or cut. The pointed end was referred to as the "beak" or "horn" and was used to bend bars or sheets of metal. The other end of an anvil was referred to as the "heel" or "tail" and usually had two holes within it for the purposes of other common blacksmith tools, the hardie and punch.

Anvils typically produced a clanging, clunking, or ringing sound whenever they were struck. A ringing sound was most preferred by dwarven smiths and those that produced a sweeter tone would fetch higher prices.

Both small- and full-sized anvils made of solid steel were available for purchase through Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.

Notable Anvils

 * Allyn's Anvil: a pair of ancient megaliths high in the northern Alimir Mountains that many legends claimed a number of artifacts were forged upon.
 * Altar of Imix: a magical, iron anvil that was consecrated by the Cult of the Eternal Flame in the name of Imix. It was later discovered by Derwin Ironeater of Illefarn, who mistook it for an altar to the dwarven god Moradin.
 * Anvil of the Blacksmith: a common type of magical anvil that was often used by gold dwarves, shield dwarves, and urdunnir.
 * Dumathoin's Anvil: a legendary anvil of the dwarven god Dumathoin that was hidden within the Frostsilver Mines.
 * Moradin's Anvil: a legendary steel anvil in the Great Rift that was said to be gifted by Moradin himself.
 * Stronghold anvil: a type of magical anvil that was distinct to each dwarven stronghold.

Usage

 * A variety of dwarven spells required an anvil as a material component including hammer, masterwork, and tempering.
 * The spell semipermanency required a small anvil as one of its material components.
 * In the plane of Arvandor, the resident elves were known to be quite skilled in the use of anvils.
 * In the plane of Muspelheim, the forges of Surtur were known to have anvils the size of oxcarts.

Dwarven Culture
"Every fall of the hammer on the anvil, every fire stoked in the forge, is a step on a journey set before me by Moradin himself. It isn't work. It is a challenge to achieve greatness."

- Balifra Eversharp

With blacksmithing being a major activity for many dwarves, anvils held a significant place within both their culture and religion. The symbol of Moradin, the head of the Morndinsamman, was typically a hammer and anvil. Their ancestral legends spoke of him bestowing a hammer and anvil upon the first dwarves. Being his symbol, temples to Moradin were typically decorated with anvils. Anvils near the entrances of these temples were always struck by his priests before they surrendered any weapons they had to the temples' guards. Moradin was sometimes known to demonstrate his favor with a follower by manifesting his symbol upon an anvil after being struck by a hammer. When he wanted to demonstrate his disfavor though, he was sometimes known to cause anvils to shatter into hundreds of pieces upon being struck.

Worshipers of the dwarven god Marthammor Duin annually celebrated creativity on the 9th day of Highsun, a holiday they referred to as simply "the Anvil."

A number of dwarven clans and settlements included anvils in their coat of arms, such as Clan Ironstar, Sarphil, and Ironmaster. Other clans were known to include the word "anvil" in their name, such as the duergar clan Anvilthew, Clan Brawnanvil, and Clan Trueanvil.

Trivia

 * Inside the Craft House of Inspiration, there was a giant anvil altar that the worshipers of Gond were known to smash copies of their creations against. This was believed to serve as both an act of tribute to their deity and a request for good fortune.
 * In the Great Forge of the dwarven city of Gauntlgrym, many wondrous items were forged upon adamantine anvils that had been blessed by priests of Moradin.
 * Back when it was known as Ithmong, the city of Darromar's seal was a hammer striking upon an anvil. Coins minted in the city were known to display this seal.
 * The Hall of Wonder in the Utter East had a vast image of a hammer and anvil in the center of its floor.
 * A number of smithies throughout the Realms included the word "anvil" in their name, such as the Old Anvil Smithy in Sundabar, the Cracked Anvil in Port Llast, and the Anvil of the Right in Trademeet.
 * The land of Zakhara had two large deserts named for the tool, the Genies' Anvil and Great Anvil.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter • Baldur's Gate III